2025-26 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[SpudsSioux]

It's funny but that game seems SO long ago. It was one, if not the worst, games of his career. Many on here wanted him in a suit the next game and I think many of us watched to see how Jax would handle it. Would Ben get a free pass being a senior and captain? Or would a tone be set. He didn't sit him, but he did bump him down to the fourth line the next game and Ben responded by scoring his first shift. He hasn't looked back since.

I think it shows two things. One, that Jax wasn't all talk. He showed very early that there weren't going to be free passes this year. It also shows that Ben is the type of leader we want and need. He didn't pout; he found another level. When Jax talks about there being a clear delineation between the type of guys that chose to stay and the type that chose to leave, this example sticks out to me.

[SuhakiYeahYeah]

 

 

[RedFrog]

5 hours ago, SpudsSioux said:

It's funny but that game seems SO long ago. It was one, if not the worst, games of his career. Many on here wanted him in a suit the next game and I think many of us watched to see how Jax would handle it. Would Ben get a free pass being a senior and captain? Or would a tone be set. He didn't sit him, but he did bump him down to the fourth line the next game and Ben responded by scoring his first shift. He hasn't looked back since.

I think it shows two things. One, that Jax wasn't all talk. He showed very early that there weren't going to be free passes this year. It also shows that Ben is the type of leader we want and need. He didn't pout; he found another level. When Jax talks about there being a clear delineation between the type of guys that chose to stay and the type that chose to leave, this example sticks out to me.

I was one of the ones who thought he should have watched a game from the stands, but was willing to trust Jax with the right way to handle the situation, which appears to have been managed masterfully.  In retrospect, I also think it was beneficial that the disaster was on a Saturday night where there was a week of practice to work through it ... had it been a Friday night game, I think there is a high probability it would have been handled differently.

Speaking of this, it turned out it was Menghini who sat the Friday game at Clarkson.  Menghini who has 1 goal for 1 point on the year.  I can't say he is playing poorly as I felt he was noticeable for the right reasons this past weekend (speed and hustle), but somehow we need to get this guy contributing more offensively.

[The Sicatoka]

How Menghini clanged iron Saturday night on an open cage ...

Snake.
Bit.

[nascar99]

I know this team is young at many spots, but with how well balanced the roster is assuming good health, they might as well make a deep run this year. No guarantees that all of the key underclassmen are back for 2026-27. Josephson being this good, this important already was not on my radar, he's transitioned from the Dub to North Dakota extremely well.

[jk]

32 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

I know this team is young at many spots, but with how well balanced the roster is assuming good health, they might as well make a deep run this year. No guarantees that all of the key underclassmen are back for 2026-27. Josephson being this good, this important already was not on my radar, he's transitioned from the Dub to North Dakota extremely well.

Plenty of teams have won it off-schedule.  Just in UND's history, 1997 was arguably early and 2000 was late.  By contrast, 2016 was right on time.  

[brianvf]

3 minutes ago, jk said:

Plenty of teams have won it off-schedule.  Just in UND's history, 1997 was arguably early and 2000 was late.  By contrast, 2016 was right on time.  

Due for another early then. 

[Blackheart]

1 hour ago, nascar99 said:

I know this team is young at many spots, but with how well balanced the roster is assuming good health, they might as well make a deep run this year. No guarantees that all of the key underclassmen are back for 2026-27. Josephson being this good, this important already was not on my radar, he's transitioned from the Dub to North Dakota extremely well.

Would like to see Zakreski get back in the mix soon...he was another one of those hustle/energy/hair on fire guys that make life miserable for our opponents.

[brianvf]

2 hours ago, nascar99 said:

I know this team is young at many spots, but with how well balanced the roster is assuming good health, they might as well make a deep run this year. No guarantees that all of the key underclassmen are back for 2026-27. Josephson being this good, this important already was not on my radar, he's transitioned from the Dub to North Dakota extremely well.

The whole freshmen class is outstanding IMO.
Not a "miss" in the group from what I can see.  A few studs and a few guys that are going to be fantastic college players in their JR/SR seasons.
Guys like Ollie and Zakreski are going to be really fun to watch as upperclassmen.

Speaking of upperclassmen...agreed about the earlier take that would love to see Menghini get rolling a bit.  That wide open net post shot on Saturday is how his season has gone so far...hopefully he can turn it around and start getting some goals/points.

[siouxfaninseattle]

1 hour ago, brianvf said:

Due for another early then. 

The next two weekends will tell if this team has "it". They will be playing short but still have plenty of firepower. A 3-1 finish to the first half would tell me this team has "it".

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

6 hours ago, brianvf said:

The whole freshmen class is outstanding IMO.
Not a "miss" in the group from what I can see.  A few studs and a few guys that are going to be fantastic college players in their JR/SR seasons.
Guys like Ollie and Zakreski are going to be really fun to watch as upperclassmen.

Speaking of upperclassmen...agreed about the earlier take that would love to see Menghini get rolling a bit.  That wide open net post shot on Saturday is how his season has gone so far...hopefully he can turn it around and start getting some goals/points.

Thats the wild part is that there isn’t a miss or a guy that’s looked lost. Every guy has looked at minimum capable but more often, outstanding, when judging by what we’ve expected freshmen to produce in the past.  And we haven’t even hit Christmas break, exciting stuff 

[beastandco]

10 hours ago, nascar99 said:

I know this team is young at many spots, but with how well balanced the roster is assuming good health, they might as well make a deep run this year. No guarantees that all of the key underclassmen are back for 2026-27. Josephson being this good, this important already was not on my radar, he's transitioned from the Dub to North Dakota extremely well.

If they are able to keep all of their underclassman around, watch out. This team could be fun to watch next season. Losing Verhoeff and maybe Reschny for next season is a worry of mine. I really hope those two stick around for another year.

[ChadR]

Anyone know what caused Spunar's move from the WHL to USHL last year? 

[UNDMOORHEAD]

15 minutes ago, ChadR said:

Anyone know what caused Spunar's move from the WHL to USHL last year? 

I think it had to do with the number of 20 year old players on their roster. 

https://www.telegraphherald.com/sports/local_sports/article_31c8a926-6298-4731-acd0-2d2e0f139308.html

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

Brad's article today says they expect to hear Monday who made Team Canada for WJC.

[atxsioux]

The way Hockey Canada handled the summer showcase with players showing up late and leaving early makes me feel somewhat optimistic that they will be okay with Reschny and Verhoeff showing up on Sunday to camp.

With the camp starting on the 12th I think theyre being over dramatic if they show up 2 days later. Not to mention they'll likely have a couple of guys showing up from AHL/NHL later than the 12th if I had to guess. 

[SpudsSioux]

5 hours ago, InHeavenThereIsNoBeer said:

Thats the wild part is that there isn’t a miss or a guy that’s looked lost. Every guy has looked at minimum capable but more often, outstanding, when judging by what we’ve expected freshmen to produce in the past.  And we haven’t even hit Christmas break, exciting stuff 

And so many of them weren't even committed (some the recruiting process hadn't even started), by the time Jax took over. To hit on all of those with such little time to evaluate, get to them, etc, was remarkable. I'm sure a lot of that had to do with BC already having some of that evaluating work done from being a GM.

Kernan, Spunar, Reschny, Verhoff, Engal, Josphefson, all being recruited in that short turnaround is remarkable. Excited to see what this staff can do with more time!

[brianvf]

In case anyone was interested in making a contribution to the 1883 Collective before the end of year, I got this email today:

Quote

Good afternoon, 1883 members! 

I'm excited to announce that one of your fellow members has reached out and offered to matching contributions to 1883 between now and the end of the year, up to $5,000! This is an exciting time for UND athletics, and we are so grateful to all of you and to our matching member for their generous support. Any contributions between now and the end of the year (up to $5,000) will be matched, and will go directly to helping our programs and coaches by providing direct support to UND student athletes. You can contribute here - Checkout 1883 Collective - and your impact will be doubled!

As always, if you have any questions or feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thanks for all that you've done and continue to do for UND athletics - it's making a difference every day! 

Sincerely, 

Jonathan Holth 

 

[brianvf]

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/und-awaiting-hockey-canada-decisions

Quote

Emery will leave for camp after UND's series against Omaha next week, and if he makes the final roster, he will miss the Jan. 2-3 series against Mercyhurst.

Quote

If UND (10-4) has any players selected to Hockey Canada's roster, this weekend's series at St. Cloud State could be their last with the Fighting Hawks until Jan. 9-10 at Colorado College.

Hockey Canada has indicated it wants its players on Dec. 12 or 13 — the same dates as UND's home series with Omaha. The Fighting Hawks would no doubt want to have their players for that weekend — even if it's just for one game — but Hockey Canada will have the final say.

Crazy to me that the players couldn't just make the trip to the Canada Camp on Sunday 14th rather than miss one or both Omaha games.
I guess we'll see what happens.

[brucespook]

On 12/3/2025 at 11:11 AM, SuhakiYeahYeah said:

 

 

I can’t imagine Spunar was far

From being goalie of the month also.   

[thUNDer]

8 hours ago, beastandco said:

If they are able to keep all of their underclassman around, watch out. This team could be fun to watch next season. Losing Verhoeff and maybe Reschny for next season is a worry of mine. I really hope those two stick around for another year.

This! Picked as our ‘2 guys’ when they were Frosh, Ben & DJ. So fun to still watch them! Picks this year, Ollie & Zakreski.

[mygarske]

On 12/3/2025 at 11:11 AM, SuhakiYeahYeah said:

 

 

Up yours BOB!! 🖕

[brianvf]

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/und-senior-ben-strinden-on-his-big-november-ive-always-had-a-belief-in-myself

Quote

Strinden was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's Forward of the Month.

"I've seen in the past, guys from Year 1 to Year 2 take big steps," Jackson said. "It's pretty rare for guys to take a big step from their junior year to their senior year. Maybe that's on us as a staff that we underutilized him beforehand. We knew he was a good player and was going to be a strong player for us, but to be this dynamic, I can't say we saw this coming."

Quote

"Ben's really never had a chance to play on our power play or with top players," Jackson said. "We've always seen that he's a powerful, strong skater with a good shot. He's putting himself in good spots and he's playing with guys who have the ability to find him. He's one-timing pucks. That's a huge thing to be able to shoot off the pass. Ben does that as well as anybody on our team. He's been consistent getting to the inside and it's on-and-off his tape quickly."

Quote

"It's nice to see guys in a good headspace," Jackson said. "Guys are feeling confident, feeling comfortable, feeling good about themselves. That's always a huge part. You're always trying to push and challenge guys, but that piece of feeling good and feeling strong about where you're at is one of the biggest things in any sport. The fact that our guys seem like they're in a good spot is really nice for our staff to see."

 

[Sioux90]

This is great and all, but I want to see a full 120. No excuses. Crush the enemy!

[siouxforce19]

On 12/4/2025 at 8:55 AM, ChadR said:

Anyone know what caused Spunar's move from the WHL to USHL last year? 

My understanding is that Portland had roster limitations with the number import players they could carry so they weren’t able to roster him. I saw one of their fans mention this on Twitter/X.