The Kamloops NorthPaws will play their long awaited home opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on May 31, 2022.

The two expansion West Coast League franchises will begin play with a three game series at Norbrock Stadium.

Following that series, the NorthPaws will head on the road to face the Port Angeles Lefties in their first ever road games.

In total, the NorthPaws will play 54 regular season games as part of 18 three-game series, nine at home and nine away. Each of the four Canadian teams – Edmonton, Nanaimo, Kelowna, and Victoria – will visit Norbrock Stadium in 2022.

The NorthPaws were scheduled to begin play in the 2021 season, however though all of the Canadian teams chose to sit out the 2021 season because of COVID-19 related border closures and restrictions on gatherings.

“Now it feels real,” League Commissioner Rob Neyer said. “After a 2020 without games and a 2021 without our Canadian members, a 2022 with everyone – including three new teams in Canada, plus our fourth Oregon member – certainly figures to become the most exciting, dynamic, and international season in league history.”

Fans who bought seasons ticket were offered a full refund or given the chance to move their tickets over to the 2022 season.

The West Coast League regular season is set to wrap up on Aug. 7, 2022.  Neyer says details about the playoff format will be released at a later date.

For the full West Coast League schedule, go here.