Utica Comets Open Season Tonight in Rochester

Professional hockey is back in Utica and the city's new AHL entry, the Utica Comets, kick off their inaugural season tonight when they face off against the Rochester Americans in Rochester. The Comets return for their home opener on Wednesday, the 23rd, when they take on the Albany Devils before a sold-out crowd at the Utica Aud.

The Comets, affiliated with the NHL's Vancouver Canucks, have a 38 game home schedule. The team is coached by Travis Green who played for 5 NHL teams during his career. Other familiar names associated with the team are Robert Esche, Team President, a former NHL goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers and Phoenix Coyotes, and Pat Conacher, Director of Hockey Operations, who played parts of 3 seasons with the Utica Devils.