The 17-year-old hockey rink glass at Rabobank Arena has been swapped out months before the puck drops on the first American Hockey League game for the Bakersfield Condors.

Kevin Bartl represents the team and said the Plexiglas system is state-of-the-art, and will give fans a crisper view of the action.

“Most NHL buildings use a system similar to this or exactly like this,” he said.

Bartl said the bowels of the arena are being gutted for new team areas and locker rooms, which should be ready when the Arizona Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings come to Bakersfield for their exhibition scheduled for Sept. 21.

– Anthony Pollreisz