The Gophers' 2015-2016 schedule will kick off with a heavy dose of East Coast opponents. The season opens on Oct. 10 against Vermont in the Hall of Fame game at Mariucci Arena, and Northeastern comes to Minneapolis for a two-game series, Oct. 23-24, the team announced on Tuesday.
The eastern theme continues for the 25th annual Mariucci Classic with UConn, Harvard and Ferris State filling out the four-team field in the Gophers' New Year's tournament.
The home-and-home series format returns with in-state rivals Minnesota Duluth and Minnesota State. The Gophers host the Bulldogs on Oct. 16 and travel north for the series finale the next night. The Mavericks host the series opener in Mankato on Nov. 13 and visit Mariucci Arena on Nov. 14.
The Gophers will host a two-game series against St. Cloud State, Nov. 13-14. The non-conference schedule also includes a trip to Notre Dame, Nov. 6-7, which will conclude the friendly coach vs. son rivalry between Gophers coach Don Lucia and Notre Dame senior forward Mario Lucia, unless the teams meet again in the postseason.
Big Ten play begins Dec. 4-5 against Ohio State at Mariucci Arena and closes at home March 11-12 against rival Wisconsin.
St. Cloud State, Minnesota State, defending champion Bemidji State and the Gophers will make up the four-team field for the third annual North Star College Cup at Xcel Energy Center, Jan. 29-30.
The Big Ten tournament returns to Xcel Energy Center this season, March 17-19. Xcel Energy Center will also host an NCAA regional, March 25-26. The Frozen Four will be played in Tampa, Fla., April 7-9.
The Gophers currently have no exhibition games scheduled, but could add a preseason warm-up in the coming months.
