DeKalb | Both club hockey teams have sharpened their skates and are ready for a new season.

Last season, the Div. II club hockey team finished with a 19-10-1 record. Its season ended with its first trip to the American Collegiate Hockey Association regional tournament, but it suffered a 7-4 loss to Illinois State University.

The Huskies’ head coach, Chuck Rinaldo, is looking for big things from the team after its run to regionals last season. Rinaldo said he believes the team can make a return appearance at regionals; however, he wants more and would like to see the team make a run at nationals this season.

NIU has a solid core made up of veteran players. The Huskies are led by senior forward Mark Greenberg, who led the team with 35 points last season. NIU returns its top five scorers from last season’s team. Rinaldo believes the top line is better this year and has the chance to be successful.

Another aspect of the game Rinaldo believes will be vital to the success of the team is goaltending. Returning is last year’s starting goaltender, junior Alex Hare. Hare held opposing teams to a 3.22 goals against average last year and stopped 89.17 percent of the shots he faced.

This weekend, the Huskies had an exhibition game against the University of Illinois’ Div. I squad. NIU lost the game 9-4, but had a good showing versus a good Div. I program that Rinaldo believes can make a run at a National Championship. It was a good early challenge for the Huskies, who were led by senior forward Nick Leon’s two goals.

NIU will open the regular season with a tough road series against Missouri State University at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

This season, the Div. III club hockey team looks to improve from last year with new incoming freshman players. Head Coach John Lyne believes the team is in a good place for this year and years to come.

“Definitely expecting some improvement from last year’s team…,” Lyne said. “We have a lot of good solid rookies and this sets us up well for this season and seasons in the future. We just need to get the new players adjusted to the higher speed of the college game.”

One newcomer who will have an impact immediately is new forward Jeremy Bilecki. Lyne is looking for a big season from the true freshman.

“Bilecki has really good potential, very skilled,” Lyne said. “Definitely looking for big things from him this season, maybe even possibly making a jump up to the other team this season.”

The Div. III Huskies will also open the season versus Missouri State University on Friday and Saturday.

“We’re looking forward to getting our season started off this weekend against Missouri State,” Lyne said. “They are one of the hardest teams we will play all season and we get them right out of the gate.”