CLINTON, N.Y. -- "We've been busy but it's a happy kind of busy because you know what's coming," said Kirkland Parks and Recreation Director Mike Orisino. He's preparing for a big game coming up at the Clinton Arena.

Earlier this year, the Clinton Arena won the Kraft Hockeyville USA Competition.

With that came $150,000 for upgrades and the chance to host a pre-season NHL game, which they're doing on September 25.

Even though the Clinton Arena won the competition, it wasn't clear that the game would actually be held there because some upgrades needed to be made, so crews have been busy this summer.

"We installed some taller glass on the side boards and we upgraded our netting to a Kevlar as opposed to Nylon with a smaller mesh so it's easier to see through," Orisino said. "Those have been the two biggest upgrades."

They've also made some electrical upgrades, improved the locker rooms, and gotten support from the Utica Comets.

"Actually Rob's crew is here today helping us whitewash the ice. We've never done that before. We had a refrigeration upgrade, we've never had the capability," said Orisino.

And all the work will have an impact beyond the game.

"The effect of the glass that they put in, it's gonna help when the kids come and see it for the first time, you know, playing there before and seeing this improvement is gonna be huge," said Gary Zalewski, the President of Clinton Youth Hockey.

The Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets will be the competing teams.

The following information was released Thursday night on how to get tickets:

Tickets to the NHL® Pre-Season Game will be free and issued via a public drawing. Entrants must visit Clinton Arena to complete a ballot during one of the following dates and times:

  • Sunday, September 9 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT
  • Tuesday, September 11 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. EDT

Eligibility Requirements

  • All eligible entrants must show, at the time of ballot submission, one (1) piece of documentation with postal code and one (1) piece of photo documentation, demonstrating that they are a minimum of 18 years of age on the date of entry. Those without such documents will not be allowed to enter the drawing.
  • The ballot will require all eligible entrants to provide first and last name, address, city/town, postal code, 10-digit telephone number, email address and cell phone number, as applicable. Only one ballot per entrant/household.

Public Drawing

Claiming Tickets

  • Tickets for the Invited Guests and Winning Entrants are able to be picked up in person at the Clinton Arena on the following two (2) days:
    • Sunday, September 16, 12:00 p.m. EDT to 4:00 p.m. EDT
    • Monday, September 17, 12:00 p.m. EDT to 6:00 p.m. EDT
  • Special arrangements can be made prior to this for those unable to make either time.
  • Any tickets that go unclaimed as of 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, September 21, will be forfeited by the winner. Any tickets forfeited will be reallocated at the sole discretion of the Kraft Hockeyville USA 2018 Clinton Local Organizing Committee.

The Public Ticket Distribution Official Rules and Regulations — including ticket details and conditions, notification of selection for eligible entrants and claiming of tickets — can be found on the Clinton Arena – Kraft Hockeyville USA 2018 Facebook page, and posted at the Town of Kirkland Town Hall and Clinton Arena.

In addition to the NHL® Pre-Season Game on Tuesday, September 25, the Clinton community will host a variety of family-friendly events beginning on Saturday, September 22. All community events are open to the public and free, except where noted. 

  • Saturday, September 22: Kick off the morning with a pancake breakfast benefitting the local food pantry at Lutheran Care Church, followed by the Clinton Youth Hockey BBQ and NHL® Alumni Autograph session at the Village Green & Park Row. Wind down with a movie night hosted by the Clinton Fire Department at Clinton Central School.
  • Sunday, September 23: Join Clinton Youth Hockey, Figure Skating Club, Clinton High School and Hamilton College Players for a community skate at Clinton Arena, followed by a Clinton Central School Alumni Game and a visit from the Stanley Cup®.
  • Monday, September 24: A fundraising gala dinner will take place at Hamilton College featuring former NHL® player and current NBC sports analyst Jeremy Roenick. Tickets to the dinner are $50 per person, and can be purchased by visiting the Clinton Arena – Kraft Hockeyville USA 2018 Facebook page.
  • Tuesday, September 25: Welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets® and Buffalo Sabres® on the red carpet and join the pep rally leading up to the Pre-Season Game at 7 p.m. at Clinton Arena. Please note, the red carpet and pep rally are free and open to the public, however, the Pre-Season Game is a ticketed event.

More information on activities, times and locations can be found on the Clinton Arena – Kraft Hockeyville USA 2018 Facebook page.

For more details on the program, visit www.KraftHockeyville.com. Kraft Hockeyville™ USA 2018 can also be found on Facebook (KraftHockeyvilleUSA), Twitter (@HockeyvilleUSA), and Instagram (KraftHockeyvilleUSA). During the finale celebrations, fans can join the conversation using #HockeyvilleUSA.