Just as he did during 2020-2021 campaign, Senior Parker Szarek scored first at WCC midway through the first period in what became an four goal eruption to close the period.  Senior Colby Pederson would add his first of three on the night as Junior Matt Miller would open his account for the season with Pederson netting his second before the period closed.  The second period would see more of the same as Junior Chris Solomon would add a PP goal, as would Senior Alex Robinson.   Freshmen Emery Oliver would close out the second period with his first career goal.  The third period saw more of the same as Pederson would close out his hattrick while Robinson and Szarek add their second goals of the night.

​The opening of the season also featured Wolfpack basketball legend Dereck Whittenburg dropping opening faceoff as a portion of all Icepack 50/50 proceeds will go to the DW Foundation for Education.  

The Icepack open the 2021-2022 campaign with a home and away set against UNC-Chapel Hill Friday at Wake Competition Center and Saturday against Liberty's D1 team at LaHaye Center in Lynchburg, VA.  The Icepack and Tar Heels regularly draw the largest crowds in the Carolinas for hockey and Friday should be no different as the Icepack welcome the public to their new home for the first time.  Over the last three seasons a fierce rivalry has been cemented with Liberty's D2 team, the Icepack look to extend the rivalry against their D1 team for the second time.  

For the 2021-2022 season 10% of all 50/50 proceeds will go directly to the DW Foundation.  The DW foundation is run and founded by NC State basketball legend Dereck Whittenburg and lifetime educator Jacqueline Whittenburg.  In honor of their the partnership, Dereck Whittenburg will be on hand to drop the ceremonial faceoff for the the 2021-2022 season.

​Nine new players join the Icepack giving the Icepack their deepest roster yet.  With their top eleven forwards returning combined with five newcomers the Icepack can expect scoring form each line.  On the defensive end and in between the pipes, the Icepack welcome three new defensemen and a freshmen goalie.

​Coach Healy on the new Icepack players
Defense and Goalie
Healy on Alex James ’25 (Lakeview, MN)/Charlotte Rush): James is a puck moving defensemen who will fit right in jumping into the rush.  He has a championship pedigree having won an USPHL National title last year, which will further strengthen our team culture.

Healy on Charles Monteith ’25 (Raleigh, NC/Williston Northampton): Charles is a really quick player that can play defense or offense.  He protects the puck and sees the ice well. He will give us an option we have not had before; someone that can impact the game at two positions.

Healy on Logan Todd ’25 (Raleigh, NC/Raptors): Todd is as smart of a player as we have seen come out of tryouts.  He’s making the adjustment to defense fulltime.  He isn’t eligible until second semester which gives him a lot of time to develop into an impact defenseman for us.

Healy on Isaac Tawyer ’25 (Danvers, MA/Danvers High School): Isaac is the future of our program in goal.  On most teams he would be the number one goalie but for now he is a capable backup who will push our two juniors for time in between the pipes.  He is technically sound and moves well.  If either guy went down, he would be able to step right in..

​First team All-American Chris Solomon ’23 (Clayton, NC) will join Super-Senior and returning Captain Eric Todd ’22 (Holly Springs, NC) as the Captains for the 2021-2022 season.  With Solomon taking on the C and the graduation of Cam Mazikowski, Senior Riley Johnson ’22 (Raleigh, NC) and Junior Victor Hugo ’23 (Arlington, VA) will assume the alternate captain roles.  According to Head Coach Tim Healy, each brings something unique to the table. 

The Icepack's 29 game regular season schedule features their toughest non-league slate yet plus a renewal of our great ACCHL rivalries.  The three time defending ACCHL champions open their season at home against UNC-Chapel Hill then take to the road to face ACHA D1 power Liberty University to kick off their challenging non-league schedule.  Other schedule highlights include the addition of a new rivalry trophy series with Liberty 's D2 team, "The Old Wagon Wheel Trophy."  According to Coach Healy this further cements what has become one of the best rivalries in ACHA D2 the past three season; "anyone who has had the privilege to watch these two teams play against each other, can feel the intensity coming from the ice but also the respect these two programs have for each other."  This will be the second in season rivalry trophy for the Icepack as the Governor's Cup will return to PNC Arena against the Tarheels at a date to be determined.  

Learn more about the positions and fill out the application form here: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XqxOqUefXC-uvuMEOD6AqW_ZPHUJAFoy?usp=sharing

In the season finale the Pack travel to Winston-Salem to defend their ACCHL title.  Afterwards the Pack head to their much awaited nationals appearance.  The longest episode yet takes you inside the Pack's toughest and most emotional challenge of the year.