2025-26 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[beastandco]

Rankings definitely do not matter this time of year but I would not be surprised if UND climbs a few spots. Especially with most of the top teams splitting this weekend.

Bucci has them at 3 which is a bit high. I would be surprised if they are not in the 5-7 range.

[SiouxForever]

Nice to see multiple lines scoring and the defense scoring too. In addition, rookies getting points + Homer playing solid. 

Not a one-dimensional team. I like it. Our D-core + goalie will only get better and more comfortable with time. 

[nascar99]

This team is deeper, more talented, and feels much more connected on a nightly basis than the 2024-25 team did. Last year felt like a solid assortment of talent, but rarely did they click together consistently. The portal additions have been solid and the freshmen have a lot of talent that we're already seeing.

[farce poobah]

Anyone have Zakreski leading the team in plus/minus after week 1?

No more doubts about whether our CHLers are ready.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

6 minutes ago, farce poobah said:

Anyone have Zakreski leading the team in plus/minus after week 1?

No more doubts about whether our CHLers are ready.

Underrated play was his pass out to liver at the point who dished it to Reschny for his bomb. 

[brianvf]

As some of us were talking about (and hoping for) during the off-season...this team passes the eye-test.
Last year, they had flashes of skill and good play, but they never passed the eye-test for the entire game.

I know it is early.  And I know that there will be some rough stretches with how young our forward group is.
But this team looks the part.  Faster, no question.  Better passing already after two games.  Relentless on the puck.  I've seen more takeaways in the offensive and neutral zones than I remember from half the season last year (led directly to one goal each game).

How fun is that 4th line?  Dang.  Might be the best 4th line in the country with how they're playing.

[brianvf]

Geez.

Been way too long for both of these:

Quote

UND improves to 2-0-0 to begin the season and captures its first home-and-home sweep since Jan. 2-3, 2009 against Bemidji State while also recording the program's first win inside Grand Casino Arena, formerly Xcel Energy Center, since March 17, 2018 vs. Minnesota Duluth.

 

[ND_Texan]

Guessing we come in at #3 in the polls this week behind BU and Michigan. 
 

Anyone think Miami will be top 10?

[burd]

Jax has them in arrack mode offensively (while, at the same time, preaching grit and responsibility).   IMO, top talent wants to attack; it’s in their blood.   BB did a lot of things well, but I THINK (don’t know) his teams sometimes chafed at the speed governor that was careful play.

[tnt]

13 hours ago, ND_Texan said:

Guessing we come in at #3 in the polls this week behind BU and Michigan. 
 

Anyone think Miami will be top 10?

Doubt Miami cracks top 10.  Wouldn’t care if we would have to prove a little more ourselves to get top 5, but probably will be there.  For current recruiting it might mean something, but early there is a big discrepancy in play depending on returners and extra summer work.  Thankfully, we should be a team that has plenty of room to grow.

 

[brianvf]

New PP personnel doing well so far:

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/sunday-rewind-und-is-taking-a-different-approach-on-the-power-play

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Despite all the new pieces, UND went 4-for-6 on the power play in the two-game series against St. Thomas, helping the Fighting Hawks win 6-2 and 5-2.

Add in the 3-for-7 performance in an exhibition against Manitoba and the new-look Fighting Hawks power play has been incredibly efficient early this season under assistant coach Dillon Simpson.

Quote

The Fighting Hawks have balanced their units.

Jake Livanavage, Cole Reschny, Keaton Verhoeff, Will Zellers and Ellis Rickwood make up one unit. Wiebe, Mac Swanson, Jack Kernan, Ben Strinden and Dylan James are on the other.

 

[mygarske]

26 minutes ago, brianvf said:

New PP personnel doing well so far:

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/sunday-rewind-und-is-taking-a-different-approach-on-the-power-play

 

We look at those 2 PP units now, admittedly after a very small sample size, and holy crap!! Other teams are going to watch tape on both & have a serious pucker effect. Which unit do opposing teams put their top PK unit up against?? 🙏 that production continues, which it should as the boys get more familiar with each others tendencies, passing, etc.