The University of Alabama Frozen Tide club hockey team will open its third full season of action Friday at the Pelham Civic Complex.

Bama will play host to Middle Tennessee State University Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Civic Complex.

The Tide enters this season coming off their first trip to the Southeastern Regional tournament in February and under the direction of a new head coach.

“A big part of the reason why I got on board was to evolve it to where it is now starting this season,” said head coach Jeff Cheeseman, who has served the previous two years as an assistant coach. “There’s much more talent this that has shown up this year interested in playing college hockey.”

Former Birmingham Bull Ian Herbert and former University of Alabama-Huntsville player Mike Queeneville will join Cheeseman’s staff.

More than 30 players attended the Tide’s training camp in late August, providing UA with the most depth it’s had since the program begin four years ago with a two-game season. Included on the team are three players from Shelby County: Clay Pratt and Liam Crowley from Spain Park and Kory Sweatt from Oak Mountain.

“We have done a complete 180 as far as improvement. The quality of hockey for hockey fans in Pelham and the Birmingham area is finally at the level that I’d want more people to come out to watch,” said Cheeseman, who once played at the Civic Complex for the Alabama Slammers and now serves as the director of hockey for the Pelham Youth Hockey League.

Admission is $5 per game. PYHL kids wearing their jersey get in free.

For a complete schedule of games, visit www.bamahockey.net.