Off the Hop
Sixth-rated Minnesota State (1-0-0 overall, 0-0-0 WCHA) skates at Michigan Tech (0-0-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) Sunday and Monday in a pair on nonconference contests in Houghton, Mich. Face-off between the Mavericks and the Huskies at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena (4,466) is slated for 6:07 p.m., EST Sunday and 5:07 p.m., EST Monday.

Mavericks vs. Huskies
In a series that dates back to the 1996-97 season, Minnesota State stands 43-23-10 in the all-time series vs. Michigan Tech. Including a 2-0-0 mark vs. the Huskies last year, Minnesota State heads into this weekend's series having gone 7-2-1 in the last 10 games vs. Michigan Tech. Minnesota State stands 17-16-6 vs. the Huskies in games played in Houghton.

Behind the Bench
Minnesota State has gone 215-85-23 under the tutelage of head coach Mike Hastings (St. Cloud State '93), who is in his ninth season in charge of the Mavericks. No program in the nation has won more games (215) during the time Hastings has been behind the MSU bench.

The Group
In his first year serving as captain of the Mavericks is senior defenseman Riese Zmolek. Senior defenseman Jack McNeely, and senior forwards Dallas Gerads and Jared Spooner are serving as alternate captains.

For the Ages
The 31 wins last year by the Mavericks ranks second on Minnesota State's all-time single-season list, ranking only behind the 32 victories by the 2018-19 team. The 30 wins the last two years mark the first time the Mavericks have won at least 30 games in back-to-back seasons. Minnesota State has won at least 30 games in a season three times (2019-20, 2018-29 and 1979-80).

Big Mac
Minnesota State won the MacNaughton Cup as 2019-20 WCHA regular season champions - marking the third season in a row to accomplish the feat and fifth time in the last eight years.

Roster Check
Minnesota State returns 17 skaters off of last year's roster who played in at least one game.  Those returnees, who entered the season having accumulated a total of 1,107 career games played, registered 69 goals and 204 points last year.

Net Return
Junior netminder Dryden McKay's 21-save shutout at Bemidji State in Minnesota State's season-opener on Nov. 22 has extended his school career shutout record to 15.  His 15 shutouts stand tied for 14th all-time in NCAA DI men's hockey history (five goaltenders are tied for ninth with 16 shutouts and the NCAA record of 26 shutouts was set by Ryan Miller of Michigan State from 1999-2002). McKay was named First Team All-American and the WCHA Goaltender of the Year last season after posting a 30-4-2 mark, .942 save percentage and 1.31 goals against average.

Moving Forward
Senior forward Reggie Lutz now has 29 goals and 40 assists for 69 points in 114 games over the course of his four-year college career after scoring twice in Minnesota State's 5-0 road win to open the season at Bemidji State.

Elk Club
Senior centerman Jake Jaremko contributed a career-high three assists in last Sunday's 5-0 win at Bemidji State.  The Nowthen, Minn., native and Elk River High School product is Minnesota State's leading active career scorer with 30-47--77 in 102 games.

Mr. Livingstone, We Presume
Freshman defenseman Jake Livingstone got his first career goal in his first career goal when he scored in Minnesota State's 5-0 season-opening win at Bemidji State Nov. 22.

Please Allow Me Introduce Myself
Senior forward Todd Burgess, who spent the first three seasons of his college hockey-playing career at RPI, had two assists in his first game as a Maverick in Minnesota State's 5-0 win over Bemidji State Nov. 22.  Burgess now has 22-28--50 in 103 career games.

Stick Around
Junior forward Julian Napravnik had a goal and an assist in helping the Mavericks to a 5-0 win at Bemidji State Nov. 22. Napravnik has 18-30--48 in 77 career games.

Scheduling
Minnesota State was slated to host Northern Michigan Dec. 11-12 and Bemidji State Dec. 18-19, but that series has been cancelled.  

Next scheduled action for the Mavericks is a home series vs. Bemidji State Dec. 18-19.