Last season's Bellmore-Merrick Bulldogs hockey team finished the regular season at 18-2-0, before falling to the Massapequa Chiefs in two games in the Nassau County finals.

After qualifying for the New York State tournament in Buffalo, the Bulldogs battled through several injuries to finish second in the state.

This season's team has a totally different look.

James Bobb, last season's leading scorer, graduated in the spring, along with line mate Frankie Leavey and all six starting defensemen.

Senior Nick Abbene has been named captain for the upcoming season and will look to pick things up early after missing the second half of last season with a shoulder injury. Seniors Dan Hulse and Dan Smith have been named alternate captains.

With the always impressive Long Beach team returning to Nassau County after a season in Suffolk and Massapequa geared up for another run at the title, the Bulldogs will have their work cut out for them.

The Bulldogs' season kicks off on Monday, Nov. 28 at 9 p.m. against Cold Spring Harbor at Newbridge Arena.