University of St. Thomas Athletics
St. Thomas Men's Hockey Releases 2023-24 Schedule
6/28/2023 10:30:00 AM | Men's Hockey
St. Paul, Minn. – Year three of the University of St. Thomas men's hockey team's unprecedented leap from Division III to Division I is just months away and the most improved team at the highest level of college hockey is ready to get back to work.
The 2023-24 schedule is filled to the brim with excitement. The 17-game home slate includes contests against nationally ranked St. Cloud State as well as Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) rivals Minnesota State and Michigan Tech.
"It's a tough non-conference schedule but one that will continue to help us build and understand what we need to become a top program in the nation. We are very appreciative of the opportunity and look forward to those games," head coach Rico Blasi said. "No doubt our first two series will be special with two NCAA powers and in-state opponents."
One of those NCAA powers is none other than 2022-23 national runner up Minnesota, whom the Tommies will play in a home-and-home series October 13-14. Tickets for game one at the Xcel Energy Center will go on sale August 16. After battling it out at the "X" the two sides will head across the river to complete the two-game series on October 14 at Mariucci.
"We think playing the best allows you to know where you need to go as players, staff and program," commented Blasi.
The season kicks off with a home-and-home against the Huskies of St. Cloud State on October 7-8, first at the Herb Brooks International Hockey Center (HBNHC) before the Tommies host the Huskies in their home opener Sunday at Saint Thomas Ice Arena.
In total, the 2023-24 schedule consists of 34 games and two non-conference exhibitions against Minnesota Duluth in Mendota Heights and the USA National Development Team in Plymouth, Michigan. The Tommies will also host Lindenwood in their final nonconference series before the start of conference play and will travel to the University of University of Vermont and Augustana (S.D.) to round out the nonconference schedule.
Blasi and St. Thomas open CCHA play with games at Bemidji State on October 27-28, and then return home for their conference home opener series against Northern Michigan November 3-4.
Blasi said, "We think we have a very competitive league. Every weekend is a grind, and every team is well prepared which means you must be at your best."
The Tommies will play four games each against six of their seven CCHA opponents and play only two games on home ice against Lake Superior State, November 24-25. Their two series against Minnesota State will be completed in home-and-home fashion, first in early December (8-9) and then in early February (2-3).
The Purple finished 2022-23 strong, closing the regular season with a 9-9-2 record over their final 20 games. The team grabbed at least one point in their final nine CCHA series and defeated every opponent in the highly competitive conference at least once.
Blasi said of last season, "We made some very good progress with a very young and inexperienced team. We had a lot of close games and learned a lot about how to play through adversity."
The team returns 16 players from the 2022-23 roster and welcomes 13 new faces to year three of the journey.
St. Thomas men's hockey season tickets can now be purchased online, with packages starting at $180. Packages include early pre-sale access for the Friday, October 13 game at Xcel Energy Center and will guarantee individuals access to seats at the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena in 2025.
Follow Along
For all information pertaining to St. Thomas Men's Hockey follow the team on Twitter and Instagram at @TommieMHockey.
The 2023-24 schedule is filled to the brim with excitement. The 17-game home slate includes contests against nationally ranked St. Cloud State as well as Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) rivals Minnesota State and Michigan Tech.
"It's a tough non-conference schedule but one that will continue to help us build and understand what we need to become a top program in the nation. We are very appreciative of the opportunity and look forward to those games," head coach Rico Blasi said. "No doubt our first two series will be special with two NCAA powers and in-state opponents."
One of those NCAA powers is none other than 2022-23 national runner up Minnesota, whom the Tommies will play in a home-and-home series October 13-14. Tickets for game one at the Xcel Energy Center will go on sale August 16. After battling it out at the "X" the two sides will head across the river to complete the two-game series on October 14 at Mariucci.
"We think playing the best allows you to know where you need to go as players, staff and program," commented Blasi.
The season kicks off with a home-and-home against the Huskies of St. Cloud State on October 7-8, first at the Herb Brooks International Hockey Center (HBNHC) before the Tommies host the Huskies in their home opener Sunday at Saint Thomas Ice Arena.
In total, the 2023-24 schedule consists of 34 games and two non-conference exhibitions against Minnesota Duluth in Mendota Heights and the USA National Development Team in Plymouth, Michigan. The Tommies will also host Lindenwood in their final nonconference series before the start of conference play and will travel to the University of University of Vermont and Augustana (S.D.) to round out the nonconference schedule.
Blasi and St. Thomas open CCHA play with games at Bemidji State on October 27-28, and then return home for their conference home opener series against Northern Michigan November 3-4.
Blasi said, "We think we have a very competitive league. Every weekend is a grind, and every team is well prepared which means you must be at your best."
The Tommies will play four games each against six of their seven CCHA opponents and play only two games on home ice against Lake Superior State, November 24-25. Their two series against Minnesota State will be completed in home-and-home fashion, first in early December (8-9) and then in early February (2-3).
The Purple finished 2022-23 strong, closing the regular season with a 9-9-2 record over their final 20 games. The team grabbed at least one point in their final nine CCHA series and defeated every opponent in the highly competitive conference at least once.
Blasi said of last season, "We made some very good progress with a very young and inexperienced team. We had a lot of close games and learned a lot about how to play through adversity."
The team returns 16 players from the 2022-23 roster and welcomes 13 new faces to year three of the journey.
St. Thomas men's hockey season tickets can now be purchased online, with packages starting at $180. Packages include early pre-sale access for the Friday, October 13 game at Xcel Energy Center and will guarantee individuals access to seats at the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena in 2025.
Follow Along
For all information pertaining to St. Thomas Men's Hockey follow the team on Twitter and Instagram at @TommieMHockey.
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