Telford Tigers take on the champions first

It comes before a mouth-watering clash at home to Manchester Phoenix the next day.

A tough opening to the season will also see them face play-off and English Premier League cup winners Guildford Flames in Surrey on September 17.

It comes ahead of an expected physical home encounter with Sheffield Steeldogs 24 hours later. A summer of changes at Telford Ice Rink will see a new-look Tigers side.

New arrivals include Polish international netminder Ondrej Raszka, alongside forwards Doug Clarkson and Michal Satek.

But, with no side having been installed as favourites for EPL silverware, Tigers chief executive Matt Bowyer is looking forward to a competitive start to the year.

He said: "The standard of this league has been getting better every season, and I expect next year to continue that trend.

There have been a lot of changes across the league this summer and everyone will want to make their mark."

Tigers are aiming to make home advantage count as they go chasing league glory this season.

Watkins has increased his side's physicality with a number of signings and Bowyer believes that could pay dividends.

He said: "The team that our coach Tom Watkins is putting together for next season will be much bigger physically.

"On our smaller ice pad will give us a good home advantage. That should also make for some very entertaining matches."

Aug 27 Milton Keynes Lightning (Friendly) A

Aug 28 MK (Friendly) H

Sep 3 Hull Pirates (Friendly) A

Sep 4 Hull Pirates (Friendly) H

Sep 10 Basingtoke Bison A

Sep 11 Manchester Phoenix H

Sep 17 Guildford Flames A

Sep 18 Sheffield Steeldogs H

Sep 24 Swindon Wildcats A

Sep 25 Basingstoke Bison H

Oct 1 Manchester Phoenix H

Oct 2 Peterborough Phantoms A

Oct 8 Milton Keynes Lightning A

Oct 9 Swindon Wildcats H

Oct 15 Sheffield Steeldogs A

Oct 16 Milton Keynes H

Oct 22 Bracknell Bees A

Oct 23 Peterborough Phantoms H

Oct 26 Guildford Flames H

Oct 29 Hull Pirates A

Oct 30 Guildford Flames A

Nov 3 Sheffield Steeldogs A

Nov 5 Milton Keynes Lightning A

Nov 6 Milton Keynes Lightning H

Nov 12 Bracknell Bees H

Nov 13 Telford A

Nov 19 Hull Pirates A

Nov 20 Basingstoke Bison H

Nov 26 Manchester Phoenix A

Nov 27 Swindon Wildcats H

Dec 3 Basingtoke Bison A

Dec 4 Sheffield Steeldogs H

Dec 10 Swindon Wildcats A

Dec 11 Guildford Flames H

Dec 17 Hull Pirates H

Dec 18 Peterborough Phantoms A

Dec 26 Manchester Phoenix A

Dec 29 Hull Pirates A

Jan 1 Hull Pirates (TBC) H

Jan 7 Milton Keynes Lightning A

Jan 8 Swindon Wildcats H

Jan 14 Bracknell Bees A

Jan 15 Basingstoke Bison H

Jan 21 Sheffield Steeldogs H

Jan 28 Swindon Wildcats A

Jan 29 Bracknell Bees H

Feb 1 Hull Pirates A

Feb 4 Basingtoke Bison A

Feb 5 Peterborough Phantoms H

Feb 11 Guildford Flames A

Feb 12 Manchester Phoenix H

Feb 19 Peterborough Phantoms H

Feb 25 Bracknell Bees H

Feb 26 Bracknell Bees A

Mar 4 Manchester Phoenix H

Mar 5 Hull Pirates H

Mar 11 Sheffield Steeldogs A

Mar 12 Guildford Flames H