2025-26 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[Sodbuster]

On another note, any word on when Zakreski might start skating and when he might possibly be back?

[brianvf]

20 minutes ago, Sodbuster said:

On another note, any word on when Zakreski might start skating and when he might possibly be back?

Schloss mentioned on his podcast this week that he’s back walking without crutches and that he should be able to start skating again in January. We could maybe cross our fingers for late Jan or early Feb? Not sure but at least he’s progressing a bit. 

[cberkas]

 

[brianvf]

From that article, it's good to hear that some CHL teams are starting to come around to the idea that NCAA is just another stepping stone for their players.

Quote

Chyzyk said that UND has been able to start building some connections with some CHL teams.

"I think it's ever-evolving," Chyzyk said. "Obviously, this summer, it was tough going up there and teams were finding out their players were coming to play for us. But I think in the first half of this year, we've had multiple teams reach out that want to build relationships with us and know that college is a part of the pathway for their players.

"I think with every coming week, there's another team reaching out to start building those open lines of communication and talking about their players and talking about their timelines. I would say it's getting more progressive with every single day."

 

[Irish]

I really like this team - and one of the best things I see from them is the Locker Room comradery - They support each other - something that seemed to be lacking last year.  

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

1 hour ago, Irish said:

I really like this team - and one of the best things I see from them is the Locker Room comradery - They support each other - something that seemed to be lacking last year.  

Completely agree, seeing Homer get genuinely pumped up when they announce the starting lineup even when the freshman is getting the start says a lot. About this team and especially about him as a teammate.

[ND_Texan]

13 hours ago, InHeavenThereIsNoBeer said:

Completely agree, seeing Homer get genuinely pumped up when they announce the starting lineup even when the freshman is getting the start says a lot. About this team and especially about him as a teammate.

Says a lot about Homer. Being on a winning team more important than being a starter on a loser.

[cberkas]

14 minutes ago, ND_Texan said:

Says a lot about Homer. Being on a winning team more important than being a starter on a loser.

His freshman year at ASU he took a redshirt and let TJ and Kerns (sp) play so he could learn from them

[Sweethockey]

If UND makes the NCAA tournament, would they more likely play in Sioux Falls or Loveland? I know there's still a half a season to go, just wondering if there are any factors other than ranking for placement. maybe I should have worded it like this: If the tournament began today, where would they most likely be placed?

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

28 minutes ago, Sweethockey said:

If UND makes the NCAA tournament, would they more likely play in Sioux Falls or Loveland? I know there's still a half a season to go, just wondering if there are any factors other than ranking for placement. maybe I should have worded it like this: If the tournament began today, where would they most likely be placed?

Loveland; attendance at Sioux Falls is not something we would contribute to if Augustana makes it. They aren't the host but they would find a way to place them there. Meanwhile we are 4 and Denver, the host in Loveland is 5. The best thing we can do is be in the same band of four as DU, or the band of four that plays the band of four DU is in for the first round (1v4, 2v3) since they avoid inter-conference matchups.

There's also the possibility the committee decides they need us to bolster attendance out east should too many western teams make it; they say a flight is a flight. 

So 50% SF 25% CO 25% out east is my unscientific probabilities.

[Und Princess]

Good Afternoon!!! North Dakota Hockey Fans!!! How are you doing today? For those of you that haven't seen my blog about Jan Spunar from yesterday yet you can check it out in the link below!!!

https://ftstspotlight.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-king-of-crease-which-goalie.html?m=1

Have a Fantastic rest of the day!

Und Princess 

[Goon]

This was posted on X, and I was thinking Will Zellers is on the fourth line?  

[Goon]

Will Zellers had a great night. 

[TwamleyShuffle]

Is there a place to watch these pre tournament games?

 

[tnt]

There is a World Junior thread.

[brianvf]

21 minutes ago, tnt said:

There is a World Junior thread.

https://forum.siouxsports.com/topic/51081-wjc-2026/

 

[cberkas]

11 hours ago, TwamleyShuffle said:

Is there a place to watch these pre tournament games?

 

Go to USA Hockey website and pay for it

[atxsioux]

The Canadian pre-tournament and WJC games you can watch via "onhockey". Similar to Streameast so you may have to battle a few pop ups but it worked pretty solid when i watched the Canada vs Sweden game this past weekend

 

WJC is the one time of year where it makes sense to bite the bullet and get sling TV, etc to have access to NHL Network.

[Stack]

Just read an article about Mercyhurst on College Hockey News. They've had a lot of injuries. In the article the coach states:

“The injury bug has been as worse as it’s been in my 38 years. We have two or three guys that are done for the season. We played Holy Cross; we had eight healthy forwards, and we used two defensemen to get it to ten forwards and that was the same way against Canisius,” Gotkin said.

“The good news is we’re going to get a chunk of those guys back here in the second half. I don’t know how many will be back for [the first game out of the break] North Dakota.”  

We can only hope we get Livanavage and Wiebe back from the Spengler Cup for this series otherwise these are the defensemen: (Zmolek, Jubenvill, Engel, Laurila, and Strathman. So only 5 D for that series. 

[Wilbur]

All available guys will go against Mercyhurst now that the WJC cuts are official, and Spengler cup. 

Congrats to current players:  Zellers, Emery, Reschny, Livanavage, Verhoeff, Weibe.  

And the future guys:  Heil, and Mackenzie. 

Credit to the coaches looking ahead and bringing in Engel as the d core will be stretched.  

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

Watch Kvachnicka (sp) decommit after Bob cut him at the last minute.

[Wilbur]

1 hour ago, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

Watch Kvachnicka (sp) decommit after Bob cut him at the last minute.

Right.  You hope John Vanbiesbrook was very actively involved in all of those difficult conversations when sending a kid home.

Gopher hatred aside, it shouldn't cost Bob a kid like that.  

[I Ranger]

5 minutes ago, Wilbur said:

Right.  You hope John Vanbiesbrook was very actively involved in all of those difficult conversations when sending a kid home.

Gopher hatred aside, it shouldn't cost Bob a kid like that.  

I would certainly agree considering I would imagine Bob was the main reason the kid was invited in the first place. He had no business even getting an invite let alone making the team so it shouldn't be a surprise to him. 

[Goon]

Merry Christmas, everyone. 

[brianvf]

A talk with Smaby about the 1st half for UND and looking forward:

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/und-returns-from-christmas-break-putting-focus-on-ending-the-season-strong