Sheridan, WY – The Sheridan Hawks junior hockey team will launch its 2026‑27 season with two early‑season matchups in Rapid City, South Dakota. Both games are scheduled for Friday, September 11, and Saturday, September 12, with the puck dropping at 7:05 p.m. each night.
New leadership and a unified roster
Head coach Todd McIlrath, who took the helm this offseason, emphasized the challenge of melding talent from a wide array of sources. “We have a bunch of very talented players all kind of starting to lean in the same direction,” McIlrath said. “Our challenge has been taking high‑end players from 15 different places and teams and kind of tilting that towards wearing that Hawks logo, playing Hawks hockey and thinking together as one unit.”
McIlrath’s focus is on building chemistry quickly, a crucial task given the team’s composition of athletes from multiple junior programs across the region. The coach believes that the early‑season tests in Rapid City will provide a valuable gauge of how well the players are coalescing around a common identity.
Game details and fan invitation
The two games will be held at the Rushmore Ice Arena in Rapid City, a venue known for its enthusiastic local crowds. Fans from Sheridan are encouraged to travel to the arena to support the Hawks, with a group ticket package being arranged by the team’s booster club. The booster club also plans a post‑game meet‑and‑greet on Saturday, giving supporters a chance to interact with the players and coaching staff.
Tickets go on sale this week through the team’s official website and at the arena’s box office. Prices start at $10 for general admission, with discounted rates for youth groups and families.
Looking ahead
Following the Rapid City outings, the Hawks will return to Sheridan for a home series against regional rivals, beginning the next week. The schedule includes a mix of home and away games designed to minimize travel while providing competitive balance.
McIlrath expressed optimism about the season’s outlook. “If we can get the fundamentals right in these first two games, we’ll set a tone for the rest of the year,” he said. “Our players are eager, our community is behind us, and we’re ready to compete at a high level.”
The Sheridan community has long supported junior hockey as a family‑friendly activity that brings together parents, youth, and local businesses. The upcoming games in Rapid City represent not only a chance for the Hawks to test their mettle early but also an opportunity for the broader region to rally around a shared sporting tradition.
Original reporting: Sheridan Media (Sheridan WY) — read the source article.
