The countdown is on for the Steinbach Pistons as they prepare for their return to the ice this fall.
What fans can expect this season
Director of Sales and Marketing, Jamie Roy, says the move to the Southeast Event Centre this spring has completely transformed the game-day experience.
“Well, it's a whole lot more fun,” he says.
With a new venue offering more space and upgraded amenities, fans can expect a bigger, better, and more interactive atmosphere.
“I will give you guys a little spoiler of what's to come this year... two words, Sumo Slam.”
Roy says this will be extra entertainment for fans during Pistons games.
“This will be an intermission game that's played on the ice. So just think big sumo suits, two people duelling it out at center ice.”
Roy says fan-favourite elements like the t-shirt cannon are returning, and a chuck-a-puck contest will be introduced as well.
In addition to the entertainment, the Pistons plan to bring in musicians and host band nights.
Theme nights are also being planned this season, with a promotional calendar currently in development to help fans plan ahead.
“There are some that are more community-minded or community-based like a toy drive game that we do every year, Thanksgiving food drive, a Cancer Care game where we're working with Southeast Cancer Support Services, and we're working on a really cool jersey for that.”
First puck drop and tickets
The hockey season is approaching quickly, and the Pistons hit the ice for their first home game on September 7.
“We’re about 40 days from our first home exhibition game, which is a crazy thought, but we're getting in that mode.”
For fans looking to secure their spot for the season, season tickets are still available.
“Get your season tickets now, there's lots of great seats left. We're at well over 1,000 season tickets now, so that's really cool to see.”
Single-game tickets will go on sale closer to the start of the season.
“Our schedule is out too. So, you can see you can kind of start the plan and see where our games are. If you go to steinbachpistons.ca, our schedule is there,” Roy says.
Annual Pistons golf tournament
Another exciting event for the Pistons is their annual fundraiser golf tournament.
“That's coming up on Wednesday, August 20th at Quarry Oaks. It's a 10 a.m. shotgun and I just want to say a big thanks to our title sponsor, MNP, that's come on board this year. So really cool that they've partnered up with us for one of our biggest fundraisers of the year.”
There are still a few spots open for teams and hole sponsors.
“If you haven't signed up your team yet or you'd maybe you'd like to sponsor a hole, there's still a couple of opportunities to do so, so reach out to info@steinbachpistons.ca, we would love to see you there.”
Power Camps for young players
Before the puck drops on the new season, Roy explains that the Pistons are running Power Camps for young hockey players in three age groups including, 7–8, 9–10, and 11–12.
“Our middle age groups, so the 9- and 10-year-olds, that group is full, if not over full. So, we got a few spots left in the youngest age group and then a good number of spots left in the oldest age group.”
The week-long camp runs from August 25 to 29 at the Southeast Event Centre and includes on-ice sessions and dryland training.
“There's a gymnasium in the building that's ready to go. There are different meeting spaces where we can do some fun classroom team-building activities. And then, there are two sheets of ice that we can make use of during the day, so it's nice that we have that flexibility, and then obviously we can still go outside and do some team sports stuff outside,” he adds.
For full details on the upcoming season, events, and camps, visit steinbachpistons.ca.
With files from Carly Koop