2025-2026 ND High School Hockey Thread

[Big Green]

17 minutes ago, Brim006 said:

I think leadership allowing more games takes care of a lot of the non-con limitation concerns especially for the GF teams, and it would also keep a few more kids from leaving early due to the more games in juniors excuse. I agree the Mayport situation is a bit odd, and I thought it was only supposed to be temporary but now it's year 7. I'm not exactly sure what the best solution is for Mayport, but allowing more games for everyone improves every single potential solution. If Jamestown gets added to the EDC, and Mayport becomes a full time member, the non-con games are going to be even more limited, so I'd imagine we'd start seeing even more 6-point games. Maybe that would finally push the envelope for getting more games added. 

Does anyone happen to know the argument against allowing more games? It seems like it would be overwhelmingly positive to allow it, and I have never heard of a single decent argument against it yet. Even just 2 games would make a big difference, but preferably 3-4. 

I might be mistaken but I don't think GFC has ever played Mayport yet a single time in the 7 years Mayport has been a part of the NDHS hockey system. GFRR played them 1 time at EDC quarterfinals last season when Mayport upset WF to make it past the play-in game round for the very first time. 

Side note: Are the GF teams or anyone else being denied 6-point game requests? If a team such as jamestown doesnt want to play HB twice, can't they just schedule a 6-point game and free up a game on both of their schedules? 

Rather than making both team agree to 6 point games, make them all 1 game for 6 points and than leave it up to the schools to determine if they want to add a 2nd game and make each worth 3 points.

This isn't the NHL or Juniors, they play plenty of games in the year.  Last thing the school district needs is to add more travel expenses for hockey to the school budget.

 

[Siouxphan27]

12 hours ago, JakeLove said:

If MayPort is allowed into the EDC , why not allow the traditional EDC powers to opt-out and then allow them to cherry-pick a schedule (just like MayPort has been doing). especially GFC and GFRR who basically have 3 competitive league games this year (against each other).
 

If Jamestown doesn’t want to play Hazen Beulah twice, why should GFC, GFRR, etc play MayPort at all? Or why should GFC, GFRR play Jamestown twice should the BlueJays return to the EDC. Dont take this as a dig in Jamestown, our hockey is better when they get better (plus many a friend grew up there) these are merely hypotheticals to make discussion points similar to the earlier stated distaste of Jamestown playing H-B 2x a year. 
 

you could go on and on with these “what ifs”. 
 

none of the above “what if” scenarios are good for the entirety of ND Hockey as all of them in all likelihood disadvantage anyone west of the Sheyenne River watershed and all have an element of doing what’s best for ones’ self not what’s best as a whole. 

 

lastly, 4 WDA and 4 EDC teams at state is the right way. Besides, If a team wanted to increase their odds of making it, stay in the WDA (ha-ha). 

I say this - find a way to make everyone better! 

Forgive my ignorance on the Mayport schedule, but i thought since they weren't a full fledged conference member, nobody has to schedule them, so most schools don't.  Are EDC schools trying to schedule them but Mayport is refusing?  I'm confused.

[sioux rube]

Tonight’s schedule 

[Brim006]

1 hour ago, Siouxphan27 said:

Forgive my ignorance on the Mayport schedule, but i thought since they weren't a full fledged conference member, nobody has to schedule them, so most schools don't.  Are EDC schools trying to schedule them but Mayport is refusing?  I'm confused.

No I think he was just pointing out that Mayport doesn't have to play any EDC games but still gets to be included in the EDC tournament, so if that is the case why doesn't GF just play all MN teams all year long then just play in the EDC tournament. 

[Wilbur]

1 hour ago, Siouxphan27 said:

Forgive my ignorance on the Mayport schedule, but i thought since they weren't a full fledged conference member, nobody has to schedule them, so most schools don't.  Are EDC schools trying to schedule them but Mayport is refusing?  I'm confused.

Mayport just takes the 10th seed into the EDC tournament and plays a full independent schedule.  With the limited number of "non conference" games available, not a lot of teams will put them on the schedule in the EDC as they'd rather play Minnesota teams or "better competition" non conference.  There are talks going on currently to allow Mayport to play one EDC game against each team next season.  Believe the only current EDC teams that have played them are Grafton, and it looks like they have a game against Devils Lake before EDC.  

[Siouxphan27]

Thanks for the explanations.  Admittedly i've never paid much attention to ND high school hockey until nephews got involved in Fargo.  I just found it confusing that Mayport are somehow cherry picking opponents, yet no one in the EDC will play them.   

[Wilbur]

1 hour ago, Siouxphan27 said:

Thanks for the explanations.  Admittedly i've never paid much attention to ND high school hockey until nephews got involved in Fargo.  I just found it confusing that Mayport are somehow cherry picking opponents, yet no one in the EDC will play them.   

Nothing is finalized as far as them getting assured EDC games next season.  I do know that Sheyenne has agreed to play them next season, and I'd assume the relationships with GPR and Devils Lake stay the same as its not a terrible bus trip to either from the Mayville area and being a smaller school and getting non conference games is a bit of a nightmare in some scenarios.  

I'm sure they'd love to consistently get a RR, or a GFC on the schedule, but that will only happen with full membership into the EDC, and I'd assume there will be major pushback from those schools as they don't want to lose a Warroad or Bemidji and I guess in Central's case a Moorhead off their non conference schedule.    

[Brim006]

3 hours ago, sioux rube said:

Tonight’s schedule 

RR over DL 6-1

MP over Bagley 5-2

WFS over FN 3-2

FD over GPR 4-1

GFC over Shanley 7-1

Minot over Century 5-2

[Wilbur]

I'll take Red river, Bagley, North, Davies, Central, Minot. 

[JakeLove]

For context regarding GFC or GFRR playing MayPort - their JV teams beat MayPort varsity last year. this year the GFC JV without any body who plays varsity time quite handily beat the MayPort “JV” roster that is basically the MayPort “varsity” roster except for the top end MayPort players only playing 1 or 2 periods. 

[gfhockey]

6 hours ago, Brim006 said:

No I think he was just pointing out that Mayport doesn't have to play any EDC games but still gets to be included in the EDC tournament, so if that is the case why doesn't GF just play all MN teams all year long then just play in the EDC tournament. 

As they should 

[gfhockey]

6 hours ago, Wilbur said:

Mayport just takes the 10th seed into the EDC tournament and plays a full independent schedule.  With the limited number of "non conference" games available, not a lot of teams will put them on the schedule in the EDC as they'd rather play Minnesota teams or "better competition" non conference.  There are talks going on currently to allow Mayport to play one EDC game against each team next season.  Believe the only current EDC teams that have played them are Grafton, and it looks like they have a game against Devils Lake before EDC.  

Maybe gfc and gfrr should play independent and take the 8th and 9th seed. Then the Fargo parents would squak

[JakeLove]

1 hour ago, gfhockey said:

Maybe gfc and gfrr should play independent and take the 8th and 9th seed. Then the Fargo parents would squak

Yep, and then the whole thing keeps circling down the drain. 
 

[gfhockey]

6 minutes ago, JakeLove said:

Yep, and then the whole thing keeps circling down the drain. 
 

I’m pretty sure the Grand Forks scenes will still make state if they are seated eight and nine

[Big Green]

1 hour ago, gfhockey said:

I’m pretty sure the Grand Forks scenes will still make state if they are seated eight and nine

Um….. I think not.  8 and 9 would play in the edc playin game.  Loser out.  

[gfhockey]

11 minutes ago, Big Green said:

Um….. I think not.  8 and 9 would play in the edc playin game.  Loser out.  

Ok give them 10 and 9

[sioux rube]

[Brim006]

Outside of any surprises it looks like the EDC standings are pretty well solidified. FN and DL are tied for 5th but FN has the upper hand with a game in hand and a more favorable lineup of remaining games. Could possibly see WF and GPR swap spots but it doesnt look likely and I believe they play each other in the play in game either way. So if things stay put, the play in games would be FS vs MP and GPR vs WF and winners are rewarded with playing GFC and RR first round EDC. 

GFC

RR

WFS

FD

FN

DL

FS

WF

GPR

MP

 

The West looks like a toss‑up across the entire board right now. With the potential for big swings in any direction and nearly every team capable of beating anyone on a given night, these final games should be fun to watch.

[Frozen4sioux]

On 1/29/2026 at 8:01 AM, Brim006 said:

Does anyone happen to know the argument against allowing more games? It seems like it would be overwhelmingly positive to allow it, and I have never heard of a single decent argument against it yet. Even just 2 games would make a big difference, but preferably 3-4. 

The hockey advisory committee has suggested that games be added every year for the mast 19? now or is it 20?

The NDHSAA rules committee of ADs has then voted it down UNANIMOUSLY for the exact same 19 or 20 years....  and that just goes back to as far as the meetings and minutes went back on their site so who knows how long that has been happening.

On 1/29/2026 at 8:25 AM, Big Green said:

This isn't the NHL or Juniors, they play plenty of games in the year.  Last thing the school district needs is to add more travel expenses for hockey to the school budget.

And that is your answer why. 

 

But just because you give the option to play 2 more games doesn't mean the MUST play 2 more games... no district left behind though right... If one doesn't want to make the investment in the kids, nobody else is allowed to.  Great lesson

[sioux rube]

Another big one in Bismarck tonight as the Jays play Legacy. Jays got them at home 3-2 so should be another dandy 

 

[Frozen4sioux]

21 hours ago, Wilbur said:

 There are talks going on currently to allow Mayport to play one EDC game against each team next season. 

If this was forced to happen you would find the same scenario of what Peluso used to do to Hazen back in the day, but I'm guessing GF coaches wouldn't stop at 26-1 or whatever it was.  Making kids give up games vs Warroad or Moorhead to play Mayport would be met with fury and the appropriate level of example setting I imagine.

 

or would they just play it with JV as a non-contest like Century and Minot does with Hazen... who knows it's so wildly inconsistent from WDA to EDC processes and details.

[Siouxphan27]

17 hours ago, JakeLove said:

For context regarding GFC or GFRR playing MayPort - their JV teams beat MayPort varsity last year. this year the GFC JV without any body who plays varsity time quite handily beat the MayPort “JV” roster that is basically the MayPort “varsity” roster except for the top end MayPort players only playing 1 or 2 periods. 

I get that part.  I recall a relative explaining to me when Sheyenne played them a few years ago that they basically had their JV and a few Sophomores who were on varsity, play the game against Mayport.  What i wasn't understanding was the statement i read here earlier, and previously a second time somewhere in this thread, that Mayport was cherry picking their schedule.  And i guess I'll just let that dead horse die, because I don't understand how they are somehow cherry picking when no one in the state will play them.  (and yes, i understand why the other schools don't want to waste a game playing them)  

[Brim006]

34 minutes ago, Siouxphan27 said:

I get that part.  I recall a relative explaining to me when Sheyenne played them a few years ago that they basically had their JV and a few Sophomores who were on varsity, play the game against Mayport.  What i wasn't understanding was the statement i read here earlier, and previously a second time somewhere in this thread, that Mayport was cherry picking their schedule.  And i guess I'll just let that dead horse die, because I don't understand how they are somehow cherry picking when no one in the state will play them.  (and yes, i understand why the other schools don't want to waste a game playing them)  

Yeah, cherry picking is certainly the wrong terminology. Since EDC teams aren't required to play them, most are not. So MP is forced to fill out their schedule with whoever they can get, and it's mostly low-end MN teams who also probably struggle to fill out their non-con schedules. MP certainly is not turning down games against EDC teams. 

[Siouxphan27]

1 hour ago, Brim006 said:

Yeah, cherry picking is certainly the wrong terminology. Since EDC teams aren't required to play them, most are not. So MP is forced to fill out their schedule with whoever they can get, and it's mostly low-end MN teams who also probably struggle to fill out their non-con schedules. MP certainly is not turning down games against EDC teams. 

Thank you Brim!  

[Brim006]

6 hours ago, sioux rube said:

Another big one in Bismarck tonight as the Jays play Legacy. Jays got them at home 3-2 so should be another dandy 

 

WFS over DL 4-1

Willy over HB 6-0

Legacy over J-town 2-1