Chicago Blackhawks’ 2017 Training Camp, Festival Dates Established

Yesterday, we had the announcement of the Chicago Blackhawks’ roster for the 2017 rookie tournament. Today, we’ve learned the dates for the team’s training camp and preseason festival.

As far as NHL hockey goes, August is a month for planning. You learn the dates and names associated with a number of events in the coming months. Today, we found out when the Chicago Blackhawks will hold their training camp and preseason festival.

The team announced that camp will begin Sept. 15, a Friday, with a 10 a.m. practice at the United Center. Training camp will run through Oct. 4, ahead of opening night on Oct. 5 at home against the defending Stanley Cup-champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

The festival, meanwhile, will take place Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Madhouse on Madison. There is a scrimmage set for 11 a.m. that day. The festival will obviously be open to the public, but no other practices at the United Center will be available for general fan access.

While there are practices fans can attend during camp (I’ll cover those in a moment), the festival is the marquee preseason event outside of actual games. The scrimmage and practice that day will be open to fans, with all UC seating considered general admission.

In addition, the first 10,000 fans inside the UC that day will receive a Patrick Kane bobblehead. Meanwhile, fans can enjoy live music, food, drinks and interactions with Blackhawks alumni outside the United Center that day.

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The United Center’s website for events shows no more tickets available for the festival, but perhaps a search around resale sites could turn something up for those looking to go.

More on training camp, preseason games

We already knew the dates for Chicago’s six preseason games, which will be evenly split between home and road venues with three different opponents. The first will come Tuesday, Sept. 19, at Columbus’ Nationwide Arena.

That will be followed by a home tilt against Detroit (Thursday, Sept. 21), a home game versus Columbus (Saturday, Sept. 23), a road event against Boston at TD Garden (Monday, Sept. 25), a visit to the Red Wings’ new digs at Little Caesars Arena (Thursday, Sept. 28) and a hosting of the Bruins (Saturday, Sept. 30).

Those events, of course, are open to fans. But you’ll be paying to see those games. Meanwhile, there are various opportunities in September and early October to watch preseason practices for free.

The first of these comes Sunday, Sept. 24. The Blackhawks will take training camp to Notre Dame University’s Compton Family Ice Arena for five days beginning that day. The Sunday practice begins at 11:30 a.m., with subsequent practices running Monday at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday at 10 a.m. and Thursday at 11 a.m.

There are also a few chances to see Chicago practice at Johnny’s IceHouse West, closer to the United Center. The Blackhawks will set up shop there Oct. 2-4 (Monday-Wednesday), with each practice opening at 10 a.m.

Next: Blackhawks' Rookie Tourney Roster Holds 9 ’Hogs

There is always a chance times and locations could change for certain practices or events, but this is a good starting point for fans looking to see how the team’s roster plays out during the preseason.