The MTS Centre in Winnipeg will host its first NHL game on September 17 when the Oilers face the Coyotes.

The Edmonton Oilers will open their 2006-07 NHL pre-season against the Phoenix Coyotes on Sunday, September 17th at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It will be one of eight games the Oilers will play during the pre-season as they prepare for their 27th NHL season.

The pre-season schedule will see the Oilers play four home games and four road games prior to their 2006-07 NHL regular season opener versus the Calgary Flames at Rexall Place on Thursday, October 5th.

Edmonton will meet the Coyotes three times during the pre-season as they will also play a home-and-home series against Phoenix. The Oilers will also play home-and-home series against both the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks and a single home game against the Florida Panthers.

Following the pre-season opener with Phoenix in Winnipeg, the Oilers return home to play four of their next five games at Rexall Place. Edmontons first home game since the 2006 Stanley Cup Final will see the Oilers host Florida on Monday, September 18th at 7:00 pm. The Oilers then host Phoenix on September 19th, Calgary on September 23rd and Vancouver on September 27th.

Edmonton travels to Calgary on September 21st and concludes the pre-season at Phoenix and Vancouver on September 28th and 30th, respectively.