brianvf

Add Cooper Williams to the commits that are on the injured list, joining McKamey and Schultz. UND forward recruits having a tough start to the season. Hopefully they all heal up quickly and can get back out on the ice.

I'm just hoping that ASU takes care of business against them this weekend. A decent showing against PSU would help out the league in the NPI at end of season, as you know PSU will feast on the cupcakes and have a good record the rest of the way.

Nice article from Schloss about Dane: https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/dane-jackson-is-ready-to-call-the-shots-at-und

Scrimmage standouts from Schloss: https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/fans-get-first-look-at-und-during-preseason-scrimmage

USCHO posted their NCHC standings predictions: https://www.uscho.com/2025/09/30/nchc-2025-26-mens-hockey-season-preview-conference-looks-wide-open-with-targets-on-defending-national-champion-western-michigan/ 1. WMU 2. DU 3. UND 4. ASU 5. CC 6. UMD 7. UNO 8. SCSU 9. Miami

Those first three weekends will tell us a lot. St Thomas (picked to win CCHA), Minnesota (biggest rival), and at Clarkson (picked 2nd in ECAC). Need some wins there, as that would be a huge boost to the PWR NPI at the end of the season.

Yep! We posted that at the same time.

If they keep those lines moving forward a bit...that 4th line of Croal-Littler-Zakreski might be really tough for opposing teams to match up against. (assuming line 1 is James, line 2 Kernan, line 3 Menghini, line 4 Croal from above) Heck, that 3rd line is super tough too. And a lot of speed on that line as well. Looking good.

New roles for the coaching staff this year. Simpson taking over the PP from Karl. Smaby taking over the PK from Jax. https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/what-will-unds-power-play-look-like-under-dillon-simpson

Goalies looking any decent? Since they're all unknown at this point.

@nodakgirl93 nice! Updates please of any standouts!

Article on ZPar doing One More Shift: https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/zach-parise-to-skate-one-more-shift-at-und-this-season

The Ralph put out a release for new fan experiences for this season. https://www.theralph.com/news/detail/2025-26-fan-experience-upgrades Included was this tidbit to aid the NIL effort:

New era begins Saturday.

They gave him a call but he had a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

Schloss said that everyone just calls him Gino, so that could be easier.

That was the GWG against DU in the 2016 F4 to bring it to 3-2 UND with under a minute to go. Shot deflected right to Schmaltz for the easy wide-open backhand. Right off the face-off. And, the rest was history.

Good to have the podcast back! Some nice player mentions: Said that Zellers and Rickwood still rocking the bubbles for now. Verhoeff is as-advertised and has a very good one-timer. Swanson really standing out, especially with his scoring (rather than passing). Expecting Menghini and Zellers to make good contributions. James and Josephson to be big PKers, as both tremendous skaters.

Scrimmage and FanFest is tomorrow. Good first look at the squad: https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/und-hockey-to-hold-scrimmage-and-fan-fest-tuesday

Wonder if they'll still be doing the Through These Doors episodes? Those were always pretty cool to follow.

Updated Commit Stats as of Sept 28: Simpson racking up assists instead of goals so far in the USHL. Seems like McKamey expected back around Xmas...haven't heard update on how long ASchultz will be out. Forwards B. Schultz (USHL Waterloo) - '05: 3gp - 1g/1a Pilgrim (USHL Tri-City) - '06: 4gp - 1g/1a A. Schultz (USHL Chicago) - '06: 0gp - 0g/0a -- Injured O'Neill (WHL Edmonton) - '07: 3gp - 1g/1a Sanderson (USHL Muskegon) - '07: 4gp - 2g/0a Simpson (USHL Youngstown) - '07: 4gp - 1g/4a Jundt (WHL Calgary) - '08: 3gp - 1g/0a Williams (WHL Saskatoon) - '08: 4gp - 0g/3a DeMars (WHL Penticton) - '09: 4gp - 0g/0a Grubb (SSM 18U Prep) - '09: 4gp - 1g/4a McKamey (WHL Victoria) - '09: 0gp - 0g/0a -- Injured Defensemen MacKenzie (WHL Edmonton) - '06: 3gp - 0g/2a Lindberg (USHL Fargo) - '07: 2gp - 1g/1a Penner (USHL Fargo) - '08: 2gp - 0g/0a Goalies Heil (USHL Madison) - '06: 2gp - 3.04 / .891 (1-1-0)

Nice! ZParise with a One More Shift on Feb 14!

CHN Ranks UND's recruiting class as #2 in the nation behind just MSU. They also have Verhoeff at #3 and Zellers at #5 in their top 10 freshmen list as well. Can't believe Reschny didn't make that list too...especially over someone like Ryder Ritchie...Reschny put up 30+ more points in the WHL last season than Ritchie, and is also a year younger. Either way, good news for UND. https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2025/09/28_Freshman-Focus-Analyzing.php

Dylan James...will light up those Bisons.

8 Days until UND Hockey Returns!!