MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University hockey team has announced its 2024-25 schedule for its 49th season, including competition in the Great Lakes Invitational (GLI) for the first time since 2015, 16 home games, 10 non-conference games, and much more.

The Wildcats kick off the season with three straight non-conference bouts, starting at Colorado College for a weekend matchup on October 11 and 12. A previous member of the WCHA, the 'Cats are 31-22-1 all-time vs. the Tigers, with the last meeting coming on 12/15/1996 at the Air Force Academy in the Cadet Ice Arena. The Tigers finished ranked 15th in the nation last season, holding a 21-13-3 overall record. 

From there, the 'Cats play host to Alaska Anchorage on October 18 and 19 for the first time since 2022 and welcome Arizona State to the Berry after playing a weekend series in Tempe, Arizona last season. The Seawolves are on the up as of late, as they finished with a 15-17-2 record last season, their best finish since the 2013-14 season. The Sun Devils finished 21st in the nation with a 24-8-6 overall record last year and will play its first season in the NCHC during the 2024-25 campaign.

CCHA competition opens with a home-and-home series against Michigan Tech, playing host on November 1 before driving up the road on November 2. The reigning Mason Cup Champions, the Huskies made it to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season before bowing out to Boston College 6-1 in the first round. The 'Cats finished 2-1-1 against the Huskies last season, outscoring them 12-9 in four games. 

Lake Superior State heads west to Marquette for the two teams' first season meeting on November 8 and 9 before NMU makes the road trip to Mankato, Minnesota for a rematch of the Mason Cup Quarterfinals on November 15 and 16. The 'Cats have their bye week the following weekend before making another lengthy road trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to play the Augustana Vikings at Midco Arena for the first time in program history.

The 'Cats open December with a home series against Ferris State on December 6 and 7, travel to Ohio for the weekend for December 13 and 14 games vs. Bowling Green, then round out December with the Great Lakes Invitational (GLI) from December 29 and 30, opening the weekend with a bout against Michigan State on the 29th. The Spartans defeated Michigan to win the Big 10 Championship for the first time in program history last season, then bowed out to the Wolverines in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The GLI release can be found here.

As the calendar flips to 2025, the Wildcats host Minnesota State for their first time back in the Berry Events Center since January 7, 2023, before traveling to Bemidji, Minnesota to play the reigning CCHA regular season champs Beavers for the lone time in the 2024-25 season. 

The final regular season matchups against the Huskies land on January 24 and 25, starting in Houghton on Friday before returning to Marquette on Saturday. The 'Cats round out the regular season series with the Falcons at home on January 31 and February 1 before closing the regular season account with the Lakers in the Soo on February 7 and 8. 

NMU matches up against St. Thomas for the lone time in the 2024-25 schedule for Senior Night and the home regular-season finale on February 21 and 22. The 'Cats are 3-1 all-time against the Tommies at home.

The regular season concludes in Big Rapids with a matchup against Ferris State on February 28 and March 1, marking the second straight season the 'Cats contend the Bulldogs on Senior Night at the Ewigleben. 

The Mason Cup Playoffs will start the following weekend, with the first-round series taking place March 7 to 9, the semifinals taking place on March 15, and the CCHA season will conclude with the Mason Cup Finals on March 21.