MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Golden Gophers will open a new era under first-year coach Brett Larson with a schedule that features traditional rivals, key in-state matchups and a demanding Big Ten Conference slate stretching from October through February.
Minnesota begins its 106th season Oct. 2-3 with a road series against Michigan Tech in Houghton, Michigan. The matchup renews one of college hockey's oldest rivalries and marks the Gophers' first trip to Michigan Tech's home rink in nearly 14 years.
After an early off week, Minnesota returns to action Oct. 16-17 at Minnesota Duluth, continuing a recent home-and-home arrangement between the longtime rivals. The Bulldogs and Gophers have traded road sweeps during the past two seasons, adding another layer of intrigue to this year's series.
The home opener comes Oct. 22-23 when North Dakota visits 3M Arena at Mariucci. Few rivalries in college hockey carry the history and intensity of Minnesota and North Dakota, and the Thursday-Friday series is expected to draw significant attention across the region.
Minnesota enters Big Ten play the following week with Penn State visiting Minneapolis during the Oct. 29-Nov. 1 weekend. Conference games are currently listed within four-day scheduling windows, with exact dates and game times to be announced later by the Big Ten.
The Gophers remain home to face Wisconsin on Nov. 5-8 in the first Border Battle series of the season. Wisconsin reached the NCAA championship game last spring and is expected to be among the nation's top contenders again.
Nonconference play resumes Nov. 13-14 when Alaska Anchorage visits Minneapolis. Although the programs have met more than 80 times, the schools have not played since the opening weekend of the 2016-17 season.
Minnesota closes its nonconference schedule with a home-and-home series against Minnesota State over Thanksgiving weekend. The Gophers host the Mavericks on Nov. 27 before traveling to Mankato the following night.
December features an extensive road swing. Minnesota travels to Notre Dame on Dec. 3-6 before visiting defending Big Ten regular-season champion Michigan State on Dec. 10-13. The series against the Spartans could provide an early measuring stick for a conference race expected to be among the nation's most competitive.
Following the holiday break, Minnesota returns to the ice Jan. 2 with an exhibition game against Bemidji State before resuming conference play.
Michigan visits Mariucci Arena Jan. 7-10, followed by a trip to Ohio State on Jan. 14-17. The Gophers then play four consecutive home games, hosting Notre Dame Jan. 21-24 and Michigan State Jan. 28-31.
The February schedule opens with consecutive road trips to Wisconsin and Penn State before Minnesota returns home for its final regular-season series against Ohio State on Feb. 18-21.
The regular season concludes Feb. 25-28 at Michigan, a series that could have significant implications for conference tournament seeding.
The Big Ten Tournament begins in March, with all games hosted at the higher seed's campus. NCAA regional competition is scheduled for March 25-28, while the 2027 Frozen Four will be held April 8 and 10 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
