MARQUETTE, Mich. - In preparation for the regular season, Dave Shyiak and the NMU hockey team head 100 miles west on U.S. 41 for an exhibition matchup against UP rival Michigan Tech at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

With almost a completely new roster and an abbreviated off-season with the hiring of an all-new coaching staff, Shyiak says the team is coming together.

"[The players] are coming along. Right from day one we were doing a lot of culture things, it was about getting to know each other… and now they're starting to feel comfortable. We've seen some really good growth this last week and a half with our group… the guys are giving us effort, there's great effort in practice, great internal competition, and that's real positive."

This exhibition will allow Wildcat fans to see the new team in action for the first time. Those looking to travel to Houghton can purchase tickets here. 

This also marks the first time the 'Cats will be streamed through the CCHA's new streaming partner, Midco Sports Plus. For those looking to purchase subscriptions, either monthly or yearly, head here. 

Follow Along  
Make sure to follow @NMUHockey on X, formerly known as Twitter, to get updates throughout the week leading up to the games and for live updates while the 'Cats are on the ice. 

Saturday, October 5 - at Michigan Tech at 6:07 PM, exhibition
Live Stats | Watch on MidcoSportsPlus | Live Audio | Game Notes

Hear From Dave Shyiak
"It's going to be a raucous crowd… for our guys, they get to learn how you have to play college hockey right off the bat, and that sets us up well going into Colorado College."


Wildcats to Watch
Tanner Latsch has taken the reigns on the leadership group, being named captain ahead of the 2024-25 season after his prior season ended prematurely with an injury. Latsch brings a lot of offensive firepower, showcased by when he earned back-to-back CCHA weekly honors, was named CCHA Rookie of the Month, and was runner-up for Hockey Commissioners' Association (HCA) Rookie of the Month honors after tallying seven goals and an assist in those eight games. 

Earning himself an 'A', Jesse Tucker brings the most collegiate experience with 101 career games played. After stints at Michigan State and Clarkson, the left-shot center should bring a plethora of knowledge and stability down the middle of the ice.

Jakob Peterson and Zach Michaelis return the most career games played for the 'Cats, with Marquette, Michigan native Peterson earning an alternate captain nod. Both will be leaned on to be leaders on and off the ice for the wellspring of underclassmen. 

Joining Peterson on the blueline is New York Rangers draft pick Rasmus Larsson. The 6' 3", 205-pound freshman is a Stockholm, Sweden native, and brings both size and skill to the 'Cats back end. 

There are three new faces in the goaltender room ahead of this season, meaning open spots for competition to earn the starting job. Shyiak alluded to senior transfer Ryan Ouellette getting the start come Saturday, the only Wildcat netminder with collegiate games played. 

A Look at the Huskies
Michigan Tech was picked second in the coaches' CCHA Preseason Poll and fourth in the media's poll of the league ahead of the 2024-25 season. The Huskies won its first-ever CCHA Mason Cup Championship in a 2-1 win last season, and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. 

Isaac Gordon was named the CCHA Preseason Player of the Year, as voted on by the league's coaches, tied with Lucas Wahlin from St. Thomas and Connor Milburn from Lake Superior State for the honor. Gordon was the 2024 CCHA Rookie of the Year and was named to the All-CCHA Second Team and CCHA All-Rookie Team. He led the Huskies with 36 points and 18 goals last season, leading the league in points and ranking second in goals.

Along with Gordon, Chase Pietila earned pre-season All-CCHA team recognition after leading the Huskies with 19 assists last season while scoring three goals. He ranked fourth in the CCHA and eighth nationally amongst freshmen defensemen in assists. 

The Huskies saw roster turnover of their own, with Blake, Logan, and Jed Pietila moving on, and losing a couple of players to the portal, most notably Kyle Kukkonen, Ryland Mosley, and Kash Rasmussen.