MASCAC OFFICIAL RELEASE

SALEM, Mass. - The Salem State men's ice hockey team is slated to finish third in the 2025-26 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) as announced by the conference earlier today. Salem State men's ice hockey head coach Chris MacInnis and the Vikings are looking forward to kicking off the 2025-26 campaign on Saturday, November 1, at Suffolk. 

"I'm really looking forward to the upcoming season," said MacInnis. "Last year we had a strong run that ended in a tough triple-overtime loss in the playoffs, and that's been a big source of motivation for our group. The guys have come back hungry and focused. Our ultimate goal is to win the MASCAC, but it starts with taking things one game at a time and committing to the process every day."

What to Look Forward To

• Salem State brings back 23 returners from last year's MASCAC Semi-Finals team, highlighted by the reigning MASCAC Player of the Year, Landyn Greatorex (Reading, Mass.). Last season for the Vikings, he led the MASCAC in points (41), while collecting the second-most goals (16) and assists (25). He was also solid on the power play, netting six goals while collecting a +20 rating.
• The Vikings will also bring back one of their other 10-goal scorers last year in last season's MASCAC Rookie of the Year, James Tatro (Salisbury, Mass.). Tatro was the top rookie scorer, averaging 1.27 points per game, finishing with 33 points (15 goals, 18 assists), which ranked fourth in the MASCAC. His five game-winning goals led the league and tied for the most in a season at Salem State. The forward tallied five power-play goals, placing him in the top five in the conference. 
• The Blue and Orange return MASCAC All-Conference First Team honoree, Will Nepveu (Montreal, Quebec), to lead the squad between the pipes. Last year for Salem, he finished with a 17-6 record. His 17 wins led all goalies in the MASCAC and placed him in the top three in the NCAA. He topped the conference in save percentage (.934) and winning percentage (.739) while also finishing second in goals against average (2.47) and saves (832). His 832 saves ranked second most in NCAA DIII. Last year, he also recorded two shutouts for the Vikes. 
• Coach MacInnis will also look to his four newcomers, Matt Babineau (Malden, Mass.), Chris Giglio (Merrick, N.Y.), Riley Klass (Moscow, Idaho), and Connor Vittands (Gloucester, Mass.),  to make an immediate impact right away for the squad.
• The senior group of Ryan Barrett (Wilmington, Mass.), Zach Dill (Lake Tahoe, Calif.), Christopher Dowd (Danville, N.H.), Greatorex, and Hunter Thomas (Schwenksville, Pa.) will be looked upon to help guide the Vikings this season.

Games to Watch

• Salem's home opener will be on Sunday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m. against Endicott College of the Conference of New England. 
• The Vikings kick off conference play on Thursday, November 6, at Worcester State, starting at 7:10 p.m.
• Salem will feature two three-game homestands this year, starting on Tuesday, November 25, against Salve Regina. The homestand will also feature a rematch of last year's MASCAC semi-finals game versus Fitchburg State on Tuesday, December 2, at 7:00 p.m. Capping off the homestand will be a non-conference contest against UMass Dartmouth on Thursday, December 4, at 7:00 p.m.
• The Blue and Orange will also square off against two Division II opponents, starting with a home contest versus Franklin Pierce on Tuesday, November 11, at 7:00 p.m.  Later in the year, the squad will travel to Saint Anselm on Friday, January 2, at 7:00 p.m.
• Salem will cap off the 2025-26 season with a home contest against MCLA on Saturday, February 21, at 3:00 p.m.