After a long summer off, Illinois returns to the ice this weekend. The Illini ended their 2024-25 campaign with an unceremonious 8-1 first-round playoff loss to the Jamestown Jimmies, despite ending the year a solid 18-12-3 (39 points) overall.
There is a lot of optimism surrounding this year’s group, especially after how they closed out last year. The Illini went 8-3 to finish last season, tightening up after a mixed start. They return a talented group, including their top six point scorers and both of their top goaltenders.
“I think we’re just going to be all-around more consistent,” said sophomore forward David Ras. “We’re gonna play strong, we’re gonna play tough — we have a lot of depth here. The same core six is still there. We’re just going to be a hard team to play against, blue collar.”
Familiar faces on offense, in net
The offense will be the strength of this year’s team. Senior forward Alexander Matveev and sophomore forward Carson Mitchell headline the group. The duo were the only Illini to eclipse 30 points last season, with Mitchell leading the team in goals (17). The Etingen brothers — Gregory and David — also return. Gregory paced the Illini in points per game (1.18) a season ago.
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Ras fueled Illinois’ second-half surge, scoring 9 of his 16 goals in the 2025 leg of last season. Junior forward Anthony Varrassi is also back in Champaign after a strong 19-point, 13-goal campaign. However, Illinois will miss the physical presence of Roman Chaian, who finished eighth on the team in points.
Another key to the Illini’s potential is in net. Senior goaltender Nolan Woodring returns for his fourth year after posting career bests in goals against average (2.68) and save percentage (.916) last season.
Defensive questions
The defense looms as the big question this year. Senior Nick Andersen, junior Emmitt Joy and sophomore Reilly Burke are the only returning defenders, each having played fewer than 20 games last season. Sophomore defenseman Thatcher Beauchamp also returns, but in a new role after playing forward last year. All will need to take on bigger roles this season.
The Illini will miss the presence of veterans Nathan Dash and Atticus Helfer, who were longtime stalwarts at the University Ice Arena.
With a few open spots on the blue line, Illinois will look to new contributors such as the Rupich brothers — Nicholas and Zachary — as well as graduate student Samuel Knowles and freshmen Zack Huebsch and Adrian Wisniewski. The Illini will also add a familiar face in freshman Kyle Alpe, whose brother Luke, a four-year Illini defenseman, recently graduated.
New year, same mindset
Head coach John Opilka said that with a significant amount of returning offensive talent, the team is going to adopt an aggressive play style.
“We’re gonna play hard, we’re gonna play physical, we’re gonna do everything we can to come out on top,” Opilka said. “That’s how we play and how we carry ourselves, hopefully a fast, hard, physical team.”
Illinois kicks off its season at the University Ice Arena against Michigan State Friday night at 7 p.m.
