WITH the new ice hockey season coming up, Manchester Phoenix will partner with rivals Sheffield Steeldogs in taking on the global charity event known as the ‘ice bucket challenge’.

Phoenix are to face the Steeldogs in the annual season warm up series ‘War of the Roses’ on Friday at Ice Sheffield with the return match on September 7 in Altrincham.

Phoenix owner Neil Morris along with head coach Tony Hand have agreed to take on the ice bucket challenge for charity along with Sheffield Steeldogs owner Shane Smith and head coach Andre Payette.

Raffle tickets will be sold at the matches with the winner pouring the cold water over the volunteers and the monies collected will be put to charities of the clubs choosing.

Meanwhile Hand’s side is almost finished for the new season with the only addition required to complete the title defending side being an import defenceman to replace the retired Robert Schnabel.

Hand’s roster of players will be in attendance at a ‘meet the players’ event next week at the Cresta Court Hotel. Fans will be able to chat with the players and get autographs before the players travel to Sheffield on Friday for the opening game of the ‘ar of the Roses series.

To attend the event on September 2 at 7.30pm, guests will be asked for a minimum £3 donation to the Manchester Phoenix Community Sports Foundation (MPCSF) on the door.

Their title defence starts the following weekend with an away trip to Bracknell Bees on September 13 before returning to the Altrincham Ice Dome on Sunday to face the Swindon Wildcats in their opening home league game.