Mark this date on the calendar Dragons fans. The boys hit the ice on September 7 in this season’s home opener.
On Wednesday, June 27, the AJHL released the 2012/2013 schedule. The Drumheller Dragons will begin the regular season at home and will be facing the rival Calgary Canucks.
However, fans can see the Dragons in action sooner. The team will be facing the Canucks in their first home preseason game on August 29.
The Canucks finished the 2011/2012 regular season three points ahead of the Dragons. The Dragons will also be facing the Olds Grizzlys and Kindersley Klippers of the SJHL in their pre season.
The pre season games give a chance for many of the Dragons fresh faces to get accustomed to one another in game situations.
“It’s important to get more games. You can practice all day, but you need to play against competition. It’s getting the guys in the best game condition they can by playing as many games as they can. It’ll give everybody an opportunity to get acclimated to each other,” said head coach/general manager, Brian Curran.
The preseason games, especially the extra game against Kindersley, will give players time to prove themselves ready for a spot on the Dragons regular season roster.
“At that time of the year, we’re making final decisions on players. For that game, we’ll mostly have things sorted out, but there will be question marks on a few players. The game will help us make decisions,” said Curran.
Fans in Hanna will have a chance to the see the Dragons play in Hanna on October 30. The Dragons have traditionally played one game in Hanna each season.
“It’s Drumheller’s team, but we serve a big area. Hanna has been a big part of the Dragons. It gives back to them. We do one game a year. It’s been successful and well received. We get great volunteers and fans who come out. It’s one game a year to reach out to the outlying communities,” said Rod Knelsen, owner/president of the Dragons.
For more information about the schedule visit www.ajhl.ca. Dragons season tickets are now available. More information can be found at www.drumhellerdragons.ca.
