Hockey Opens Season vs. No. 15 Merrimack

By: Zach Wargo, Sun Devil Athletics Media Relations Intern

TEMPE – Returning to Mullett Arena for the first regular season series of the 2023-24 season, Sun Devil Hockey (0-0-0) welcomes the No. 15 Merrimack Warriors (0-0-0) on Oct. 13-14. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. MST on Saturday. Fans not in attendance can watch the free ASU Live Stream or listen on Fox Sports 910, the home of Sun Devil Hockey. 

The matchup between both squads is the first since the inaugural season for the Sun Devils in 2015-16. The Sun Devils look to collect their first win over the Warriors after dropping the single game between the two programs nine years ago.  

In an exhibition against Arizona (ACHA) last weekend, the Sun Devils exploded with 16 goals as they cruised to a shutout of the Wildcats. Nearly all 29 skaters on the hockey roster spent time on ice - 14 skaters combined for ASU's 16 total goals while all three rostered goaltenders: TJ Semptimphelter, Gibson Homer, and Hank Levy, competed in the rivalry matchup. 

The Warriors are coming off a 23-14-1 season that was capped off by an NCAA Tournament postseason appearance, where they lost in the first round, 5-0, against eventual national champion Quinnipiac. Merrimack fell, 3-2, in the Hockey East Conference championship game against Boston University in overtime. Last weekend, they faced off in an exhibition against Sacred Heart, securing a 3-2 overtime victory and were picked to finish third in the Hockey East conference in September.

A Victory Would…

• Be the first season opening victory (home and road combined) for the Sun Devils since Oct. 2, 2021 against UMASS Lowell in a 5-3 victory.
• Move the Sun Devils to 6-2 in home openers since 2015, and 2-0 inside Mullett Arena. Last year, ASU shutout Colgate, 2-0, in Mullett Arena's first-ever game.

FRESH FACES
With nine new freshmen on the roster for the 2023-2024 season, ASU bolstered several open spots with young talent. Joining the Sun Devils is Hank Levy (G), Anthony Dowd (D), Matthew Romer (F), David Hymovitch (F), Josh Niedermayer (D), Kyle Smolen (F), Cole Gordon (F), Cole Helm (F), and Tony Achille (F). 

BETWEEN THE PIPES
TJ Semptimphelter resumes his reign between this pipes in 2023-24. The junior from New Jersey finished sixth in the NCAA in saves with 1024 through 36 games played. That save mark landed Semptimphelter third in all-time single season saves behind only Joey Daccord's 1030 in 2018-19 and 1084 in 2017-18. Last season, Semptimphelter recorded five shutouts to tie for fifth in the NCAA. Joey Daccord holds the ASU career record for shutouts with eight. 

MULLETT MANIA
In the inaugural season at Mullett Arena last year, the Sun Devils hosted 24 home games and played 15 games on the road. In the final season of competing as an independent, Sun Devil Hockey will host 15 different teams, play a record 26 home games before joining NCHC competition in the 2024-25 season, including the Desert Hockey Classic involving UMass-Lowell, Harvard and Omaha.

THE UNDISPUTED CAPTAIN
Unknown to many Sun Devil fans could be the ninth captain in Sun Devil Hockey history: Tyler Gratton. The graduate transfer joins the ASU roster for his fifth and final year of college eligibility and was unanimously named captain, as voted on by players and staff in September. In previous seasons, the captains group was appointed by head coach Greg Powers and his assistant coaches. This time around, Powers put the power in the players hands, giving the team a vote on the leadership group. Gratton was unanimously voted as captain for the 2023-24 season. He is accompanied by alternate captains (also voted on by the players and staff): Matthew Kopperud, Lukas Sillinger, Ryan O'Reilly, and Ethan Szmagaj.

KRAZY FOR KOPPERUD
The long-awaited return of Matthew Kopperud is finally upon Sun Devil Hockey. The senior battled season-ending injuries last year, but is healthy for the start of the 2023-24 season. The Denver native is ranked fifth in active career goals amongst all current skaters in the NCAA with 41. The leader of the NCAA has 46. Kopperud leads all current NCAA skaters in power play goals with 24. He is just two shy of breaking ASU alum Johnny Walker's record of 25 career power play goals. The fourth-year Sun Devil dons the 'A' this season - it is the first time in his entire hockey career that Kopperud has been a member of a captains group. 

MEET YOUNGER
Head coach Greg Powers filled the gap left by Robert Mastrosimone and Josh Doan with elite firepower in San Jose draft pick Alex Young. The Colgate transfer ranks eighth among all active career leaders entering 2023-24 in points with 83. His 37 goals land him at No. 8 in goals among NCAA active career leaders. Last year, Young tallied 39 points (21G, 18A) in 40 games, including three game-winning goals and nine power play goals.