The Listowel Cyclones are getting ready for their first weekend of the season.
Listowel will be in Stratford Friday night then on home ice Sunday to face Caledon.
It's been a long journey as the team joined many others in the junior hockey world on the sidelines through the pandemic.
Team president Wayne Long says while it was a long lay off, the community support has been with them through the entire pandemic.
"Everybody is back on board 100 percent," said Long. "We actually had people approach us that have never been sponsors before, wanting to sponsor and where they can help out."
But that may not be surprising considering the community support the team has received from the day of its inception in 1972 as a Junior C club at that point.
"Listowel's a place where we've become known as a place where you want to come play hockey, the new facility is fantastic, a great coaching staff and excellent suppport," added Long.
And that support hasn't been lost in the shuffle as the team and organization sends out a big thank-you.
"We had sponsors that said you know what, we're willing to give you some money just to help you through the pandemic even thought you're not playing hockey," added Long. "Things like that go a long way."
The Listowel Cyclones will play a 50 game schedule and it starts this weekend.
Listowel will open up the regular season in Stratford on Friday night for a 7:30 p.m. game.
That will be followed by the club's home opener on Sunday, September 26 at 1:30 p.m. versus Caledon. There will be COVID-19 guidelines in place, including a capacity of 400 fans, fans must wear masks and properly socially distanced when in the stands.
The full list of protocols can be found by clicking here.
CKNX will join the Listowel Cyclones Sunday and have the call for you on OHA Hockey brought to you by PBJ Cleaning Depot Group.
Through the season, CKNX will carry 11 Listowel Cyclones games along with 10 PJHL Pollock Division games.
The full schedule can be seen here.
The full interview with Listowel Cyclones President Wayne Long is available below:
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