Players Report, Begin Practicing
Bensenville, IL (September 2, 2011) -  The sound of checks against the boards and hockey skates cutting through the ice will soon fill The Edge Ice Arena as the 2011-12 United States Hockey League Season is just over a month away. Chicago will open up the regular season at home on Oct. 7, when the Youngstown Phantoms come to The Edge for a 7:30 p.m. faceoff. 

The Steel players officially begin practice on Tuesday, Sept. 6 and play their first preseason game on Saturday, Sept. 10 against the Indiana Ice at the Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park, Ill. Chicago will also play a second preseason game in Darien, Ill. on Saturday, Sept. 17 when they take on last season's USHL Champion the Dubuque Fighting Saints at the Darien Sportsplex.  Puck drop for the Sept. 10 game against Indiana is 6 p.m., while a 6:35 p.m. start time is set for the Dubuque contest.

Chicago will travel to Sioux City, Iowa for the 2011 USHL Fall Classic where it will begin play with the Lincoln Stars at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21.  The Steel will then have a Thursday matchup against the Muskegon Lumberjacks and conclude the Fall Classic on Friday against the Des Moines Buccaneers.  Faceoff for both the Muskegon and Des Moines games is 10 a.m.

Tickets for the Steel's preseason games in Orland Park and Darien will be free, but a limited amount of seats are available.  For ticket requests or questions, please contact the Chicago Steel ticket office at 630-594-1161. The 2011-12 Chicago Steel preseason and regular season schedule can be found by going to the Steel’s website www.chicagosteelhockeyteam.com.