Prior to several weeks ago most of us already had our plans for this evening locked up - um, sorry - since late June, but as the freshly-rechristened BB&T Center remains dark on this night, and a certain Southeast Division championship banner continues its crated slumber, all is not quite lost for the hockey-starved beyond One Panther Parkway.

The Rampage get their new season rolling tonight from San Antonio (vs. TEX; 8 p.m. ET, Radio / AHL Live) as one of 14 games on Saturday's AHL schedule; SARampage.com provides the full roster for Game Number One right here.

Need to brush up with a history lesson on Florida's American League affiliate? MySA.com's Tony Uminski provides a peek at the club's inaugural season (2002-03); you'll likely recall several of the names mentioned, but I make no guarantees on the "fondness" aspect of such memories. Needless to say, the organization is in markedly better shape these days. On paper, so far.

Right back to work at the AT&T Center on Sunday, with a 4:30 p.m. (ET) start against the Houston Aeros (one of the superb team names in all of pro sports, per me) before heading to Oklahoma City for the first Rampage road matchup of the young season on October 19.