In advance of their season-opening game, the Cariboo Cougars have their leadership team in place.

The Cougars, who compete in the B.C. Hockey Major Midget League, will be captained this season by Ryan Forbes, a 17-year-old forward from Kitimat. Forbes will be assisted by forwards Tyler Povelofskie and Logan Styler and by defenceman Stephen Penner.

Forbes is one of six returning members of the Cougars this season. In 39 games last year, he had 11 goals and 36 points, as well as 79 minutes in penalties. In the 2011 Western Hockey League bantam draft, he was selected by the Kelowna Rockets in the 11th round, 229th overall.

Povelofskie, a 16-year-old Williams Lake product, is also a second-year Cougar. Last season, he contributed 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 34 games. He's also a WHL prospect of the Rockets.

Styler, a 16-year-old from Prince George, is another returning player. As a rookie last season, he scored seven goals and added nine assists in 35 games.

Penner, a 17-year-old local who stands six-foot-five, won a provincial championship with the Coast Inn of the North midget Tier 1 Cougars last season. He also spent time with the Cariboo club as an affiliated player.

The Cougars begin the 2012-13 MML season on Saturday when they host the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds. The game will start at 4:15 p.m. at CN Centre.

Admission is free.