CRANBERRY TWP — The township is partnering with the Pittsburgh Penguins to offer an incentive for residents to sign up for leagues in the new Dek hockey rink in Graham Park.

Pete Geis, director of the parks and recreation department for the township, said that anyone who signs up for a league on or before Thursday will receive two free tickets to a Pittsburgh Penguins preseason game on Saturday.

Geis said the Penguins donated 200 tickets to the township to get more people to sign up for leagues at the Dek hockey rink, which will open by Oct. 11.

More than 50 tickets have already been accounted for, Geis said.

The Dek hockey rink is a partnership between the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation and Highmark, the two entities that are building rinks in the Pittsburgh area to help get children more involved in hockey.

The rink in Graham Park will be the first of its kind built by the Penguins outside of Allegheny County.

Geis said there still isn’t a date set for the grand opening of the facility, but added that programming will start on Oct. 11.

“People are surprised it’s going to be ready that early because there’s still some work going on over at the site,” Geis said, referencing the fact that crews are installing a roof there. “But it won’t be long until we’re up and running.”

Geis previously said that hundreds of people have signed up for leagues at the new rink. He is also scheduling open-ice times and adult leagues for the rink.

Tickets must be picked up at the township’s parks and recreation department in the township municipal center from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday or from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday

The tickets are on a first come basis, Geis said.