Mission’s junior B hockey team is skating out this season with a new name, look, management and focus.
Formerly known as the Mission Icebreakers, the team has now been rebranded as the Mission City Outlaws, according to team co-owner and director of player personnel Scott Kieler.
“We wanted to go with a more western background — something that suited Mission,” said Kieler.
The Pacific International Junior Hockey League team has struggled to succeed since coming to Mission from Hope a few years ago.
According to Kieler, the team is trying to woo back a number of Mission players who are currently putting their talents to use on other teams.
This effort plays into the community-oriented focus the Outlaws are trying to cultivate, he added.
“We want to build the bond” with residents, he said, whether it’s through floor hockey games, reading in the schools or helping at minor hockey practices.
Kieler is hoping to see 400 people at the rink, and 250 have been attending the recent exhibition games.
The Outlaws will now play their home games Thursdays at 7:15 p.m. at the Mission Leisure Centre. The regular season home opener happens Sept. 13 against the Port Moody Black Panthers, but there are still a number of exhibition games, including tonight’s (Aug. 30) against the Ridge Meadows Flames that starts at 6:30 p.m.
For information visit missioncityoutlaws.com.