The Kootenay ICE has announced details of its Western Hockey League (WHL) 2018/19 season home opener on Saturday, September 22 at Western Financial Place against the Calgary Hitmen.

The festivities to launch the ICE’s 20^th annual season in Cranbrook will begin at 4 p.m. with a tailgate party hosted by the Kootenay ICE Fan Club. The tailgate party will consist of a beer garden, barbecue, silent auction and music. All of the net proceeds from the tailgate will go towards the ICE Education Fund.

Arena doors will open at 6 p.m. The first 1,000 fans through the door will receive a pair of Thunderstix. ICE house band, the Mile High Club, will be playing music on-site.

A special pre-game ceremony will take place before puck drop. The ceremony will recognize the inaugural 1998-1999 team as well as the 2000, 2002 and 2011 championship teams.

A representative from each team (listed below) will be on hand for a ceremonial puck drop.

The individuals representing the inaugural season and three championship teams are as follows:

• Colin Patterson – 1998-1999 Inaugural team representative;
• Colin Sinclair – 2000 WHL championship team representative;
• Darcy Ewanchuk – 2002 WHL championship team representative;
• Cory Clouston – 2002 Memorial Cup championship team representative;
• Nathan Lieuwen – 2011 WHL championship team representative.

In addition, the ICE will welcome back and recognize former owner, president and general manager Jeff Chynoweth, now Hitmen GM.

The ICE today reassigned 1998-born forward Gunnar Wegleitner, 1999-born forward Sebastian Streu and 2000-born forward Eli Lieffers to a team to be named later, leaving 14 forwards, 10 defencemen and two goaltenders on its roster.

Great seats are still available.

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