UTICA, NY - The Utica College men's hockey team, Utica College, and the City of Rome are pleased to announce details on how fans can get their tickets for the team's first game of the 2019-20 season. The Davidson Chevrolet "Celebration of Rome Hockey" will feature the Pioneers and Morrisville State on Saturday, October 19th at Rome's JF Kennedy Civic Arena. The puck will drop at 7 p.m. on the preseason contest.
The event will celebrate the heritage of hockey in Rome, NY, and also the rich collegiate hockey tradition that Central New York has to offer. Several Rome residents are set to participate in the game, including Utica forward JT Entelisano (Rome, NY/Markham Royals (OJHL)), defensemen Joey and Jaxon Rutkowski, and goaltender Ethan Siderine (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy).
A pair of Rome natives with Utica College hockey ties will participate in the ceremonial puck drop as Utica College field hockey head coach Nikki Kieffer, a former defender on the women's ice hockey team, will participate along with former Pioneer men's hockey forward Max Bartell (Rome, NY/Walpole (EHL)). A 50/50 raffle to benefit Rome Youth Hockey. Plans for other activities surrounding the event are ongoing.
The event will be the first major college hockey event to come to Kennedy Arena since the Fall of 1986, when Oswego State, Canisius College, Cortland, and North Adams State convened in the building for the Rome Invitational College Hockey Tournament.
1,000 tickets will be made available to the general public for the game. Tickets will cost $10 each, with 100 percent of the proceeds remaining in the Rome community. A portion of the proceeds will directly benefit Rome Youth Hockey. All attendees will receive an event t-shirt courtesy of Davidson Chevrolet, Nunn's Home Medical Equipment, Mohawk Valley Materials, Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, First Source Federal Credit Union, and Deployed Resources.
Beginning on Monday, September 30th, fans may purchase tickets at one of two locations. 500 tickets will be made available at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium Box Office. An additional 500 tickets will be sold during regular business hours at the City of Rome Recreation Office, located at 198 North Washington Street in Rome. Those interested in attending must purchase their tickets in person, and all seating will be general admission on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets must be purchased in cash at either location.
Due to the specialty nature of the event, Season ticket holders will need to purchase tickets to this game in order to attend. This special event is not included in the season ticket package. The following week's exhibition game against the University of New England at the Aud, along with all regular season games, are included in the 2019-20 season ticket booklet. The Pioneers thank you for your continued support of hockey in the Mohawk Valley.
More information on upcoming UC Hockey events, including season ticket pickup opportunities for the 2019-20 season, will be made available in the coming weeks. The Pioneers open their nineteenth regular season on Saturday, November 2nd against SUNY Canton.
