WVU Men’s Hockey had an up-and-down fall session on the ice. The season picks back up with nine more games after the calendar turns to 2026, with the Mountaineers holding a 9-12 record. Read more: In-season update: WVU D1 Men’s Hockey
WVU has several hockey programs on campus, none more prestigious than the D1 squad. The 2025-26 season has already proved to be a rollercoaster for the team.
Landmark beginning
This season will forever be remembered as a landmark one due to the new 1,200-seat home rink that opened in September. WVU relocated to the newly constructed Mylan Park Ice Pavilion after spending years in the Morgantown Ice Arena.
Fans filed in on September 12 for the hockey edition of the Backyard Brawl, the inaugural game at the new venue. The result ruled in favor of the Panthers, but having a proper home for the Mountaineers is a net win.
September
WVU quickly rebounded from the 10-3 loss on opening night by sweeping Navy in a pair of games. The Mountaineers combined to outscore the Midshipmen 9-2 across the two contests.
September’s slate of games came to a close with a split series on WVU’s first road trip of the year. Drexel dominated the Mountaineers in the first game, 10-2. WVU got its revenge with a 5-4 win a day later.
WVU held a winning record through the first month of action, standing at 3-2 going into October.
October
Spooky season hit the ice early for the Mountaineers. WVU went 1-6 in October, including a 0-5 record at home in the same span.
Five of WVU’s six losses came in one-score affairs. The defense showed signs of improvement, as no team scored more than five goals against the Mountaineers. Comparatively, WVU allowed 10 goals in two separate games in September.
November
Improvements carried over into November. WVU finished the month by winning four of seven games, including a sweep over Louisville.
The offense exploded on more than one occasion, too. Seven goals in the November 14 game against UL and nine against Duquesne on November 21 proved this merit true.
The Mountaineers split November home games, winning two of their four games at Mylan Park Ice Pavilion.
December
WVU wrapped up the first “half” of the season with two games in December. The Mountaineers split a pair of road contests against Toledo, getting the last laugh against the Rockets on December 6.
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As it stands, WVU is 9-12 overall with nine games remaining on the 2025-26 schedule.
Top performers
Nicolas Bruno: 15 goals/10 assists
Tommy Woods: 8 goals/17 assists
Wyatt Sloetjes: 3.65 goals allowed per game/.905 SV%
What’s next?
WVU is back in action against Rutgers on January 16, 2026. It will be the first contest on a four-game road tilt for the Mountaineers, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. in New Jersey.
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