WATERTOWN, S.D. — The Watertown Shamrocks, in conjunction with the North American Hockey League, have finalized the club’s 59-game regular season schedule for 2026-27.
The Shamrocks will open the regular season on the road Sept. 18 and 19 with a playoff rematch against the Austin Bruins.
Watertown will continue to compete in the NAHL’s Central Division. However, realignment within the league has significantly altered the Shamrocks’ schedule compared to previous years. After operating with eight teams for the past two seasons, the Central Division will feature just six teams this year.
The North Iowa Bulls previously announced their relocation to Houston, leaving the division with seven teams. Additionally, the Mallards have moved from the Central Division to the Midwest Division. The Central Division previously operated as a six-team unit from 2015 until the Shamrocks and Minnesota Mallards joined in 2024.
The divisional realignment resets the scheduling formula for the Central Division and the Shamrocks. Each team will play three games at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota, from Sept. 23 to 26. Teams will then play 12 games against four of their divisional opponents and eight games against the remaining opponent.
The Shamrocks will open their home schedule at the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena on Friday, Oct. 9, in a weekend series against the Bismarck Bobcats. Watertown will face the Bruins, Aberdeen Wings, Minot Minotauros, and St. Cloud Norsemen 12 times each this season, while Bismarck serves as the opponent scheduled for eight games.
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