The Razorbacks will begin their thirteenth campaign at The Jones Center this Friday and Saturday against Dallas Baptist University (DII). Friday’s game will be at 7:30 pm, with the rematch scheduled for 3 pm on Saturday.
The Ice Hogs are coming off a 16-14 season and a trip to the Pacific Regionals in 2018-19. Arkansas boasts an all-time record of 4-0 against Dallas Baptist, with a combined total score of 30-2 over those four games, with the last meeting between the two opponents coming in the 2015-16 season.
Even with the Ice Hogs’ return to a one-team structure, many fans will see familiar faces donning the Arkansas Razorbacks jersey. The 2019-20 season will see 12 returners from last year’s DI roster and 8 from the DIII squad. Joining them are 9 new faces for a total of 29 rostered players. Of those 12 returning D1 players are leading scorers Chris Stovall, Alex Kueser, and Dakota Gottlieb, along with WCHL All-Rookie Cameron McAtee and goalie Jozef Dusenka. SECHC MVP and First-Team SECHC forward Griffin Sugasawara, First-Team SECHC defenseman Tyler Valdron, and Second-Team SECHC goalie Alex Kalmes will also be returning to the lineup this year from last year’s DIII squad.
One new Razorback who is really looking forward to this weekend is sophomore transfer Jordan Deskeere, who transferred from DBU this offseason. When asked in June about the opportunity to play against his former team, Deskeere remarked, “I want to play in that game more than anything right now, representing the better school and better club.”
Tickets for Friday and Saturday’s games can be purchased at the door by cash or check for just $5 for adults, $3 for students with ID, and free for children under 12. There will be a team-signed, game-worn jersey raffle on Friday night and the NWAHA squirt team will be playing a short game during the first intermission. Both games will be broadcast live and available on-demand here.
The University of Arkansas Men’s Hockey team plays in the Southeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference. The 2019-20 season will be the team’s thirteenth season as a member of the ACHA competing in Division III. The team’s schedule can be found here. All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.
