KIJHL kicks off 2011012 season September 16th, Leafs travel to Castlegar to meet Rebels while Hawks are in Grand Forks
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, releasing its schedule Thursday, opens the 2011-12 regular season schedule on September 16th with a 10-game slate.
Opening night includes all four West Kootenay/Boundary teams as Murdock Division Nelson Leafs visit KIJHL finalist Castlegar Rebels while Beaver Valley Nitehawks travel to Grand Forks to meet the Bruins.
The teams play a 52-game schedule, up from 50 the year before.
Murdoch teams face each other eight times.
For the Leafs, Friday is the best night to see the Green and White in action as the Heritage City franchise has 11 games on the final work day of the week.
Saturday has nine home dates with Sunday having four afternoon tilts.
The final two days on this 26-game home schedule is on a Wednesday and Monday.
December 31, the Spokane Braves visit the NDCC for the traditional New Year’s Eve contest.
First home date for Nelson is Saturday, September 17 when the Murdoch Division champion Castlegar Rebels visit the NDCC Arena.
Beaver Valley Nitehawks also open the home season the same date as Grand Forks Border Bruins pay a return visit in the home-and-home series.
The KIJHL expanded to 20-teams as Summerland Steam and Chase Heat return to the league after a brief hiatus.
KIJHL training camps open near the end of August.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
