St. John’s hockey prepares for 2025-2026 regular season schedule

The St. John’s hockey team wrapped up a pair of preseason exhibition matches against UW-Stout and Bethel University. The team is looking to start out the season on the right foot, opening their non-conference play as they travel to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to face Marian University, Friday, Oct. 31. Head Coach Doug Schueller, who is in his 18th season as head coach, mentioned the values that he and the staff build the team on.

“We want to be a team that is hard to play against. We want to have grit, toughness and play the game hard. We do not need to be the strongest team, but we need to be ratty and tough. I think our team has a lot of skill in it but if we play the game tough and hard, our skill will be more effective,” Schueller said.

Schueller explained how the team prepares for tough times that may come up during the season.

“Let them know that adversity is going to hit. You talk about that stuff now. The season is not going to go without any adversity. When we see that we need to be mentally tough, we have to be prepared for those situations. Whether that is an injury; someone needs to step up. We get scored on; we need to be mentally tougher than we were in the past. It is something that we continuingly talk about,” Schueller said.

Mason Campbell, a senior defenseman, and captain of the team this year highlighted what it means to be a captain.

“It is really cool, to be voted on by the team. My teammates having faith in me means a lot to me. It is also a team thing,” Campbell said. “Everyone on our team could be in that same position that I am. We are all leaders in different ways and have different ways of leading. Combining everybody’s way of leadership and turning it into one is what we look for.”

Campbell’s role as captain also comes with keeping the team focused and motivated during the season.

“It comes from each person buying in; it does get to be a long season. The kids that have been here for a long time; it’s knowing that you most likely have four years of hockey left. That is about 100 games and you might as well give it your all,” Campbell said.

Campbell said that being supportive to one another is another key aspect of the game, and it shows in different ways as players on the team.

“We need everyone to contribute, whether you are in the lineup or not. If you are not in the lineup, we still need you Monday through Thursday. Whether that is by showing the other teams power play or just being hard to play against so that we are ready to play on the weekends. Everyone has a role on the team,” Campbell said.

Cam Boche, a junior forward, highlighted the strengths of the team ahead of the season opener.

“I think we have an older group of forwards. We are a really skilled and fast team. We also have veteran defensemen and a really good senior goalie,” Boche said.

As the team gets ready for the season, Boche said this group is really excited.

“We are excited to start off really strong. To see the impact of all the returning players and seeing the new freshmen making an impact as well,” Boche said.

When talking about the foundation of this year’s team, Boche articulated that it stems from the leadership.

“Our foundation is our leadership group and other upperclassmen who have been through a lot of MIAC games. We are a very experienced team. Not being the younger guys anymore and carrying that experience,” Boche said.

The St. John’s hockey team looks to add their first win this weekend before opening up MIAC play against St. Scholastica the following weekend.