The Kootenay ICE will host Calgary tonight at the Rec-Plex.
It’s a new season with a few new things.
Tonight the club will wear their new 3rd jerseys for the 1st time.
Kris Knoblauch isn’t new but his role as Head Coach is new.
The new assistant coaches are Todd Johnson and Jerry Bancks.
There are 6 new players on the roster but only 2 or 3 will be in the lineup tonight.
ICE have 19 returning players on their roster and only Brayden McNabb is unavailable as he is getting an expected long visit with the Buffalo Sabres.
Goalie Nathan Lieuwen will get the start and rookie Brett Teskey will be the back-up.
That means Kevin King, Steele Boomer and Matt Fraser will all be allowed to play as the club is only allowed 3 over-agers on the roster.
Todd Mathews will be the 20-year-old who sits out.
For the 2nd time in Kootenay ICE history they will host their #1 rivals the Calgary Hitmen in their Home Opener. In 2003 the ICE won 2-1.
This is the start of the 15th year for the franchise and their 13th in Cranbrook.
The ICE have won 4 of their last 5 home openers.
This is the first of 8 battles between the clubs this season and is the 106th career regular season meeting.
Pre-Game Show is at 6:30 on The Drive.