SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After 616 days, the stage is set for the Skidmore College men's ice hockey team to take the ice for an official game. The Thoroughbreds will open the 2021-22 season at home on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. versus Wentworth Institute of Technology for Senior Day.
 
"We are certainly eager to get back into it after nearly 20 months without an official game and very excited to see what both our first- and second-year groups bring to the table," said head coach Rob Hutchison.
 
The 2019-20 squad finished 11-11-4 and 7-9-2 in the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC), one of the most competitive hockey conferences in all of Division III. Skidmore bowed out of the NEHC Quarterfinals to then nationally fifth-ranked and conference runner-up Hobart. A year ago, the Thoroughbreds played a pair of exhibition games, both against the Statesmen.   
 
The Thoroughbreds bring back 16 players from last season's roster, and welcome 15 new faces to the fold for the upcoming season. Of the returners, five are seniors: captain Austin Rook, alternate captain Reid Russell, Kyle Delmaestro, Mike Gelatt, and Callahan Johnson. "Our senior class has a little bit of everything: talent, compete, leadership, and a strong desire to continue to drive the program forward," Hutchison said. "We are very excited to see these guys lead us this year."
 
Also returning to the squad are juniors Matt Rutigliano, Matthew Monk, and Nick Stuckless. The junior class also welcomes Joe Biddle, a transfer from Southern New Hampshire University. Devon Mussio is the lone Thoroughbred sophomore with official NCAA playing experience having spent the 2020-21 season at Mercyhurst University. The rest of the sophomore class includes Troy Daniels, Everett Wardle, Gunnar Smith, Michael Ardagna, Freddie Macciocchi, Nick Cozzi, Mason Beecher, Thomas Finck, and Tate Brandon.    
 
Skidmore's 12 freshmen are Danny Magnuson, Zach Frisk, Stephen Perez, Freddie Ilias, Jack Strauss, Kevin Urquhart, Jaden York, Kaeden Patrick, Ethan Heidepriem, Will Dow-Kenny, Blaine Moore, and Zach Lindewirth.
 
After two non-conference games to start, the NEHC schedule kicks into full gear when Norwich, the top-ranked team in the nation on the most recent USCHO poll, comes into town on Friday, Nov. 12. The Thoroughbreds will play five more conference games before the new year.
 
"The NEHC is a fantastic conference top to bottom," Coach Hutchison added. "There are no off nights. Each team is talented, deep, and well-coached. We expect this year to be no different despite the game hiatus."
 
The Skidmore Invitational is set for Nov. 27 and 28. The Thoroughbreds will also compete in the Oswego Hockey Classic, kicking off on New Year's Day. The regular season comes to a close on Feb. 12, and the first round of the NEHC Tournament is slated for Feb. 19.