COACH Jared Owen has urged his Blackburn Hawks side to ‘set an early marker’ as they bid for honours to mark their 25th anniversary season in style.

Hawks, who were founded in time for the 1990/91 campaign as the Blackhawks, finished runners up to Solway Sharks on all fronts last year.

The Dumfries side finished top of the Moralee Conference, won the play-offs and the Northern Cup.

But Owen insists playing second fiddle to the Scots has fuelled Hawks’ desire to go one better in all competitions this time around, and show they mean business when the two sides do battle in the second game of their double header opening weekend.

“I don’t know if you’d say it’s a grudge match. We want to set a marker early this year and there’s no better opportunity than Solway in the first home game of the season,” said Owen ahead of his fifth season as player-coach.

“We’ve got Manchester Minotaurs the day before, to in theory get our legs ready.

“It’s a big challenge for us but we want to take the points and we want to say early ‘we’re here and we’re competing for the league’.

“We know Solway will be good. I think we’re as good if not better.

“We know we’ve got to be ready for that one.

“I think sometimes if you have some of the teams that aren’t right at the top of the league you perhaps don’t go into it with the right mindset but we’ve got no choice now, we’ve got to be ready from the first.

“It’s a good start to the season. There is no better game for us than to get Solway early doors and to see where we fit.”

Owen has added forward Luke Brittle to the squad – making it a hat-trick of Brittle brothers as he joins netminder Daniel and forward Adam, defence man Pavel Slowik as an import player and most recently forward Jordan Bannon from Deeside Dragons.

“If you can get another Brittle you should always add one,” smiled Owen.

“Luke trained with us last summer but he was going to Luton on his university placement.

“He played in Chelmsford and they won the quadruple down there last year, so he knows what it takes to win – he’s been part of a winning culture so bringing him here was a no-brainer once I knew that he wanted to come.”

After suffering a spell of creating chances but struggling to score last season, Owen sees his newest Brittle as a key piece of the puzzle.

“He’s a goalscorer, definitely something that we’ve lacked, and I’m really looking forward to him contributing and obviously having the three of them they’re three quality players,” he said.

“Most teams in the league would want to have them.”

He described the signing of Czech Slowik as: “A big plus.

“He’s good on the puck, every pass is on the tape, he’s got a very good shot and defensively he doesn’t get beaten.”

Of newest recruit Bannon, Owen added: “He will give us a big boost to our offensive lines.

“He’s an exciting forward who will score goals and create opportunities for his team-mates.”

On a personal note, Owen feels in great shape after shedding three and a half stone since the end of last season having made a conscious decision to lead by example on the fitness front.

“I just got to the point where I thought ‘if I want this team to be better then what can I do to help that?’,” he said.

“I got a programme for the summer in the gym and changed my diet and I’ve reaped the benefits of that and I’m looking forward to the season now.

“I’ve noticed a difference on the ice. I think this is the best shape I’ve been in for years.

“Even when I was playing in the EPL (English Premier League) I definitely didn’t eat as well as I do now.

“From that point of view I’ve felt much better.”

But while he has monitored his eating habits he maintains that he still has the hunger to help Hawks succeed.

“I think this season more than any,” he said.

“It’s been like that through the squad with the contact I’ve had over the summer with the guys.

“They’ve been putting extra effort in at the gym, watching what they eat, things like that. They really want to do something this year.

“Having come so close last year they want to kick on and win that title, and I think with it being the anniversary year as well it’s a nice year. If we can do what we’re capable of then we have a very good chance of winning it.

“I’m really looking forward to it.”

Hawks begin their season away to Manchester Minotaurs tonight (face-off 5pm) and then host Solway at Blackburn Ice Arena on Sunday (face-off 5.45pm).

Ticket prices are £6.50 per adult, £3.50 per junior (Under 16) or £17.00 for family ticket (two adults and two children under 16).