NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Yale men's hockey team opens the 2025–26 season with a non-conference matchup at Dartmouth on Sunday, Nov. 2, in Hanover, N.H.

From the Coach

"We're excited to get going for real this Sunday," said Joe Howe, Interim Malcolm G. Chace Head Coach. "The energy and compete level from our group throughout preseason and training camp have been outstanding. Our first years are ready to contribute right away, and our returners know they have something to prove.

"With Coach Allain's retirement, our program has gone through a big change, but the values he instilled will always be part of our DNA. We return the bulk of our scoring, we're healthier on the back end and up front, and that's created a really competitive environment. We also have two goaltenders capable of being top-end starters at this level. Our league is as tough as ever—every night is a battle—but I believe in this group and our staff. David Chen has been an outstanding captain so far and has kept everyone focused on staying in the moment and getting better each day."

Back for More

• The Bulldogs return 21 players from last year's roster, led by senior captain David Chen. He headlines a veteran core featuring six seniors, eight juniors, and eight sophomores, joined by seven first years.
• The senior class includes Chen, Bayard Hall, Tucker Hartmann, Kalen Szeto, JoJo Tanaka-Campbell, and Elan Bar-Lev-Wise.
• The junior class features Jack Stark, Will Richter, Iisai Pesonen, David Andreychuk, Seiya Tanaka-Campbell, Owen Forester, Rhys Bentham, and Jeth Fogg.
• Sophomores Ronan O'Donnell—the team's leading point scorer last season—Micah Berger, Hughie Hooker, Zach Wagnon, Joe Blackley, Donovan Frias, Julian Frias, and Noah Pak round out a talented second-year group.

New Faces

• Yale welcomes seven first years to the roster: forwards James Shannon, Tom Molson, Kurt Gurkan, and Braden Keeble, along with defensemen Dylan Hunt, Joose Pesonen, and Hudson Miller.

Point Producers

• Sophomore Ronan O'Donnell looks to build on his impressive 20-point rookie campaign, while captain David Chen returns after posting 10 goals and seven assists last season. Both will anchor the Bulldogs' offensive attack.

Between the Pipes

• In goal, Jack Stark returns for his third season after starting 20 games last year. Noah Pak, who appeared in eight contests as a first year, will also see time in the crease.

Family Ties

• The Bulldogs feature three sets of brothers on this year's roster: Jojo and Seiya Tanaka-Campbell, Donovan and Julian Frias, and Iisai and Joose Pesonen.

Happenings at the Whale

• Yale Athletics recently announced $3 million in upgrades to the historic Ingalls Rink, highlighted by a new state-of-the-art, center-hung videoboard. The project modernizes one of college hockey's most iconic venues while preserving its distinctive architecture and rich tradition.

Season Opener History

• This marks the sixth time Yale has opened its season against Dartmouth. The Bulldogs are 2-2-1 all-time in season openers versus the Big Green.

Non-Conference Slate

• Yale will host Omaha at Ingalls Rink on Nov. 28–29. The programs have met five times previously (2003-04 through 2008-09), with the Bulldogs holding a 1-3-1 record—two of those games decided in overtime.
• The Bulldogs will welcome Merrimack to the Whale on Dec. 12 for the fourth all-time meeting. Yale earned a 5-2 win in the most recent matchup on Dec. 8, 2023.
• To open the 2026 calendar year, Yale will travel west for the Cactus Cup in Palm Springs, facing St. Cloud State in the opener before meeting either UMass Lowell or Minnesota State in game two.
• The Bulldogs close January by hosting Connecticut Ice on Jan. 23–24, taking on UConn in the opening game.