SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The 2026-27 Skidmore College men's ice hockey season begins on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. at home against Western New England University. Not only is it the home opener, but it will also serve as the program's Senior Day and the annual Skidmore tradition, Pack the Rink.

The Thoroughbreds finished the 2025-26 season 15-10-2 overall after making their fifth straight conference semifinal appearance. Skidmore earned the No. 3 seed in the SUNYAC after going 11-6-1 in their first year in the conference. In the SUNYAC Quarterfinal, Skidmore defeated Plattsburgh, 4-3, on home ice to reach the semifinal round at Oswego.
 
AROUND THE SUNYAC
Teams (final 2025-26 NPI Ranking):
Buffalo State (64), Canton (46), Cortland (35), Fredonia (82), Hobart (1), Morrisville (88), Oswego (15), Plattsburgh (55), Potsdam (73), Skidmore (38)
 
SUNYAC Championships:
Cortland: 1 (2024)
Fredonia: 3 (1994, 1995, 2007)
Hobart: 1 (2026)
Oswego: 11 (1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1989, 1991, 2003, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2025)
Plattsburgh: 24 (1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2023)
Potsdam: 1 (1996)
 
2025-26 SUNYAC Championship Results:
#1 Hobart 3, #8 Fredonia 0
#2 Oswego 5, #7 Buffalo State 1
#3 Skidmore 4, #6 Plattsburgh 3
#4 Cortland 2, #5 Canton 0
 
#1 Hobart 4, #4 Cortland 0
#2 Oswego 6, #3 Skidmore 3
 
#1 Hobart 4, #2 Oswego 0
 
2026-27 Preseason Poll:
1. Hobart, 81
2. Oswego, 70
3. Skidmore, 61
4. Cortland, 57
5. Plattsburgh, 46
6. Canton, 44
7. Buffalo State, 34
8. Potsdam, 24
9. Fredonia, 22
10. Morrisville, 11
 
SUNYAC Sports Network
All Skidmore home and away conference games will be streamed on the SUNYAC Sports Network free of charge. The app is also available on iOS and Apple TV. Skidmore home games will also be streamed on the Thoroughbred Sports Network on YouTube.   
 
THE SCHEDULE AHEAD
After opening against WNEU, Skidmore begins SUNYAC play as it hosts Hobart and Oswego Nov. 13-14. It will then play on the road for the first time Nov. 20-21 at Cortland and Morrisville.
 
The Skidmore Thanksgiving Invitational is set for Nov. 28-29 with Brockport, Curry, and defending national champion Hamilton in town as the participants. The following weekend, the Thoroughbreds stay home to host Buffalo State and Fredonia Dec. 4-5.
 
Skidmore picks up the schedule at the NSB Holiday Tournament at Norwich, opening against Trinity on Jan. 1. Home highlights for after the New Year feature Morrisville/Cortland (Jan. 22-23), Plattsburgh (Feb. 12), and Canton/Potsdam (Feb. 19-20).
 
Full Schedule
 
SUNYAC TOURNAMENT
The eight-team tournament will begin with quarterfinal matchups on Wednesday, Feb. 24 followed by the semifinals Saturday, Feb. 27 and the championship a week later on Saturday, March 6. All games will be hosted by the higher seed.
 
RETURNING
The Thoroughbreds welcome 22 names back to the roster for 2026-27. Four of them earned All-SUNYAC recognition a year ago. Senior goalie Tommy Aitken earned Second Team honors. He finished the year 9-4-2 with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage. Mitchell Floccare was an All-SUNYAC Third Team honoree after posting four goals and 11 assists as a junior blue liner. Shane Baker (10-9—19) and Dylan Shane (5-10—15) earned two out of the just six spots on the SUNYAC All-Rookie Team.
 
The Thoroughbreds return 80 percent of their scoring from a year ago, which includes each of their top seven point-getters. Coleman Jenkins (5-15—20) led the team in points last year as a sophomore, while Cooper Rice (11-6—17) was the leading goal-scorer. Skidmore had nine players with five or more goals in 2025-26.

INCOMING TALENT
There are six new players to the program, all first-years, consisting of one defenseman, four forwards, and a goalie.
 
LEADERSHIP
Senior Cooper Rice has been selected captain, joining alternate captains Jacob Zwirecki, Mitchell Floccare, and Nick Troutwine.
 
HOME GAME TICKETS
General admission tickets to all Skidmore men's hockey home games may be purchased at this link. Ticket prices are $5 for general admission seating. Members of the Skidmore community with valid ID, and children 12 years and under, are free.
 
FROM HEAD COACH ROB HUTCHISON '07
"We're excited for our second year in the SUNYAC and the opportunity to build on our inaugural season. Our focus is to embrace the daily work, continue to raise our standards, and keep moving this program forward while putting a quality product on the ice every night that our players, alumni, and Skidmore community can be proud of."