"We are excited to be hosting the top-ranked UNB Reds at the Campus Ice Centre this coming weekend," said Ridgebacks head coach Curtis Hodgins. "This is a great opportunity for our program to play against national champions and for every single player to raise their level of play for what will be two fast-paced games."

The Reds are coming off a season where they went 28-2 and finished as the top-ranked team in the nation heading into the 2025 U CUP. Last season, the Ridgebacks travelled to New Brunswick to start the exhibition series while also facing the SMU Huskies.

"We start for real in three short weeks, so this type of competition in pre-season is a great way for us to get to the level of play that is needed in the very tough OUA East division," said Hodgins. "It's also a great chance for local hockey fans in the Durham Region to get out and watch some terrific U SPORTS hockey."