Copper City Chiefs Kick Off Inaugural Season with KrisTech 

Hockey is officially BACK in Rome, NY! 

On Saturday, October 24, 2026, the Copper City Chiefs will take to the ice at John F. Kennedy Civic Arena for their inaugural season. To celebrate Rome’s newest arrival, KrisTech Wire has signed on as an opening night sponsor. 

As part of the Chiefs’ Inaugural Opening Night promotion, the first 1,000 fans at Kennedy Arena will receive a limited-edition rally towel courtesy of KrisTech.

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Quick to Jump In

For Wendy Calabrese, KrisTech's Director of Employee Engagement, supporting the hometown team was an easy decision, especially given the company’s longtime footprint in the community. 

"Rome is home at KrisTech and supporting our community means supporting the people who make it such a special place," Calabrese said. "We’ve always believed in investing in the communities where our employees live, work, and raise their families, while keeping our people at the center of it all. We’re incredibly excited to welcome hockey back to Rome and support something new that our employees, their families, and the entire community can enjoy together. We’re proud to be part of it, and we’ll continue looking for ways to make our community an even better place to call home!"

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A Storied Tradition in Rome 

This isn’t the first time Romans have seen the Chiefs lace up their skates, though. In fact, the storied Copper City Chiefs' history goes back more than 50 years, with the team’s first iteration starting in 1965 and winning the Northeastern U.S. Hockey League Championship during the 1973-74 season. 

For team president and owner Jimmy Milliken, hockey and Rome go together like slap shots and hat tricks. The team features an experienced roster packed with former junior hockey and NCAA D-III talent alongside professional players and hopes to see early success. 

“Bringing hockey back to Rome is something special,” Milliken said. “This city has a rich hockey tradition, and the support we've received from fans, businesses, and the entire community has been incredible. I've been fortunate to be part of some great hockey organizations throughout my career, but there's something different about what we're building here. We're not just bringing hockey back; we're bringing back a tradition and creating something this community can be proud of for years to come.” 

The Chiefs kick off their 24-game season at home against Toronto’s Bathurst St. Lions. For the full schedule and to buy tickets, visit the Chiefs' team site.