The ISU hockey team is looking forward to a new season after missing the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament last season for the first time in its history. Members also are looking forward to the return of senior defenseman and assistant captain Brody Toigo.

Toigo took a medical redshirt last year with two herniated disks in his back. Pending a full release from doctors Tuesday, Toigo will start practice this week. Although he won’t be back in the lineup right away, Toigo plans on making an impact and getting the team back to nationals. Toigo is glad to be back on the ice.

“This is the first time I’ve been on the ice able to skate since nationals two years ago,” Toigo said. “Being able to come out here and do this, it feels unreal.”

Senior captain Brian Rooney said Toigo was the same kind of teammate when he was hurt as he was when he was healthy and on the ice.

“He’s a great locker room guy,” Rooney said. “He knows what it takes to be at the top because he’s been at the top, and he’s a great teammate whether he’s in the lineup or not.”

Rooney said it’s huge to have him healthy and back on the ice and in the lineup.

“He’s got one of the best shots in the ACHA,” Rooney said. “His presence in terms of our team seeing him out there, being vocal in the locker room and leading by example is more valuable then just his performance on the ice.”

Coach Al Murdoch said that, following the release, they will begin to slowly ease Toigo back into his normal role at practice.

“Sept. 20, I would like to see him on the ice moving pylons around and move pucks for the coaches,” Murdoch said jokingly. “All the players will be doing an hour and a half of hard skating and hard drills. I would visualize that in the first week we would be excited for him to have 20 to 30 minutes.”

Murdoch said he hopes that Toigo can be back in the third or fourth week of the season.

“If it’s longer that’s fine, but if it’s less, that’s fine [too],” Murdoch said.

With two exhibition games out of the way, the Cyclones start their season Friday and Saturday at home against St. Cloud State. Toigo will not be in the lineup.