From start to finish, the new Wisconsin men's hockey schedule might be the most difficult ever.

The Badgers open Oct. 10 at Boston College, marking the first time in program history they kick off a season against the defending NCAA champions.

UW closes out the regular season March 6-7 at home against Western Collegiate Hockey Association rival North Dakota, which is looking to become the fourth team in NCAA history to appear in the national semifinals five consecutive years.

In between, the Badgers play the Hockey East Association regular-season champion in New Hampshire, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association regular-season titlist in Michigan and WCHA playoff champion Denver.

UW also faces nine of the 16 teams that qualified for the NCAA tournament.

The only possible UW opponent that didn't rank among the top 25 in schedule strength last season is Badger Showdown tournament entry Alabama-Huntsville, which stood 52nd out of 59 schools.

Of the WCHA teams, North Dakota was No. 1, followed by Michigan Tech No. 2, Minnesota-Duluth No. 3, Colorado College No. 4, Denver No. 5, St. Cloud No. 6, Minnesota No. 8, Alaska-Anchorage No. 9 and Minnesota State-Mankato No. 10.

Of the non-league opponents, New Hampshire was No. 11, Boston College No. 12, Michigan No. 16, Michigan State No. 20, North Michigan No. 21, Lake Superior State No. 22 and Harvard No. 24.

UW coach Mike Eaves said Tuesday that the first-half gauntlet -- 10 of the first 14 are on the road and the first eight are against NCAA tournament entries from last season -- will be good for his club because it will trigger some serious bonding and set the performance bar high right from the get-go.

Unlike recent seasons, the Badgers will not play a league series while shorthanded due to the World Junior Championships.

They also will have a pair of bye weeks spaced out over the second half, which is highlighted by UW playing 10 of the last 16 games at the Kohl Center.

For the complete schedule, click here.