WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — With a new home comes a new beginning for the Des Moines Buccaneers. As they prepare to host their first home game at their new venue, the team is looking forward to the new chapter.
After playing at Buccaneer Arena for over 40 years, the team will play at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex this season. The relocation was due to a mechanical issue at Buccaneer Arena.
"Transitioning from Buc Arena to the RecPlex, it's really exciting to get a new start," said Buccaneers defenseman Connor Bewick. "We got a lot of new guys in. The team's looking really good."
While they may be in a new venue, the team still plans on giving fans the hard-hitting hockey they've come to enjoy.
"We're gonna have a lot of skill," said Buccaneers center Jack Kernan. "That's gonna be fun to watch, but we're also gonna have a lot of toughness. Might see a couple fights. So, it's gonna be a great time if you come out."
Even with the change of scenery, the team's goals remain the same: to win and develop players.
"Winning is a byproduct of good development and sticking and working with these young athletes," said Buccaneers head coach Matt Curley. "Then in turn, those young guys sticking with the process and having patience with us. It doesn't happen overnight by any means."
This year's squad consists of some promising young talent with a handful of potential NHL draft picks.
As they begin this new era of Buccaneers hockey, the team hopes to reward their fans with strong performances out on the ice night in and night out.
"Whether we win or lose, folks that come out to support us are going to be proud of the effort put forth by these guys," said Curley. "They're young men, 17, 18, 19 years old. They're striving to fulfill their goals and lifelong dreams of theirs and they give a lot to reaching that and I know the fans, at least I hope so, that they'll see that when we play on a given night."
The Buccaneers will host Waterloo on Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. You can purchase tickets HERE.