The final year of minor hockey is already a special one for Swift Current's Maddy McCleary.

Suiting up in her fourth season with the hometown Diamond Energy Female Midget AAA Wildcats, the even-keeled defenceman was named team captain.

"It's an awesome opportunity," McCleary said. "Being a Swift kid, it just really helps build the program, especially for young girls. They get to look up to you - It's a really cool opportunity."

She's joined on the Wildcats' leadership group by alternate captains Madison Garrett, Sara Kendall, and Baylee Kirwan.

McCleary has been a steady presence on the backend for the Wildcats the previous three seasons, highlighted by a career-high 21 points in 35 regular-season and playoff games last year.

A slight transition period is still needed for the defender to fully settle into her new role. Already well-accustomed to leading by example, McCleary says she'll need to work on the other end of the spectrum to balance the scales.

"I'm definitely more of a leader who demonstrates," she said. "I'm not very vocal, but I'm working on that - just working hard every practice, showing the younger rookies what to do. Just stuff like that."

Don't count on that acclimation process taking too long at all, as McCleary has been able to sit back and soak in the leadership styles of captains Chloe Smith (16-17), Taylor Kirwan (17-18), and Taylor Lind (18-19) in her first three seasons.

"You've just got to be approachable," she said. "You've got to be able to talk to people, you've got to be able to talk to the coaches, communicate with the team. All three of those [captains], it's just been an awesome opportunity for learning."

The McCleary-led Wildcats already have a win under their belt, after topping the Battlefords Sharks 4-1 in their season-opener this past Saturday out in Gull Lake.

The roster put together by Wildcats head coach Terry Pavely is one that the team captain believes could have a special season, if they have the dedication and work ethic to match their goals.

"I think this is the best team I've been on," McCleary said. "I think we honestly have a chance to win at the end. If we push hard through these couple of months, it's going to be a grind at the end for the championship."

A good test for the progression and skill of the team awaits in a three-game home stand this weekend at Fairview West. Swift Current welcomes the two teams that reached last year's league final to the southwest.

The Wildcats host the Saskatoon Stars Friday and Saturday, and the Regina Rebels on Sunday.

"It's a huge weekend coming up. Saskatoon, it'd be nice to just beat those guys right off the start. They've been tough through my last three years," said McCleary. "Regina, it's going to be a grind playing that third game, but if can come out strong, I feel like we'll have a really good opportunity to win."

The first game against the Stars is underway Friday at 8 p.m.