The 2012 Western States Shootout schedule has been released and the Flyers have drawn some tough opponents, which should make for a great week of hockey in Las Vegas.

The Showcase will officially begin on Tuesday December 18 but the Flyers won’t begin play until Wednesday, when they’ll face the Mountain Division’s top team, the El Paso Rhinos at 4 PM PST.

This will be the first meeting between the two teams since the Flyers played El Paso during the 2010 showcase, a 5-3 Flyers victory.

On Thursday, the Flyers get another tough opponent, in the Midwest Division-leading Dallas Ice Jets at 3 PM. The two teams met three times in Dallas last season, with the Ice Jets winning all three tight games.

The next afternoon the Flyers clash with the Boulder Bison at 2:45 PM, a team that lost two out of three at Ice Station Valencia last season.

The Flyers’ showcase will conclude on Saturday December 22 with an 8:15 am game against the Seattle Totems, a team they have never faced.

All games will be played at the Las Vegas Ice Center, located at 9295 West Flamingo Road Las Vegas, NV 89147. All-Showcase passes, good for entry to all five days of the event, will be sold at the arena for just $45/person.

The host hotel is once again the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino, located at 2000 South Las Vegas Boulevard Las Vegas, NV 89104. Call 1-800-998-6937 and use the group code: C-WSFB2 and your room is just $27/night plus applicable taxes and fees.

The Flyers hope to see you in Sin City!