HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College women's ice hockey team officially released their schedule for the 2025-26 season on Friday, with the upcoming season marking the first year of the Little East Conference (LEC) for women's ice hockey. 

The team begins preseason play on October 24th as they host a scrimmage against Salem State and then travel to Framingham State for another exhibition the following day on October 25th. 

They kick off the regular season with a home opener matchup against non-conference opponent MCLA on Friday, October 31st, then hosting Worcester State on Saturday, November 1st. They will open their conference play against the University of Southern Maine on Friday, November 7th at 4:00 PM on home ice at the Lee Clement Ice Arena.  

The 'Grims will play six LEC games between November and December, wrapping up the 2025 calendar year with back-to-back matchups against Buffalo State on December 12th and 13th. 

After the calendar flips into the new year, NEC plays 12 of their final 13 games against conference opponents. Perhaps most notably, they will see former NEHC runner-up's Norwich University at home the weekend of January 30th with the first game slated to start at 6:00 PM.  

They will finish the season at home against UMass Boston, before heading into the inaugural LEC tournament with the first-round game on Wednesday, February 25th, the semifinals taking place on Saturday, February 28th, and the championship being held on Saturday March 7th.  

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.