The WHL released its pre-season schedule for the 2017-18 season on Wednesday and the Kootenay Ice have some familiar foes to look forward to in their six games.
WHL releases 2017 pre-season schedule, featuring 62 games.
— The WHL (@TheWHL) June 14, 2017
DETAILS 📰 | https://t.co/cAOGrp3HFN pic.twitter.com/qA5LiwgigG
The Ice will begin the year by playing in a tournament hosted by the Tri-City Americans in Kennewick, Washington from September 7 to 9.
Kootenay will play the host Americans, the Portland Winterhawks and then take on the reigning WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds.
They will then play against the Americans again in Kennewick on September 12 before heading to Crowsnest Pass, Alberta for games against the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the Calgary Hitmen.
The Americans, who they face twice in preseason play, are a team that Kootenay only typically plays once a season but have a familial connection in the Krebs brothers — Peyton will be a rookie forward for the Ice next season and Dakota is a defenceman with the Americans.
The Krebs boys had their first regular season WHL family clash last season in January, in a game in which the Ice lost 7-4.
The WHL regular season schedule will be released later this month.
Kootenay Ice Preseason Schedule
September 7, 2017: Kootenay vs. Tri-City 8:05 p.m (Kennewick, WA)
September 8, 2017: Kootenay vs. Portland 12:00 p.m (Kennewick, WA)
September 9, 2017: Kootenay vs. Seattle 12:00 p.m (Kennewick, WA)
September 12, 2017: Kootenay vs. Tri-City 8:05 p.m (Kennewick, WA)
September 15, 2017: Kootenay vs. Lethbridge 7:00 p.m (Crowsnest Pass, AB)
September 16, 2017: Kootenay vs. Calgary 7:00 p.m (Crowsnest Pass, AB)