Billings fell 5-3 in the opener, but the night still marked a major milestone for the city’s hockey community and the beginning of a new era for local ice sports after more than four decades at Centennial Ice Arena.
Signal Peak Ice Arena was funded through corporate sponsorships, private donations and local foundation fundraising. The project gained significant momentum in November 2024 when Signal Peak Energy contributed $6 million toward the effort.
Centennial Ice Arena had served Billings since 1982.
The Cattle Punchers are playing their inaugural season in Billings as part of the North American Hockey League’s Mountain Division, bringing Tier II junior hockey to the city after opening the season with several weeks on the road.
Head coach Steve Haddon said the new facility gives the team an opportunity to build on Billings’ hockey history while establishing an identity of its own. He also said the arena provides an important recruiting advantage as the organization works to attract players and build a long-term presence in Billings.
The team is scheduled to play 62 games during its inaugural season, with its first home series against the Grand Junction RiverHawks.
Haddon said the response from the community has been strong from the start, while Cattle Punchers defenseman Felix Antoine Pomerleau said the support from the home crowd gives the team added energy as it begins its first season in Billings.
For the organization, the combination of a new team, a new arena and an established hockey fan base offers a chance to build something lasting in the city.