"Battle of the Ports," the "Coquitlam River Rivalry," the "Lougheed Blitzkrieg" or the "Tri-Cities Tussle?"
Whatever the title will be, the Port Coquitlam Trailblazers' return to the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) in the fall will spark a new regional rivalry with the Port Moody Panthers.
And it won't take long for both teams to get acquainted.
The Trailblazers' first-ever home game will see the purple and gold face off against the Panthers on Sept. 15 at Jon Baillie Arena, located inside the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC) on Wilson Avenue.
The team announced the date via social media, but the PJHL has yet to unveil a full schedule.
Regardless, it's set to be one of the marquee games on the calendar for Port Coquitlam hockey fans as the city's newest club embarks on its inaugural 2023-24 season.
"We want to see 800 roaring, cheering, crazy fans every Friday night," said Rob Toor, the director and governor of the newly-minted Trailblazers.
The former Buckeroos' last home game at the old Rec Centre took place in 2006, before the team was relocated to Port Moody.
Port Coquitlam was awarded the league's 14th franchise in on Jan. 26, marking the first time since the early 1990s that two teams will compete against each other out of the Tri-Cities.
The team will be managed by Ryan Ross and coached by Greg Ross.
The club was also promoted before its first season began as BC Hockey realigned the PJHL as a junior 'A' tier 2 league as a result of the BCHL's independency.
"I think this alignment clearly helps provide a direction for young players to understand their possible development paths," Toor told the Tri-City News following the announcement.
As of this publication (Aug. 12), nearly 20 athletes have either committed to playing for, or have been traded to, Port Coquitlam ahead of its first season.
A preview
Before the 7 p.m. puck drop on Sept. 15, the Trailblazers are scheduled to host a pair of exhibition games.
Port Coquitlam will welcome the Abbotsford Pilots to Jon Baillie Arena on Aug. 26 and the Mission City Outlaws on Sept. 1 — both start at 6:30 p.m.
The 'Blazers will also head to Langley for a third preseason match against the Trappers on Aug. 30.
You can visit the team's website for more information and tickets.
Meanwhile, the Port Moody Panthers are hosting a home-and-home exhibition series against the Ridge Meadows Flames to kickstart its new season.
It's meeting at Port Moody Arena (300 Ioco Rd.) is slated for Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m.
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