2011 WHL PRE-SEASON BEGINS TUESDAY
BRONCOS HOST WARRIORS – The 2011 WHL Exhibition schedule gets underway on Tuesday, August 30th, as the Swift Current Broncos host the Moose Jaw Warriors for the opening game of the WHL pre-season.
The Broncos managed a 26-44-0-2 record for 54 points and an 11th place finish in the WHL’s Eastern Conference during the 2010-11 regular season, missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
The Warriors posted a 40-26-2-4 record in 2010-11, finishing in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, and were eliminated by the WHL Champion Kootenay Ice in six games in the first round of the 2011 WHL playoffs. The Warriors made a coaching change over the summer off-season, bringing in Mike Stothers to replace Dave Hunchak.
The 2011 WHL exhibition schedule again features three pre-season tournaments. The Everett Silvertips host their annual pre-season tournament on the first weekend of September that will include U.S. Division rivals Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs, Portland Winterhawks and Tri-City Americans. The Edmonton Oil Kings will host a pre-season tournament on the first weekend of September that will include the Medicine Hat Tigers, Prince George Cougars, Swift Current Broncos, Calgary Hitmen and Red Deer Rebels. The following weekend, the Tri-City Americans will host their annual pre-season tournament that will include Division foes Spokane, Everett, Seattle and Portland along with the defending WHL Champion Kootenay.
The 2011-12 WHL Regular Season begins on Thursday, September 22nd.
