After a humbling exit meeting with team brass last spring, Elgin Pearce has returned to the Kootenay Ice with a fitter body and greater resolve.

The Ice kick off the 2010-11 WHL campaign Saturday against the Calgary Hitmen, and Pearce will be eager to prove his strong camp and preseason were no fluke.

“The new Elgin showed up,” said head coach Kris Knoblauch. “He wants a bigger role on this team and that’s what you want the players to do: go home in the off-season and come back hungry at the start of the season.

“He wanted more, he was unhappy with his season last year and he should have been. I don’t think he played up to his potential, and this year so far we’re starting to see his potential.”

Drafted in the second round in 2007 for his skill and playmaking abilities, Pearce played 45 games last year and collected three goals and four assists.

In four exhibition games, he had a goal, two assists and a shootout marker.

“He’s doing everything,” said Knoblauch. “A lot of players want to score the goals and make the passes... but to be a complete hockey player there’s so much more to it than that. He’s been blocking shots, really driving and taking that puck hard to the net — things that aren’t pleasant as a hockey player, but definitely very valuable.”

The 18-year-old forward chalked his new attitude up to the confidence that comes with having a full season of major junior hockey under his garter.

“I feel more comfortable with everyone around the team and I’m just excited to start the season,” he said. “I trained hard this summer and was really expecting to come into camp ready to go because my exit meeting didn’t end well. I was making sure I exceeded their expectations and didn’t give them any reason to let me go or anything like that.”

Pearce said confidence gives a fellow the guts and determination to go the net, and blocking shots isn’t so bad.

“Blocking shots is probably one of the most praised (actions) on our team,” he said. “If you block a shot, you come into the dressing room after the period and everyone is saying, ‘Great shot block.’ It’s almost as good as a goal.”

Placing oneself in front of speeding, vulcanized rubber does have a downside; Pearce took a pre-season shot in the foot and had to miss the next game.

“I’ve been bumped up and bruised up a couple of times this year already, but whatever it takes, it’s fine. I don’t mind it,” he said.

Pearce is versatile enough that he can play centre — as the Ice found out late last season — or his natural position of right wing.

“He could be anywhere from third-line centre to possibly a top-six right-winger as the season progresses,” said Knoblauch.

NOTES — The Ice reduced their roster to 25 on Thursday, releasing 16-year-old goaltender Mackenzie Skapski. That leaves Kootenay with three goalies and no 1994-born players... Ice assistant coach Todd Johnson will have to wait for his first experience of the regular-season from behind the bench. He is in Kelowna with his pregnant wife, who is scheduled to be induced on Saturday.