ADAMS TWP — The Mars boys varsity hockey team will open its year up in style Oct. 5 when it plays North Hills at the new UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

The Planets will take on North Hills at 6 p.m. that day, then Pine-Richland will play North Allegheny at 8 p.m. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League got the ice time at the complex, said Matt Herr, the facility’s executive director and general manager.

“We’re very excited to get local high school teams in here,” Herr said.

Denise McCann, the Mars Hockey registrar, said the players have been wondering all summer whether they will get to play any games at the complex.

“They were all excited that they get to play there right off the bat in their first game,” McCann said.

She said the Mars varsity team has eight seniors.

“This will definitely be a lasting memory that will stick with them,” McCann said. “This is just great for the team.”

Herr said he wants the sports complex to be a valuable local venue for all athletes.

“Our goal at the facility is to get as many teams and as many communities to use the building as possible,” he said.

Herr hopes all levels of hockey players use it.

“It’s important for everyone to use the complex,” he said. “One of our goals is to be a complex for everyone, all the way from learn-to-skate and mites to the NHL.”