General 9/30/2026 10:35:00 AM Calvin Bush

Steel Set to Host Inaugural Opening Night at USG Arena

Chicago celebrates official home opener in new home on Chicago’s west side

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — The Chicago Steel will officially welcome fans for the first regular season home game at the team's new home on Chicago's west side this Saturday, October 3 at 6:00 p.m. CT for the team's Inaugural Opening Night at USG Arena inside Blackhawks Ice Center presented by Fifth Third Bank.

Following the game against the Green Bay Gamblers, fans can take the ice with the players and collect autographs during the first Post-Game Skate with the Steel of the season. Fans may bring their own skates or rent a pair from Blackhawks Ice Center.

Tickets still remain for Opening Night starting at just $15.

Opening Night marks a historic milestone and new chapter for the Chicago Steel. Since relocating from Fargo-Moorhead in 2000, the organization called Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville home from 2000-2015 before playing its home games at Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva from 2015-2026. The move to Blackhawks Ice Center places the Steel in a newly expanded, state-of-the-art facility.

USG Arena offers modern seating, improved sightlines, expanded concourse space, and an intimate atmosphere that brings fans closer to the action. Enhanced concessions further elevate the gameday experience, creating a premier environment for fans.

Opening Night will feature exciting in-game promotions including the fan-favorite human slingshot bowling, giving fans their first opportunity to fully experience the Steel's new home.

Beyond celebrating the Steel's opening of USG Arena, the night marks the Steel's arrival in the city of Chicago and reinforces the organization's commitment to developing players and staff for success at the NCAA, NHL, and other professional levels. The event serves as a celebration of the franchise's past, present, and future while ushering in a new era of Steel hockey.

Before their home opener, the Steel will take on the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders on the road on Friday, Oct. 2 at 7:05 pm.

The 2026-2027 season marks the Steel's first season at USG Arena after their relocation to Chicago earlier this year. The team won its first two games at the USHL Fall Classic on Sept. 18 and 19, which was held for the first time at Blackhawks Ice Center.

The Steel (2-0-0-0, 4 pts.) finished with a perfect record for the second consecutive season at the Fall Classic, knocking off Lincoln 4-3 on Sept. 18 followed by a 6-3 victory against Omaha on Sept. 19. Chicago's season-opening win was powered by a two-goal effort from Easton Pace and a multi-point performance by Cole Bumgarner, who tallied a goal and an assist. The three-goal win over Omaha included another two-goal game by Pace, who registered the game-winning goal in both games, as well as a pair of goals for Bumgarner. Both Pace and Bumgarner lead the Steel in scoring with four points through two games.

First-year forward Harrison Smith also cashed in with multiple points in the Sept. 19 win, notching two assists to round out his first two Steel games with three total helpers. Goaltender Stepan Houdek stood tall between the pipes for Chicago, stopping 51 of 57 shots over two games for his first two USHL wins.

Elmhurst product and Notre Dame commit Trevor Shorter matched Smith's output with three assists in two games. Trevor's twin brother Nolan Shorter, who made his USHL debut on Sept. 18, potted his first USHL point in his debut with an assist. Nolan was one of four skaters to record their first USHL point at the Fall Classic alongside MJ Campbell, Jack Mahley, and Cal Grilz.

The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (4-0-0-0, 8 pts.) enter the weekend with an unblemished record, sweeping the Fall Classic before pocketing a 5-2 win over Dubuque at home on Sept. 26 and a 5-2 victory at Sioux City on Sept. 27. Former Steel forward Nate Chorlton led the charge for the RoughRiders, scoring twice and adding an assist against Dubuque. The Minnesota native built on his strong start to the season with three assists against Sioux City. Henry Lechner also recorded multiple points in each victory last weekend, finishing with one goal and four assists.

Chorlton's strong weekend earned him USHL Forward of the Week honors. In two games, Chorlton recorded six points (2G-4A) and was a +5 plus-minus rating. He tallied four total points (1G-3A) at the USHL Fall Classic and has recorded three consecutive three-point games.

The Steel are 56-59-5-4 all-time against Cedar Rapids and 26-31-3-2 on the road. Friday is the first of four matchups against the RoughRiders this season. Chicago won all four head-to-head matchups against Cedar Rapids last season, with all games decided by one goal.

The Green Bay Gamblers (0-2-0-0, 0 pts.) dropped both of its Fall Classic games. An 8-3 loss to Sioux City on Sept. 16 opened Green Bay's season, followed by a 2-1 loss to Fargo on Sept. 17. Ethan Drabicki accounted for two of Green Bay's three goals in the season-opening loss, and Gunnar Conboy recorded a goal and an assist. Goaltender Adam Novotny started the game and was pulled after allowing six goals on 19 shots. Ben Slavick scored Green Bay's only goal the following day in the team's loss to the Force. The Gamblers were a combined 1-for-10 on the power play at the Fall Classic and allowed five power play goals on 13 opportunities.

Drabicki enters his fourth season in the USHL and second with the Gamblers. The Michigan native won a Clark Cup with Muskegon in 2025. He opened last season with the Lumberjacks before being traded to the Gamblers early in the season and finished his first year in Green Bay with 15 points (8G-7A) in 46 games.

Second-year Gambler goaltender Joey Slavick stepped in to relieve Novotny on Sept. 16 and played the team's full contest on Sept. 17, stopping 22 of 24 shots in a losing effort. After a pair of seasons with the USA Hockey NTDP from 2023 to 2025, Slavick played in 29 games for the Gamblers in 2025-2026, recording a 17-9-2-0 record with one shutout. He participated in the 2025 Chipotle All-American Game and also represented the United States at the 2025 IIHF U18 Men's World Championship.

The Steel are 82-79-7-5 all-time against Green Bay and 46-39-2-3 at home. Saturday is the first of ten games between the two teams this season, the most head-to-head matchups against any team for the Steel this year. Chicago went 1-6-0-1 against the Gamblers last season and Green Bay outscored the Steel 37-18 in its seven wins against Chicago.

Chicago will stay home following this weekend's games and host 0K Night in honor of the Chicago Marathon on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:00 pm. Fans can purchase a special ticket offer that includes a ticket to the game, a special 0K t-shirt, and a select beverage for $35. The Steel will conclude the weekend on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 3:00 pm for Ogre Day in celebration of the 25^th Anniversary of the hit DreamWorks movie Shrek.

Oct. 10 is the first Family Pack game of the season. On select dates, fans can enjoy the ultimate family outing for just $25 per guest with a White Zone ticket, food and beverage, chuck-a-puck, and Blackhawks Ice Center Public Skate Pass and Skate Rental. Visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com to learn more.

Single-game, group, and premium seating tickets for the 2026-2027 season are on sale now.

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule:
Friday, October 2 at Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (7:05 pm CT)
Saturday, October 3 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (6:00 pm CT) | Inaugural Opening Night at USG Arena | Post-Game Skate with the Steel
Friday, October 9 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:00 pm CT) | 0K Night in Honor of the Chicago Marathon

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