The National Hockey League is coming to the home of the OHL’s Barrie Colts.
The Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders will play a preseason NHL exhibition game at the Barrie (Ont.) Molson Centre on Sept. 29, at 6 p.m.
“The New York Islanders are excited about the opportunity to host a game in Barrie, one of Canada’s true hockey communities,” general manager Garth Snow said via press release Tuesday. “The Ontario Hockey League develops young prospects while giving them a chance to play in front of passionate fans like the ones in Barrie, supporting the Colts. We have several players who came through the OHL and are now key members of our core group, such as John Tavares, Josh Bailey, Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas. I look forward to seeing a sold-out Barrie Molson Centre for our game against the Ottawa Senators.”
The Colts will host the exhibition contest to provide the community of Barrie (approximate population: 136,000) with greater access to elite-level hockey. Ironically, Barrie’s nearest NHL team is the Toronto Maple Leafs; Senators’ Ontario rival plays just a 90-minute drive south of Barrie.
“The Barrie Molson Centre is recognized as one of the top facilities in the Ontario Hockey League and we’re looking forward to being able to play a game there,” said Senators general manager Bryan Murray in the release. “As an Ontario-based team, we’re excited to bring our team to a different part of the province and meet some of our fans in what is a vibrant hockey community.”
Colts season ticket holders will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets, which range from $89 to $120 in price, and have already been notified as to how to go about purchasing them. Tickets for the general public will go on sale July 1.
