SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Hobart's goal in the early stages of the second period was the only scoring done in the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) semifinal in February at "The Cooler" in Geneva. The Statesmen won their next four games to win the league and national championships. It was the only time over its final 16 games of the year that Hobart did not score at least three goals.
 
Now, a year removed with added experiences, and a little bit of revenge on its mind, the Skidmore College men's ice hockey team is making its final preparations for the start of the 2023-24 season. The NEHC Preseason Coaches Poll, as well as United States College Hockey Online (USCHO), have picked Skidmore fourth in the ultra-competitive NEHC.  
 
The Schedule: Skidmore opens the season at home on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. against Wentworth Institute of Technology. The Thoroughbreds jump right into league play the following weekend on the road at UMass Boston and Johnson & Wales. Skidmore then returns home for non-conference tilts against Albertus Magnus and Canton Nov. 10-11 before it hosts its annual Pack the Rink event Friday, Nov. 17 against Norwich. The following week, the Thoroughbreds will attempt to defend their Skidmore Thanksgiving Invitational title. Skidmore will play Tufts on Saturday, Nov. 25. Then, Brockport and Salve Regina will battle it out. The winners and losers will meet the next day.
 
Other home games after the turn of the calendar include Hobart and Elmira (Jan. 5-6), Johnson & Wales and UMass Boston (Jan. 12-13), Castleton (Jan. 20), and Babson and Southern Maine (Feb. 2-3).    
 
Last Season: Skidmore finished the 2022-23 season 16-9-2 overall and 9-7-2 in the NEHC to finish fifth. The Thoroughbreds overcame a late deficit to force overtime and eventually beat Elmira, 4-3, in the quarterfinal round. The Thoroughbreds scored 3.3 goals per game while limiting opponents to 2.6.
 
NEHC Tournament: The top-eight teams in the NEHC will qualify for the tournament Feb. 17-March 2 with each round at host institutions with the higher seed.
 
Back: The Thoroughbred experienced group features 23 returning players from last season's roster. Skidmore had three All-NEHC honorees last year, including Kaeden Patrick and Danny Magnuson on the Third Team, and Connor Wood on the All-Rookie Team. Wood was also named to the All-USCHO Rookie Second Team.
 
Incoming: Skidmore brings in six new players to the roster for 2023-24.
 
Leadership: Skidmore recently named its 2023-24 leadership group. Jack Strauss was selected captain. Jacob Franczak, Patrick, and Magnuson will all be alternate captains.
 
From head coach Rob Hutchison:
"This year's group is deep and prepared. Our strength will be in our experienced upperclassmen. At this point in the year, the focus is on daily improvement and attention to details and the group has been really locked in so far. Excited to celebrate our seniors on opening Saturday and get this season underway."