Under new head coach Aaron Wilbur, the Richmond Sockeyes will open their pre-season schedule tomorrow night with a road encounter against the Aldergrove Kodiaks.
Wilbur takes over one of the powerhouse franchises in the Pacific International Junior Hockey League after Judd Lambert stepped down following a successful tenure that included leading Richmond to a league best 37-7-0 record last season before bowing out in six games to the Delta Ice Hawks in the Tom Shaw Conference finals.
Lambert wanted to spend more time with his young family.
The Sockeyes are expected to have a number of key players back in uniform including local products Rudi Thorsteinson and Jeremy Hamaguchi who should be among the league's top scorers.
After facing the Kodiaks tonight, the same two teams will do battle on Saturday (5: 15 p.m.) at Minoru Arena. Richmond will open the PIJHL regular season on Thursday, Sept. 13 when the Grandview Steelers come to town.
