Charlotte Checkers release 2015-16 schedule

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Checkers, American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate club of the NHL‘s Carolina Hurricanes, released their 2015-16 regular-season schedule on Thursday.

The Checkers’ home opener will take place in the club’s return to Bojangles Coliseum when they face off against the Manitoba Moose on Sat., Nov. 7.

Led by new head coach Mark Morris, Charlotte will begin play in the new Central Division as part of the AHL’s realignment that was announced earlier this summer, and will face 12 different opponents during its 76-game schedule.

Formerly playing at Time Warner Cable Arena, the Checkers will now play their entire schedule of 26 weekend home dates, including 13 Saturdays, in the historic hockey arena in the Queen City.

While awaiting the completion of renovations at Bojangles Coliseum, the Checkers will begin their sixth AHL season with a 10-game road swing starting in Iowa on Sat., Oct. 10.

Other schedule highlights include the team making its first-ever trip to California to face new Pacific Division opponents San Jose, Ontario, and San Diego starting Jan. 2.

The team’s popular Race and Pink in the Rink Weekends on Jan. 22-23 and Feb. 12-13, respectively, are once again included as part of the slate of games fans can enjoy throughout the season.

Single-game tickets for opening night will go on sale Thurs., Sept. 22, with availability for other home games to follow shortly thereafter.