TEMPE, Ariz. – The Big Ten Conference announced their plan for a conference-only hockey schedule in 2020-21, which will include a scheduling arrangement with Sun Devil Hockey. The agreement provides ASU with four games at each Big Ten school for a total of 28 road games.
The arrangement is just for the 2020-21 season, which will begin as soon as November 13, 2020. Sun Devil Hockey will not be able to qualify for the Big Ten Hockey Tournament.
"With the national trend of athletic conferences transitioning their schedules to conference only, several of our programs are directly affected and maybe none more than our hockey program as an independent," said Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson. "We want to thank the Big Ten, commissioner Kevin Warren, and the university presidents and athletic directors for lending a hand and coordinating a scheduling arrangement for this season."
"The 2020-21 hockey season builds on the rich traditions of Big Ten Hockey and brings new competitive opportunities to the Conference with the Arizona State University scheduling agreement," said Commissioner Kevin Warren. "As our teams return to competition, we will continue to keep the health and safety of our student-athletes at the forefront of our decisions."
Big Ten hockey teams will follow the same medical protocols that were developed by the Big Ten Return to Competition Task Force and announced on Sept. 16, 2020, including daily antigen testing, enhanced cardiac screening and an enhanced data-driven approach when making decisions about practice/competition. Arizona State has agreed to adhere to the same testing protocols as the Big Ten Conference.
"We are obviously thrilled to partner with the Big Ten on this scheduling arrangement coming out of such a difficult and challenging last six months," said Sun Devil Hockey head coach Greg Powers. "We are looking forward to the challenge presented in front of us and making all Sun Devils proud. We can't thank the Big Ten's coaches and administrators enough for including us as an independent so our student-athletes can share a meaningful season with theirs."
The full 2020-21 Big Ten hockey schedule, including times and television designations will be announced at a later date.
The arrangement is just for the 2020-21 season, which will begin as soon as November 13, 2020. Sun Devil Hockey will not be able to qualify for the Big Ten Hockey Tournament.
"With the national trend of athletic conferences transitioning their schedules to conference only, several of our programs are directly affected and maybe none more than our hockey program as an independent," said Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson. "We want to thank the Big Ten, commissioner Kevin Warren, and the university presidents and athletic directors for lending a hand and coordinating a scheduling arrangement for this season."
"The 2020-21 hockey season builds on the rich traditions of Big Ten Hockey and brings new competitive opportunities to the Conference with the Arizona State University scheduling agreement," said Commissioner Kevin Warren. "As our teams return to competition, we will continue to keep the health and safety of our student-athletes at the forefront of our decisions."
Big Ten hockey teams will follow the same medical protocols that were developed by the Big Ten Return to Competition Task Force and announced on Sept. 16, 2020, including daily antigen testing, enhanced cardiac screening and an enhanced data-driven approach when making decisions about practice/competition. Arizona State has agreed to adhere to the same testing protocols as the Big Ten Conference.
"We are obviously thrilled to partner with the Big Ten on this scheduling arrangement coming out of such a difficult and challenging last six months," said Sun Devil Hockey head coach Greg Powers. "We are looking forward to the challenge presented in front of us and making all Sun Devils proud. We can't thank the Big Ten's coaches and administrators enough for including us as an independent so our student-athletes can share a meaningful season with theirs."
The full 2020-21 Big Ten hockey schedule, including times and television designations will be announced at a later date.