The Division II men’s hockey team split a pair of games with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes on the road over the weekend to kick off their season. Both games were decided by a razor-thin margin, the first being dropped by a single goal in regulation ending in a shootout victory for the Huskies

General Manager Ian Kalanges said the team is looking to rebound after a disappointing 2017 season, finishing 9-25-1.

“Last season, the team’s record did not reflect how they played on the ice,” Kalanges said. “Our goal and expectation this year is to make the Mid-American Conference Hockey Association playoffs, make regionals and get back to the winning ways of NIU Huskies Hockey.”

Illinois Hockey Hall of Famer and former Chicago Blackhawk Mike Rucinski has taken over the reigns as the team’s head coach. Rucinski played four seasons professionally as a center, and parts of two of those seasons were in the NHL.

“We are a very well-run program,” Kalanges said. “We were lucky enough to get [Rucinski] added to our coaching staff. He brought along both of his assistants [whom] he’s been coaching with for 15 years.”

Assistant coaches Jim Bristol and Andy Wallace will join assistant coach John Luciana behind the bench.

The team now has a bonafide Division I NCAA starting goaltender in the form of Stephen Thulin. Thulin is the first NCAA Division I player to play for the Huskies, according to a Sept. 13 NIU Hockey article.

Senior Eric Svejda returns from last season as team captain. Svejda has put up 160 points in 135 career games for NIU as a forward, a clip of 1.19 points per game.

“Svejda is one of the most decorated players in NIU Hockey history,” Kalanges said.

Also returning to the team are seniors Mike Wojtkiewicz, Nick Treiber and David Madrigal, who will be integral team leaders if the Huskies return to the playoffs.

The team will have its first home action of the year 7:20 p.m. Friday at the Leafs Ice Centre, 801 Wesemann Drive, West Dundee.