GRAND FORKS — Ever since the National Collegiate Hockey Conference announced Arizona State University's participation in the league, teams have been hard at work preparing for a trip to the desert in January or February.
In year one, UND hit the jackpot.
The Fighting Hawks will visit Mallett Arena in Tempe, Arizona on January 10th and 11th.
This is one of several highlights of UND's 2024-25 schedule announced Tuesday afternoon.
During the regular season, UND will play 18 home games and 17 road games.
It begins with the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game against Providence. This matchup should feature some of the best freshman players in the country. Providence is expected to acquire two potential first-round picks in forwards Trevor Connelly and John Mustard. UND will have Sacha Boisvert and Mac Swanson up front and E.J. Emery at the back end.
UND will also host back-to-back NCAA Frozen Four champions Boston University in October and Robert Morris University in November.
The Fighting Hawks will play a road non-conference game at Minnesota State and Cornell. The Cornell University series was originally scheduled for 2020-21 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
UND will play defending Central University Hockey Association champion Bemidji State on Nov. 29 and 30. The series opener will be played at the Sanford Center in Bemidji. The final game of the series will be held at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
UND will begin its quest for its fifth NCHC Penrose Cup in six years with a road series at Minnesota-Duluth on November 8th and 9th. Next weekend, they host defending national champion Denver.
The addition of a ninth NCHC member means UND now has two road trips per season and two teams that don't come to Grand Forks.
UND will not go to Colorado State or Omaha in 2024-2025. Under the old schedule format, UND played home and road games in Omaha every season. This will be the first time since 2011-12 that UND will not visit Omaha.
Miami and Arizona State will not be in Grand Forks in 2024-25.
Next season will be the last time the NCHC Frozen Faceoff semifinals and championship will be held at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. From 2025 to 2026, it will shift strictly to the home of the higher seeds.
If UND returns to the NCAA Tournament in 2025, it won't have to travel far for a regional tournament. Seals Arena in Fargo is one of his venues. Since UND is the host, you will be automatically placed in Fargo if you meet the criteria.
This is the first time since 2007 that the NCAA Frozen Four has been held in St. Louis. UND advanced to the Frozen Four that year, but lost to Boston College in the semifinals.
UND Hockey 2024-25 Schedule
October 5th — Augustana (Exhibition)
October 12 — Providence (U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Game)
October 18th-19th — in Minnesota
October 25-26 — Boston University
November 1-2 — Cornell University
November 8-9 — in Duluth, Minnesota
November 15-16 — Denver
November 22-23 — Robert Morris
November 29-30 — Bemidji State/BEMIDJI STATE
December 6-7 — in Miami
December 13-14 — ST. Cloud State
January 4th — Manitoba (Exhibition)
January 10-11 — at Arizona State University
January 17-18 — West Michigan
January 31-February 1 — At St. Cloud State University
February 7-8 — University of Colorado
February 14th-15th — in Denver
February 21-22 — Duluth, Minnesota
February 28th – March 1st — in West Michigan
March 7-8 — Omaha
March 12th NCHC play-in game (1st seed venue)
March 14-16 — NCHC Quarterfinals (higher seeded venue)
March 21-22 — NCHC Frozen Faceoff (Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN)
March 27-30 — NCAA Regionals (Fargo, Toledo, Allentown, Manchester)
April 10-12 — NCAA Frozen Four (St. Louis)
Russell Hons / UND Athletics
Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been named the Herald's Top Beat Writer by the Associated Press Sports Editor four times and North Dakota Sports Writer of the Year once. He lives in Grand Forks. Please contact bschlossman@gfherald.com.
