Saw where this blog recently surpassed 90,000 views since it started on this website back in 2010. I've always wondered who actually reads the pablum I write about around here but I obviously have an audience for which I am grateful. Rain moved into the area on Monday and hung around into Thursday, it effectively ruined any outdoor plans anyone may have had. The Southern End League began its season at Garrett Park in Willow Street on the 6th, after playing the first game on the first night the league had three straight dates rained out including Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. On Thursday the ECHL announced it schedule for the 2025-26 season, for the Royals Opening Night arrives later than usual. The club starts with seven straight on the road before coming home on November 8, one can only assume there are other events that prevent hockey in October. The North Division has a new team, for the first time since 2004 Greensboro, North Carolina is in the fold. The former franchise was a divisional opponent as the Greensboro Generals, the new club is known as the Gargoyles (no kidding). All told the Royals play eight home games versus Wheeling and seven vs Norfolk (too many on both counts in my humble opinion), five vs Greensboro, four each against Adirondack and Worcester and three each with Maine and Trois-Rivieres. The only non-divisional opponent to visit are the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, they come to town for the first time since February 2017 for a pair of games in February of '26. Every spring I always say that October isn't that far off, this time around we'll have a few extra weeks to get ready. Take care, thanks for reading.
