It’s surreal to think the Lancer men’s hockey team hasn’t played a league game in almost 500 days, says head coach Kevin Hamlin.

His players will open their season Thursday at the University of Waterloo for a game against the Warriors. The puck drops at 7 p.m. and the contest will be webcast live on OUA.tv.

The Lancers’ first action at home comes Saturday, Nov. 6, when they host the Western Mustangs at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at goLancers.ca/tickets.

Hamlin says this year’s training camp was unlike any he’d experienced.

“We really didn’t know if players were returning, whether we were getting a transfer student, or if one of our guys decided to go to a school near home since most of their classes are online,” he says. “It’s the year that we all have to be patient, resilient, and persevere because we know there will be a learning curve for all.”

Read a preview of the men’s hockey season by Mia Ines at goLancers.ca.