GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) announced today its 96-game conference schedule for the 2016-17 season, including North Dakota's 24-game NCHC slate.

All eight member teams will play a 24-game conference schedule leading up to the annual NCHC Frozen Faceoff March 17-18 at Target Center in Minneapolis.

North Dakota begin defense of its Penrose Cup championship Oct. 28-29 at Minnesota Duluth, one of six conference road trips UND will make in 2016-17. The Fighting Hawks will also travel to St. Cloud State (Nov. 18-19), Omaha (Jan. 6-7), Colorado College (Jan. 27-28), Western Michigan (Feb. 17-18), and Miami (March 3-4).

UND's conference schedule also features six home series, including Denver (Nov. 11-12), Western Michigan (Dec. 9-10), Miami (Jan. 13-14), Minnesota Duluth (Jan. 20-21), St. Cloud State (Feb. 3-4), and Omaha (Feb. 24-25).

UND will announce its entire 2016-17 schedule, including non-conference and exhibition games, at a later date.

UND's 2016-17 NCHC Schedule: Oct. 28-29 at Minnesota Duluth Nov. 11-12 Denver Nov. 18-19 at St. Cloud State Dec. 9-10 Western Michigan Jan. 6-7 at Omaha Jan. 13-14 Miami Jan. 20-21 Minnesota Duluth Jan. 27-28 at Colorado College Feb. 3-4 St. Cloud State Feb. 17-18 at Western Michigan Feb. 24-25 Omaha March 3-4 at Miami March 10-12 NCHC Quarterfinals (Best-of-3) March 17-18 NCHC Frozen Faceoff (Target Center, Minneapolis)

Home games in bold