Canucks to hit Prospera ice

Photo: Facebook

Several national, and NHL teams have skated on the ice at Prospera Place in Kelowna.

But not the team with the closest proximity, the Vancouver Canucks.

That will change later this year.

The Canucks unveiled their pre-season NHL schedule Wednesday, which includes a date at Prospera Place.

Vancouver will host the Arizona Coyotes Saturday, Sept. 29 in their final exhibition game before the start of the regular season.

In making the announcement, club president Trevor Linden said the game at Prospera Place is the start of a new tradition of holding one home pre-season game away from Vancouver in order to reach as many Canucks fans as possible.

"Kelowna has a rich hockey history and we are excited to play in front of great fans in the Okanagan," said Linden.

The preseason marks the start of what will be a great year for hockey fans in B.C., as in addition to the continued development and growth of our team, we have the privilege of welcoming the hockey world to both the 2019 World Juniors and 2019 NHL Entry Draft at Rogers Arena."  

A pair of former Kelowna Rockets could be in uniform for that game.

Alex Edler patrolled the blueline in Kelowna during the 2005-2006 before making the jump to the NHL. Forward Kole Lind was a second round selection of the Canucks in 2017.

Prospera Place has previously hosted the 2006 men's Olympic team, as well as the Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers rookies for practice.