Oct. 12, 2019
By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net
Ready or not the 2019-20 Hockey season is here for the Kansas City Mavericks. The players and coaches have been getting ready for two weeks with training camp that started on September 30. This weekend the fans, sponsors and the team’s home arena Silverstein Eye Centers Arena will all come alive for the first game of the season.
The Mavericks remain members of the ECHL and the league’s Mountain Division. The ECHL, entering their 32nd season, built the 2019-20 schedule using for the first time new scheduling software. Mavericks General Manager Brent Theissen complimented the results the league came up with saying he is “Very happy on home dates”. “Can’t control that”.
Another change made by the ECHL for Mavericks fans to be aware of is a seven-minute overtime which is two minutes longer than in previous seasons. Something else new for Mavericks fans is a new mobile app that the team came up with during the off season. Theissen says, “Its a big upgrade for us, fans have more function with it”. Before too long into the season Theissen feels fans will notice the app is “lot more user friendly”.
When at home cheering on their favorite hockey team Mavericks fans will have to turn to a new channel to find Mavericks games on television. The off season saw the team find a new TV partner in KCWE-TV 29. Theissen feels it’s “A huge partnership with us”. Theissen adds “Being able to showcase Mavs hockey throughout Kansas City Metro area is incredibly important”. The first of a nine game TV schedule is set for Saturday, Nov. 2 when the Mavericks host their rival Wichita Thunder.
When at a home game Mavericks fans will quickly notice the new video boards at the SEC Arena. Theissen is excited about the changes “It’s about enhancing fan experience”. The improvements were “a focal point for both us and the city”. Theissen is “excited about the additions to the arena”, find them second to none in the ECHL”.
KC Mavericks Head Coach John Scott-Dickson enters his fourth season behind the team’s bench. Dickson also commented on the team’s schedule saying “Find the schedule a good one”. Dickson added “Just ready to get season going”. Mavericks fans before too long will notice new coaches in the Mountain division as both Idaho and Wichita hired new leaders in the off season. Dickson feels the changes won’t mean much saying “No secrets once we start, an exciting time for us”. Like many of the team’s fans Coach Dickson added “Ready for the new season to get going”
There have been several changes to the Mavericks roster and Coach Dickson commented on his goal for the team’s 2019-20 roster “Wanted to get a little bigger, but with no speed drop off in the process”. Regarding team goals for the season Dickson states “Reach the playoffs again and build on that.” “Take steps to a championship.”
The Kansas City Mavericks open the 11th season as a franchise on Friday in Tulsa, Oklahoma against division rival Tulsa Oilers. Then it’s time to go to work on home ice as the Mavs on Saturday host the Indy Fuel. The home opener begins with a 7:05 p.m. face off and fans can get a magnet season schedule.
Mavericks hockey fans can look forward to the weekly Meet A Maverick player feature in the Lee’s Summit Tribune each week throughout the entire season.
