SIOUX CITY (KTIV) -- -
For the sixth straight year, the Sioux City Musketeers are hosting the United States Hockey League's Fall Classic. All 16 teams from the USHL are here, and each team will play three preseason games, which started Wednesday afternoon and go through Saturday.
The Fall Classic is expected to bring in over $1.75 million dollars to the Siouxland area, with players, coaches, fans, and scouts filling up restaurants and hotel rooms.
Even though the National Hockey League is in a lockout, every team has a scout at the event and every college hockey team in the U-S will have a coach here, looking to find scholarship athletes.
"We've got about 225 scouts in attendance over the next four days with NHL scouts, to division one, division two and division three scouts," said Musketeers Executive Vice President Rich Zaber. "This is great opportunity for them to see all 16 teams right here in Sioux City. For the players, here it is. This is their chance to showcase what they have and their talents."
Sioux City has gone 1-1-1 in the preseason. The Muskies had a 29-30-1 record last year under first-year head coach Brett Larson, but were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.
The Muskies have 27 players on their preseason roster and they must get down to 23 for the regular season.
"This is a big deal for Brett, just like it was last weekend in Duluth and being up in Sioux Center," said Zaber. "He wants to see these new guys coming in and see who's going to fit this puzzle and make this team. This is very important. Brett does not really care if we win or lose during these Fall Classic games, he wants to evaluate his talent."
Zaber also says the Fall Classic would not be possible without over 200 volunteers helping out. The Musketeers play Sioux Falls Wednesday night at 7 o'clock at the Tyson Events Center. Sioux City will play again on Friday and Saturday at 7, also at the Tyson.
For the sixth straight year, the Sioux City Musketeers are hosting the USHL's Fall Classic.
