Prince George, B.C. – Prince George Cougars fans should circle September 22 on their calendars.

That’s the night the team will raise their first ever B.C. Division championship banner to the CN Centre rafters after 24 years in the city.

It will happen prior to the team’s home opener versus the visiting Spokane Chiefs.

“Last season we made history by winning the B.C. Division Banner for the first time and to see that banner raised to the rafters of the CN Centre is going to be an emotional moment for everybody involved,” said Cougars GM Todd Harkins.

Andy Beesley, the Cats business VP, agrees.

“I do because it’s so hard to win anything at all in hockey. And anytime you get a chance to get any type of victory those of us behind the scenes know the blood, the sweat and the tears both on and off the ice that occur to make a team click.”

That’s not to say the season ended the way the team was hoping.

“For sure. There’s no hiding the fact the playoffs didn’t go as any of us had planned but having said that there are so many things to be happy about with what’s happened – not just this past year but for the past three years since the new ownership took over.

“Every single year has been significant and dramatic improvements on and off the ice and this third year is our first official recognition that we are definitely on the right track.”

The Cougars entire schedule will be released this afternoon.