DUDLEY, Mass. (10/28/2026) - The Nichols College men's ice hockey team returns to Levy Rink for the 2026-27 season, looking to reach the Conference of New England (CNE) playoffs for the fourth consecutive year under head coach Alex Gacek. The Bison return 24 players from last year's squad, including key contributors at forward and defense, while welcoming nine newcomers.
Nichols finished the 2025-26 campaign with an 11-15-1 overall record and a 7-12-1 mark in CNE play. The Bison earned a spot in the CNE semifinals after defeating fourth-seeded Curry College, 4-1, in the quarterfinals. Gacek will be joined by returning assistant coaches Liam Barnicle and Dylan Knox as Nichols looks to build on last season's postseason appearance and make another run at the conference championship.
On expectations for the upcoming season, head coach Gacek shares, "We're really excited to get the regular season underway. We have a great mix of experienced upperclassmen who can provide leadership and an exciting group of young players who bring energy and talent. We have depth at every position, which gives us a lot of flexibility and confidence heading into the season. Ultimately, the strength of this group is the group itself. These guys genuinely enjoy being around one another, and the way they compete for each other is something we'll lean on throughout the season."
Behind the bench, assistant coaches Liam Barnicle and Dylan Knox will again each play key roles in preparing the Bison for the upcoming season. Barnicle will oversee the team's defense and penalty kill while assisting with recruiting and video analysis. Knox will work closely with the goaltenders and forwards, with an emphasis on face-offs, while also contributing to recruiting efforts.
The Bison will be led by senior forward Zach Vandale, who returns to anchor the team's leadership group. Assistant captains Dylan Ray and Luca Ricci will provide experience on the blue line, with Ricci coming off an All-CNE First Team selection. Ricci recorded 19 points on three goals and 16 assists in 27 games last season, finishing among Nichols' top offensive contributors while posting a plus-five rating. His ability to contribute offensively from the defensive position will be an important asset for the Bison this season.
Nichols also returns forward CJ Zezima, who recorded 20 points on nine goals and 11 assists in 27 games during the 2025-26 campaign, earning an All-CNE Third Team nod. Zezima finished with four power-play goals and 86 shots, providing a consistent offensive presence throughout the season. His production will be key as the Bison look to generate scoring opportunities and improve upon last year's average of 2.4 goals per game.
Sophomore forward Justin Massa is another player to watch after an impressive freshman season. Massa tallied 13 points on seven goals and six assists across 27 appearances, including two power-play goals. Now an assistant captain for men's ice hockey, he recorded a season-high three goals and three points against Western New England University on February 7, 2026, showcasing his scoring ability. With another year of collegiate experience under his belt, Massa will look to build on that performance and play a larger role in the Bison's offense.
Between the pipes, Nichols returns sophomore Ryan Henry and senior Nick Anderson while adding freshmen Cooper Flemming and Xaus Landry. Henry led the way for the Bison last season, appearing in 17 games and compiling an 8-7-1 record with a .929 save percentage and a 2.39 goals-against average. He recorded a season-high 45 saves against Connecticut College in the championship game of the Boston Landing Collegiate Invitational, helping Nichols secure the victory and earning tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Henry's return gives the Bison an experienced option in goal as they prepare for another competitive CNE schedule.
Nichols opens the 2026-27 season on Friday, October 30th, when it faces Worcester State University in the first round of the WooCup.
