Bruce Elson enters the 2011-12 boys hockey season as International Falls’ third head coach in as many years after previously having coached the Bronco girls team from 2006-09.

Elson replaces Mike Bolstad, who stepped down after his one and only season as head coach in 2010-11 with a record of 10-15-1.

While goalie Glenn Walls, forward Michael Bounds and defenseman Brett Lucek are among Falls’ key graduation losses, Elson said much of the team’s offensive attack returns.

Junior forward Lucas DeBenedet, who led the Broncos in points last season with 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points, was also an All-Conference selection at forward in the Iron Range Conference.

“Lucas DeBenedet led the team and will return as a scoring threat when on the ice,” Elson said. “Mason Meyer, Brett Musich, Christian Kittelson, Eric Lassila, Broc Friend and T.J. Wickstrom will add needed scoring to the Bronco lineup.”

Kittelson, Meyer and senior defenseman Joel Skirten have been named the Broncos’ captains for 2011-12.

“Joel Skirten and Derek White will lead the defense with Kyler Schneider, Jack Bragg, Colton LaFrance, Alex Kennedy and Nick Anderson all looking to find a spot in the starting lineup,” Elson said.

In goal, he said he is counting on varsity newcomers Wes Gunnerson and Wyatt Ulrich to “quickly establish themselves between the pipes.”

Compared to 2010-11 when the Broncos had one of the lowest averages in team history for goals per game at 2.9, Elson said he is counting on a strength this season to be “an experienced set of forwards to put the puck in the net.”

“The defense will have to play well to keep high-scoring offenses like Grand Rapids and Roseau (to name a few) off the board,” he said. “Physical play must be a focal point for the Broncos if they wish to claim the Section.”

Elson said Gunnerson “looks very good in net in the early going and should get better as the year progresses, as will the confidence of the team as they work hard toward a successful season.”

With only two returning starters on defense, Elson said the Broncos will need the younger defensive players “to step up and play big throughout the season.”

“With both goalies joining the varsity ranks this season, they will be tested early and often and will have the opportunity to excel as the season winds on,” he said.

Elson said the team’s goals for 2011-12 include reaching the Section 7A final, while advancing to the state tournament “is a lofty but attainable goal as these Broncos are fired up and ready to hit the ice and prove themselves as worthy representatives of the purple and gold.”

Throughout the season, Elson said he will be the most concerned about the potential for some players to get frustrated as he expects “the perseverance, dedication and resiliency of these current Broncos will be tested.”

“Their ability to look past a weak goal and come back during deficits will be a test of their character,” he said.

Elson said he is looking forward to having the players “get on the ice and have fun playing the game they love.”

“Hopefully the boys can overcome the roller coaster ride of the previous season and define their game so that they and all the fans of Bronco hockey will be able to see a fast-paced and exciting year,” he said.

Elson said the level of competition Falls faces in the Section “is as tough as ever with Hibbing, Duluth Denfeld, Virginia and Duluth Marshall all ranked ahead of the Broncos in the preseason polls.”

He said other teams to watch other for this season include Grand Rapids, which the Falls will face twice in conference play, Roseau and Fort Frances.

As part of a jamboree last week, Elson said the Broncos defeated Hibbing, 3-1, over two periods totaling 25 minutes and also skated to a 0-0 tie against Virginia after two 20-minute periods.

Falls opens the regular season at Bronco Arena on Saturday against Little Falls Community with the varsity faceoff set for 3 p.m. after the junior varsity game scheduled at 1 p.m.