ST. LOUIS – Maryville Ice Hockey is proud to announce its 2026-27 NCAA Division I transitional schedule. The 26-game slate features 18 contests against NCAA Division I opposition.
"This is a tremendous first-year schedule for our NCAA Division I transition," said
John Hogan, Athletic Director for Hockey and Head Coach. "Our players will see some outstanding environments, our fans will get a few exciting home games, and we'll have the opportunity to measure ourselves against quality opponents throughout the season."
The season will begin with an energy-filled night at the Maryville Ice Hockey Center in Chesterfield, Mo., for the Saints' annual black out night, now named the Vantage Credit Union Black Out Game. The yearly tradition will feature a matchup against Midland on Friday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m.
"Today's schedule release is about more than dates and opponents, it's about the next chapter of our NCAA Division I journey," Vice President of Athletics and Recreation
Brittany C. Fennell said. "The 2026-27 season will provide tremendous opportunities for our student-athletes, coaches, and campus community as we continue building a foundation for long-term success."
After opening with ACHA Division I action, the Saints will begin a stretch against two Ivy League programs, Yale and Princeton. A return home for games against NCAA Division III opponent Trine will break up the road trip before Maryville embarks on a run of 10 consecutive contests against NCAA Division I competition.
Among those games, the Saints will face Lake Superior State and Ferris State from Nov. 5-7 in a matchup of NCAA Division II institutions that sponsor NCAA Division I hockey. The first meeting between the Saints and the Lindenwood Lions in the new era is set for Friday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. at Centene Community Ice Center. The teams will meet again on back-to-back days, Friday, Jan. 8, and Saturday, Jan. 9, to conclude the road trip close to home for Maryville.
Four home games against familiar foes Liberty and UNLV will bring the Saints' home schedule to a close before they travel to Alaska for a pair of games against Alaska Fairbanks, another NCAA Division II institution that competes in Division I hockey.
The Saints will conclude the season with a unique opportunity against the U.S. National Team Development Program, which features the nation's top 18-year-old hockey players.
"Our roster is young, hungry, and excited to write the first chapter of Maryville's NCAA Division I story," Hogan said. "With six players transitioning from our ACHA team, six transfers, and eighteen freshmen, this roster gives us a unique opportunity to establish the culture, identity, and standards that will define Maryville Hockey for years to come."
