NMU Hockey unveils its 2021-2022 calendar
GRACIOUS OF NMU WILDCATS
MARQUETTE, Michigan – The start of a new era in college hockey begins in 2021-2022 as the Northern Michigan University hockey team joins the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The Wildcats, having previously been members of the famous league, join the newly reformed conference with an exciting home game to kick off the 2021-22 season, hosting the University of St. Thomas, October 8-9.
In total, the Wildcats will host 22 home competitions next season, including an exhibition game, while playing 12 games on the road.
The Wildcats welcome the Tommies, who are the newest addition to NCAA Division I hockey, as part of the CASC’s first round of conferences. The puck should fall during the very first meeting between the two teams at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 8.
The NMU then hosts the United States National Team Development Program in an exhibition competition inside the Berry Events Center on Friday, October 15, before returning to NCAA action. two days later, when the University of Notre Dame will go to Marquette, on October 17th.
The Wildcats return to the conference the following weekend when they face Bemidji State University, Oct. 22-23, inside the Berry Events Center. Last season, the Wildcats swept the Beavers down the road with first-year goaltender Rico DiMatteo taking home WCHA Rookie of the Week honors for his performance in the crease, totaling 47 saves on 50 shots.
The team’s first road series of the season includes a trip to Minnesota State University, Oct. 29-30. The two teams last met in Mankato, Minnesota for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association semifinals, where the Wildcats advanced to the WCHA Championship game after a 5-1 win over the Mavericks then No. 3 nationally.
The Wildcats return home to host Boston University in a celebration of the 1991 Championship team’s 30th anniversary, Nov. 5-6. Members of this Wildcat Championship team will be in attendance and a brief ceremony honoring their accomplishments will take place prior to the puck drop.
The team meets Michigan Technological University, Nov. 12-13, with a home series. First, the Wildcats will travel to the western Upper Peninsula on Friday, November 12 to meet the Huskies, before a trip back to Marquette the next day as the two teams face off at the Berry Events Center.
Northern continues the month of November with a trip to Ferris State, Nov. 19-20, before spending Thanksgiving vacation at home against Bowling Green State University, Nov. 26-27.
The NMU is exiting the conference to open in December as it hosts the University of Minnesota Duluth, December 3-4.
The Wildcats conclude the first half of the season with a trip to Lake Superior State University, Dec. 10-11. Last year the Wildcats and Lakers met five times, most notably in the WCHA Championship game.
The NMU opens the new calendar year at home against Colgate University, Jan. 7-8, before hosting MSU – Mankato, Jan. 14-15.
The Wildcats begin a two-week battle against enemies of the UP with the final home and home series against MTU, January 21-22. The NMU hosts the first game of the two-game series before a trip to Houghton the following evening. They then end the month of January with a home series against the LSSU from January 28 to 29.
The team then travels to Bemidji, Minnesota, Feb.4-5, ahead of its week off, Feb.11-12.
The Wildcats return to action with a trip to the BGSU Feb. 18-19, before concluding their season at home against the FSU Bulldogs Feb. 25-26.
A link to the full program can be found here.
After narrowly missing an NCAA ice hockey tournament bid last season, the Wildcats are looking to send 20 skaters and their top two goaltenders back to Nolan Kent and Rico DiMatteo while adding a solid entering class to the mix.