Fifteen home games and five contests against 2010 Frozen Four teams highlight the 2010-11 Canisius College hockey schedule, released by head coach Dave Smith on Thursday.

"I am very excited about our schedule," Smith said. "Playing five games against Frozen Four teams as well as other top NCAA teams will challenge our players and program every game and prepare us for the Atlantic Hockey playoffs. Our league champion has represented Atlantic Hockey very well in the national tournament every year and it is our goal to get back to Rochester and beyond this season."

After opening the 2010-11 campaign against York University in an exhibition game, Canisius begins the regular season on Oct. 8 and 9 at Western Michigan of the CCHA.

The Griffs remain on the road for their first three Atlantic Hockey games of the season, playing at Mercyhurst and Sacred Heart. Canisius' home opener is scheduled for Oct. 29, hosting Army for two games.

Following the Army series, Canisius renews its rivalry with Niagara on November 2 at the Buffalo State Sports Arena. The Purple Eagles, who are joining Atlantic Hockey along with Robert Morris, will also play at Canisius on Feb. 17 and the two schools will meet in Lewiston on Feb. 19.

The Griffs take a break from league play in late December and early January for five non-conference games. Canisius plays at Notre Dame on Dec. 29 and then travels to face 2010 national runner-up Wisconsin on Jan. 7 and 8. Canisius then hosts Quinnipiac on Jan. 16 and Jan. 17 to wrap up non-conference play.

In total, Canisius will play 27 Atlantic Hockey games. The Griffs play each team from the western division - Air Force, Mercyhurst, Niagara, RIT and Robert Morris - three times. RIT became the first Atlantic Hockey team to advance to the Frozen Four last season, while Canisius' meetings with Mercyhurst will represent a rematch from the teams' Atlantic Hockey quarterfinal series, which the Griffs swept, 2-0.

The Griffs will play each team from the eastern division twice. In addition to Army, Canisius hosts AIC and Holy Cross in a two-game series, while traveling to face Bentley, Connecticut and Sacred Heart.

The Atlantic Hockey Tournament begins on March 5 with the quarterfinal series being held from March 11 to 13. The four remaining teams will meet in Rochester, N.Y. on March 18 and 19 to determine the league's champion.

Canisius returns 18 letterwinners from the 2009-10 team that advanced to the Atlantic Hockey Semifinals for the first time since 2004.