When will local OHL teams hit the ice again?

The Kitchener Rangers team bus is seen parked outside the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium on September 2, 2024. (Shelby Knox/CTV News)

Summer is in full swing, but local hockey fans are already eagerly looking forward to the start of a new Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season.

The 2025/2026 regular season officially gets underway in mid-September, but there will be lots of local action to tide fans over until then.

Preseason showcase and Kitchener Rangers’ FanFest

The Kitchener Rangers are getting ready to host the Brantford Bulldogs, Oshawa Generals and Saginaw Spirit for their second annual preseason showcase at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.

The showcase gets underway on Friday, Aug. 29 and will continue through the weekend, wrapping up on Sunday, Aug. 31.

The Kitchener Rangers said tickets for each game will be available at the door and support Make-A-Wish Canada.

The Kitchener Rangers’ FanFest will also return alongside the showcase. It will be held on Aug. 31 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in parking lot A at the Aud.

Admission is free. Fans can play games, enjoy carnival rides, grab something to eat at a barbeque and meet some of the Kitchener Rangers players. Proceeds from FanFest will also support Make-A-Wish Canada.

Preseason schedule

All told, the OHL preseason schedule includes 50 games between Friday, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Sept. 14. The schedule includes the showcase games at The Aud.

“There are an additional 18 neutral site games taking place in non-OHL venues, including four with locations still to be announced in the coming weeks,” the league said in a news release.

Here are the dates for the Brantford Bulldogs, Guelph Storm and Kitchener Rangers preseason games:

Friday, Aug. 29

Guelph Storm @ Brampton Steelheads - 7 p.m.

Brantford Bulldogs @ Kitchener Rangers - 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 30

Saginaw Spirit v. Brantford Bulldogs (at The Aud in Kitchener) - 2 p.m.

Oshawa Generals @ Kitchener Rangers - 7 p.m.

Brampton Steelheads @ Guelph Storm - 7:07 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 31

Saginaw Spirit @ Kitchener Rangers - 2 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 1

Brantford Bulldogs v. Guelph Storm (at the North Dumfries Community Complex in Ayr) – 2:07 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 4

Brantford Bulldogs @ Niagara Icedogs – 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 5

Niagara Icedogs @ Brantford Bulldogs – 7 p.m.

Oshawa Generals @ Guelph Storm – 7:07 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 7

Guelph Storm @ Oshawa Generals – 4:05 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 12

Guelph Storm @ Brantford Bulldogs 7 p.m.

Oshawa Generals @ Kitchener Rangers – 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 13

Kitchener Rangers v. Windsor Spitfires (at the Atlas Tube Centre in Lakeshore) – 7:05 p.m.

The Flint Firebirds will also face off with the Erie Otters on Friday, Sept. 12 at the William Allman Memorial Arena in Stratford.