From: Robert Desimone, Communications Manager
(713) 361-7920

HOUSTON – The Houston Aeros announced their theme for the 2009-10 season, “Experience The Game,” in conjunction with the release of their American Hockey League (AHL) regular season schedule. The Aeros will begin the season on October 2nd against the Manitoba Moose at the MTS Centre and will play their home opener at Toyota Center October 9th versus the expansion Texas Stars.

     “We are very proud of the atmosphere created at Toyota Center from our loyal fans and season ticket holders,” said Aeros Executive Vice President of Business Operations Jamie Spencer. “We look forward to new fans coming out this season and experiencing great hockey and the entertaining atmosphere at all our Aeros home games.”

     The 2009-10 schedule has 80 games – 40 at Toyota Center and 40 road games. The Aeros home schedule features 28 weekend games (11 Friday, 9 Saturday, 8 Sunday), one morning game (12/3 vs. San Antonio-11:05AM) and eight afternoon games beginning at 4:05 PM. Evening games at Toyota Center will start at either 7:05 PM or 7:35 PM. This season, Houston is offering a variety of promotional and theme nights. The Aeros have announced the following fan-favorite theme nights to engage fans and continue their strong effort in the community: Susan G. Komen Night (Oct. 17), Military Night (Nov. 7), Kid’s Game (Dec. 3) Bikini Night (Dec. 26), Guns & Hoses Night (Dec. 28), and Boy Scout & Canada Night (Jan. 16).

     The Aeros will play 78 of the 80 games on their schedule against the Western Conference, with Syracuse being the lone Eastern Conference Team the Aeros will face. The schedule features 56 games in the West Division, including 12 games (six home, six road) against both the San Antonio Rampage and Texas Stars. Houston will play the other four teams in its division a total of eight times (four home, four road). The Aeros will also play 22 games against the North Division, including Abbotsford (4), Grand Rapids (6), Hamilton (2), Lake Erie (4), Manitoba (4) and Toronto (2). Rochester is the only Western Conference team not on the Aeros schedule this season.

     Houston has two five-game homestands this year: Oct. 9-Oct. 21 vs. Texas, Texas, San Antonio, Texas, and Lake Erie, and Dec. 16-Dec. 28 vs. San Antonio, Texas, Grand Rapids, San Antonio, and Syracuse. The team has one five-game road trip: Jan. 22-Jan 30 at Abbotsford, Abbotsford, Chicago, Milwaukee and Peoria.

Home Games By Day: Mon. – 2, Tue. – 2, Wed. – 5, Thu. – 3, Fri. – 11, Sat. – 9, Sun. – 8
Road Games By Day: Mon. – 0, Tue. – 1, Wed. – 6, Thu. – 3, Fri. – 12, Sat. – 12, Sun. – 6

Home Games By Month: Oct. – 6, Nov. – 6, Dec. – 7, Jan. – 4, Feb. – 7, March – 6, April – 3
Road Games By Month: Oct. – 6, Nov. – 6, Dec. – 5, Jan. – 9, Feb. – 6, March – 6, April – 3

Games By Conference/Division
Western Conference: North Division (22) West Division (56)

Eastern Conference: Atlantic Division (0) East Division (2)

Opponents Visits To Houston (40): Abbotsford-2, Adirondack-0, Albany-0, Binghamton-0, Bridgeport Sound-0, Chicago-4, Grand Rapids-3, Hamilton-1, Hartford-0, Hershey-0, Lake Erie-2, Lowell-0, Manchester-0, Manitoba-2, Milwaukee-4, Norfolk-0, Peoria-4, Portland-0, Providence-0, Rochester-0, Rockford-4, San Antonio-6, Springfield-0, Syracuse-1, Texas-6, Toronto-1, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton-0, Worcester-0

Aeros Visits To Road Cities (40): Abbotsford-2, Adirondack-0, Albany-0, Binghamton-0, Bridgeport Sound-0, Chicago-4, Grand Rapids-3, Hamilton-1, Hartford-0, Hershey-0, Lake Erie-2, Lowell-0, Manchester-0, Manitoba-2, Milwaukee-4, Norfolk-0, Peoria-4, Portland-0, Providence-0, Rochester-0, Rockford-4, San Antonio-6, Springfield-0, Syracuse-1, Texas-6, Toronto-1, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton-0, Worcester-0

Longest Homestand: 5 games:
Oct. 9-Oct. 21 vs. Texas, Texas, San Antonio, Texas, Lake Erie
Dec. 16-Dec. 28 vs. San Antonio, Texas, Grand Rapids, San Antonio, Syracuse

Longest Road Trip: 5 games:
Jan. 22-Jan 20 at Abbotsford, Abbotsford, Chicago, Milwaukee, Peoria

Three-in-Three:
Overall: 7 (13 last year)
Dates Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Nov. 13-15: @ Lake Eire @ Lake Erie vs. Chicago
Dec. 30-Jan. 1: @ Chicago @ Rockford @ Milwaukee
Feb. 12-14: vs. Grand Rapids vs. Grand Rapids vs. Chicago
Feb. 19-21: @ Milwaukee @ Chicago @ Peoria
Feb. 25-27: vs. Houston @ Texas vs. Texas
Mar. 12-14: vs. Peoria @ Chicago @ Rockford
Mar. 26-28: vs. Houston @ Peoria @ Peoria


Length of 2009-10 Season: 192 days (Oct. 2 – April 11), eight days longer than last season.


For the full schedule, click here
To download the schedule, click here