Did you know Hogs can skate?
As the Arkansas Razorback Ice Hockey Club inches closer to the start of the 2025-26 season, both its Division 2 and 3 teams have unveiled their schedules. With this, we heard from both coaches on the slate of games and what fans can expect. We will highlight both schedules, games to circle on your calendar, and when you can watch these Razorbacks skate.
Razorback Hockey Clubs Prepare For Challenging 2025-26 Schedule
D2 Razorbacks Ready for Stiff Competition
Head coach Keller Sims and the D2 club will face another daunting schedule. As we have covered the past three seasons, this has become a staple of this club. Coming off the MACHA Tournament Championship for Arkansas, the target will again be on their backs. Could we see the Hogs skate past the ACHA Central Regionals as they did last season? Let’s take a look at the games that are on the 2025 schedule.
Fans can pack the Jones Center or “JC” to open the season on Friday, September 5th, and Saturday, the 6th. The Razorbacks will welcome East Texas Baptist University. The Friday night game will drop the puck at 7:30 p.m. and the Saturday game at 3:15 p.m. Then, the rivalry with Missouri heats up in Columbus against the Tigers. The ominous schedule comes to Northwest Arkansas as Iowa visits on September 19th and 20th for a marquee matchup.
Sims spoke on this, stating, “We have built a program that thrives on competition.” He would go on to speak on the visit from fellow SEC foe, Ole Miss, who visits in November, as he unveiled, “The Friday game serving as the Military Appreciation Night.” We have spoken with Sims on numerous occasions in the time 4 Star Sports has covered this club, and this is as confident as we have seen him.
D3 Continues To Build
In the inaugural season of the D3 club, we saw a team that competed and grew as the season skated on. Led by the Director of Player Development and head coach Greg Betzoid, this season looks to be a thriller. With a challenging and intimidating home slate, this season will undoubtedly develop this roster.
The home opener weekend, versus Dordt, is set for Friday, October 3rd, at 7:30 pm. This will be followed by the closing game on Saturday of the series. Other games of interest are Dallas Baptist on the home slate for this club. The second season will be one to watch for growth for this young club.
When speaking on the schedule, Betzoid stated, “Our D3 program continues to grow, and this schedule gives our players fantastic opportunities to compete and improve.” How can the D3 club fare? We will soon find out.
Mark Your Calendars
While both schedules feature hefty challenges, there are a few games that will need to be circled. We spoke of the Iowa contest for the D2 and Dallas Baptist for the D3 club, but there are others. The D2 club will continue its rivalry with Oklahoma State, a home-and-home series with the Cowboys.
Included in the schedule is the SEC Showcase, which will take place in Bellevue, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville. This will provide valuable experience at roughly the halfway mark. In addition, the top-tier competition will be what each club prides itself on competing against.
Veteran D2 veteran, David Markovich, spoke on this season’s clubs as the season approaches. Speaking on the general vibe, Markovich stated, “The energy around the team is incredible,” which speaks well of the state of the program. To double down on this, the veteran Razorback told media, “We have been putting in the work, and we are ready to hit the ice and show everyone what Razorback Hockey is all about.”
Pack The “JC”
We mentioned the home ice of the Club, the Jones Center, which is a significant edge for the Razorbacks. The “JC” is the place to be in Springdale, Arkansas, on Friday and Saturday when the season is in full swing. Both players and coaches are keenly aware of this advantage and urge fans to pack the house. Betzoid told the media, “We are especially excited to play in front of our incredible fans at the Jones Center.”
Going further, the D3 head coach expressed, “We are focused on building on last season’s successes and making the Jones Center a fortress for both our teams.” The second-year head coach pleaded as he said, “We encourage fans to come out and support these dedicated student-athletes.”
Skating Starts Soon
The Razorbacks will begin the preseason soon. Sims and the staff will hold tryouts on August 16th and 17th, followed by Training Camp from the 19th through the 21st. For fans curious about when they can lay eyes on the club, do not fret.
The 2025 Intrasquad Red vs White Game is currently scheduled August 22nd at 7:30 at the Jones Center. This will be the final tune-up for the club before skating into 2025. Stay tuned to us at 4 Star Sports for more as we will have weekly episodes of the “Ice Hawgs Podcast”, where Razorbacks Skate.
