COVENTRY BLAZE are set for a bumper pre-season fixture list ahead of their 2016/17 Elite Ice Hockey League campaign with four fixtures already confirmed.
The Blaze will even welcome Tilburg Tippers to the Skydome for a European clash on Sunday (August 28) where they will face the current German Division three champions.
Danny Stewart’s reign as Blaze head coach will begin on Wednesday (August 24) as Coventry welcome the Nottingham Panthers to the Skydome in what will be a repeat of last season’s grand final.
The Cardiff Devils, who suffered a 6-2 loss against the Blaze in last season’s playoff semi final, will visit the Skydome the following day – Bank Holiday Monday – for a 4pm face-off with a further date yet to be confirmed for Wednesday (September 7).
Coventry will also face two away fixtures at Cardiff on Saturday (September 3) and on Wednesday (August 31) against a side to be confirmed.
James Pease, director of hockey operations, said: “The Elite League season will start a week later than usual but we did not want to simply bring in the players at a later date.
“We want to use the time purposefully to make sure the guys are ready to go from game one of the season.
“It gives the imports new to the league more chance to settle and allows Danny additional time to work with his team and outline our plans and expectations for the season ahead.
“It’s still a couple of months away but we all can’t wait to get going.”
The pre-season schedule with two further games still to confirm is as follows:
Home: Nottingham Panthers – 7:30pm Wednesday 24th August 2016
Home: Tilburg Trappers – 5:15pm Sunday 28th August 2016
Home: Cardiff Devils – 4pm Monday 29th August 2016
Away: Fixture still to be confirmed – Wednesday 31st August 2016
Away: Cardiff Devils – 7pm Saturday 3rd September 2016
Home: Fixture still to be confirmed – 7.30pm Wednesday 7th September 2016
