CHARLOTTE, NC—The Charlotte Checkers announced today the release of their schedule for the 2010-11 season, their first as a member of the American Hockey League. The 80-game schedule includes 52 East-Division matchups as well as 40 home contests, of which 22 are weekend dates.

Charlotte will begin the season on the road Saturday, Oct. 9 in Hartford. The game will have special significance as the Checkers were the longtime ECHL affiliate of the Wolf Pack until the end of the 2009-10 season.

The team will return home for the first ever AHL game in Charlotte on Friday, Oct. 15 against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the top affiliate of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins. The home opener will feature a special introduction and a giveaway of 6,500 Checkers flags as part of a season-long team pride program.

Checkers fans will get a first look at last season’s Calder Cup champions, the Hershey Bears, when they make their first ever trip to Charlotte on Sunday, Nov. 7. The aforementioned Hartford Wolf Pack will visit the Queen City for two games on Thursday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 26 while the Checkers’ closest rival geographically, the Norfolk Admirals, arrive Friday, Nov. 5 for the first of 12 meetings.

Game times for Sunday home contests will be 3 p.m., with the exception of Jan. 16 and Mar. 27 (both 5 p.m.). All other home games will take place at 7 p.m.

Also announced today are Checkers “Pick Your Own Plan” ticket packages where fans can choose games related to the schedule format and opponents. There are pre-packaged plans for Fridays (8 games) and Saturdays (5 games), among others. Details can be found at www.gocheckers.com.

The promotional calendar, outlining promotions, giveaways and theme nights, will be released in September.

Click here for a downloadable, printable version of the schedule.

Season tickets for the inaugural 2010-11 AHL season are now on sale and season ticket packages start as low as $10 per game. Additionally, training camp opens Sept. 27 and the first preseason game will take place at Extreme Ice Center on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1:30 p.m. Ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.

2010-11 Charlotte Checkers Schedule
(Home games in bold)