Game Program | Ticket Info | Live Stats | Live Audio (WRPI) | Live Video (RPI TV)

THE DEBUT: The 2014-15 Engineers make their season debut against the University of Prince Edward Island, a Canadian University ... This game is an exhibition, so it has no bearing on either team's records or the players' season statistics.

SEASON OPENER: Rensselaer's regular season begins on Friday when it plays at No. 12 Notre Dame in the first round of the IceBreaker Tournament in South Bend, Ind. ... The Engineers then face either No. 1 Minnesota or Minnesota-Duluth in the Championship Game or Consolation Game on Sunday at noon.

HOME STARTER: RPI's first regular season home games are October 24-25 when Bentley visits the Houston Field House ... Both games are non-league contests that begin at 7pm.

TICKETS: Tickets to all Rensselaer home games are available through the Houston Field House box office or by calling 518-276-6262.

FOLLOWING THE ACTION: All RPI men's hockey games can be heard live on WRPI, 91.5 FM, and on the Internet on www.wrpi.org ... Live statistics are available for home games at www.rpiathletics.com ... A live webcast is available at www.rpitv.org.
OFFICIALS: The officials for the game are Marty Hughes and Christopher Piti (referees) and Nick Demarte Jr. and Anthony Kenney (linesmen).

RPI THIS SEASON: The Engineers are coming off a season in which they finished 15-16-6 overall and 8-9-5 in ECAC Hockey ... They finished seventh in regular season and saw their year come to an end in the first round of the league playoffs ... Rensselaer returns 10 forwards, five defensemen and three goaltenders from that team ... Eight newcomers (4 forwards, 3 defensemen, 1 goalie) have joined the squad.

BY CLASS: On Rensselaer's roster are seven seniors, eight juniors, five sophomores and seven freshmen.

BY POSITION: The Engineers feature 14 forwards, nine defensemen and four goaltenders.

THE CAPTAINS: Senior defenseman Curtis Leonard will wear the 'C' throughout the 2014-15 season for the Engineers ... Classmates Luke Curadi, Matt Neal and Mark McGowan, are the alternate captains ... Curadi also plays defense, while Neal and McGowan are forwards.

THE COACHING STAFF: RPI head coach Seth Appert returns for his ninth year with the Engineers ... He is assisted by Bryan Vines, who is in his sixth season and former Engineers standout Nolan Graham '03, who is in his fifth.

DRAFTED: Rensselaer has three student-athletes on the roster who have been selected in the NHL Entry Draft ... Freshman defenseman Mike Prapavessis was selected by the Dallas Stars in the fourth round, 105th overall, of the 2014 draft ... Freshman forward Lou Nanne was taken in the seventh round (188th overall) in the 2012 draft by the Minnesota Wild ... Junior goaltender Jason Kasdorf was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the sixth round, 157th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE: Of the 20 teams ranked in the Preseason USCHO.com Poll, Rensselaer will face 10 of them with a chance to play an 11th ... They include No. 1 Minnesota (potentially), No. 5 Union (3x), No. 6 Colgate (2x), No. 8 Michigan (2x), No. 11 Miami (2x), No. 12 Notre Dame, No. 14 Cornell (2x), No. 15, Quinnipiac (2x), No. 18 Denver (2x), No. 19 New Hamphire and No. 20 Boston University.

MEET THE NEWCOMERS (Quotes from head coach Seth Appert):
• Bradley Bell: "Bradley comes to us after a strong two-year campaign for his hometown junior team. He is a skilled two-way defender who will add offensive playmaking ability while also bringing a competitive physical presence to our defensive corps."
• Kenny Gillespie: "After a successful junior career in both the USHL and the USPHL, Kenny adds size, competitiveness and skating ability to our program. He has also represented the USA at the U17 5 Nations Tournament."
• Viktor Liljegren: "Viktor helped Fairbanks to a championship in the NAHL in his first season in North America. He adds size, intelligence and skating ability to our program with the potential to become an elite power forward."
• Sam Goodman: Sam is a former RPI Club Team goaltender who joins the varsity on a full-time basis.
• Drew Melanson: "Drew comes from one of the best junior programs in the United States where he competed in the league finals. He is an elite skater who will enhance our team speed and offensive ability. He has also gained experience while representing the USA at the Ivan Hlinka U18 Tournament."
• Lou Nanne: "After earning success in Minnesota High School, the BCHL and the USHL, Louis joins the Engineers as is an elite skater who will add speed, talent and competitiveness to our program. He has also competed for the USA at the Ivan Hlinka U18 Tournament." 
• Mike Prapavessis: "Michael joins us after leading his team to the Royal Bank Cup in Canada. He is an elite offensive defenseman who will add intelligence, mobility and offensive production from our back end. He also earned valuable experience representing Canada East at the World Junior Challenge."
• Jared Wilson: "Jared joins our program after helping his team to the Royal Bank Cup semifinals in Canada.  He is a talented two way defenseman who can provide offensive ability while also providing a physical presence as a defender."