 RALEIGH, N.C. - The N.C. State Icepack opened the season with a 4-2 win over the Virginia Tech Hokies, the team’s first win under new Head Coach Nagib Ward. To mark the 25th Anniversary of the September 11th tragedy, players learned about the Man in the Red Bandana, and heard from retired Army Special Forces Colonel Mark Ray on the importance of unity, resilience and determination. Icepack Class of 2000 Alum and Raleigh Police Selective Enforcement Officer Mike Mollere was welcomed back to the ice for a ceremonial faceoff to further honor the continued work of first responders in the community. Gian Khani found the back of the net 22 seconds into the first period, assisted by Jack Ammons and Daniel Prazma. Virginia Tech tied it up just 28 seconds later for an eventful first minute of play. Rookie Noah Fitzsimons scored in his Icepack debut late in the first, assisted by Prazma to gain an early lead. The first period saw two penalties per team during a competitive pace. Ammons pocketed his first goal of the season midway through the second period, assisted by Jack Ray. The Hokies would score to make it a 3-2 game shortly after. From there, Virginia Tech seemed to take full control over the flow of the period. N.C. State Goaltender Pieter Bartelse remained sharp to alleviate the pressure from the Hokies. At 8:05 remaining, Ammons cemented the lead with a backhand goal assisted by Prazma. Aside from a scuffle at 15:34 that would see 6 players in total thrown out of the game with misconducts, the Icepack controlled the third period pace well. The intensive practices that led up to Friday evening paid off in a successful 4-2 home opener at Lane Arena, with a near-sellout to match. “A lot of credit to my linemates, Gian Khani and Daniel Prazma,” Ammons said. “[Prazma]’s awesome. He’s one of the best players here: he shows up and makes plays like that so it’s very easy to play next to him.” The Icepack head to Lake Placid next week to compete in the 2026 ACHA Fall Faceoff Invitational, facing off against University of Utah, Davenport University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
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 RALEIGH, N.C. – 204 days since their last home game at Wake Competition Center, the 2026-2027 N.C. State Icepack will take the ice for the season opener against the visiting Virginia Tech Hokies this Friday night. The puck will drop at 8:45pm inside the newly renamed Lane Arena (formerly Invisalign Arena). The Icepack will play one game at home before journeying up to Lake Placid to compete in the 2026 ACHA Fall Faceoff Invitational. Anticipation is palpable for the dawn of a new era under Nagib Ward, who was named the program’s new Head Coach this offseason following the departure of Tim Healy. “Obviously things kind of change when you get a new coach,” explained Senior Goaltender Pieter Bartelse. “The practices are definitely higher intensity, all the guys are smiling the entire time we’re at the rink, having fun with it, competing and working hard... the overall vibe is just really high right now.” The team is adapting well to the new systems implemented by Ward. Friday sees a tough Division II opponent in Virginia Tech, and will test the change of pace. The Hokies, who went 16-10-2 in the 2025-2026 season, will look to play spoiler against the Icepack in Friday’s home opener. Bartelse looks forward to the challenge: “Anytime someone comes and plays here they’re looking to get the edge on us and prove themselves, but we’re going to do what we always do: put our heads down and go to work.” A practical response in light of a mentally and physically demanding ramp-up toward puck drop. Season packages and single game tickets are still available to welcome the Icepack back for the 2026-2027 season! For single game tickets, click here . 2026-2027 ICEPACK SEASON TICKETS
$135.00
Cost: $135
Cheer on the Icepack after their historic first season in ACHA Division 1. This season ticket is valid for all 14 games at the Invisalign Arena at Wake Competition Center. It includes the Governor's Cup and our match-up at Truist Field. Plus, the Stephen Russell Tournament is back with 12 teams, and you will gain entry to all 18 games! In total, that is 34 college hockey games for one low price. As a Season Ticket Member, you're in for a treat. You'll receive a special wristband as your ticket, a 2026-2027 game ticket, and a T-shirt. And when single-game tickets go on sale, you'll also receive a code for an additional 14 complimentary tickets for games at Invisalign Arena. It's our way of showing appreciation for your support. You will also receive a 20% discount code for purchases made through the website, which can include our 50th-anniversary jersey when it launches. Season tickets are non-refundable. You will be refunded a prorated amount if fewer than 13 home games are played. If the Governor's Cup cannot be played at The Lenovo Center, you will receive a $10 refund (the Cheapest Governor's Cup ticket at the door is $20). The NC State Ice Hockey Team may need to reschedule games, but any changes will be promptly communicated on our website. Tickets are priced at $8.00. Friday night games start at 8:30 pm. Saturday night start times vary and can be as late as 9:15 pm. Standard walk-up rates are $13. The Governor's Cup is included with the season ticket at no additional cost. For student season tickets, click here. And don't worry about picking up your t-shirt; it will be available at all home games. *Note that all orders past 8/26/26 will only be available for in-game pick-up. NCSU Student Season Ticket
$67.00
Every Icepack home game with a 50% savings for NCSU students! Comes with a Season Ticket Member wristband and access to any STM events or sales. Must order with an NCSU email. The student season ticket package is for game day pick-up only and only for the game at Invisalign Arena.  *** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *** RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Icepack Hockey Team at NC State University announced today the dates and opponents for the 2026-2027 season. Familiar faces like the Virginia Tech Hokies and Liberty Flames will visit the Invisalign Arena again this year. The Icepack will also travel out to Lake Placid for the Inaugural ACHA Hockey Fall Invitational as well as to Bend, Oregon for an Outdoor series against the Ducks. Favorites, like the annual Governor's Cup rivalry matchup against Tarheel Hockey, and the Stephen Russell Memorial Tournament will also be making a return this season. Additional information about Governor's Cup and other specialty matchups will be released at a later date. Season tickets and 50th Anniversary Jersey pre-orders are still available, with select single game tickets releasing next week. 2026-2027 ICEPACK SEASON TICKETS
$135.00
Cost: $135
Cheer on the Icepack after their historic first season in ACHA Division 1. This season ticket is valid for all 14 games at the Invisalign Arena at Wake Competition Center. It includes the Governor's Cup and our match-up at Truist Field. Plus, the Stephen Russell Tournament is back with 12 teams, and you will gain entry to all 18 games! In total, that is 34 college hockey games for one low price. As a Season Ticket Member, you're in for a treat. You'll receive a special wristband as your ticket, a 2026-2027 game ticket, and a T-shirt. And when single-game tickets go on sale, you'll also receive a code for an additional 14 complimentary tickets for games at Invisalign Arena. It's our way of showing appreciation for your support. You will also receive a 20% discount code for purchases made through the website, which can include our 50th-anniversary jersey when it launches. Season tickets are non-refundable. You will be refunded a prorated amount if fewer than 13 home games are played. If the Governor's Cup cannot be played at The Lenovo Center, you will receive a $10 refund (the Cheapest Governor's Cup ticket at the door is $20). The NC State Ice Hockey Team may need to reschedule games, but any changes will be promptly communicated on our website. Tickets are priced at $8.00. Friday night games start at 8:30 pm. Saturday night start times vary and can be as late as 9:15 pm. Standard walk-up rates are $13. The Governor's Cup is included with the season ticket at no additional cost. For student season tickets, click here. And don't worry about picking up your t-shirt; it will be available at all home games. *Note that all orders past 8/26/26 will only be available for in-game pick-up. NCSU Student Season Ticket
$67.00
Every Icepack home game with a 50% savings for NCSU students! Comes with a Season Ticket Member wristband and access to any STM events or sales. Must order with an NCSU email. The student season ticket package is for game day pick-up only and only for the game at Invisalign Arena. 50th Anniversary Jersey
$0.00
Pre-order our 50th anniversary jersey. While this design is not yet finished, placing a pre-order ensures your jersey will arrive in time for its debut game in the fall. The final design will not be shown publicly until the lead-up to the game. Those ordering the jersey will see the full design, with a refund option available if it does not suit their taste. The jersey will mimic our original jersey, with the front logo still to be determined as we work with university trademarks. Cost: $100-$150 (Includes domestic shipping)
Tryout Registration 2026-2027
$300.00
Tryouts for the 2026-2027 Icepack Hockey Club Team will take place across four days this August at Wake Competition Center in Morrisville, NC. The final roster will have approximately 27 players (~15 forwards, ~9 defensemen, ~3 goalies), though final counts may vary depending on talent trying out.
Full tryout schedule and liability waiver found below. |
