By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net
The past few years has seen many changes for the Kansas City Mavericks hockey team. These changes have been with the coaching staff, AHL and NHL Affiliations and even what ECHL division they compete in. The 2018-19 season arrives with the team keeping many things the same except a return trip to the Kelly Cup playoffs would be one welcome change.
For long time Mavericks hockey fans they will be familiar with many things they see throughout the upcoming season. One primary reason is the team’s plans to celebrate the 10th anniversary season in franchise history. Throughout the season fans will see many promotions and game night events geared towards a look at the first decade in team history. Examples include a CHL throwback night on February 8. A Mavs history weekend is set for January 11 and 12. The normal popular promotions return with a Kids Day game on Tues. Nov. 13, Star Wars night on Sat. Dec. 08 and the annual New Year’s Eve game Dec. 31st.
The team’s slogan this season is “Year of the fan.” All season long on various social media sites the team is using #be a maverick to get word out about the team. Mavericks head coach John Scott-Dickson returns for his third season and he will see many familiar names on the team’s roster. One veteran player back is Rocco Carzo who returns after missing much of last season to a knee injury. Carzo is highly respected in the locker room and has been named team captain. The Mavericks will have a pair of brothers on the team, Darian and David Ziurzynski. Darian skated with the Mavs last season but now his older brother David is here to help the team too. The Mavericks are in the Mountain Division again of the ECHL but this time the Mavs will see familiar rivals there in Tulsa, Wichita and Allen. Seeing the Mavericks compete for a division title against those three will be a familiar sight for fans.
The grueling 72 game regular season that lasts five months begins this weekend for the Mavericks. If the familiar names perform as hoped by team officials the season will be a success and end with everyone wanting to…#Be a Maverick.
