The Coquitlam Express play at the highest level of hockey in the Tri-Cities.
As part of its montra to serve and represent every community in the region, the team announced it'll play an exhibition game in Port Moody ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
On Wednesday (July 20), the junior 'A' franchise unveiled its plans to host the Surrey Eagles at Port Moody Arena on Sept. 9 — two weeks before the home opener on Sept. 23 at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.
Last season, the Express played a regular-season contest at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre, four months after the $132-million facility upgrades were officially completed, that ended in a 6-4 win over Surrey.
This time, the club is hoping to continue to foster its partnership with Port Moody Amateur Hockey Association (PMAHA) that sees an exhibition contest every year in the City of the Arts.
"We're really excited to be partnering with the Express for this inaugural event that we think will help showcase the spirit of the hockey community," explains PMAHA president Stephanie Naqvi.
"Holding this event in Port Moody on our home ice makes this event extra special for Port Moody Amateur Hockey players!"
"This partnership is exciting for us as I felt, last year, we did not do a good enough job with connecting to the City of Port Moody and the minor hockey association and this is a great way to start this partnership and kickoff the season," adds Express general manager Tali Campbell in the same statement.
"Working with Port Moody Minor Hockey Association, Port Moody Panthers and the City of Port Moody has been great as we are all working on the same goal."
Campbell adds more details about the event are expected to be released in the weeks ahead.
The Express-Eagles match-up is slated for Sept. 9 with a 7 p.m. puck drop.
New captain
Meanwhile, with Ryan Tattle now graduated from junior 'A' hockey, Coquitlam has enlisted Ian Devlin as its next captain in just his second season in back and gold.
The 20-year-old American defenceman recorded 22 points in 54 games last year, including 18 assists, and committed to Princeton University starting in fall 2023 for NCAA Div. I hockey.
"We have a lot of great leaders in our dressing room and I’m thrilled to work with our leadership team this upcoming season," says Devlin.
"We have a lot to prove this year so I’m excited to hit the ground running in September!"
Devlin's alternate captains are set to be unveiled in September following the Coquitlam Express annual charity golf tournament.
