Yale Athletics

The Yale men’s hockey team last month released its 2025-26 schedule, which includes a rare non-conference tournament in California and a preseason matchup against a European national team. 

Starting in October, the Bulldogs are slated to play in 31 games and two tournaments, participating in a preseason scrimmage, eight non-conference games and 22 ECAC league matches — 11 home games and 11 away games.

The Bulldogs will compete for the first time on Oct. 15, when they face off against the Czech Republic’s men’s under-20 national team in a scrimmage at home. For Yale defenseman Tucker Hartmann ’26, this scrimmage represents a chance for both teams to sharpen their skills. 

“The Czech U20 scrimmage is a great change in our preseason schedule, giving us the opportunity to play a full game and implement our systems at full speed,” Hartmann told the News. “It’s an awesome opportunity to expose European players to the college experience, as the NCAA is continuing to establish itself as the best stage before professional hockey.”

The season officially kicks off in a non-ECAC game against Dartmouth on Nov. 2. Last season, Dartmouth ranked fifth overall in the ECAC, while Yale ranked 11th, ensuring a competitive start for the Bulldogs. 

According to interim head coach Joe Howe, Yale’s defensive development will be instrumental against Dartmouth’s offensive powerhouse.

“They have a very talented forward group, get offensive production from the blue line, and play an up-tempo, high-pressure brand of hockey,” Howe said. “Sound defensive play is important against any opponent, but it will be key against a team like Dartmouth.” 

Like being thrown from the proverbial ice directly into a Zamboni, Yale plays its first conference game against the team that ranked first last season: Quinnipiac. Although this Nov. 7 game may require a tour de force from the Bulldogs, forward Zach Wagnon ’28 believes that their summer training could be game-changing.

“The preparation for this season started last spring. We have consistently been talking about how we can be better, and we’ve been acting on it.” Wagon told the News. “Our strength trainer, Al, put together a great program for us throughout the spring, summer, and now for preseason. We have also been on the ice a ton, and we are itching to start playing some games.” 

One significant hole that the team will have to fill this season is its defense. Of the seven new first-year players, three are defensemen. Last season, only two of the eight first-year players were on the defensive line.

Despite the coaching staff’s active recruitment of defensemen, Howe contends that the offense will maintain its ferocity with a blend of returners and new additions.

“Offensively, much of last year’s scoring production is back,” Howe says, “On defense, we’ve added size and have a good mix of offensive and defensive defensemen.”

In addition to greater focus on defense, the upcoming season has other new factors that set it apart from previous years.

For the first time, the Bulldogs will travel to Coachella Valley, California, for the second annual Cactus Cup tournament. There, the Bulldogs will take on St. Cloud State and other teams that have been a competitive force in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference and on the national stage. 

According to captain David Chen ’26, the team is thrilled to attend that tournament. 

“The entire team is super excited to have the opportunity to travel and play hockey in California for the Cactus Cup this year,” Chen said. “There really is nothing better than hanging out with your best friends, playing the sport you love and seeing new places in the world. Hopefully, we can bring back a trophy as an additional cherry on top for the trip.”

Later, Yale will host the Connecticut Ice tournament against Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart and UConn — the first time Yale is hosting the tournament.

“We are looking forward to taking a big step forward this season, and back towards the true identity of Yale Hockey and what Keith Allain established as a standard of success during his tenure,” Howe shared with the News, referring to the recently retired 19-year head coach. “Ingalls Rink has one of the best atmospheres in all of college hockey, and we hope to see students, long-time and new fans pack the Whale this winter.”

The men’s hockey team will officially begin its season on Nov. 2 in Hanover against the Dartmouth Big Green.