A COVID-19 issue at the University of Alaska has delayed the start of the Gophers men's hockey season by one week.

Alaska announced Friday that its series against the Gophers, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at 3M Arena at Mariucci, "has been postponed following COVID protocols."

The Gophers said the series has "has been rescheduled as mutually agreed upon by both teams due to health and safety concerns in the Alaska program."

Minnesota, ranked No. 4 in the USCHO.com preseason poll, is now scheduled to open Oct. 8-9 against Mercyhurst at home instead.

The series with Alaska has been rescheduled for Jan. 14-15. Those with a ticket to this Saturday's game can use it for the Jan. 14 game, and those with a Sunday ticket can use it Jan. 15.

The Nanooks canceled their entire 2020-21 men's hockey season because of COVID, along with their men's and women's basketball seasons last school year.