2025-26 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[scpa0305]

On 6/1/2025 at 12:06 AM, brianvf said:

I think we see something like this:

Livanavage - Wiebe
Zmolek - Verhoeff
Emery - Strathmann/Jubenvill/Laurila

Yes, 1st round draft pick on the 3rd pairing.  Yowzers.
Zmolek with Verhoeff to let him get up to NCHC game speed and give him freedom, which means he'll make some rookie dman mistakes and Zmolek can cover.
Going to be a battle for that 6th dman spot every weekend.  I hope that Strath/Jub/Laurila don't get discouraged having to earn their ice time and still stick with the team for the 26/27 season, because I could see Liv/Wiebe/Emery (and maybe Zmolek) all depart after this upcoming season.

I actually think Emery will take a big jump this year. First rounders typically get better very quickly. Given that Zmolek has barely played any hockey the past 3-4 years, I’d start him out on the 3rd pairing; top PK unit with Emery. Reason being is based on the fact Wiebe and Liv will be top 4 (I’m assuming) and Emery and verhoeff also need to be up there as blue chips. At least until the optics show something needs to change.

Wiebe-verhoeff

Livinavage-Emery

Strathmann/Laurila-Zmolek is a really nice third pairing TBH. Crazy to think either Strathmann or Laurila wouldn’t be guaranteed a spot. Both will be really good college players.

[I Ranger]

9 minutes ago, scpa0305 said:

I actually think Emery will take a big jump this year. First rounders typically get better very quickly. Given that Zmolek has barely played any hockey the past 3-4 years, I’d start him out on the 3rd pairing; top PK unit with Emery. Reason being is based on the fact Wiebe and Liv will be top 4 (I’m assuming) and Emery and verhoeff also need to be up there as blue chips. At least until the optics show something needs to change.

Wiebe-verhoeff

Livinavage-Emery

Strathmann/Laurila-Zmolek is a really nice third pairing TBH. Crazy to think either Strathmann or Laurila wouldn’t be guaranteed a spot. Both will be really good college players.

I sure hope this means that we see 7 D dressed each night vs. a 13th forward. I never understood dressing a 13th forward vs. a 7th D. When this rule was put in place, I thought it was the ideal spot to work in a freshman D man where you can strategically spot him throughout the game. 

[scpa0305]

52 minutes ago, I Ranger said:

I sure hope this means that we see 7 D dressed each night vs. a 13th forward. I never understood dressing a 13th forward vs. a 7th D. When this rule was put in place, I thought it was the ideal spot to work in a freshman D man where you can strategically spot him throughout the game. 

100%….strathmann and Laurila have to play.

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

Is there any concern of Zmolek being especially susceptible to injury? There was talk he might have to hang up the skates last year.

[burd]

1 hour ago, I Ranger said:

I sure hope this means that we see 7 D dressed each night vs. a 13th forward. I never understood dressing a 13th forward vs. a 7th D. When this rule was put in place, I thought it was the ideal spot to work in a freshman D man where you can strategically spot him throughout the game. 

And D in college hockey has a bigger learning curve, so ice time is important

[scpa0305]

1 hour ago, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

Is there any concern of Zmolek being especially susceptible to injury? There was talk he might have to hang up the skates last year.

At this point, there should always be concern.