Notebook: Big Ten releases portion of its schedule

The Big Ten announced on Thursday the first portion of its 2020-21 schedule, and it will begin next weekend (Nov. 13).

Approximately 10 games per team were announced for this initial portion of the schedule.

Wisconsin and Notre Dame will open the season on Nov. 13-14. The schedule runs through Dec. 20. Arizona State will also play at Michigan on Nov. 14.

With no fans likely to be in attendance at any of these games, the dates have been spread out wildly. It’s expected other conferences (like Hockey East) could also include mid-week games. There are two games scheduled on Mondays, four on Tuesday, three on Wednesday and eight games scheduled on Thursdays.

The schedule includes games for Arizona State, which is not in the Big Ten, but will be playing an affiliate schedule within the conference this season.

Big Ten hockey teams will follow the same medical protocols that were developed by the Big Ten Return to Competition Task Force and announced on Sept. 16, 2020, including daily antigen testing, enhanced cardiac screening and an enhanced data-driven approach when making decisions about practice/competition. Arizona State University has agreed to adhere to the same testing protocols as the Big Ten Conference.

Arizona State committee approves new arena plan

According to Greg Cameron at College Hockey News, the Arizona Board of Regents’ Finance, Capital and Resource committee approved ASU’s plan for a new 5,000-seat arena, which will become the home for the hockey team.

The plan will go to the full board on Nov. 18 for a vote. It’s expected to be approved.

Construction would begin in January and be completed by December 2022. It’s expected that ASU would not begin playing at the arena until the 2022-23 season. The hockey program would share the arena with wrestling and gymnastics. The total budget is $115 million.

RPI forward heads back to the BCHL

RPI’s Zach Dubinsky signed in the BCHL last week with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Dubinsky is taking advantage of a new NCAA rule this year, put in place due to COVID, and is remaining enrolled at RPI and will take classes remotely.

Dubinsky scored 12 points (2 goals, 10 assists) last season in 22 games.

College Hockey Links

• The USHL is slated to open this weekend, and there will be games played on Saturday, but the league had to cancel three series due to COVID protocols not being met.

• Check out the latest commitments from around the country, which includes UConn adding a goalie for the future, Western Michigan adding a forward as well as Dartmouth and RPI.