Peoria Rivermen Opened Training Camp

The Peoria Rivermen have begun preparations for the upcoming hockey season at the Owens Center.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Hockey

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The Peoria Rivermen opened their training camp this week with a roster of 14 skaters and two goalies. The team is preparing for their season opener, which is scheduled for later this month.

Why it matters

The team currently faces a staffing challenge as seven Canadian players are unable to join the camp due to pending paperwork. Coaches are also monitoring ECHL roster cuts that are expected to make additional talent available for the SPHL squad.

The training camp roster features 14 skaters and two goalies currently practicing at the Owens Center. This figure compares to a total of seven additional players who remain sidelined pending the completion of immigration paperwork.

The players

Peoria Rivermen

The Peoria Rivermen are a professional hockey team that competes in the Southern Professional Hockey League.

Owens Center

The Owens Center is a multi-purpose ice skating and athletic facility located in Peoria, Illinois.

The details

The Rivermen conducted their recruitment efforts over the summer months to finalize the current camp roster. Management remains focused on integrating new arrivals while waiting for potential talent shifts resulting from professional league roster adjustments.

The training camp opened during the week of October 8, 2026.
The Rivermen are scheduled to play their season opener on October 17, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The team is currently working through the standard SPHL training camp roster development cycle to prepare for the season. Success in integrating the seven delayed players will be critical to the Rivermen reaching full competitive strength before the October 17 opener.

The team must secure the paperwork for seven key players to ensure the full roster is available for the October 17 road game against Quad Cities. Fans should monitor potential roster additions resulting from ECHL cuts as the team looks to round out its lineup.

The takeaway

The Rivermen must quickly resolve administrative delays to ensure their full roster is ready for the upcoming season. Balancing existing talent with future league-wide cuts remains a primary focus for the coaching staff.