Escanaba hockey team poses for a photo on Nov. 14, 2025 at Hannahville Ice and Turf Complex. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

ESCANABA — The Escanaba Eskymos enter the 2025-26 season looking to build on a 16-11 season last year and a 4-0 loss to Sault Ste. Marie in the regional final.

The Eskymos won four of their first five games last season including the first win over Marquette in eight years.

“We are going to be a fast team this season,” Eskymos coach Andy Johnson said. “We have speed and we have a really deep team and this group of seniors are a group everyone has had their eye on since they came in as freshman.”

The Eskymos will be anchored by a group of eight seniors . Captains Nolan Nink and Graham Johnson, Assistant Captains Owen Labonte and Keegan Braun, as well as senior goalie Culley Hayes and forwards Hunter Allen. Ben Sands and Carson Hughes.

“This group is solid across the board,” Eskymos coach Andy Johnson said.

This senior group did a great job of getting pucks deep in the zone last season and capitalizing on mistakes made by other teams Bink and LaBonte bring a toughness on the defensive side of the puck that many teams struggle controlling and their Forwards Johnson, Braun Sands, Hughes and Allen are a threat to score every time they cross the blue line.

“We are all excited to get the season going,” Eskymo senior Graham Johnson said. “We have been together since we came in as freshmen and I can’t wait to get out on the ice with these guys.”

The 2025-26 season is full of big matchups including a Dec 13 showdown with the Houghton Gremlins.

“We wanted Houghton last year,” Eskymos senior Nolan Bink said. “Anytime you get to play a great team from the UP it’s always a big game on the schedule.”

Other big games on the schedule include an opening weekend Friday and Saturday matchups with Traverse City West and Midland Dow.

“This group has never been more ready to get out on the ice and go,” Eskymo senior Ben Sands said. We have speed and athleticism that will be a problem for a lot of teams. We just want to continue to build of the things we did well last season if we do that I think we have a good chance.”

Culley Hayes is the anchor in front of the net and has proven time and again he is one of the best goaltenders in the Upper Peninsula.

The Eskymos also have a trio of juniors including Brody Levesque, Parker Menard and Morgun Lynch of Gladstone.

The Eskymos also have five sophomores, Griffin Johnson, Nick Martinson, Gunnar LaMarche, Mason Couch and Jacob Freel from Gladstone.

The Eskymos also have a pair of freshmen including Chase Korpi and Henry Sholten of Gladstone.

Escanaba Eskymos 2025-26 Schedule

Nov. 18 vs Kingsford 7pm

Nov. 21 vs TC West 6pm

Nov. 22 vs Midland Dow 3pm

Nov. 25 at Jeffers 5pm

Nov. 28 at TC Central 4:30pm

Nov. 29 at Gabriel Richard 12:30pm

Dec. 5 vs Calumet 5pm

Dec. 9 vs Hancock 6pm

Dec. 12 vs Negaunee 7pm

Dec. 13 vs Houghton 6pm

Dec. 18 vs Marquette 7pm

Dec. 20 vs Saginaw Heritage 2pm

Dec. 26 at Toledo St. John 4:30pm

Dec. 27 at Alpena 4:30pm

Jan. 3 vs Sault Ste. Marie 3pm

Jan. 9 at TC Showcase

Jan. 10 at TC Showcase

Jan. 13 at Kingsford 6:30pm

Jan. 22 vs Grandville 6pm

Jan. 24 at Marquette 2pm

Jan. 27 at Negaunee 6:30pm

Jan. 30 at Trenton Showcase

Jan. 31 at Trenton Showcase

Feb. 3 vs Manistique 7pm

Feb. 5 vs Jeffers 6:30pm

Feb. 6 vs DePere 7pm

Feb. 13 at Calumet 6pm