The Kootenay ICE are in Edmonton tonight to open the WHL regular season.
Last season the Oil Kings won all 6 regular season meetings (2 in overtime and 1 in a shootout)and all 4 games in the first round of the playoffs.
The previous 2 seasons the ICE had won 12 games in a row against the Oil Kings.
The ICE have a new coaching staff with Head Coach Ryan McGill and Assistant Coach Chad Kletzel on the bench.
During the ICE first 2 years in the league McGill started his coaching career in Edmonton and Kletzel started his WHL career in Edmonton.
The ICE have 25 players on the roster, 15 returning players, 9 rookies and 1 new player acquired during a trade during the off-season.
This is the 17th season for the ICE and their 15th in Cranbrook.
They have a record of 9-4-2-1 on opening night and this will be the 9th time they start the regular season on the road.
The ICE have finished above .500 13 years in a row (longest active streak in WHL) and a .500 or better road record 11 years in a row.
Since moving to Cranbrook the ICE have made the playoffs 14 years in a row. (longest active streak in WHL)
Edmonton is the defending WHL Champions and have 24 players on the roster with 18 returning players.
Griffin Reinhart in the Oil Kings 5th Captain in Franchise history.
The Oil Kings have 8 NHL drafted players including Reinhart and Henrik Samuelsson who were 1st round picks this summer.
Edmonton's GM Bob Green as the WHL Executive of the Year in 2011-12.
From the WHL injury report ...
Kootenay - Petr Vesely lower body day-to-day, Drew Czerwonka upper body 2-3 weeks, Jordyn Boyd upper body day-to-day.
Edmonton - Dylan Wruck upper body week-to-week, Martin Gernat upper body TBD.
Returning Leaders
Goals - 28 Reinhart, 22 Montgomery, 21 Pearce
Assists - 34 Reinhart, 31 Leach
Points - 62 Reinhart, 44 Montgomery, 43 Leach
PM - 101 Dirk, 98 Wand
Defenceman - 43 Leach, 29 Dirk
Listen for the Pre-Game Show at 6:45 on The Drive.