Utica, N.Y. - The Utica Comets are another step closer to a return as the team announced the dates for its 2020-21 training camp, Friday.

The team will hit the ice to get things going on Tuesday, January 27 in what will be a four-day camp with practices from then until Friday, Jan. 29.

Each practice time is set for 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., but subject to change.

Following the first week of practices, the Comets will square off with the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday, January 30 at the Adirondack Bank Center at 1 p.m. for an exhibition game.

Players will arrive to Utica prior to Monday, January 25, allowing them to complete their mandatory quarantine period and conduct off-ice meetings prior to the first official on-ice practice.

At this time, all practices and games will be closed to the public.

This season, the Comets are sharing a dual affiliation with the Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues organizations.

Both teams have assigned players to Utica already, but a complete training camp roster will be announced at a later date.

The AHL regular season will begin on Friday, February 5 with the Comets expected to play a 32-game slate largely against division rivals Syracuse Crunch and Rochester Americans in order to cut down on travel and overnight stays at hotels.