The Rocky Rams are set to kick off the 2026 preseason with a home-and-home matchup against the Rimbey Royals.

The series begins at home Friday, Sept. 11, with a 7:30 p.m. puck drop at the Rocky Arena. The second game is on the road Saturday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m. in Rimbey.

It will be the first glimpse of the newest HJHL expansion team — the Rimbey Royals.

It was announced in March 2026 that the team would compete in the HJHL’s North Division following the Ponoka Stampeders’ withdrawal from the league.

Rocky and Rimbey, along with Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Airdrie and Mountainview are set to make up the North Division for the upcoming season.

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Newly minted head coach Braden Bystrom says the preseason will be critical as the 2026-27 Rams are set to be a young, hardworking group — and line combinations are anything but set in stone.

The focus of the preseason will be finding chemistry and shoring up the top lines ahead of the regular-season kickoff later in September.

While he’s excited to get a glimpse of the new Rimbey team, Bystrom also says it presents an added challenge when it comes to attracting talent, with the team being that much closer to Rocky.

The preseason will wrap up with another home-and-home against the Sylvan Lake Wranglers. The first game is Sept. 18 in Sylvan Lake, followed by the return game in Rocky on Sept. 19.

The regular season is set to kick off Sept. 25 on the road in Airdrie.