The Mississippi State University Men’s Club Hockey Team has made way to break the ice in November for the first time since the team disbanded due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. 

The team, Ice Dawg Hockey, has worked hard to reboot the sport and give MSU students an opportunity to play hockey, a sport that is uncommon in the South. Now, the team of MSU students will see the results of their work.

Ice Dawg Hockey is fully up and running, and they have their first game scheduled against University of Alabama at Birmingham on Nov. 14 and 15. There currently is no home rink for the team, so they will be competing at rinks in Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.

Landon Walsh, club president and treasurer, is excited to get his team back on the rink. Coming from Boca Raton, Florida, a known hot state, Walsh understands the heat and what joy it brings when he is able to step indoors to a cooler place, but it is even better when he gets to cool off and play the sport that he is so passionate about on the ice.

“I am excited that Hockey is back because it brings a unique sport to the Mississippi State campus and reaches people who have an interest in ice sports,” Walsh said. “Our brotherhood on and off the ice is like no other.”

Because Ice Dawg Hockey last saw the rink in 2020, the group has had to rebuild from the ground up with a new team, new jerseys and a new brand. Walsh said the team is still looking for a coach and that if anyone with experience on the ice is interested, they should direct message the club hockey Instagram (@hailstatemhoc).

Freddy Kinney, a senior special education major from Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been playing hockey since he was in the third grade. Although this will be his first season with the Dawgs, he cannot wait to get started. 

“This team means much to me because I get to play alongside players from all over the country, but we all represent Mississippi State,” Kinney said. “We get to represent our school in a new way, and grow the sport in new places.”

The team is truly special to every member on the roster because they all know just how hard they have worked to get the team up and running again. Now, their season is finally starting to approach on the calendar. 

“I think people who have hockey experience should join the team because we want to grow the game that we love in the state that we love. We want our university and the state of Mississippi to be exposed to this great sport,” Kinney said.

Ice Dawg Hockey currently has 11 players on their roster, and although only six are on the rink at once, the team is seeking more men who share the same love that they do for its sport. 

Cole Goodwin, a freshman from Faribault, Minnesota, joined the team during the first week of school this year, and he is on the hunt to recruit more players. 

“We need more people to join so we can have a more competitive season,” Goodwin said. “This team is an opportunity to play for my school and enjoy my favorite sport.” 

Although there is no home rink for the players, they are working on securing a spot for next season. The matchup against UAB will essentially be their first game as well as their first practice on a rink as a team.

Aside from the confirmed game against UAB, they also have Louisiana State University and the University of Mississippi on their schedule in March. 

All information regarding games, scheduling and merchandise can also be found on their Instagram.