2024-25 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[brianvf]

30 minutes ago, Wilbur said:

Brad with a nice recap.  I think when Strinden is healthy he's with Jammer on the grind line.  Not sure if Schmaltz is the guy with them but a lot of new faces could play that roll.  

Zmolek already out from blocking Emery's rocket in practice.   

[Sweethockey]

6 hours ago, brianvf said:

Zmolek already out from blocking Emery's rocket in practice.   

Strinden wasn’t on the ice either. Swanson is really good. It’s going to be a good season!

[The Sicatoka]

I knew Swanson was smallish but in comparison Kunz is 'ginormous".

[The Sicatoka]

14 hours ago, Oxbow6 said:

Boots on the ground are saying Emery and Wilkie are looking very solid.

Wilkie should not be a surprise. He has solid resume.

https://fightinghawks.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/carter-wilkie/12353 

I worry about Emery's durability being that light. 

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

Getting really excited for Saturday, feels like a little more than an exhibition playing Augustana instead of Toba.  

[fightingsioux4life]

15 minutes ago, InHeavenThereIsNoBeer said:

Getting really excited for Saturday, feels like a little more than an exhibition playing Augustana instead of Toba.  

We are playing "Toba" in early January, but I do agree with you. It will be exciting to see what Augustana has been able to put together.

[tnt]

29 minutes ago, fightingsioux4life said:

We are playing "Toba" in early January, but I do agree with you. It will be exciting to see what Augustana has been able to put together.

With how many teams Augustana beat last year, UND should get a good feel for playing against a team that brings it every shift, with a bit more talent than we have seen with Manitoba. 

[.357]

24 minutes ago, tnt said:

With how many teams Augustana beat last year, UND should get a good feel for playing against a team that brings it every shift, with a bit more talent than we have seen with Manitoba. 

Augustana will be better than Manitoba at exposing any early-season weaknesses this team may have. Plus they will get our guys better primed for Providence the following weekend - from a conditioning standpoint & figuring out best line combos. I would rather have UND play exhibition season openers against quality CCHA teams like Augustana than Manitoba. 

[cberkas]

With the new scheduling agreement with Augustana, can they replace Bemidji for a few years.  

[fightingsioux4life]

55 minutes ago, tnt said:

With how many teams Augustana beat last year, UND should get a good feel for playing against a team that brings it every shift, with a bit more talent than we have seen with Manitoba. 

Last year's Manitoba team was the worst I have ever watched. They usually are much better than that.

[hockeytherapy13]

15 hours ago, Wilbur said:

Brad with a nice recap.  I think when Strinden is healthy he's with Jammer on the grind line.  Not sure if Schmaltz is the guy with them but a lot of new faces could play that roll.  

I really think Strinden will be on one of the top 3 lines in more of a scoring role than he has been in previous years. Guessing Croal or Littler could be more appropriate grind guys on a line with Jammer and Schmaltz.

[hockeytherapy13]

18 hours ago, Oxbow6 said:

Boots on the ground are saying Emery and Wilkie are looking very solid.

I love hearing this. I know it's only a scrimmage but these are 2 players that I'm interested to see how they do with a full slate of NCHC play. Wilkie was exceptional in the AHA at a point per game but will he crack 25-30+ points with the daunting schedule we have this year? And with Emery being a string bean (albeit a highly athletic, lean-muscled bean), will he face injury problems late in the season due to facing heavier bodies all year? Excited to see it play out.

[SiouxFan100]

I am ready for UND hockey!!

[tnt]

16 minutes ago, SiouxFan100 said:

I am ready for UND hockey!!

[Kevin G]

3 hours ago, hockeytherapy13 said:

I really think Strinden will be on one of the top 3 lines in more of a scoring role than he has been in previous years. Guessing Croal or Littler could be more appropriate grind guys on a line with Jammer and Schmaltz.

I’m pulling for Strinden to take a big step this year. He’s got size, strength, and a good motor. He’s always moving his feet. Let’s see if he can become a finisher around the net. 

[brianvf]

Lot of good non-conf games being scheduled for the upcoming seasons...UW, Augie, and Bentley (never played UND before) were all added:

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/wisconsin-augustana-and-bentley-among-und-hockeys-future-opponents

Quote

UND will play at Wisconsin's Kohl Center in 2027-28. The Badgers will return to Ralph Engelstad Arena in 2028-29.

UND, which is hosting Augustana in an exhibition Saturday, has lined up two future regular-season series against the Vikings. UND will play at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D., for the first time in 2027-28. The Vikings will return to Grand Forks in 2028-29.

UND also is slated to play Bentley for the first time in program history. Bentley has signed to play in Ralph Engelstad Arena on Oct. 16-17, 2026. No return trip is scheduled.

[Blackheart]

17 hours ago, tnt said:

Do you really want to have fun or are you just saying you do?

[brianvf]

Herald articles on Zmolek and Jubenville:

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/bennett-zmolek-has-quickly-and-quietly-become-a-respected-teammate-at-und

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/jayden-jubenvill-is-following-riese-gabers-path-from-gilbert-plains-to-und-hockey

Jubenville and Gaber followed a very similar path to UND, both being from Gilbert Plains.

[sioux rube]

8. E.J. Emery, D, North Dakota (NYR): Development is elite at North Dakota, and Emery has the tools to be a force. As a freshman, he can use his size and skating to shut down the enemy.

20. Sacha Boisvert, C, North Dakota (CHI): Chicago's second first-round pick in 2024 is a two-way center who gives you a bit of everything. He'll have nice weapons to play with.

37. Andrew Strathmann, D, North Dakota (CLB): Puck-mover with a serious edge arrives in Grand Forks after a very productive USHL career that included a title in Youngstown.

60. Mac Swanson, RW, North Dakota (PIT): Diminutive dynamo is coming off a USHL championship, and his ability to produce points cannot be overstated.

69. Owen McLaughlin, C, North Dakota (PHI): His freshman season was an adjustment for the former USHL star, but McLaughlin broke out as a sophomore. Can he up his point total again?

98. Cam Berg, C, North Dakota (NYI): Veteran producer put up 20 goals in his first season at NoDak after transferring from Omaha. No reason not to expect a point per game as a senior.

https://thehockeynews.com/news/the-top-100-ncaa-players-to-watch-in-2024-25

[brianvf]

2 hours ago, sioux rube said:

https://thehockeynews.com/news/the-top-100-ncaa-players-to-watch-in-2024-25

Jake got snubbed!   

[brianvf]

NCHC Best freshmen recruiting class ever?

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/is-this-the-nchcs-best-freshman-class-to-date

Quote

NCHC NHL-drafted rookies by year

2013 — 16
2014 — 14
2015 — 15
2016 — 13
2017 — 8
2018 — 17
2019 — 11
2020 — 12
2021 — 17
2022 — 13
2023 — 16
2024 — 25

 

[Kevin G]

This year's UND team is already historic: it is the first UND team without a player born in the 1900s.

[The Sicatoka]

Are our skaters allergic to blue paint? None came near it on either end last night. 

[hockeytherapy13]

3 hours ago, The Sicatoka said:

Are our skaters allergic to blue paint? None came near it on either end last night. 

This might be the best 2-sentence summary of last night’s game. Coaches have some massive work to do with getting the boys to playing as a 5-man unit in all 3 zones next weekend against a team that took care of their opponent just fine last night. 

[SIOUXELEVENS]

Maybe we need to temper our expectations.