Maine hockey opens its 2026-27 campaign next month, and the schedule points toward one night in February.

The men’s team will host Boston University at Alfond Arena on Friday, February 5, in a special celebration of the arena’s 50th anniversary. The building opened alongside the program’s founding in 1977 and expanded from 3,800 seats to more than 5,000 in 1992 as the Black Bears rose to national prominence.

Maine opens on the road at Holy Cross October 2 and 3, then returns for a home-opening series against Quinnipiac October 9 and 10, followed by Colgate October 23 and 24. Hockey East play begins at Boston University October 30 and 31, with UMass visiting Alfond the following weekend and Boston College coming to Orono in late November. The Black Bears close the first semester against Army on December 19 and open the calendar year with a New Year’s series against Miami of Ohio. The slate includes 19 home games and 24 Hockey East contests.

Ben Barr returns as head coach. Maine finished 18-14-3 overall and 12-11-1 in Hockey East last season, a step back from the 2024-25 team that won the Hockey East tournament and reached the NCAA regional semifinals at 24-8-6.

The women’s program started sooner and under new leadership. Alex Gettens took over as head coach for a 34-game schedule that opened with a Border Battle exhibition against New Hampshire on September 19, followed by a four-game home non-conference stretch beginning with Quinnipiac on September 25 and 26. Hockey East play starts at home against Providence October 30 and 31, and the team hosts 17 regular season games in Orono.