With the near arrival of the 2013/14 Central Interior Hockey League season, the Williams Lake Stampeders are making early preparations.
Local hockey fans may also want to jot down a few important dates as Williams Lake faces off against both of its closest rivals at home early on in the season.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, the Stampeders host the Lac La Hache Tomahawks in their home opener, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the CMRC.
From there, the Stamps travel north to face the Terrace River Kings Oct. 12-13 for a two-game set before heading back home to host the Quesnel Kangaroos Oct. 18-19.
Williams Lake then finishes up its first month of play with one more tilt against the Kangaroos Oct. 26 at the Twin Ice Arenas in Quesnel.
The Stampeders play an 18-game regular season and compete in the CIHL’s East Division with the Tomahawks and the Kangaroos.
Conditioning practices and player tryouts are also currently underway at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex, and the 2013 Coy Cup senior men’s B.C. ‘AA’ champion Stamps are inviting anyone who thinks they can compete at a high calibre of contact hockey to join them on the ice.
Practices began Tuesday, Sept. 3, and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 9 p.m. throughout the month of September on rink one at the CMRC.
The Stampeders said all players are expected to come fully prepared with sticks, blades, pads, etc.
Each player, returning and new, will be required to pay a non-refundable $50 tryout fee prior to stepping on the ice.
For more information about practices or the team contact general manager Kelly Kohlen at 250-398-8687 or head coach Cliff Philpot at 250-398-2092.
And for more on the Stampeders visit www.wlstampeders.com.