The Moose Jaw Generals started their work towards the 2018-19 season on the weekend as they hosted their annual training camp at Mosaic Place.

Building off the work done at their summer camp in July, the Generals started to prepare for the new season with practices and scrimmages on Saturday and Sunday.

"It was a really good pace, we came out and were skating well, it was good to see," said Casey McDonald, the Generals' leading scorer from 2017-18.

After featuring just one returning player last year, the Generals are loaded with veteran talent this season as 18 players suit up for their second season in Moose Jaw.

McDonald said with so much returning talent, the Generals are excited about what this season could hold.

"It's pretty big, we have a full year under our belts now and I'm excited, I think we're going to do good," he said.

"We'll be a strong team, we'll have lots of depth, so that will help."

McDonald posted nine goals and a team-leading 27 assists in 44 games last season. He said he focused on building strength over the offseason.

"I was just working on foot speed, I was in the gym lots, working at that and trying to get quicker, stronger, all that," he said.

The Generals took their lumps last season, finishing second-last in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League and missing the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.

Going through those experiences last season will provide this year's team with a base to build off.

"All the returning players have a lot of chemistry and we've all played together, so it will be really good," said second-year defenceman Carey Levesque.

"We came into the league without experience, but now that we've got a year under our belt, we know what it takes to be successful."

Levesque, a Moose Jaw Warriors draft pick, feels more comfortable going into his second season in the SMAAAHL.

"My focus was on gaining muscle," he said. "I felt like I had a good summer and hope it pays off this season."

The players will now head their separate ways for junior training camps over the next few weeks.

The Generals return to the ice together for their first preseason game coming up on Sept. 6 against the Swift Current Legionnaires at Mosaic Place.