MARQUETTE, Mich. -- 

AGAINST THE RAIDERS
This will be the Wildcats' first time hosting the Raiders in Marquette. The two teams have previously met at the Phoenix Mutual Hockey Tournament in 1985. NMU took the game by a score of 4-1 en route to the holiday tournament championship where they defeated Yale, 5-4.

Current NMU star defenseman, Trevor Cosgrove, transfered from the Raiders to NMU prior to the start of this season. In 131 games played at Colgate, Cosgrove registered 13 goals and 30 assists. Since joining the Wildcats, the blueliner has 10 assists and three goals for 13 points.

FOLLOW ALONG
Live Stats: https://nmuwildcats.com/sidearmstats/mhockey/summary
Radio: https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/wupt
Video: https://www.flohockey.tv/

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LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats were swept at the hands of fellow UP foe Lake Superior State University in their last time out.

Eight Wildcats highlighted the box score over the two-game stretch, including Hank Crone who led the team with two assists. The nation's leader in points (29) and assists (22) picked up a helper in both contests to close out the first half of the season.

'CAT FACTS

• Hank Crone owns 22 assists in 19 games played for a national best. His 29 points also leads the world of DI collegiate hockey with seven goals and 22 assists.
• Averaging 1.53 points per game, Crone leads the nation in the category. His linemate AJ Vanderbeck's 1.21 average is 22nd overall.
• With 63 blocks in 19 games played, Ben Newhouse leads the nation in the category. Fellow Wildcat blue liner Mike Van Unen sits in eighth nationally with 39 blocks.
• Vanderbeck ranks second nationally in goals with 15. His 76 shots is also nationally top-10, coming in at sixth overall while boasting more goals than the five shot leaders above him.
• Having skated in 168 consecutive games, Joseph Nardi became NMU's all-time leader in games played in game one at Lake Superior State University. He now sits second overall among all active collegiate skaters. Hampus Eriksson, who transferred to NMU from LSSU prior to this season ranks 18th in games played with 154. Trevor Cosgrove hit the 150-game milestone in game two against the Lakers.
• Vanderbeck's seven goals on the man-advantage ranks him tied for third nationally in power play goals. 
• With the lone shorthanded goal for NMU thus far, Crone sits tied for ninth nationally in the category.
• Mikey Colella's 12 goals ranks among the top-10 of all skaters at ninth overall.
• With 201 face-off wins this season, Nardi is 14th overall at the circle.
• Vanderbeck's 23 points off 15 goals and eight assists ranks 14th in the country.
• Andre Ghantous' 14 assists is 18th-best in the nation.
• The team is averaging 3.89 goals per game and is second nationally among all DI teams and first in the CCHA.
• Capitalizing on 22 power play opportunities, the Wildcats also rank among the best on the man advantage, sitting seventh overall and leading the conference.
• With 118 assists in 19 games, the Wildcats are ninth in the category from a team offensive perspective.

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 multiple times in his collegiate career, joins the ranks of NMU centers after four years at rival Lake Superior State University (WCHA).

IRON MAN
Having never missed a tilt, Nardi laced up his skates in his 150th career game when the Wildcats opened their season against St. Thomas. The senior captain picked up the primary assist on the first goal of the night for his 100th career point. Skating in 168 straight games, he is the NMU all-time leader in consecutive games played. Last Saturday, he tied Darryl Plandowski's record of all-time games played at NMU. He also leads all active NCAA Division I skaters in career games played.

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.

2021-22 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.