The Pioneer’s Men’s Hockey Team is ready for the 2025-2026 season with the first regular season game set to take place against Adrian College on Friday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. and another on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. at the Adirondack Bank Center.
After a historical run last year making the national championship, expectations are high and pressure is on as fans expect another winning season as the Pioneers are ranked 2 in UCHC division III hockey.
Head coach Gary Heenan said the pressure is on and the team needs to focus if they want to make the Frozen Four and win the national championship.
“Lots of pressure to make the tournament and be in the field for the ‘Frozen Four’ being hosted here in Utica,” he said. “We like our group and think we can compete for the league championship.”
The men played two exhibition games this month, beating SUNY Morrisville, 7-0, on Oct. 18, but losing to Skidmore College, 6-3, on Oct. 24.
“It was great to have the season we did last year but we know our goal of a national championship hasn’t been reached yet,” Captain Preston Brighton said. “We’ve been using that as motivation, and we’ve got a very eager and hungry team to out compete any team this year.”
The men have a tough schedule, facing a lot of competition in their early slate of games.
“We have our work cut out for us as we host perennial top 5 Adrian and three-time national champion Hobart in our first four games of the year,” Heenan said.
As the captain of the team, Brighton’s leadership is meant to spark the entire team.
“A big role of mine is to integrate culture into the locker room,” Brighton said. “With a mix of returners and incoming players, our leadership group aims to get everybody on the same page. Leading by example and providing guidance for my team is how I intend to lead our team to championships.”
