The BYU men's hockey team will represent the University for the first time in 25 years when they take the ice this weekend against Long Beach State and Utah.

"Hockey players have a sense of history and know that it has been 25 years since there has been BYU hockey," said Head Coach Ed Gantt. "We have had a month to work and gel together; the guys are ready to play and are chomping at the bit."

Over the past two and half decades, BYU hockey has been called anything but BYU. Hockey lovers from around campus have always been able to staff a team, but they have never been able to acquire sponsorship from the University. However, in October of last year, an official letter from Advancement Vice President Fred Skousen made the Provo IceCats BYU Hockey.

"I am most looking forward to being able to go out with a BYU jersey on," said Ryan Newton. "We are finally able to represent the school how we want to."

The Cougars begin their season Friday night against a tough Long Beach State team who comes to Provo with a 3-0-1 record this year. Last year, the 49ers beat the Cougars 6-5 in a tight overtime game in Provo, and then handled BYU pretty easily in Long Beach, when BYU, coaches and staff included, came down with the flu.

"Last year Long Beach went to regionals, and so for the first game it will really be a litmus test of where we are at," said Jimmy Burkart. "They come to Provo undefeated, so this first game will set the standard on what we will do all year."

The University of Utah will make the journey to "Happy Valley" Saturday to face the Cougars in game two of this weekend. Last year, Utah went through the growing pains of a first year program and fell to the Cougars 12-2, 14-1, 10-2 and 6-3. The Cougars will look to continue their winning streak while Utah will look for its first win in two years against BYU.

Copyright Brigham Young University 12 Oct 2007