Northstars coach John Kennedy jnr reckons two Canadians, two Czechs and a Slovakian will help Newcastle go to another level in the 2019 Australian Ice Hockey League.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Slovakian defenceman Dominik Gabaj was the fifth import played added to the Northstars' roster ahead of this weekend's season opening double header at home.
Kennedy jnr likes what he has seen so far.
"We've definitely gone international," Kennedy jnr said.
"They all have a high level of skill, a high level of speed and high level of talent.
"In practice yesterday [Thursday] you could see they can sum up the play, have vision on the ice and great game instincts."
Northstars newcomers Gabaj, Drolet and Smach have most recently been playing in France.
Landa and Banga are both back for another campaign in Newcastle.
"I'm confident in the five imports we've brought in," Kennedy jnr said.
"They can be the difference sometimes if you need an extra goal or you're down by one."
In other squad changes, last year's imports Joseph Harcharik, Nick Rivait and Sam Lawson have not returned while Robert Haselhurst has headed to Perth.
Northstars captain Robert Malloy, goalkeeper Charlie Smart and Matthew Lindsay are back in the country having scored silver for Australia at the second division World Championships in Serbia earlier this month.
Play against the Sydney Bears gets underway at 5pm on Saturday. The battle with the Melbourne Ice starts at 4pm on Sunday.
