2025-26 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

47 minutes ago, beastandco said:

James - Reschny - Zellers

Swanson - Rickwood - Littler

Menghini - Josephson - Strinden 

Croal - Kernan - Young

 

Livanavage - Verhoeff

Wiebe - Emery

Strathmann - Zmolek

 

Homer 

Spunar

There will be a lot of competition for the 5 and 6 spots. We are in good shape to absorb an injury on D. Goalie is unknown, but with that D corp much less of a concern. 

Victoria ∆ GF ∆ NHL pipeline begins now

[SpudsSioux]

This staff definitely seems to be prioritizing speed and guys that are tough to play against. Here’s to hoping this team resembles Western Michigan from this year that just comes at you in waves on the forecheck. 

[farce poobah]

9 minutes ago, SpudsSioux said:

This staff definitely seems to be prioritizing speed and guys that are tough to play against. Here’s to hoping this team resembles Western Michigan from this year that just comes at you in waves on the forecheck. 

This seems like a return to Hakstol - Blais era style of play.

[Godsmack]

14 minutes ago, SpudsSioux said:

This staff definitely seems to be prioritizing speed and guys that are tough to play against. Here’s to hoping this team resembles Western Michigan from this year that just comes at you in waves on the forecheck. 

I re-watched the FF semifinal game and Bucci and Colby Cohen kept talking about how difficult Western made it for DU in the neutral zone, how aggressive the D and forwards were causing turnovers and puck battles at the red line. Also, just the mental toughness Ferscheweiler and his staff instilled in their players. Hope to see that return to UND as well. 

[brianvf]

25 minutes ago, SpudsSioux said:

This staff definitely seems to be prioritizing speed and guys that are tough to play against. Here’s to hoping this team resembles Western Michigan from this year that just comes at you in waves on the forecheck. 

Yes!
Seems like every commit has phrases like "200ft player" or "relentless" attached to them.
I like it.  Can't wait to see how they look on the ice and if they pass the all-important eye test.

[JakeLove]

12 minutes ago, Godsmack said:

I re-watched the FF semifinal game and Bucci and Colby Cohen kept talking about how difficult Western made it for DU in the neutral zone, how aggressive the D and forwards were causing turnovers and puck battles at the red line. Also, just the mental toughness Ferscheweiler and his staff instilled in their players. Hope to see that return to UND as well. 

WMU was copying vintage UND. 
 

we don’t need to copy WMU, just return to form.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

Just now, JakeLove said:

WMU was copying vintage UND. 
 

we don’t need to copy WMU, just return to form.

We can play like WMU did last year but with more skill.  Hence the 12 draft picks(13 if you count Verhoff which we really should).

[atxsioux]

2 hours ago, SpudsSioux said:

This staff definitely seems to be prioritizing speed and guys that are tough to play against. Here’s to hoping this team resembles Western Michigan from this year that just comes at you in waves on the forecheck. 

Agreed. That mindset makes it interesting to see where Swanson fills in this year. Don’t see his skating getting much better so he’ll have to make up for it big time with compete level and valuing the puck in the o-zone. 

[Kevin G]

11 hours ago, SpudsSioux said:

This staff definitely seems to be prioritizing speed and guys that are tough to play against. Here’s to hoping this team resembles Western Michigan from this year that just comes at you in waves on the forecheck. 

I want to hear the phrase "relentless forecheck" constantly.

[petey23]

On 8/8/2025 at 9:21 PM, JakeLove said:

WMU was copying vintage UND. 
 

we don’t need to copy WMU, just return to form.

I have said it for 7-8 years. I have always liked the way WMU plays, even with Andy Murray. They play Hockey the way UND "says" they play hockey.

The last few years when I heard buzz phrases like "hard to play against", "full 60 minutes" "take away time and space" it really has just felt like lip service.

[dden3]

57 minutes ago, petey23 said:

I have said it for 7-8 years. I have always liked the way WMU plays, even with Andy Murray. The play Hockey the way UND "says" they play hockey.

The last few years when I heard buzz phrases like "hard to play against", "full 60 minutes" "take away time and space" it really has just felt like lip service.

What he said

[Godsmack]

1 hour ago, petey23 said:

I have said it for 7-8 years. I have always liked the way WMU plays, even with Andy Murray. The play Hockey the way UND "says" they play hockey.

The last few years when I heard buzz phrases like "hard to play against", "full 60 minutes" "take away time and space" it really has just felt like lip service.

Don’t forget, “iron sharpens iron” too. 

[SpudsSioux]

13 hours ago, atxsioux said:

Agreed. That mindset makes it interesting to see where Swanson fills in this year. Don’t see his skating getting much better so he’ll have to make up for it big time with compete level and valuing the puck in the o-zone. 

Swanson doesn’t have the same speed but he still plays hard. I think Swanson and Zellers will be the skill guys that maybe don’t make as big of an impact in the forecheck as the others, but can play smart as an F3 and pick pucks off in scoring areas. You can get away with and need those players too. You just can’t have a ton of them. One per line max.

 

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

30 minutes ago, SpudsSioux said:

Swanson doesn’t have the same speed but he still plays hard. I think Swanson and Zellers will be the skill guys that maybe don’t make as big of an impact in the forecheck as the others, but can play smart as an F3 and pick pucks off in scoring areas. You can get away with and need those players too. You just can’t have a ton of them. One per line max.

 

Have them watch Nick Schmaltz backchecking highlights

[burd]

4 hours ago, InHeavenThereIsNoBeer said:

Have them watch Nick Schmaltz backchecking highlights

His Sioux name is Lifterofsticks.