2025-26 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[beastandco]

3 minutes ago, brianvf said:

Yeah if Recheny and Verhoeff both stick around for 2 years, then add McKamey and Williams to the group as well… 

I am predicting UND will take a few guys off of their committed list. So much young talent and so little playing time available. We aren’t even mentioning Zellers and Swanson and they as USHL players of the year that will be on those squads.

[nascar99]

4 minutes ago, beastandco said:

I am predicting UND will take a few guys off of their committed list. So much young talent and so little playing time available. We aren’t even mentioning Zellers and Swanson and they as USHL players of the year that will be on those squads.

I could see one of Simpson or Schultz not being happy that they're deferred back to junior for another year, decommit, then commit somewhere that will bring them in now. Schultz could go most places in the country now and play, Simpson needs a full year of junior to develop before going to the NCAA.

[beastandco]

2 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

I could see one of Simpson or Schultz not being happy that they're deferred back to junior for another year, decommit, then commit somewhere that will bring them in now. Schultz could go most places in the country now and play, Simpson needs a full year of junior to develop before going to the NCAA.

I think there are still spots for those guys going forward. I would be surprised if Pilgrim and Jundt made it to campus. It also would not shock me if Dalton Andrew was put in a similar spot as Komzak after this year.

[nascar99]

1 minute ago, beastandco said:

I think there are still spots for those guys going forward. I would be surprised if Pilgrim and Jundt made it to campus. It also would not shock me if Dalton Andrew was put in a similar spot as Komzak after this year.

Pilgrim will depend on how many guys leave after 2025-26 and if he still wants to go to UND. Jundt is a longer term project who might not get to Grand Forks until 2028 or 2029, might not ever make it as you said though (especially if they get much higher profile CHLers going forward). Andrew has a decent likelihood of being a portal loss at some point,

[tnt]

9 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

I could see one of Simpson or Schultz not being happy that they're deferred back to junior for another year, decommit, then commit somewhere that will bring them in now. Schultz could go most places in the country now and play, Simpson needs a full year of junior to develop before going to the NCAA.

We need those guys that play an extra year of juniors to offset the guys that might only be a year or two.  Need to keep the classes halfway balanced.

[nascar99]

2 minutes ago, tnt said:

We need those guys that play an extra year of junior to offset the guys that might only be a year or two.  Need to keep the classes halfway balanced.

You're just seeing more guys not being happy that they're told to go back to junior for another year because they want to get to campus as soon as possible and play at the NCAA level, so they decommit & go elsewhere

[beastandco]

2 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

You're just seeing more guys not being happy that they're told to go back to junior for another year because they want to get to campus as soon as possible and play at the NCAA level, so they decommit & go elsewhere

Simpson, Williams, Schultz, O’Niell, and McKamey are pretty much a full freshman group of forwards. One of those guys will probably stay another year in juniors and Bryn will want annother forward spot to play with for uncommitted 2026 draft forwards. After those guys, the rest are not Bryn’s guys so it would not shock me to see them go elsewhere. 

[HockeyHawk]

The euphoria over recruiting this week is nice but for people watching Sioux hockey for so many years getting your hopes up too much is a yearly dogma. Getting out of regionals this season would be a sign of progression, outside of that it would be mostly what Berry did. My guess is we will be about the same as last year but hope I am eating crow next spring. 

[108498]

It will be interesting to see which program is impacted most the next few years with the new coaches. Football, basketball or hockey.

[Username Taken]

16 minutes ago, HockeyHawk said:

The euphoria over recruiting this week is nice but for people watching Sioux hockey for so many years getting your hopes up too much is a yearly dogma. Getting out of regionals this season would be a sign of progression, outside of that it would be mostly what Berry did. My guess is we will be about the same as last year but hope I am eating crow next spring. 

I would say this is significantly different than just the standard yearly retooling and picking up a few exciting recruits. There were some serious concerns about the future, enough so that it was all blown up. After building it up over the course of a couple of months we now have validation that UND can at least still recruit as good as, if not better than they ever have. You are correct in that the next step is taking the next step at the end of the year.  

[tnt]

You know when we make significant progress because you will again see the hate for the coach by our rivals.  Didn’t see that much with Berry.  Already see some expressing displeasure that they have to watch UND playing with a bunch of Canadians.  What will they say if Saskatchewan and Alberta join the U.S.

Seriously, they can’t make up their mind if they hate the overage teams more or those with Canadians.  Now they are whining about  17 and 18 year old Canadians?  
I would say their delusion means they are concerned we will be a force in college hockey again.  Come on Chyzyk, bring in Carter Bear to drive them closer to the edge.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

2 hours ago, HockeyHawk said:

The euphoria over recruiting this week is nice but for people watching Sioux hockey for so many years getting your hopes up too much is a yearly dogma. Getting out of regionals this season would be a sign of progression, outside of that it would be mostly what Berry did. My guess is we will be about the same as last year but hope I am eating crow next spring. 

Thanks for the input Eeyore 

[nascar99]

Livanavage-Verhoeff top pair most likely?

[burd]

2 hours ago, HockeyHawk said:

The euphoria over recruiting this week is nice but for people watching Sioux hockey for so many years getting your hopes up too much is a yearly dogma. Getting out of regionals this season would be a sign of progression, outside of that it would be mostly what Berry did. My guess is we will be about the same as last year but hope I am eating crow next spring. 

When Granato began his short tenure with a bang, recruiting wise, Bucky fans’ hopes were sky high.   Gotta play the games.  

[Esoteric]

3 hours ago, nascar99 said:

You're just seeing more guys not being happy that they're told to go back to junior for another year because they want to get to campus as soon as possible and play at the NCAA level, so they decommit & go elsewhere

Sadly we have seen this.  And likely it may happen again.

[SiouxFanatic]

1 minute ago, burd said:

When Granato began his short tenure with a bang, recruiting wise, Bucky fans’ hopes were sky high.   Gotta play the games.  

Yeah but we are North Dakota fans. Yes we have high expectations every year but our default setting is being skeptical until the games are played and the results come in. Or maybe that’s just me? Hmm... 

It’s nice to be optimistic though as this is an impressive recruiting run any way you slice it.

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

5 minutes ago, Esoteric said:

Sadly we have seen this.  And likely it may happen again.

Morrow was ready but sounds like he burned bridges in Fargo. Spicer and Donovan were definitely not ready; both stepped away for mental health purposes not long after the realization set in that they should have listened.

[MGsioux]

3 hours ago, HockeyHawk said:

The euphoria over recruiting this week is nice but for people watching Sioux hockey for so many years getting your hopes up too much is a yearly dogma. Getting out of regionals this season would be a sign of progression, outside of that it would be mostly what Berry did. My guess is we will be about the same as last year but hope I am eating crow next spring. 

 

[MGsioux]

3 hours ago, HockeyHawk said:

The euphoria over recruiting this week is nice but for people watching Sioux hockey for so many years getting your hopes up too much is a yearly dogma. Getting out of regionals this season would be a sign of progression, outside of that it would be mostly what Berry did. My guess is we will be about the same as last year but hope I am eating crow next spring. 

Your attitude just sucks. And saying things like we will just be like last year meaning missing the tournament etc even with all the changes. Just take your BS elsewhere. I can't tell you how much I hate your comment. If you can't be optimistic then find a different program to cheer for. Also see a counselor and find some optimism in your life 

[Und Princess]

Good Morning Fellow Fans!!! How are you doing? I'm doing FANTASTIC so far this morning.  I just uploaded a blog post to share.

https://ftstspotlight.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-penalty-box-chatter-lets-chat-about.html?m=1

[tnt]

8 hours ago, nascar99 said:

Livanavage-Verhoeff top pair most likely?

I’m guessing no.  Being 17, he will have a huge learning curve.  Besides, you have two guys that have an offensive leaning.  Guessing they might put Zmolek with one of them to let them use their abilities with him being a super solid defender.  Could have both of them on the power play I would think.

[tnt]

11 hours ago, HockeyHawk said:

The euphoria over recruiting this week is nice but for people watching Sioux hockey for so many years getting your hopes up too much is a yearly dogma. Getting out of regionals this season would be a sign of progression, outside of that it would be mostly what Berry did. My guess is we will be about the same as last year but hope I am eating crow next spring. 

We definitely will see early whether there is a major change if we keep hearing how they need to be ready to play.  I prefer to think they got in more players that are known for their work ethic and that the new coach will sit them if they don’t adhere to that ethic.  The nice thing about all the depth they are obtaining is that he can do that without fear of skill drop off.  I for one am anxious to see these new studs, but just as much what guys like Menghini and Gordon add.  Very excited about Menghini, as we have seen him and his ethic with Duluth.

[siouxweet]

Been a while since I have been this excited for an upcoming season. 

[beastandco]

40 minutes ago, tnt said:

I’m guessing no.  Being 17, he will have a huge learning curve.  Besides, you have two guys that have an offensive leaning.  Guessing they might put Zmolek with one of them to let them use their abilities with him being a super solid defender.  Could have both of them on the power play I would think.

Verhoeff will be given every opportunity to play significant minutes on this team. There will be lots of attention on him given that he could potentially go 2nd overall in the draft next year. The coaching staff also wouldn’t want a guy like that on their 3rd pair. My guess is that they play him with Wiebe or Livanavage. Two veteran defenseman that could cover up some of the mistakes that he will make early on.

 

[beastandco]

40 minutes ago, tnt said:

I’m guessing no.  Being 17, he will have a huge learning curve.  Besides, you have two guys that have an offensive leaning.  Guessing they might put Zmolek with one of them to let them use their abilities with him being a super solid defender.  Could have both of them on the power play I would think.

Verhoeff will be given every opportunity to play significant minutes on this team. There will be lots of attention on him given that he could potentially go 2nd overall in the draft next year. The coaching staff also wouldn’t want a guy like that on their 3rd pair. My guess is that they play him with Wiebe or Livanavage. Two veteran defenseman that could cover up some of the mistakes that he will make early on.