The Minnesota Golden Gophers men’s hockey Big Ten conference schedule has been released. The Golden Gophers previously announced non-conference matchups against Michigan Tech, Boston College, North Dakota, Minnesota Duluth, Long Island, Denver, and Bemidji State.
Of those seven non-conference matchups, three (Boston College, North Dakota, and Denver) finished nationally ranked, while Michigan Tech, Minnesota Duluth, and Bemidji State were all ranked within the top-50 in the Pairwise rankings. Altogether, the non-conference slate was already going to present a challenge for Bob Motzko’s program.
The Big Ten slate will, of course, always be a challenge, and that will be no different in 2025. Last season, the Golden Gophers finished 15-6-3 in conference play and 25-11-4 overall.
Wisconsin: October 30 – November 1, January 30-31
The Golden Gophers’ Big Ten schedule will begin on October 30 with a trip to Madison to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. The Badgers are coming off a 13-21-3 season, which included struggling in conference play with a 7-16-1 record. The Gophers will also host the Badgers on January 30 and 31.
Notre Dame: November 7-8, February 13-14
On November 7 and 8, the Gophers will begin a two-weekend home stand with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish coming to town. The Fighting Irish are coming off a tough 2024-25 campaign, which included a 4-19-1 record in conference play. Notably, the Fighting Irish will be under new leadership this fall with Brock Sheahan taking over the team from Jeff Jackson, who retired after leading the Irish since 2005. The Gophers will then make their trip to South Bend in February for a Valentine’s Day weekend matchup.
Penn State: November 21-22, January 9-10
The November 21 and 22 weekend will be one that everyone will want to be in town for, as the Penn State Nittany Lions and likely No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, Gavin McKenna, will be coming to town. The Nittany Lions are coming off a season that saw them get off to a very slow start, but found their stride in January. Their surge would carry them into the postseason and all the way to their first Frozen Four appearance.
All eyes will be on McKenna and the Nittany Lions this season. Last year in the WHL for Medicine Hat, McKenna scored 129 points in 56 games, with 41 goals and 88 assists. The Gophers will also travel to Penn State for matchups on January 9 and 10.
Ohio State: December 4-5, February 6-7
December brings just one matchup for the Golden Gophers, a road trip to Columbus to face the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes finished third in the Big Ten last season and put together a strong recruiting class with three 2025 NHL draft picks joining the roster. Ohio State will return the favor on February 6 and 7.
Michigan: January 16-17, February 26-27
On January 16 and 17, the Golden Gophers will take on the Michigan Wolverines for the first time at 3M Marucci Arena. The Wolverines finished fourth in the Big Ten last season and 18-15-3 overall. The Wolverines added a strong 2026 recruiting class headlined by three NHL Draft picks.
Michigan State: January 23-24, March 5-6
The Gophers will then travel to Michigan State, who they tied for the Big Ten regular season championship last season. The Spartans are poised for another big season in East Lansing and have had several notable additions, including a pair of 2025 first-round picks in Mason West and Porter Martone. The Gophers will then face Michigan State as well on March 5 and 6.
You can view the Gophers’ full schedule, including non-conference matchups, below.
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