The University of Connecticut’s men’s and women’s ice hockey teams are preparing for a demanding 34‑game schedule that stretches from early fall through the winter months, each squad eyeing a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
A Season of Opportunity
The men’s side will open the season with a home slate that includes 13 games at the Storrs arena and four contests at Hartford’s PeoplesBank Arena, while also traveling to Belfast for the Friendship Four tournament during Thanksgiving week, where they will test themselves against top international competition.
Under the direction of coach Chris MacKenzie, the women’s team finished the previous season with a 28‑9‑2 record, captured the Hockey East tournament and fell just short in the NCAA regional final to Penn State; this year they aim to translate that experience into a deeper tournament run.
Both programs will navigate a mix of exhibition matches, regional tournaments and a rugged Hockey East slate that features rivals such as Boston University, Vermont and Princeton, while also meeting non‑conference foes like Minnesota Duluth and Ohio State, setting the stage for a season that could define their national aspirations.