MARINERS HIT THE ICE THIS WEEKEND : LEAGUE CHAMPS TO OPEN THIRD HOCKEY SEASON.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Daily News Staff Writer

One year after winning the Western States League championship and placing third in the Junior B National Hockey playoffs, the Ventura Mariners are setting their sights even higher.

This season they've scheduled a handful of games against teams in higher-level leagues. The goal is to match their skills against better - at least on paper - hockey clubs this season while maintaining hopes of moving to a higher league in the near future.

The Mariners kick off their third season this weekend with the Wild West Shootout, a three-game series against the perennial United States Hockey League power North Iowa Huskies. The two teams will play games Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Easy Street Arena in Simi Valley. Each game is scheduled for 7 p.m.

It's a chance for the Mariners to gauge their talent against a team from the premier junior amateur hockey league in the United States.

``It's really a wonderful opportunity for our players and the people of Ventura County,'' said Mariners coach Sean McGillivray. ``For people that are interested in seeing exciting, talented hockey players, this is it.''

The USHL annually produces a number of players who go on to play college or professional hockey.

And though McGillivray realizes that the Mariners could find themselves in over their heads against such a gifted club, he feels the positives of the experience far outweigh the negatives.

``Our goal is to stay competitive,'' he said. ``They've been around longer than us and they've got a lot of talented players. But we feel we've picked up some sleeper-type players who work hard and can play. It will be interesting.''

The Mariners actually have a little history on their side. Last year they played a number of games against teams from more advanced leagues and ended up holding their own for the most part. In fact, they beat a Junior A team from Jackson Hole, Wyo., three times.

``We played some teams last year that probably figured they'd come in here and wax us but we played them tough,'' McGillivray said. ``Maybe we can do the same thing against these guys.''

After two weeks of training camp, McGillivray believes the Mariners are better than last year's WSL championship club. Seven players from last season left to play college hockey.

``Sending that many players to college is a huge accomplishment for a team like ours,'' McGillivray said. ``But we feel we've got an even deeper team this year.''

Offensively wingers Jason Slinger, Carlos Gastelum and Keoni Huegli are back, and each is expected to have productive years. But newcomers C.J. Carlson, Micah Wouters and Bill Tucker are all being counted on to contribute offensively.

McGillivray has been especially impressed with returning center Tate Madick, who's had a solid training camp so far.

``He's put on about 15 pounds since last season and he's looking good,'' McGillivray said.

Defensively the Mariners should get a huge boost from new goalies Sam Skoryna and Chris MacClure. The new defenseman include 6-3, 205-pounder Aaron Bowal and 5-10, 190-pounder Jamie Ori.

Returning defenseman Shane McGillivray is in the best shape of his life.

``Defensively we have much more depth then a year ago,'' coach McGillivray said. ``We feel we'll have a very solid, exciting, tough team.''

The Mariners have scheduled a season-opening barbecue today at the Easy Street Arena. More than 300 people have been invited to the 6 p.m. event including a number of Simi Valley city officials. The barbecue features a rib-eating contest between players from the Mariners and Huskies.

In addition to picking up new players, the Mariners will also add a new element to their uniforms. Each player will wear a Red Cross patch on their game jerseys and every member of the club will be CPR certified.

``We've developed a relationship with the Ventura County Red Cross, and this is our way of helping out,'' said Mariners marketing director John Parks. ``We're the first hockey team in the nation to do something like this.''

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

Photo: (1) Coach Sean McGillivray, seen instructing play ers in the Mariners' first season, has put together a tough schedule.

(2) Jason Slinger

High-scoring winger

Evan Yee/Daily News