Led by projected OHL first-rounder Cameron Lizotte, the Nickel City Sons Minor Midgets have finalized their roster in anticipation of several high-end tournaments this year, beginning with the Fifth Annual Toronto Titans International Minor Midget Prospect Tournament, running Sept. 6 to 9.

Head coach Darryl Moxam has been running his crew through their paces this week at the Countryside Arena, making the last few choices to complete the lineup that will hit the ice this winter.

Manager Adrian Gedye is back for a third consecutive year with the minor midget crew. While he acknowledged that the split of five defencemen and 11 forwards is slightly unusual, there is some flexibility within the lineup.

Valley East product Cole Braney has spent plenty of time as both a blueliner and up front, allowing for some shuffling that will inevitably occur as injuries and suspensions take their toll at some point during the 2012-2013 campaign.

While tournament play has served the purpose of the local minor midgets quite nicely over the past few years, there remains question about regular season play. It is absolutely no secret that the Sons would prefer a greater number of games against minor midget competition from the likes of Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay and, perhaps, Central Ontario, limiting their exposure to the Nickel District Minor Hockey League midget ranks.

Nickel City will open with a stiff test right out of the gates, kicking off the Titans Tournament with a matchup on Sept. 7 against the vaunted Toronto Marlboros. Games against the Brampton Battalion, Clarington Toros and Kitchener Jr. Rangers round out the round robin play for the locals in a tournament that has attracted 50 teams.