The defending Ray Miron President's Cup Champion Arizona Sundogs begin the defense of their title on Friday, October 17th when they host the Odessa Jackalopes. The Sundogs and the Colorado Eagles will meet in the first of five final's rematches on Friday, October 24th in Colorado.

The CHL's lone expansion club for the 2008-09 season, the Rapid City Rush, begin the season with a CHL record-tying 14-game road trip and do not open at home until Saturday, November 29th when they host the Colorado Eagles at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Arena. The Rush will play at Colorado in their first regular season game in franchise history on Friday, October 17th.

The Tulsa Oilers will host the Oklahoma City Blazers on Saturday, October 25th in the Oilers home opener and in the first game at the new BOK Center (Bank of Oklahoma Center).

The schedule will be highlighted by the 2009 CHL All-Star Game at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado. The game will be hosted by the Colorado Eagles and will take place on Wednesday, January 14th, 2009. This year's match-up will be unique featuring the Eagles taking on a team of CHL All-Stars.

2008-09 Central Hockey League Home Openers

Amarillo Gorillas - Saturday, October 18th vs. New Mexico

Arizona Sundogs - Friday, October 17th vs. Odessa

Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs - Friday, October 17th vs. Texas

Colorado Eagles - Friday, October 17th vs. Rapid City

Corpus Christi IceRays - Saturday, October 18th vs. Tulsa

Laredo Bucks - Friday, October 17th vs. Rocky Mountain

Mississippi RiverKings - Friday, October 17th vs. Wichita

New Mexico Scorpions - Friday, October 17th vs. Amarillo

Odessa Jackalopes - Friday, October 31st vs. Rio Grande Valley

Oklahoma City Blazers - Friday, October 17th vs. Tulsa

Rapid City Rush - Saturday, November 29th vs. Colorado

Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees - Saturday, October 18th vs. Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain Rage - Wednesday, October 22nd vs. Colorado

Texas Brahmas - Saturday, October 18th vs. Mississippi

Tulsa Oilers - Saturday, October 25th vs. Oklahoma City

Wichita Thunder - Saturday, October 18th vs. Oklahoma City

The playoff format for the 2008-09 season is identical from last season. A total of 10 teams will qualify for the post-season, consisting of five teams from each conference. The 4th and 5th seeded teams in each conference will play a best-of-three opening round series. The remaining three rounds (Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals and Ray Miron President's Cup Finals) will all utilize best-of-seven game formats.