The Adelaide Adrenaline will have a different look and feel on the ice in 2018 with the club ready to hand over the reigns to some young but talented South Australian players. 

Two rookie players who will have an opportunity to impress the home fans this season is 17-year-old Nathaniel Benson and 18-year-old Brad Chenoweth. 

These two forwards will join a young, exciting and hungry group of young players including one of the most exciting defensive groups in the country built around Zach Boyle, Jordan Geyer and prized young recruit Corey Stringer.

"I'm ready," says Benson. "I've been working hard to get ready to play in the AIHL and I really want to be an impact player on our young team." 

It's attitudes and excitement like this that should get everyone pumped for the season.

Benson and Chenoweth are both coming off stand-out seasons with the Adelaide Generals in the Australian Junior Ice Hockey League. 

Benson put up 16 points in just 12 games for the minor-premiers while Chenoweth had 14 points. Benson finished fifth in the league in scoring. The only players above him were Zach Boyle, Corey Stringer and Ryan Foll - each who will feature heavily with the Adrenaline in 2018 - and Perth's top young-gun Lyndon Lodge.

Chenoweth and Benson both agree that the AJIHL provided a nice off-season transition for the duo. They got to play against some of the best young talent and players with AIHL experience while playing on a team that only lost once in the regular season. 

The Generals lost to the Corey Stringer led Melbourne Glaciers in the Grand Final, however. This taught players like Brad Chenoweth an important lesson.

"It taught me that just because you're the top team doesn't mean you're unbeatable," he says.

"This AIHL season will be interesting," says Chenoweth. "Last year I played a few shifts and learned it's a big step up from the Premier League. The team needs to be consistent to have a chance to win. But it's great because the boys are still fairly fresh to the experience so we're learning a lot along the way."

Benson is a smart two-way player who says his hockey-IQ and knowledge of the game has been his strength growing up. 

"I love controlling the play and having the puck on my stick to do that. So hopefully this season I'll be able to help this team any way I can," he says. 

"I just need to keep working on the usage of my body considering the size and strength of the players in this league. I'm not a 'hitter' but I understand the importance it holds in this league. 

Chenoweth says his biggest strength through juniors has been playmaking and passing. He says he needs to work on getting more shots on the net, picking his spots and making them count. 

President Eric Balnar says he's excited to see what some of these players have and what the coaches have been working on.  

"Everyone has something to prove. We want to prove we're not where we've been on the standings and each of the young guys has to have an edge. Guys like Corey Stringer get to prove he's a top defensemen in this league. Zach Boyle gets to prove he should be in the conversation for a regular national team spot. Jordan Geyer gets to prove he belongs in this league at a top-level after a strong rookie year," Balnar says.

"Nathaniel and Brad - I can't wait to see them get better every game in this league. We're going to be young, we're going to be fun and hope our fans want to come along for the ride with us." 

While this new generation is ushered in, the younger generation is still in awe.

Benson says the experience has been a bit surreal and he can't believe he's training with the likes of Greg Oddy. 

"He is like the Aussie Gretzky. It's incredible that four years ago I came and watched players like him play and I never imagined I'd be training and playing with players with such high-skill levels like him."

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The Adrenaline start their season on April 21 on the road in Melbourne before returning to the IceArenA for the home opener on April 28. Memberships, season tickets and game packs are available here.

Nathaniel Benson is sponsored by Kalo Lolomanai'a while Brad is still on the prowl for a sponsor. If you can support Brad and the club get in touch with us at president@adelaideadrenaline.com.

QUICK SHOTS - BRAD CHENOWETH
Favourite Food: Chicken Parmy 
Favourite NHL Team: San Jose Sharks 
Favourite Player: Brent Burns 
Favourite Pre-Game Music: Rap 
How did you get in to ice hockey?: I got into hockey through the local inline rink where peter king worked and he handed out flyers for ball hockey. From there I started inline then ice hockey a few years later. 
Profession: Student/Plant operator, civil construction 

QUICK SHOTS - NATHANIEL BENSON
Favourite Food: Nordburger Cheeseburger for sure
Favourite NHL Team: Montreal Canadiens 
Favourite Player: Mathew Barzal
Favourite Pre-Game Music: Chance the Rapper, Eminem
How did you get in to ice hockey?: I'm Canadian 
Profession :Honestly couldn't tell you right now, detective is up there though