Americans to kick off pre-season with tourney

KENNEWICK - There will be a lot of hockey for Tri-City Americans fans even before the real 2013-14 season gets under way, and a lot it will be on home ice.

Governor/General Manager Bob Tory unveiled a 2013-14 pre-season schedule that features the Red Lion Pre-season Tournament at Kennewick's Toyota Center.

The Americans will start the pre-season portion of their schedule by participating in the 10th annual Everett Silvertips Pre-Season Tournament. It will go from Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at Comcast Arena.

Tri-City will match-up against U.S. Division rivals Portland Winterhawks and Seattle Thunderbirds, as well as tournament newcomer Victoria Royals.

Tri-City will return home to host the Red Lion Tourney on Sept. 5-7. The Red Lion will have a Thursday evening game and a three-game per day schedule on Friday and Saturday.

This year's tournament will feature the host Americans, their four U.S. Division rivals, Everett, Portland, Seattle and Spokane, and the Central Division's Kootenay Ice.

The Americans will wrap up the pre-season with two home-and-home exhibitions against the Spokane Chiefs. First, on Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Americans will head north. Then, on Saturday, Sept. 14, Tri-City and Spokane will clash at the Toyota Center at 7:05 p.m.

Red Lion Tourney

Thursday, Sept. 5

Kootenay vs. Tri-City, 7:05 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 6

Everett vs. Portland, 11:00 a.m.

Kootenay vs. Spokane, 3:00 p.m.

Seattle vs. Tri-City, 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 7

Kootenay vs. Everett, 11:00 a.m.

Portland vs. Seattle, 3:00 p.m.

Spokane vs. Tri-City, 7:05 p.m.

Everett schedule for Tri-City

Friday, Aug. 31

Seattle vs. Tri-City, 11:30 a.m., Comcast Arena

Saturday, Aug. 31

Tri-City vs. Portland, 11:30 a.m., Comcast Arena

Sunday, Sept. 1

Victoria vs. Tri-City, 11:30 a.m., Comcast Arena

Pre-season schedule

Thursday, Sept. 5

Kootenay vs. Tri-City, 7:05 p.m., Toyota Center

Friday, Sept. 6

Seattle vs. Tri-City, 7:05 p.m., Toyota Center

Saturday, Sept. 7

Spokane vs. Tri-City, 7:05 p.m., Toyota Center

Wednesday, Sept. 11

Tri-City at Spokane, Time/Location TBD

Saturday, Sept. 14

Spokane at Tri-City, 7:05 p.m.