The Fort McMurray Oil Barons will return to the ice by late-August.

The Alberta Junior Hockey League announced on Tuesday the full schedule for the 2021-22 season.

The MOB haven’t played since the end of April after they decided to cancel the season due to the high number of COVID-19 cases in the region. At the time, they were sitting top of the North Division with a record of 12-1-3.

The pre-season will get going on August 27 with the Oil Barons set to play the Spruce Grove Saints at Centrefire Place on September 1.

In an attempt to end games before a shootout, the AJHL will be implementing new rules for overtime during exhibition games.

The extra period will now be six minutes long turning into a 2-on-2 once there’s been a stop in play following the four minute mark, before dropping again to 1-on-1 once after the first whistle following the two minute mark.

If the game is still tied, the teams will play in a regular shootout.

The regular season will officially get underway on September 17.

The Oil Barons will start their 60 game season on the road with two games against the Whitecourt Wolverines.

They return to Fort McMurray for a six game homestead which starts with a doubleheader against the Drayton Valley Thunder on September 24 and 25.