Blackburn Hawks' general manager Graham Lomax insists his new-look squad - including a top Slovakian import - possess the wow' factor ahead of their opening English National Ice Hockey League game tonight.

Hawks stars travel to Kingston, and Lomax is confident that the refreshed squad will raise the bar as Hawks look to better last season.

Hawks pulled off several signings over the summer, most notably defenceman Dusan Kubik - Slovakian junior champion in 2001. Lomax reckons the 24-year old could give the team the extra quality to push for top spot in the league.

He said: "We had been looking at Dusan for a while and we made our intentions clear from the start that we wanted him here. He has shown a lot of promise and should prove a key player for us this year."

Harry and Jackson Hall, Dan Fearon and netminder Nick Saxton have been added to the squad while Lance Derbyshire and Ricci Hulme have both signed contracts for the new season. Michael Brunton has been named club captain.

"We cannot wait for the term to begin", said Lomax. "There is a real buzz about the place now, everyone is very upbeat and raring to go. We have undergone major changes behind the scenes and have taken a fresh outlook on the direction of the club.

"It was disappointing to finish last season in the way we did, but everyone is hopeful that we can learn from that and press on.

"We have managed to attract players to the Arena that perhaps we wouldn't have been able to last year, so it has been a productive break."

Lomax is optimistic that Hawks will get off to a winning start against Kingston.

"We are in a completely different frame of mind this season. There is a great atmosphere and it is a real pleasure to be involved with the club at the moment. "

Nottingham provide the opposition for Hawks' first home game of the season on Sunday 9 September.