NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Niagara University hockey head coach Dave Burkholder announced the 2015-16 schedule on Wednesday.

"Tim (Madsen), Pat (Oliveto) and I are very excited about this upcoming schedule," said Burkholder, who will be entering his 15th season as head coach. "We are thrilled to announce a difficult and challenging schedule which includes a home-and-home series with the storied Cornell University hockey program, another trip to the University of Michigan to face-off against the Wolverines, and welcoming a Big Ten program in Penn State to Dwyer Arena." 

After an exhibition against Wilfred Laurier University on Oct. 3 at Dwyer Arena, the Purple Eagles officially start their season on the road at two ECAC opponents in St. Lawrence (Oct. 9) and Clarkson (Oct. 10).  

NU begins its home and conference slate with a two-game series against Robert Morris on Oct. 23-24. Niagara will then have a home-and-home series with the Cornell Big Red beginning at home on Oct. 30 before concluding in Ithaca, New York on Oct. 31.

On Nov. 6, the Purple Eagles will welcome Penn State to Dwyer Arena for the first-ever meeting between the programs. NU heads back on the road where it will play traditional power Michigan on Nov. 13. The Purple Eagles will then play an exhibition on Nov. 14 against the USA National Development Team, comprised of the top prospects for the upcoming year's draft, in Plymouth, Mich. at the Compuware Arena at 7 p.m.

Niagara steps back into conference action for the rest of the season beginning with three consecutive alternating home and road series. The Purple Eagles host AIC on Nov. 20-21, followed by a two-game road trip against Holy Cross (Nov. 27-28), and a home series versus Bentley (Dec. 4-5).  

Niagara will face rival RIT in a home-and-home series starting in Rochester, N.Y. on Dec. 11 before hosting RIT on Dec. 12. NU opens 2016 with a road trip against Sacred Heart from Jan. 2-3 and will then have a home-and-home series versus Mercyhurst in Erie, Pa. on Jan. 8 and at home on Jan. 9.

The Purple Eagles will then have four straight away games beginning against archrivals Canisius on Jan. 14 and 16, followed by a trip to Air Force on Jan. 22-23. Niagara returns home to host Army on Jan. 29-30 before playing at AIC on Feb. 5-6.

Niagara will then have home-and-home series over the next two weekends. The Purple Eagles will face Mercyhurst starting at Dwyer (Feb. 12) and ending in Erie (Feb. 13), and will play RIT at home on Feb. 19 and in Rochester on Feb. 20.

The Purple Eagles conclude the regular season by hosting Air Force on Feb. 26-27.

"As always we try to test Niagara Hockey the best way we can, and our 28-game AHA league schedule and non-conference games give us every opportunity to get back to Blue Cross Arena (Atlantic Hockey Championships) and the NCAA Tournament," Burkholder stated.

Niagara returns 20 letter winners including AHA All-Rookie Team selection defenseman Keegan Harper (5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points), junior forward TJ Sarcona (led team with 13 assists) and two-year starting goalie Jackson Teichroeb.  

For more ticket information, please contact the Niagara Ticket Office at (716) 286-TIXX (8499), tickets@purpleeagles.com or visit www.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets. 

Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and for hockey updates @NiagaraUHockey. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.