The Miami University hockey team is coming off its best season in over a decade. The RedHawks finished last season with an 18-16-2 record overall, and a record of 9-13-2 in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). The team was voted No. 5 in the NCHC preseason poll and Top 20 in the NCAA coming into this season, building on the momentum left over from the previous season.
“No one wants to settle where we were,” said senior captain Doug Grimes.
Despite possible pressure to recreate their winning season, the team feels more confident than ever. This season will not be easy and the early season games matter just as much as the matches later in the season. The RedHawks will face some of the best teams in the nation, including reigning national champions, the University of Denver, who Miami will face at home on Feb. 12-13, 2027.
Regardless of the opponents ranking, the team approaches each game the same way. In order to reach the Frozen Four, Miami will have to face premier programs and bring its best to each and every game.
Last season, Miami went 3-1 against St. Cloud State University and 2-2 against Arizona State University. The RedHawks will play at St. Cloud State on Jan. 15-16, 2027 and Arizona State at home on Jan. 22-23, 2027. Both matches promise to be entertaining for everyone watching. Fans should also look out for the team’s first ever game against the University of St. Thomas at home on Oct. 30.
With 15 regular-season home games, there is plenty of time for fans to get in on the action. After last year’s recruiting class was ranked No. 4 in the nation, head coach Anthony Noreen and other members of the coaching staff dove back into recruitment and the transfer portal. 11 new members joined the team this season.
Notable newcomers include freshman defenseman Timmy Runtso who earned 44 points (11-33-44) last season in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and was selected No. 57 overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2026 National Hockey League (NHL) draft. Another is freshman forward Layne Loomer who racked up 72 points (30-42-72) in 59 games with the Lincoln Stars in United States Hockey League (USHL). Returning players will also need to contribute for the RedHawks to achieve their goals.
“Everybody’s a year older; everybody’s a year better,” senior forward Matteo Giampa said.
Giampa returns this year after being one of the top goal and points scorers on the team last year along with sophomore forward Ilia Morozov, who was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
But the team can’t compete by relying on only a couple players. As a whole, the team has focused on carrying the culture that it cultivated last season into the present. There are bound to be ups and downs throughout any athletic season, but the team has been working hard in the offseason to be at its very best. After roughly five weeks of preseason training, the team is excited to start a new season.
“One really special part about last year for us was the engagement from the fans,” Noreen said. “I really think that there were a lot of nights last year where [Goggin] was the hardest place to play in college hockey.”
The RedHawks start their season on the road on Friday, Oct. 2 versus Northern Michigan University at 7:07 p.m. Fans can catch the home opener against Robert Morris University at Goggin Ice Center at 7:05 p.m. on Oct. 15.
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