SIJHL releases pre-season schedule

It’s still summer weather outside, but hockey season is already here.

The Dryden Ice Dogs and Sioux Lookout Flyers will kick off the Superior International Junior Hockey League preseason on Sept. 1 in Dryden, followed by a rematch a night later in Sioux Lookout.

Both teams will have new coaches behind the bench, with Joe West guiding the Ice Dogs and Brad Zangs heading up the Flyers.

A week later, Fort Frances will play a home-and-home series against Sioux Lookout.
The Thunder Bay North Stars, on the other hand, will look west for their first pre-season action. The Stars will take on the Neepawa Natives on Sept. 9 before heading to Portage the next two nights for dates with the defending Manitoba Junior Hockey League champion Terriers.

Defending SIJHL titleholder Wisconsin will play Fort Frances on Sept. 11, then return home for a rematch the following evening.

Neither the second-year Duluth Clydesdales nor the Iron Range Ironheads have set any exhibition dates.

The SIJHL’s 11th season is slated to get under way on Sept. 16, when Wisconsin visits Sioux Lookout and Fort Frances plays host to Thunder Bay.

The North Stars will host Wisconsin on Oct. 1 in their home opener, slated for Fort William Gardens.