The St. Cloud State men’s hockey program announced its 2026‑27 schedule on Friday, a milestone that also marks the debut of Nick Oliver as the team’s new head coach. Oliver, who spent years as an assistant with the Huskies, steps into the role with a clear vision for a faster, more aggressive style of play.
A New Era for the Huskies
Oliver’s appointment comes at a time of transition for the program. After a lengthy tenure as an assistant, he now shapes the roster, the practice routines, and the overall philosophy that will guide the Huskies through a demanding season.
Conference Expansion Brings New Faces
Alongside the schedule, the announcement highlighted a historic shift in conference realignment: the University of St. Thomas Tommies will join the National Collegiate Hockey Conference this season, expanding the league to ten members for the first time in its history.
The addition of St. Thomas also brings a change to St. Cloud State’s travel logistics, as the Tommies will serve as the Huskies’ new conference travel partner, replacing the University of Minnesota Duluth in that role.
Season Opener Set for October 3
The season opens on October 3, when the Huskies host the Bemidji State Beavers at the Sanford Center. The game marks the first of what promises to be a tightly contested series against a program that has been a perennial NCHC contender.
Two days later, the Huskies will welcome Bemidji State back for the first home series of the year, with games scheduled for October 9 and October 10 at the same venue.
Non‑Conference Road Tests
Beyond the opening stretch, St. Cloud State’s non‑conference slate includes home matchups against Michigan Tech University and the University of Alaska Anchorage, as well as a single game against Bemidji State. The remainder of the non‑conference road portion will see the Huskies travel to Boston College and Vermont for series that could test their early‑season resilience.
NCHC Play Begins
NCHC play officially begins on Halloween weekend, when the Huskies host the Arizona State Sun Devils. The conference schedule also features a home‑and‑road series against the reigning national champions, the Denver Pioneers, promising high‑stakes matchups for the young coaching staff.
Overall, the 2026‑27 campaign is shaped to give the Huskies a balanced mix of home and away games, with six series on each side of the ledger, while integrating new rivals and a fresh coaching philosophy.