HOUSTON – The defending Calder Cup champion Houston Aeros, of the American Hockey League, today announced the club’s 2003-04 regular season schedule. The team will begin the 80-game campaign on the road versus the Milwaukee Admirals on Friday, October 17. The Aeros will host Cleveland in the home opener on Friday, October 24 in the new Toyota Center downtown.



The Aeros will play 24 of their 40 home games this season on weekend dates. Houston will host 10 Friday games, eight Saturday contests, and six Sunday match-ups. Start times for Aeros home games this season will be 7:00 p.m. for Monday through Saturday games and 5:00 p.m. for Sunday games.



The Calder Cup champion Houston Aeros will complete their 2003-04 regular season schedule on Saturday, April 10 at home against the Grand Rapids Griffins. The complete 2003-04 Houston Aeros season schedule can be seen at www.aeros.com/schedule.



For the best view of the Aeros’ exciting 10th anniversary season, fans are encouraged to order their 2003-04 season ticket packages now. Full and Partial Season Ticket Packages are available through the Aeros team office which can be contacted at (713) 974-7825.



The American Hockey League and the National Hockey League will change home and road jerseys this year. All teams will wear dark jerseys at home and light colored jerseys on the road. The Aeros will wear their new navy blue jerseys with the white Aeros lettering and the reverse for games on the road.



By the numbers – Houston plays 54 of their 80 games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Over half of the schedule, 44 games, is on Friday and Saturday. The team plays eight three-games-in-three night series, down from 10 times last season. December and February are the team’s busiest months with 15 games each. The Aeros longest home stand is seven games from opening night on October 24 to November 6. The longest road trip is five games from February 6 to 14. The team also plays four straight away from the Toyota Center three times. For the second consecutive season, Houston ends the regular season with a home game against the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday, April 10.