DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque men's hockey team is set to begin its fourth season in program history in just eight days when they host the third annual Key City Collegiate Classic presented by Q Casino & Island Social.

The Spartans, led by Seamus Gregory, have their sights set on an exciting 2026-27 season where they return 19 players from a season ago and were able to bring in 10 new faces that include nine freshmen and one transfer. NCHA All-Freshman Andon Coles is back with the Spartans and will look to improve upon a great 2025-26 season where he scored two goals and had 14 assists. The Spartans also have a familiar face in goal with second-year starter Dazza Mitchell, who played in 14 games, starting 12 of them, and finished last season with 311 saves.

The 2026-27 schedule begins on Friday, October 30, when the Spartans take on Augsburg University at 8:00 p.m. from ImOn Arena on the opening day of the Key City Collegiate Classic. The Spartans will then play on Saturday, October 31, against either No. 3 Aurora University or UW-Stevens Point based on day one results.

The Spartans will play 14 home games this season, including nine NCHA games. The Spartans will finish out the regular season with one of the toughest stretches in all of Division III with (RV) Trine, No. 8 Adrian, and No. 3 Aurora before the NCHA Harris Cup Playoffs begin on Friday, February 19, with the best-of-three quarterfinals. The semifinals will take place the following weekend on February 27 and then the finals on March 6.

Check out all the latest news, information, and updates from men's hockey via the University of Dubuque Athletics website at https://udspartans.com/sports/mhockey.

 

2026-27 NCHA Men's Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll
Team	Points	First-place votes
1. St. Norbert	92	4
2. Adrian	90	4
3. Aurora	86	2
4. Trine	71
5. MSOE	53
6. Concordia Wisconsin	50
7. Marian	36
8. Univ. of Dubuque	35
9. Lake Forest	21
10. Lawrence	16