RELEASE | Red Leafs add Providence Friars to Non-Conference Schedule

by Jake Friedrich

BURNABY, BC – The Simon Fraser University Red Leafs Hockey program is pleased to announce the addition of the Providence College Friars to the non-conference schedule.

The Friars, based out of Providence, Rhode Island, are currently the #9 ranked team in the NCAA, moving up 9 spots from the pre-season poll and 4 spots ahead of the first official poll of the season. They currently hold a 9-4-2 overall record, with a 4-2-2 in-conference record: good for 4th in the Hockey East Association standings. The 2023.24 roster consists of 8 NHL draft picks, including Taige Harding (Chicago Blackhawks, 2021 third round pick) and Guillaume Richard (Columbus Blue Jackets, 2021 fourth round pick). The matchup will be the second time the Red Leafs face the Friars in program history (last game: 9-1 Providence; Oct. 3, 2015).

The Friars program was founded in 1927 and was revived in 1952 after a 25 year hiatus. The program has appeared in 15 NCAA tournaments and has made the NCAA Frozen Four 5 times; most recently in 2019. In 2015, the Friars won their first and only NCAA Championship after missing the Frozen Four for 30 years prior, defeating Boston University 4-3 in the championship game. Notable alumni include Brandon Tanev, Fernando Pisani, Hal Gill, Tom Fitzgerald, Chris Therien, and Lou Lamoriello.

SFU and Providence will face-off at 12:00pm PST / 3:00pm EST on January 7th at Schneider Arena on the Providence College campus in Providence, Rhode Island. The game will be the third stop on the Red Leafs’ east coast road trip, after facing Boston University on January 5th and Boston College on January 6th.