The first semester with two teams is now complete and both teams enter the break sporting national rankings.  The Division I team heads into the holidays with a 12-11-2 record and a #23 national ranking.  First semester highlights include wins over #3 Central Oklahoma, #9 Colorado, #10 Oklahoma, #20 Missouri State, and a sweep of arch-rival Alabama.  With the exception of the Alabama victories, all of those wins came on the road as part of fourteen total first semester away games.

The second semester promises a friendlier environment as eight of the final regular season games will take place on home ice at the Jones Center.  During that critical final month of the season, which begins on January 14, the Hogs will look to repay an assortment of ranked teams for early-season disappointments.  First on the list is Midland, who came to Springdale in November and earned a split with the D1 Hogs.  Next up is Lindenwood-Belleville, a team that swept the Razorbacks in the first two games of the 15-16 campaign.  Arkansas will then play host to #10 Oklahoma and #20 Missouri State in four critical late-season tilts.

For its part, the D3 Hogs head home for the holidays with a 21-1-1 record, good for #7 in the Pacific Region.  Highlights for the D3 squad include sweeps of SEC-rival, Ole Miss, Division II Kansas, and Division II Augustana (twice).  Sporting a #1 ranking in the SECHC Coaches’ Poll, the D3 Hogs stand as the favorite to take the SECHC trophy back home to Fayetteville once again.  The D3 Razorbacks will open the second semester with a rematch against Southern Illinois, followed by games against Missouri State and Kansas before heading to Nashville for the SECHC playoffs.

The next home Razorback Hockey games will feature the Division I team taking on Lindenwood-Belleville on January 22 & 23.

The University of Arkansas Men’s Ice Hockey program is proud to announce that Easton Oliver (’15) has signed with the Brewster Bulldogs of the Federal Hockey League.  In doing so, Oliver becomes the first Razorback Hockey alum to crack the professional ranks.

Oliver, who wears #5 for the Bulldogs, played in the #39 jersey for the Razorbacks for parts of six seasons, during which time he helped the team win five SECHC titles and earn three National Tournament appearances.  Oliver played in 122 games for the Hogs, potting 26 goals alongside 70 assists for a total of 96 points.  He served as the team’s co-captain during the 14-15 season and was selected as an assistant captain for the 13-14 season.  “We’re proud but hardly surprised that Easton received this opportunity; Easton represents everything this program stands for,” said Division I Head Coach Brian Gallini.  “Developing coachable hard-working players like Easton is what we do.”

Reflecting on his Razorback Hockey career, Oliver commented, “Razorback Hockey showed me another dimension of professionalism when it came to hockey. The program gave me the drive and confidence I needed to elevate myself to something that seemed so distant.”  He added, “[t]he organization not only gave me the tools to pursue seemingly impossible things, but it also gave me a support system that most don’t have in their lives.  I am eternally grateful for that.”

In December of 2014, Oliver was chosen as a defenseman and assistant captain for the Division III ACHA Selects team, which traveled to Switzerland, Germany, Slovakia and Slovenia to play a five game series.  The trip reinforced Oliver’s dream to play professional hockey following graduation.

A 2015 graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Oliver first suited up for the Bulldogs last weekend.  In the second game of the weekend, a 6-5 comeback win against the Danbury Titans–Oliver assisted the Bulldogs’ fourth goal, his first professional point.

Asked about earning his first professional experience, Oliver responded, “I want to personally thank everybody that helped me through it all, particularly my family, friends, coaches, and teammates. But more broadly, I am forever indebted to all those who gave me their time, money and love. I hope to pay it forward as my life goes on and I will never forgot everyone during my journey who helped make this dream come true. Thank you.”

Oliver will be back in the lineup tonight when the Bulldogs take on the Danville Dashers at 7:35 pm EST.

The #23 DI Razorbacks (9-9-1) are set to take on the Midland University Warriors at home on Friday at 8:30 pm and Saturday at 12:00 pm. The teams renew acquaintances this season after having played four games against one another last season.  Arkansas notched 4-1 & 7-2 wins against the Warriors at home last season on October 24 & 25.  The Hogs split the weekend when the series shifted back to Nebraska, dropping the January 9 contest 5-3 but earning a 7-3 victory the next night.

Arkansas comes into the weekend after splitting a pair of games against Illinois State in dramatic fashion.  Last Friday, the Razorbacks succumbed to the Redbirds in overtime despite holding a lead throughout much of regulation.  Both the story and result shifted on Saturday when ISU held the lead for most of regulation, but the Hogs secured a 5-4 overtime win.

Last weekend’s split dropped the team three spots in the national rankings to #23. Midland (10-2-2) arrives in Springdale following a sweep of Division II Augustana by dominant 11-0 and 15-2 scores.  Among other accomplishments this season, the Warriors took #13 Robert Morris to overtime before ultimately losing in a shootout.

Meanwhile, the DIII Hogs (15-1-1) head to Rock Island, Illinois, for a pair of games against Division II Augustana.  The two teams opened the season against one another in Springdale when the Hogs earned 9-1 and 10-1 wins.  Augustana was swept last weekend by Midland, whereas the DIII Hogs enter the weekend riding an eight game winning streak after a pair of wins last weekend at the Dallas Showcase.

The DIII Razorbacks earned a 7-4 victory over Pacific Region rival Texas Tech last Friday and cruised to a 7-0 win on Saturday at the expense of host Dallas Baptist.  Puck drop is 7 pm on Friday and 2:00 pm on Saturday afternoon.

The #20 DI Razorbacks (8-9-0) are set to take on #25 Illinois State University at home on Friday at 8:30 pm and Saturday at 7:30 pm. The teams are no stranger to one another, having met for a pair of games earlier in the season in Bloomington, Illinois.  Arkansas notched a 4-2 victory against Illinois State on Friday, September 25, but Illinois State handed the Hogs its most lopsided loss of the season the next night, defeating the Razorbacks 8-2.

Arkansas comes into the weekend after earning its first home sweep of the season at the expense of arch-rival Alabama by a pair of 4-1 scores last weekend.  The two victories elevated the team four spots in the national rankings to #20—the highest ranking in the team’s short Division I history.  #25 Illinois State (5-9-2) arrives in Springdale following a split with #14 Illinois.  Following a 7-2 loss to the Fighting Illini last Saturday, Illinois State came back on Saturday to earn a dominant 7-1 win.

Meanwhile, the DIII Hogs (13-1-1) head to Dallas for a pair of games in the Dallas Showcase, hosted by Dallas Baptist University.  On Friday, Arkansas takes on Texas Tech at 7:00 pm at the Farmer’s Branch Dr. Pepper Starcenter.  The two programs have not met since the Red Raiders visited Springdale on October 26 & 27 of 2012 when Arkansas swept Tech by decisive 8-1 and 6-2 scores.  Arkansas has lost just once to Texas Tech—a 4-2 loss on October 11, 2009.

The DIII Razorbacks close out the showcase against host DBU on Saturday at 2:00 pm (also at the Farmer’s Branch Dr. Pepper Starcenter).  The Hogs and Patriots tangled last season in a pair of games at the Jones Center on January 23 & 24 of this year.  Arkansas earned a sweep by 9-1 and 7-0 scores.  Arkansas has never lost to DBU.

An idea born in April of 2010, and begun in May of 2012, came to fruition today with the opening of a brand new lockerroom for the Razorbacks’ Division I team.  Built on the backs of a tremendous fan base alongside a program culture that prizes its work ethic, the facility features twenty-eight individual wooden player stalls, four of which are goalie specific.  It also includes custom paint, new flooring, new ventilation system, custom stick racks, a music system, and flat-screen television–among other highlights.

The list of people and organizations to thank for their help with this project is too long to name everyone, but the Razorback Hockey program is particularly indebted to its fan-base, University, players’ families, and the Jones Center.

The Razorback Hockey program is disappointed to report that TCU has cancelled it’s games with the DIII Hogs this weekend.  The DIII Razorbacks were scheduled to take on TCU this Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 pm, with Friday night serving as the DIII team’s breast cancer awareness night.

With the games now off, the DIII team will offer a red vs. white scrimmage at 7:30 pm on Friday that will be free to all fans.  The previously scheduled breast cancer awareness night has been moved to November 20 vs. Southern Illinois and re-titled as “Cancer Awareness Night.”  The 11/20 tilt will feature a decorated rink, a special guest dropping the ceremonial faceoff puck, and ribbons passed out upon entry at the door.

Meanwhile, preparations continue for the DI Razorbacks’ “Pink Out” with the School of Law next Friday (10/30) against Alabama.  Visit any of the below locations during sale hours to place your order ($15 check or cash; sorry, no credit cards) and then simply plan to pick up your shirt at the game.  Proceeds from the t-shirt sales will be donated to Komen Ozark.

We are sorry that sales are limited to in-person ordering for fans who plan to attend the 10/30 Alabama game.  The special pink t-shirts will not be made available in our online store.  T-shirt sales locations will take place on the following days at the following times:

Thursday, October 22

School of Law Atrium, 11-1 pm

HPER, 4-6 pm (right outside the fitness center)

Friday, October 23

School of Law Atrium, 11-1 pm

HPER, 4-6 pm (right outside the fitness center)

Saturday, October 24

School of Law Atrium, 11-1 pm

The Jones Center, 12-3 pm

Sunday, October 25

The Jones Center, 1:30-4 pm

Monday, October 26

School of Law Atrium, 11-1 pm

The University of Arkansas Men’s Ice Hockey program has scheduled two events to raise breast cancer awareness this season.  The first takes place this Friday when the Division III team hosts TCU at 7:30 pm.  During that game, the DIII Razorbacks will have the rink decorated and a breast cancer survivor drop the ceremonial faceoff puck.  Pink ribbons will be passed out upon entry at the door.

Then, on October 30, the DI Razorbacks will collaborate with the University of Arkansas School of Law to host a “Pink Out” when the University of Alabama visits.  In support of this event, the DI Razorbacks and School of Law–beginning tomorrow–will seek to sell a total of 400 pink team shirts for fans who will attend the Alabama game. Visit any of the below locations during sale hours to place your order ($15 check or cash; sorry, no credit cards) and then simply plan to pick up your shirt at the game.  Proceeds from the t-shirt sales will be donated to Komen Ozark.

We are sorry that sales are limited to in-person ordering for fans who plan to attend the 10/30 Alabama game.  The special pink t-shirts will not be made available in our online store.  T-shirt sales locations will take place on the following days at the following times:

Wednesday, October 21

School of Law Atrium, 11-1 pm

HPER, 4-6 pm (right outside the fitness center)

Thursday, October 22

School of Law Atrium, 11-1 pm

HPER, 4-6 pm (right outside the fitness center)

Friday, October 23

School of Law Atrium, 11-1 pm

HPER, 4-6 pm (right outside the fitness center)

Saturday, October 24

School of Law Atrium, 11-1 pm

The Jones Center, 12-3 pm

Sunday, October 25

The Jones Center, 1:30-4 pm

Monday, October 26

School of Law Atrium, 11-1 pm