Fans who remember the last time the Dorchester Dolphins hit the ice probably graduated from Fanshawe College quite a few years ago. This is the return of the Dolphins; 6-2-1 on the season and atop of the Yeck Conference in the SOJHL (JR. C Hockey) 16 years later.

The Dorchester community is showing strong support behind the team; at their 2012 home opener the attendance was recorded at 1,251. Bruce Schruder, director of hockey operations for the Dorchester Dolphins, said the numbers were not surprising, "I was convinced that the community was starving for junior hockey and would support this team ... Perhaps a very pleasant surprise if any would be the broad range of community support with kids from say, two years old to seniors 90 years old."

Fifteen players on the current roster are from the town of Dorchester, and that is something the organization targets. "Our two primary long-term goals are to have as much local talent on the team as possible and also to be competitive every year," Schruder said. "These two goals will ensure the community does not lose interest in the Dorchester Dolphins."

Jeff McKay, head coach of the Dorchester Dolphins, is more than familiar with the organization — he played for their Senior A team for over 10 years. "For me to coach this team is a tremendous honour, and one which l do not take for granted." He said he feels he is coaching a great group of players, "The mood and the atmosphere in the dressing room is one of unification and commitment to not only the team but, more importantly, to each other."

"Even though we have the strong representation of locals, the other players have been well accepted and have been treated like one of their own by the local group," he continued. "We are well ahead of the curve as far as unification, and that is a credit to the local players and the leadership group in place."

Jordan Fuller, Dolphins defenseman, played minor hockey with the London Jr. Knights AAA organization. He said he's happy with his choice of junior hockey, and he speaks for the rest of the Londoners on the Dolphins' roster. "At first, going into tryouts it was a little more difficult than I had thought; being new to the players and coaches, you have to show yourself and make yourself welcome ... I thought it would be a bit weird with nearly three out of four (players on) the team being from Dorchester, but it's a great group of guys who made the out-of-town guys welcomed right off the bat."

This is a very exciting time for the team and the community, but it's about becoming the best team in the SOJHL, and that means winning on the scoreboard every time they hit the ice.