Murrayfield Racers will play their first competitive game on Saturday, August 25 (7pm face-off) and their opening home game will be on Sunday, August 26 (face-off 6pm).
Both games will be against Dundee Comets, last season’s Scottish National League (SNL) champions.
The Caledonian Cup will be at stake and Tony Hand, Racers; director of hockey, said this will be a severe test for his new squad.
Confirmation of the fixture emerged minutes after the end of Racers’ first fans forum.
It was standing room only in the Riversdale Suite at Murrayfield Ice Rink and Tony Hand, Racers’ director of hockey, plus director Willie Dunn and shareholder Kenny McLean met fans eager for news.
Subjects covered during the 90-minute session included the evolution of the club’s new logo, how the kit design was conceived and developed and how Hand was recruiting his new-look team.
The ticket price structure was explained and the club appealed for volunteers to attend a meeting at the rink on Tuesday (6.30pm) to help with various jobs on match night and behind-the-scenes.
And Murrayfield stalwart Jock Hay and much-respected former player Martin Cingel were confirmed as part of the coaching staff.
A number of players from last season’s SNL side will be in the new team but Hand said they had to prove they were worth their place.
Hand also confirmed that Racers’ regular match nights will be a Sunday with a 6pm face-off and that the club were discussing disabled access with management of Murrayfield Ice Rink.
The Racers legend explained that the club were allowed two imported players and the aim of the club, he said, was to develop local players.
The International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame member also explained that he wants to see the club play at the highest possible level.
Trials for the team will be held on Tuesday (8pm) and Hand said he wanted to develop local players to the top of their ability.
He added: “Apart from building the team, we are also building a community programme.
“We want to get into schools to introduce young people to the sport of ice hockey.
“Yes we want a strong team here, but we also want to excite the people in Edinburgh and the surrounding area to the sport.
“There are many people out there that do not know that ice hockey is played here and we want to reach them.”
Hand added: “We are really encouraged by the turn-out at the meeting and to our news which we post regularly on social media.
“And the meeting was really positive. This is something we aim to build on.”
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