Sun Devil hockey looks to make its way to the NCAA Tournament after falling just short in the spring.
Picked to finish fourth in the NCHC preseason poll, ASU is certainly capable of making some noise. Here is a look at some of the hurdles they must jump over to get there:
Ready to keep making STATEments 🤫 #BeTheTradition pic.twitter.com/NvS8wh9Qgq
The Sun Devils face Penn State for their season and home opener at Mullett Arena.
Although Penn State is not an NCHC rival, the Nittany Lions are certainly an exciting team to begin the Sun Devil hockey season. Penn State finished the season ranked No. 12 and made it to the semifinals, losing to Boston University in the NCAA Frozen Four.
In addition to facing a top team, the Sun Devils will also face an exciting player.
During the offseason, Canadian prospect Gavin McKenna committed to Penn State. According to ESPN, McKenna is “the one to watch” this season and the favorite to go first overall in the 2026 NHL draft.
Tempe and ASU will be first in line to see McKenna make his college hockey debut.
GAVIN MCKENNA GOAL OF THE YEAR?! 🤯
The top 2026 #NHLDraft prospect is a human highlight reel!
(🎥: @TheWHL) pic.twitter.com/5yiXXewL0s
ASU announced last winter that Tempe would be hosting the Ice Breaker Tournament for the first time. The Sun Devils will face Notre Dame on Oct. 10 and either Alaska-Fairbanks or Quinnipiac on Oct. 11.
Denver squashed the Sun Devils last hope of entering the NCAA Tournament last season by kicking them out of the NCHC Tournament Semifinals.
ASU is certainly coming back to face Denver with a vengeance in late November. The weekend series will be big for the Sun Devils against, perhaps, their biggest division rival.
This series will be the only time ASU and Denver play in Tempe during the regular season.
For Sun Devil Hockey fans who are in Tempe during the winter break, ASU will host its annual Desert Hockey Classic at the start of the new year.
Air Force, Alaska Anchorage and Michigan Tech will all be participating alongside ASU at the tournament in Tempe. The Sun Devils won the Desert Hockey Classic during the 2024-25 season, with senior forward Ryan Kirwan named as the tournament’s most valuable player.
The Desert Hockey Classic is a great test for the Sun Devils as they prepare for both the NCHC and NCAA Tournaments, and it will definitely be entertaining for Sun Devil hockey fans.
Edited by Jack McCarthy, Senna James and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at Gbarberi@asu.edu and follow @Giobarberio1 on X.
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Giovanni Barberio is a sports reporter for The State Press. He is studying history and in his 4th semester with The State Press.
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