Wayne State Releases 2002-03 Schedule

DETROIT – Wayne State University Athletics Director Rob Fournier and head men’s hockey coach Bill Wilkinson announced the 36-game 2002-03 Warrior men’s hockey schedule.

In an effort to expose more Detroit area fans to the exciting brand of college hockey, Wayne State will play two games at Joe Louis Arena (Dec. 14 vs. Notre Dame and Jan. 21 vs. Bowling Green), two games at the Taylor Sportsplex (Jan. 10-11 vs. American International College), and two games at Compuware Sports Arena (Jan. 24 vs. Findlay and Feb. 1 against Niagara).

WSU, the back-to-back College Hockey America tournament champions, commences the league portion of its schedule Nov. 15-16 at Bemidji State. The Warriors will play 20 CHA games (two home, two road against each of the other five conference members – Air Force Academy, Alabama-Huntsville, Bemidji State, Findlay, and Niagara).

Wayne State opens the season with exhibition games against Wilfrid Laurier and the USA National Team Development Program’s under-18 team. The banner raising ceremony will take place during the home opener on Oct. 25 against ECAC member St. Lawrence, coach Wilkinson’s alma mater.

The Warriors will skate against four CCHA teams (at Ferris State on Nov. 8-9, at Alaska Fairbanks on Dec. 6-7, and the two Joe Louis Arena games).

Wayne State will travel east twice this season. The Warriors will face Vermont (Nov. 1) and Dartmouth (Nov. 2), and compete in the RPI Invitational on Dec. 28-29. WSU plays Princeton in the opening round and will face either RPI or Merrimack on the second day.

Wayne State visits Michigan Tech on Nov. 29-30 and will host American International College on Jan. 10-11.

The CHA Tournament will be held in Kearney, Nebraska, in Tri-City Arena on March 14-16 with the tournament champion receiving an automatic bid to the expanded NCAA tournament field of 16.