Then the head, Scott Hillman, and first player, Jeff Christian, were announced.

That was followed by the schedule.

Now, the Mavericks have a place to call their own on the AM radio dial. In keeping with their hometown theme, the official home of the Central Hockey League team will be KCWJ 1030 AM.

“We are pleased to announce our partnership with KCWJ,” Mavericks president and general manager Brent Thiessen said. “The station has a loyal listenership and we are excited to have a high-quality broadcast for every Missouri Mavericks game.”

KCWJ will broadcast every game, home and away, for the Mavericks’ 2009-10 inaugural season. The games on Oct. 16, 23 and 30 will be joined in progress or delayed, but all 64 games will be available live online through the Mavericks’ Web site.

Bob Rennison will serve as the play-by-play announcer for every game. His extensive background in broadcasting includes five prior seasons in the CHL where he worked for the Wichita Thunder, Topeka ScareCrows and Topeka Tarantulas.

“We are proud and excited to partner with the Central Hockey League and the entire Missouri Mavericks organization as the radio home of Missouri Mavericks hockey,” KCWJ general manager Ken Ball said.

“We congratulate the City of Independence, Mayor Don Reimal and Global Entertainment Corporation for their vision and leadership in bringing affordable family-friendly entertainment to the beautiful new Independence Events Center.

“KCWJ shares the vision and looks forward to many successful seasons of championship hockey in Independence. The success of Missouri Mavericks hockey is a story worth telling.”

KCWJ is a 5,000 watt Christian AM station. KCWJ is the home of Blue Springs and Blue Springs South football broadcasts, Missouri State University football and basketball and the award-winning Sonic Locker Room, which spotlights educational and athletic excellence in local and area school districts.