The Saugus hockey team will begin its season on Wednesday with a mix of youth and experience as the Sachems look to return to the Division 2 North tournament for the third consecutive season.After missing the tourney in each of coach Chris Connors’ first two years in Saugus, the Sachems have given tournament heavyweights Newburyport and Wilmington serious scares the last two seasons.If the Sachems are to get back to the postseason again, they will rely heavily on a very talented group of underclassmen.”Of the five years I’ve been back here in Saugus, this is by far the fastest team we’ve had,” Connors said. “We had 11 sophomores on the roster so we’re going to be young but I think we will be tenacious also.”The Sachems were only 9-10-2 in the regular season a year ago but they return the bulk of a defense that was solid for most of the season.Seniors Steve Groark and Paul Andrews will lead that defensive core while they will be pair with sophomores Dan Groark and A.J. Guthro respectively. Those four will be playing in front of sophomore goalie Nick Hegarty, who had a stellar freshman campaign.Connors knows that for his team to have any shot at playing meaningful hockey in March, Hegarty will have to be stellar again.”We are going to lean on Nicky to be the backbone of the team,” Connors said. “I think he gives us a chance to win night in and night out.”The Sachems will also look to their underclassmen to help pick up the slack up front with the graduation of leading scorers Matt Fraser and Joe Vecchione.Saugus’ first line will consist of returnees Mike Kotowski and Ralph Paglucca along with transfer Mike Green, who comes in from Londonderry, NH.Sophomores will make up the second line as Saige Tait and Kurt Rodrigues are joined by Austin Prep transfer Drew Oxley whule Steve McKinney will center Rob Snow and Guy Capillo (cousin of former St. Mary’s star Charlie Capillo) on the third line.”Our goal is to bring the energy every night,” Connors said. “And you’re gonna have to in the NEC this season.”The Sachems open the regular season on Wednesday with a trip to “The Tank” – better known as Talbot Arena – in Gloucester. Saugus then takes on Salem and Marblehead before their annual Christmas tournament on home ice.”There is so much parity in the NEC this year. It’s going to be a great league.”Saugus also will be back at the Newburyport Bank Ice Hockey Classic to close the season along with non-league tilts with Medford and Dennis-Yarmouth.