MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University hockey program is eager to get back on the ice as they travel to Michigan Technological University on Saturday, Oct. 2, for an exhibition contest. Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. in Houghton, Mich.

A long time rival, the two teams will meet for the first time in an exhibition format, as the NCAA Committee for Legislative Relief approved a waiver that allows collegiate hockey programs to schedule exhibitions against one another. The Huskies and Wildcats will play four times in the regular season in CCHA action on November 12-13 and January 21-22.

The team will open its regular season with a six-game homestand, including the first conference series of the new Central Collegiate Hockey Association when the Wildcats host the Tommies of St. Thomas University, Oct. 8-9.

WEEKLY NOTES

OUTLOOK ON 2021-22 SEASON

The Wildcats look to storm back in 2021-22, having narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament last season with a final record of 11-17-1. After a slow start to their season the Wildcats went on a 7-5-1 tear during the latter half of the year to earn a berth in the final Western Collegiate Hockey Association championship game.

FOLLOW ALONG

Social Media: https://twitter.com/NMU_Wildcats and https://twitter.com/NMUHockey

Radio: http:/www.rrnsports.com

Live Stats: https://www.nmuwildcats.com/sports/mice/2021-22/boxscores/20211002_b0ht.xml

No live stream of the exhibition will be provided on flohockey.tv.

LAST TIME OUT

The NMU squad came one win shy of the NCAA postseason tournament, falling short in the WCHA Championship last season after an impressive 5-1 decision over favorite-to-win Minnesota State in the WCHA semifinals last March. The Wildcats plan to take that as motivation for the 2021-22 season as they address their unfinished business.

CAT FACTS

• Ben Newhouse led the NCAA in blocked shots last season, having stopped 91 shots before they could reach the crease.

• A centreman from Edmonton, Alberta, Joseph Nardi posted a national-best in faceoffs won in 2020-21. The captain enters his final season coming off a faceoff record of 396-315.

• The Wildcats have now advanced to the conference championship in two of Coach Potulny's four seasons. *no championship took place in 2019-20 season*

2020-21 AWARD WINNERS

ON THE RETURNERS

With 83.25 percent of their overall scoring returning in 2021-22, including all four of their top goal-scorers in AJ Vanderbeck, Joseph Nardi, Andre Ghantous and Vincent de Mey, the Wildcats look to be in good shape heading into the new season.

The team returns 68 of last year's 79 goals this coming season for over 85 percent return rating as three double-digit goal scorers will return to the ice for the Wildcats this season. Sophomore Vanderbeck led NMU in goals scored last year, netting 14 in 29 games played, while adding 13 helpers for 27 total points. Senior Nardi and fellow sophomore Ghantous also scored double-digit goals in 2020-21, scoring 12 and 10, respectively, as the linemates prepare for another impressive season.

A captain in 2020-21, Nardi led the team in points and assists, recording a career-best 33 points during the condensed season.

A slew of veterans will take the ice for the team this season as they return 14 forwards, six defensemen and two netminders, all of whom saw the ice in 2020-21.

FRESH FACES

The Wildcats added seven new faces during the off-season, including four forwards, two defensemen and a goaltender. Four individuals have experience at the Division I level as Hank Crone and Bo Hanson come to Marquette from Denver (NCHC), Trevor Cosgrove joins the Wildcats from Colgate (ECAC) and Hampus Erikkson, having played in the Berry Events Center mulitple times in his collegiate career, joins the ranks of NMU centers after four years at rival Lake Superior State University (WCHA).

IRONMAN

Having never missed a tilt, Nardi prepares to lace up his skates in his 150th career game when he steps onto the ice for the first time in 2021-22. The NCAA faceoff leader last season, he sits at 99 career points heading into the new season, including a career-best season last year which saw him record 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 total points.

PRESEASON RANKINGS

The Wildcats, having come one win shy of the 2020-21 NCAA Tournament, were picked to finish fourth in the CCHA as announced by the conference in late September.

2020-21 CAPTAINS

 Joseph Nardi and Ben Newhouse will renew their leadership roles this season as Nardi enters his second year as captain and third with a letter adorning his sweater. This will be Newhouse's second season as an alternate captain.

YEAR FIVE UNDER COACH POTULNY

Wildcat head coach Grant Potulny enters his fifth season behind the Wildcat bench. In four previous seasons with the team, and 149 games at the helm of the Wildcats, Coach Potulny boasts a 75-54-10 record and has led the team to two 20+ win seasons in his four seasons at NMU. Last season, Potulny led his Wildcat squad to its third WCHA semifinal in four years, as well as their second appearance in the tournament championship game during his tenure. In his first season at the helm of the Wildcats, Potulny's team recorded a 25-15-3 season, it's first 25-win season since 2001-02 and advanced to the WCHA Championship game.