The NHL is returning to Wichita: Which teams are coming and how to buy tickets to game

The NHL is returning to Wichita after a successful debut last fall.

The St. Louis Blues will once again take on the Arizona Coyotes in a preseason game slated for Saturday, Sept. 23, at Intrust Bank Arena, ProHoops Sports & Events announced Tuesday morning.

It’s the same matchup from last season’s debut game at Intrust Bank Arena, when a crowd of 8,475 watched the Blues top the Coyotes in an entertaining 5-4 victory last September. Regardless of the final score, the two teams will once again end with a penalty shootout.

“We are very excited to bring this event back to the people of Wichita,” said Linda Hargrove, president of ProHoops Sports & Events, in a press release. “The city of Wichita showed up last year and provided a great atmosphere for these teams. We expect an even bigger turnout this year.”

Tickets for the “ICT Ice Classic” featuring the St. Louis and Arizona Coyotes will go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 3, at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online at selectaseat.com, by calling 855-755-7328 or in person at the Intrust Bank Arena box office. Fans can gain access to a presale opportunity on Thursday, March 2, by signing up to receive Intrust Bank Arena emails through its website.

Tickets will be available starting at less than $10, according to the press release.

“We are committed to attracting world-class entertainment to Wichita and are thrilled to be hosting our second NHL preseason game at Intrust Bank Arena,” said Intrust Bank Arena general manager A.J. Boleski in the press release. “Our community showed up in full force to support this game in 2022 and that is the reason it is returning.”

Last year marked the first professional hockey game hosted in the Wichita area since Oct. 2, 1980, when the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Rockies played at the Kansas Coliseum in Park City.

NHL staff members, players and coaches all gave Wichita a stamp of approval as a host city last year. The only thing missing from the experience, at least according to fans, was the option to purchase merchandise.

According to a source with knowledge of the operation, merchandise will indeed be on sale this time around at Intrust Bank Arena.