Ohio State Hockey Unveils Exciting 2025 Non-Conference Schedule Featuring Powerhouse Matchups and Crucial Road Tests Across the Nation
The Ohio State University has officially unveiled its 2025 men’s hockey non-conference schedule, and it’s already drawing considerable attention from fans and analysts alike. A program steeped in tradition and ambition, the Buckeyes are poised for a pivotal season, and the recently announced slate of non-conference matchups offers a compelling preview of what lies ahead. With a careful balance of historic rivalries, challenging road trips, and opportunities for national statement wins, the Buckeyes are setting the stage for what could be a defining campaign in their climb back to national prominence.
This year’s schedule reflects more than just games on the calendar—it represents a strategic vision by head coach Steve Rohlik and his staff to push the program forward. In an increasingly competitive college hockey landscape, strength of schedule matters as much as talent on the ice. The Buckeyes have responded by assembling a non-conference lineup that will test every facet of their game while offering valuable chances to build their PairWise ranking and NCAA Tournament resume.
From the outset, Ohio State wastes no time diving into the deep end. The non-conference slate kicks off in October with a marquee series against Denver University, a perennial powerhouse and one of the top programs in the country. The Pioneers, known for their blistering offensive pace and structured defensive systems, will immediately challenge Ohio State’s ability to play a complete, 60-minute game. Denver boasts multiple Frozen Four appearances in recent years and has one of the most consistent development pipelines in the NCAA. For Ohio State, this home series offers the chance to start the season with a statement—proving to themselves and the national media that they can skate with the elite.
Following the Denver series, the Buckeyes hit the road for a tough two-game stint at Arizona State. This may not have the historical cachet of other matchups, but the Sun Devils have evolved into a dangerous, high-tempo team that thrives in their home arena. Playing in the desert presents unique challenges—not just the travel and climate, but the style of play. Arizona State thrives on speed and transition, which will test Ohio State’s defensive corps and goaltending depth early in the year.
Returning home, Ohio State then hosts long-time rival Bowling Green in what promises to be a highly anticipated showdown. The in-state rivalry is always emotional, and games between these two schools tend to carry playoff intensity. Bowling Green, under head coach Ty Eigner, has steadily rebuilt into a gritty and formidable opponent, with a physical forecheck and opportunistic scoring. These games are more than just tune-ups; they’re often barometers of toughness and mental resolve—essential qualities for any team with postseason aspirations.
One of the most intriguing segments of the schedule follows in November, as the Buckeyes welcome the University of Massachusetts to Columbus. UMass, a recent national champion and a fixture in Hockey East’s upper tier, brings a blend of skill, discipline, and relentless forechecking that will challenge Ohio State’s systems and puck management. This is a litmus test series—measuring how the Buckeyes’ depth, special teams, and leadership stack up against an opponent that mirrors many of the attributes Ohio State hopes to embody.
After a grueling home stretch, the team heads to New York for a holiday tournament hosted by Clarkson University, featuring matchups against Clarkson, St. Lawrence, and potentially Colgate or RPI depending on bracket results. These ECAC opponents bring a different flavor of hockey: structured, patient, and defensive-minded. Playing in these environments—small, loud rinks with tight sightlines and hostile crowds—offers an invaluable simulation of postseason conditions. Moreover, games against ECAC teams are critical to Ohio State’s national perception, as these are the kinds of non-conference wins that can make or break a tournament resume in March.
As December approaches, the Buckeyes schedule a home-and-home against Notre Dame. Though technically part of the Big Ten conference, this particular set of games is designated as non-conference due to scheduling quirks and offers all the emotion and meaning of a rivalry bout. Notre Dame and Ohio State have battled fiercely over the past decade, with numerous one-goal games and postseason clashes adding fuel to the rivalry. These matchups are expected to be intense, low-scoring affairs that test special teams execution and late-game composure.
Notably, Ohio State has also carved out time for an exhibition match against the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP), a game that won’t count toward standings but offers coaches and players alike a chance to experiment with lineups, give younger skaters high-level exposure, and build momentum heading into the second half of the season. These games often feature future NHL talent and provide a glimpse into the game’s next generation.
Perhaps the most crucial takeaway from the 2025 non-conference schedule is its diversity. There are fast teams and grinding teams, high-octane offenses and smothering defenses, programs from the East Coast, the West, and the Midwest. The Buckeyes will be tested in nearly every conceivable way before they even reach the meat of the Big Ten schedule. This kind of deliberate scheduling isn’t accidental—it’s designed to forge resilience, foster chemistry, and sharpen execution under pressure.
Head coach Steve Rohlik emphasized the importance of this kind of early-season challenge in his comments following the schedule release. “We want to put our guys in situations where they have to battle. You don’t grow by playing it safe. This schedule is about building the habits and toughness we’re going to need if we want to be playing in April.”
From a player development perspective, this schedule is a gift. Younger skaters will be thrown into the fire against elite competition and asked to respond. Veteran leaders like the returning senior core—including standout defenseman Ryan Smith and captain-forward Liam McAlister—will need to set the tone. Goaltending, often the difference-maker in tight games, will be under constant scrutiny as the Buckeyes seek consistency and composure in the crease.
Off the ice, this schedule also reflects the program’s ambition to raise its national profile. With games across the country and against high-visibility opponents, Ohio State hockey is positioning itself as a national brand—not just a regional power. This matters in recruiting, in fan engagement, and in the broader collegiate hockey landscape. Each non-conference game is an opportunity to represent the block “O” with pride and purpose.
Fan response to the schedule has been overwhelmingly positive. Message boards, social media, and alumni circles buzzed with excitement as fans dissected matchups and plotted potential road trips. Season ticket interest has spiked, especially with high-profile home games like Denver and UMass coming to town. The buzz isn’t just about hockey—it’s about what this team and schedule symbolize: a rising program that refuses to settle.
Looking ahead, the success of the non-conference schedule won’t be measured solely by wins and losses. It will be measured by growth—how well the team adapts, how resilient they become, and how much confidence they carry into Big Ten play. But make no mistake, each win matters. In a sport where at-large bids are determined by algorithms and margins are razor-thin, every non-conference result can have outsized implications.
By the time the puck drops on the Big Ten schedule in January, Ohio State will be battle-tested. They’ll have faced elite forwards, mobile defensive units, creative power plays, and punishing penalty kills. They’ll have played in hostile barns and in front of packed home crowds. They’ll have earned scars, learned lessons, and—if all goes to plan—picked up some signature victories.
In the grander narrative of Ohio State hockey, this non-conference schedule is a chapter that could define the season’s arc. It’s ambitious, it’s challenging, and it’s full of opportunity. The players and coaches wouldn’t have it any other way.
So as Buckeye Nation counts down the days to opening night, one thing is certain: this year’s non-conference schedule is more than a prelude—it’s a proving ground. And if the team rises to the moment, the rewards will echo deep into March and beyond.
