2023-24 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[The Sicatoka]

Last season D heights:  6-4, 6-2, 6-2, 5-10, 5-9, 5-9, 5-8, 5-8. (from UND roster)

Now it's 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, 5-10 (from Elite Prospects)

[geaux_sioux]

41 minutes ago, The Sicatoka said:

Mr. Britt,

Welcome.

Kindly leave the shiny silver helmet at SHU. 
However, you have been requested by @geaux_sioux to bring the fishbowl with. 

Signed,
Your new friends in North Dakota

No bowl, no banner.

[The Sicatoka]

"Bring the 'bowl." 

 

This ad approved and sponsored by @geaux_sioux and his No Bowl, No Banner group, Coltyn Sanderson, chair. 

[The Sicatoka]

For literally having 0, none, nada, defensemen on the roster for a few days, credit where credit is due:

The group looks good on paper. Bubs et al did some good work so far.

I won't get too high until it performs.

And with Strathmann and Jubenvill lined up it looks like things should stabilize going forward. 

[brianvf]

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/und-rounds-out-new-look-defensive-core-with-transfer-logan-britt

Quote

"Logan has a long history of experience playing at the collegiate level," UND coach Brad Berry said. "We are excited to bring him into our group to finalize our defensive core."

Quote

UND’s new-look defense will include four transfers and four freshmen.

The transfers are Britt, Alaska captain Garrett Pyke, Michigan alternate captain Keaton Pehrson and Minnesota State-Mankato’s Bennett Zmolek.

The freshmen will be Vegas Golden Knights draft pick Abram Wiebe, Minnesota Wild pick Nate Benoit, draft-eligible Jake Livanavage and Tanner Komzak.

The Fighting Hawks now have 15 forwards, eight defensemen and three goalies set for next season. That’s the usual number of players UND carries at each position in an average season.

That signing could be the final piece for next year's roster.  I don't see them adding a 16th forward again unless Montgomery's status is still a question mark.

[The Sicatoka]

" ... defensive core" ... or defensive corps.

Is he saying he's key (in the middle, the core, of the defense) or another member of the group? 
It's summer. Words mean things. I'm allowed to niggle on verbiage.  

 

corps: a body of people engaged in a particular activity.

[The Sicatoka]

13 minutes ago, brianvf said:

That signing could be the final piece for next year's roster.  I don't see them adding a 16th forward again unless Montgomery's status is still a question mark.

Yeah, the way Schloss wrote about 15F/8D/3G being usual has me thinking they'll stay unless a too good to be true 16F comes available (or an injury happens). 

[fightingsioux4life]

47 minutes ago, The Sicatoka said:

For literally having 0, none, nada, defensemen on the roster for a few days, credit where credit is due:

The group looks good on paper. Bubs et al did some good work so far.

I won't get too high until it performs.

And with Strathmann and Jubenvill lined up it looks like things should stabilize going forward. 

I definitely feel 100% better about this team than I did a couple of months ago. Looking forward to seeing this group grow and learn together.

[Wilbur]

So, with the experience coming in, we would all have to assume that the d zone play would have to be better next season correct?  Bringing in older and experienced guys, and a goalie that has been hung out to dry for three years in Miami.....has to be better right? 

Ludvig....82 Games

Britt....131 Games

Pyke....83 Games

Pehrson....127 Games

Zmolek....28 Games....

My Minot High School math tells me that is 451 games of experience coming on to the goal prevention side of things next season.  We give up 2-3 a game we should be fine, with the guys we have that should be putting the puck in the other net.  

[tnt]

2 hours ago, Wilbur said:

So, with the experience coming in, we would all have to assume that the d zone play would have to be better next season correct?  Bringing in older and experienced guys, and a goalie that has been hung out to dry for three years in Miami.....has to be better right? 

Ludvig....82 Games

Britt....131 Games

Pyke....83 Games

Pehrson....127 Games

Zmolek....28 Games....

My Minot High School math tells me that is 451 games of experience coming on to the goal prevention side of things next season.  We give up 2-3 a game we should be fine, with the guys we have that should be putting the puck in the other net.  

I like that they have some shot blockers in the group as well.  Need those guys that will sell out and sacrifice their bodies, especially when the game is on the line.

[brianvf]

I think this is our final roster (as of 5/18/23)

Going by a somewhat typical 26-man roster (15 F / 8 D / 3 G):

Forwards (15)
Fr - Emerson / Perron
So - Blake / James / McLaughlin / Strinden / Montgomery (RS)
Jr - Schmaltz / Kunz / Berg
Sr - Gaber / Jamernik / Ness
Gr - Albrecht / Johannes

Defense (8)
Fr - Benoit / Komzak / Wiebe / Livanavage
So - Zmolek
Gr - Pyke / Pehrson / Britt

Goalies (3)
Fr - Hedquist
So - Johnson
Sr - Persson

The addition of Britt helps balance out the classes a bit too...can start to bring in much smaller numbers for portal additions and bring in solid recruits to replace the players that run out of eligibility.  For next offseason, I could see just needing to replace the Graduate players listed above plus Gaber.  So three forwards and three dmen, which we already have in the recruiting pipeline, plus maybe a stud addition like Hensler.

I like the looks of this roster.

[Kevin G]

5 hours ago, geaux_sioux said:

No bowl, no banner.

It's as good a theory as I've heard.

[Kevin G]

3 hours ago, Wilbur said:

So, with the experience coming in, we would all have to assume that the d zone play would have to be better next season correct?  Bringing in older and experienced guys, and a goalie that has been hung out to dry for three years in Miami.....has to be better right? 

Ludvig....82 Games

Britt....131 Games

Pyke....83 Games

Pehrson....127 Games

Zmolek....28 Games....

My Minot High School math tells me that is 451 games of experience coming on to the goal prevention side of things next season.  We give up 2-3 a game we should be fine, with the guys we have that should be putting the puck in the other net.  

UND allowed 2.8 goals per game last season, ranking 29th in the nation. And that was with an abysmal Team Save Percentage of .886 (tied with hockey powerhouse LIU!). 

Assuming a slight improvement in overall save percentage and assuming a slight improvement in overall defensive structure--that's more than a little assuming, I concede, but it's the offseason and hopium is on the menu--I think a top 15 defense is realistic. (At 2.5 goals allowed per game, UND would have been tied for 14th in the nation.)

It probably all comes down to the fishbowl though.

[Kevin G]

6 hours ago, The Sicatoka said:

Last season D heights:  6-4, 6-2, 6-2, 5-10, 5-9, 5-9, 5-8, 5-8. (from UND roster)

Now it's 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, 5-10 (from Elite Prospects)

That list might relate to this list: 156, 157, 163, 165, 169, 170.

These are listed weights of the six lightest forwards: Owen Mac, Perron, Gaber, Blake, Montgomery, and Ness.

I wonder if the coaches think our smaller forwards might need some protection from bigger d-men.

 

[Irish]

So - Quinnipiac gets one of our former defensemen and we get one of theirs - opinions on how we came out in this swap?

[brianvf]

14 minutes ago, Irish said:

So - Quinnipiac gets one of our former defensemen and we get one of theirs - opinions on how we came out in this swap?

QU got the better player overall most likely, but I'm guessing that Britt was brought in to fill a role.  And hopefully he does just that!

[stoneySIOUX]

52 minutes ago, Irish said:

So - Quinnipiac gets one of our former defensemen and we get one of theirs - opinions on how we came out in this swap?

 

37 minutes ago, brianvf said:

QU got the better player overall most likely, but I'm guessing that Britt was brought in to fill a role.  And hopefully he does just that!

Totally different players. Moore is much better offensively and Britt much more defensively sound. Considering the rest of the d corps and where Britt likely slots in (bottom pair), Moore will likely have a bigger overall impact, but Britt is steadier in the spot we need him. 

[SiouxForever]

Who needs to have the biggest off-season transition/impact? I’ll start. 

- Zmolek opportunity window is all yours given fully recovered/healthy. Pedal to the metal off-season. 

- Kunz continue doing what he was doing on/off the ice during the 2nd half of last years season. Maybe try new diet to lean out a bit/sprints working with Poolman to continue to enhance speed. Luke Johnson changed his diet in pro, suggest Kunz doing the same to see if it helps/makes a difference. Kunz has skill. 

- McLaughlin strength and offseason shooting. No reason why this kid shouldn’t have double-digits in goals next year, let alone hitting that metric in 1st half of season. Kid set the rookie record for most pipes hit by a freshman 

- Johannes - go workout with Cole Smith in Brainerd Minnesota all offseason.  NCHC conference is much harder than the conferences you came from. I’d say your season depends on what you earn next year  Should have all the tools to make an impact. Get it done  

 

[The Sicatoka]

12 hours ago, brianvf said:

Forwards (15)
Fr - Emerson / Perron
So - Blake / James / McLaughlin / Strinden / Montgomery (RS)
Jr - Schmaltz / Kunz / Berg
Sr - Gaber / Jamernik / Ness
Gr - Albrecht / Johannes

Defense (8)
Fr - Benoit / Komzak / Wiebe / Livanavage
So - Zmolek
Gr - Pyke / Pehrson / Britt

Goalies (3)
Fr - Hedquist
So - Johnson
Sr - Persson

I'll be SO happy when everyone is done with Covid years; it makes remaining eligibility miserable to track. 

Guys with one eligible season: Johannes, Pyke, Pehrson, Britt

Guys with two eligible seasons: Albrecht, Gaber, Jamernik, Ness, Persson, Schmaltz, Kunz, Berg

The listed sophs have 3 and the freshmen have 4. 

Albrecht is correct due to Covid and not getting into games one year (so didn't burn it). Montgomery didn't skate in 2022-23 so doesn't count so he has 3 like a soph. 

But I'm sure I still missed something. 

[Wilbur]

14 hours ago, Irish said:

So - Quinnipiac gets one of our former defensemen and we get one of theirs - opinions on how we came out in this swap?

Either Moore kills it and takes off with Q's system, or Pecknold kills the kid and he's in a suit for turning the puck over. 

[The Sicatoka]

42 minutes ago, Wilbur said:

Either Moore kills it and takes off with Q's system, or Pecknold kills the kid and he's in a suit for turning the puck over. 

Peck doesn't seem the patient type: You execute effectively in his system or you accumulate Halberstadt's rewards points*. 

 

*Maybe Brent Johnson should've cut an NIL deal with them last season. He modeled their stuff all year.   

[Oxbow6]

9 hours ago, The Sicatoka said:

I'll be SO happy when everyone is done with Covid years; it makes remaining eligibility miserable to track. 

Guys with one eligible season: Johannes, Pyke, Pehrson, Britt

Guys with two eligible seasons: Albrecht, Gaber, Jamernik, Ness, Persson, Schmaltz, Kunz, Berg

The listed sophs have 3 and the freshmen have 4. 

Albrecht is correct due to Covid and not getting into games one year (so didn't burn it). Montgomery didn't skate in 2022-23 so doesn't count so he has 3 like a soph. 

But I'm sure I still missed something. 

This.....disruptive is an understatement.

[Esoteric]

21 hours ago, brianvf said:

I think this is our final roster (as of 5/18/23)

Going by a somewhat typical 26-man roster (15 F / 8 D / 3 G):

Forwards (15)
Fr - Emerson / Perron
So - Blake / James / McLaughlin / Strinden / Montgomery (RS)
Jr - Schmaltz / Kunz / Berg
Sr - Gaber / Jamernik / Ness
Gr - Albrecht / Johannes

Defense (8)
Fr - Benoit / Komzak / Wiebe / Livanavage
So - Zmolek
Gr - Pyke / Pehrson / Britt

Goalies (3)
Fr - Hedquist
So - Johnson
Sr - Persson

The addition of Britt helps balance out the classes a bit too...can start to bring in much smaller numbers for portal additions and bring in solid recruits to replace the players that run out of eligibility.  For next offseason, I could see just needing to replace the Graduate players listed above plus Gaber.  So three forwards and three dmen, which we already have in the recruiting pipeline, plus maybe a stud addition like Hensler.

I like the looks of this roster.

This looks like a fun year.

[BusinessSoot]

On 5/18/2023 at 4:27 PM, Wilbur said:

So, with the experience coming in, we would all have to assume that the d zone play would have to be better next season correct?  Bringing in older and experienced guys, and a goalie that has been hung out to dry for three years in Miami.....has to be better right? 

Ludvig....82 Games

Britt....131 Games

Pyke....83 Games

Pehrson....127 Games

Zmolek....28 Games....

My Minot High School math tells me that is 451 games of experience coming on to the goal prevention side of things next season.  We give up 2-3 a game we should be fine, with the guys we have that should be putting the puck in the other net.  

Not necessarily. Remember, according to many on this forum for the '22-'23 season,  "we have the best d core in the country...".....things better get straight from get go or the already questions out there on what the hell is going on with UND's d-core/coaching , will go further under the microscope. 

[The Sicatoka]

18 minutes ago, BusinessSoot said:

...  "we have the best d core in the country..."...

Guilty as charged.

The prior irrational exuberance has been noted and tamped down for this year. 

This year consider me from "Missurah" -> Show Me.