brianvf

Schloss article on the four CHL guys on the team and their thoughts on going to the F4 and their season: https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/unds-chl-alums-revel-in-opportunity-to-play-in-ncaa-frozen-four

It's gonna be difficult for some UMN fans if he starts getting a few Canadians on their roster.

I would love to see the CHL studs reject any UMN offers after decades and decades of UMN anti-Canadian arrogance.

Like your optimism.

Combine the rosters of two sub .500 teams and see how they do. Burnevik can fire the puck, he'll score wherever he goes. Henricks would be a great pickup. Defense will still be an issue at UMN even with the potential Henricks addition unless they revamp everyone else. Probably one of the worst d-corps at UMN in years and their record reflected it.

Would be weird if they pushed out Grimes even if they grab a couple out of the portal. He had a really solid USHL season in SF. UMN could have gotten rid of 3/4 of their current d-corps and been better off with Grimes + some portal additions.

Yeah something is afoot in "hockey valley". Even with a couple of the pro signees, they were still only a few solid additions from portal/CHL from being good again next season. All the unexpected departures signals something else.

For sure. This stuff only happens with UND fans. No other fanbase would ever do anything similar or nearly as bad.

He'd be a nice pickup for someone.

I had never heard that story about the 1959 UND champ team that had a converted forward playing goalie. Pretty crazy. https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/who-are-the-most-unlikely-goalies-to-lead-und-to-an-ncaa-national-title

That would be my guess as well. With how much has been said about how much pain he's going thru and trying to manage during the week just so he can play on the weekends...that's just not sustainable longterm, and probably not for another season.

Nice article on Zmolek: https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/college/from-dark-times-to-the-frozen-four-bennett-zmoleks-college-hockey-journey-winds-up-in-vegas

That was the confusing thing with McKenna going to PSU (other than the $$). Sure, he had to adapt at playing against older, more physical players...but he could have done that by going to LSSU. His goal should have been to become a better, more complete player. And judging by that video of him just standing there as Notre Dame scored an OT GWG...I'm not sure he improved much on that area during his time at PSU.

Practice times in Vegas. https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/2026-frozen-four-practice-times-set-in-las-vegas

Congrats to Dane! Been a fun year watching this group of players that he's put together. Can't wait to see how they do next week in Vegas!

Schloss article on Kernan: https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/in-one-year-jack-kernan-goes-from-uncommitted-to-key-contributor-in-unds-frozen-four-run

Yeah I'd rather a NCHC final. But I'll take the stick-it-to-Perron finale as well if needed.

Ollie getting closer: https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/und-monitoring-ollie-josephsons-progress-ahead-of-frozen-four

Brad's GFHerald portal tracker is now up again too: https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/2026-mens-college-hockey-transfer-portal-tracker

If we get one of those plus the Ruck boys, I'm beyond excited.

DU would make sense with them losing Pohlkamp plus maybe Buckberger this offseason. That said, it sure would be nice to have a DuPont type guy to fly into the offensive zone on the PP similar to what Liv can do now. Verhoeff is a fine skater, but not sure he fits into that mold (yet at least). Strath has potential to make a jump on a PP unit too. Put DuPont up top on the PP and Verhoeff on the half-wall to blast his one-timer. Would be really fun to watch for a season. MacKenzie could be on PP2 on the half-wall too, as he's shown to have a blast of a one-timer as well.

Yeah I know he'll get pressure to sign, I'm hoping he can tell them one more year and they'll be assured he'll sign after his JR. We'll see how next season goes.