Salvatore Viviano and Jimmy Rieber return to Waterloo, while Czech standouts Sebastian Charvat and David Sedlacek could see their first action at Young Arena when the Black Hawks play home exhibition games on September 9th and 11th.

The Hawks announced the preseason home dates Thursday.  The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders will visit for the home exhibition opener at 4:05 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9th.  Two nights later, the Des Moines Buccaneers will occupy the opposing bench with puck drop at 6:35 p.m.
 
Last autumn, the preseason was pivotal for both Viviano and Rieber.  Viviano skated for Cedar Rapids. Although the RoughRiders released him, he impressed the Hawks enough to earn a roster spot and comes back to Young Arena this fall as Waterloo's top returning scorer.  Meanwhile, Rieber played his way onto the Black Hawks' roster during the exhibition schedule.  That sent the defenseman on course to be selected by the Anaheim Ducks during the seventh round of the NHL Draft earlier this summer.

Charvat and Sedlacek were also both 2026 NHL Draft candidates.  More significant to their immediate futures, they were each selected by Waterloo during Phase II of the 2026 USHL Draft and lead an exciting group of arrivals to the Cedar Valley.  They are among six newcomers who have signed Standard Player Development Agreements (SPDAs) for the coming year, joining a formidable combination of veterans and matriculating affiliates.

John Deere employees are invited to enjoy $5 tickets during the September 9th matchup by showing their John Deere ID at the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office.  All other tickets – plus seats for the September 11th exhibition – are $10.  Both games will feature drink specials.

Preseason tickets – and individual regular season game tickets – will go on sale Tuesday, August 25th at noon.  Fans may call the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680 or purchase seats online from tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com.