2026-2027 ND High School Hockey Thread

[sioux rube]

3 hours ago, gfhockey said:

Eh east teams like the Dickinson trip easy wins

Let’s drive a 600 mile round trip for an easy win or go to Fergus and a 100 round trip and play a competitive game. I know as a former girls coach where I’d want to play 

[Johnny Five]

49 minutes ago, sioux rube said:

Let’s drive a 600 mile round trip for an easy win or go to Fergus and a 100 round trip and play a competitive game. I know as a former girls coach where I’d want to play 

Yeah the only non counters from Fargo, GF and WF will probably be in the Bismarck-Mandan area and that might be pushing it.

[SiouxperDave]

On 4/29/2026 at 7:40 PM, Wilbur said:

Girls EDC tournament to be six teams.  Start at home sites or "pods" followed by conclusion of tournament in Grand Forks.  Championship at Purpur before Boys I'm told.

 

On 4/30/2026 at 5:33 AM, Johnny Five said:

Grand Forks, Fargo North/South, Davies, WF, DL and Jamestown?

 

This is great news for Devils Lake, Dickinson, Jamestown and Williston (and all of the new programs eventually). Now they all have at least a hot goalie's chance of making the state tournament.   

I went through all of the seasons listed on the highschoolhockeynd.com website to see how those four teams finished since the 2007-2008 season and they were basically in a season long play-in tourney, usually for the #7 or #8 seed. In the four seasons since Bismarck split to create 12 teams in the league, only one of those teams qualified - #7 Devils Lake in 23-24.  The last time two of those teams qualified for the same state tournament was during the 2012-2013 season.  

 

25-26:  None

24-25:  None

23-24:  #7 Devils Lake

22-23:  None

21-22:  #7 Jamestown

20-21:  #8 Jamestown

19-20:  #4 Devils Lake

18-19:  #8 Devils Lake

17-18:  #7 Dickinson

16-17:  #8 Williston 

15-16:  #8 Williston

14-15:  #8 Dickinson

13-14:  #5 Williston

12-13:  #3 Jamestown, #8 Williston

11-12:  #7 Jamestown, #8 Williston

10-11:  #6 Jamestown, #8 Williston

09-10:  #7 Jamestown, #8 Williston

08-09:  #7 Williston, #8 Dickinson

07-08:  #7 Hazen/Beulah, #8 Williston

 

[Frozen4sioux]

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[Wilbur]

13 hours ago, Frozen4sioux said:

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Alright, you've got my interest.....

[Frozen4sioux]

On 5/13/2026 at 11:50 AM, Wilbur said:

Alright, you've got my interest.....

Well, this is awkward....   Honestly I expected a Press release to be out already..... 

[Wilbur]

2 hours ago, Frozen4sioux said:

Well, this is awkward....   Honestly I expected a Press release to be out already..... 

If this was all just a sick game, fine, you win.....

While I'm here, rumor mill now stating that Langdon is possibly making the jump.  Stay tuned there. 

[Brim006]

2 hours ago, Wilbur said:

If this was all just a sick game, fine, you win.....

While I'm here, rumor mill now stating that Langdon is possibly making the jump.  Stay tuned there. 

Woah, for boys or girls? Or both?

[Wilbur]

16 minutes ago, Brim006 said:

Woah, for boys or girls? Or both?

I heard boys, but in the title 9 world that I know little about other than "keep the dollars fair" you'd assume that both would be making the move if they were to jump.  

[JakeLove]

A good friend from Langdon who has been involved in their hockey since its inception has heard nothing of this “rumor” regarding Langdon. It should be treated with skepticism. 

[Johnny Five]

On 5/15/2026 at 11:09 AM, Frozen4sioux said:

Well, this is awkward....   Honestly I expected a Press release to be out already..... 

It is odd there has been no press around this, but it's safe to say you can run with it, it's been confirmed.

[Brim006]

12 minutes ago, Johnny Five said:

It is odd there has been no press around this, but it's safe to say you can run with it, it's been confirmed.

Where was it confirmed? JakeLove's comment vs these other comments has me super confused now haha. Especially since there are no news releases still, that I know of. 

Also, if WC left junior gold for both boys and girls, and H-B left for girls, and now Langdon is leaving for both...that sure doesn't leave much. For boys, Richland could prob co-op with Williston, Crosby could mayyyyyybe make the jump on their own for boys? Northwood could co-op with Mayport, and the GF and Fargo kids would just be SOL. 

[JakeLove]

Why would a public school (for  example, Sidney MT) consent to a more costly coop just to play in a league (NDHSAA) where they have no chance to thrive and no flexibility of scheduling (no more games against Canadians, for example)?? 
 

the Junior gold league at its peak was a highly competitive league among peers where every year even the smallest of the small could win. 
 

the hockey proficiency of Junior gold is not as high but it has offered a more competitive league than NDHSAA. 
 

but, the culture at large has decided that the collective whole and individual achievement cannot coexist and this makes it even more difficult to sustain small town hockey (and the biggest towns don’t care if it sustains). 
 

there is nothing that will slow this down, even my contrarian observations. 

[Johnny Five]

OK the hot rumor around Bismarck is that Troy Olson has let go of the reigns of the CHS Patriots.  It's been a hell  of a run for Ole.  

[Brim006]

54 minutes ago, JakeLove said:

Why would a public school (for  example, Sidney MT) consent to a more costly coop just to play in a league (NDHSAA) where they have no chance to thrive and no flexibility of scheduling (no more games against Canadians, for example)?? 
 

the Junior gold league at its peak was a highly competitive league among peers where every year even the smallest of the small could win. 
 

the hockey proficiency of Junior gold is not as high but it has offered a more competitive league than NDHSAA. 
 

but, the culture at large has decided that the collective whole and individual achievement cannot coexist and this makes it even more difficult to sustain small town hockey (and the biggest towns don’t care if it sustains). 
 

there is nothing that will slow this down, even my contrarian observations. 

It feels like you’re just here looking for an argument, and I was just spit balling some potential ideas...but ill bite anyway. 

Why would a public school (Sidney) consider a co‑op?

1. Adapt or die. They'd want to take care of their student body. They've got a group of kids who might be having a sport taken away from under them and a co-op could solve the issue for them. Plus adding programs keeps schools and communities alive, especially when they already have the players. Partnering with an existing program removes most of the usual barriers so it's far easier and simpler than starting it from scratch.

2. If Langdon leaves, Jr. Gold is finished. They’re not going to “thrive” playing four remaining teams, three of which require 700–900‑mile round trips.

3. Canadian games wouldn’t disappear. They only played one Canadian team last year, so co‑oping with Williston would actually increase those opportunities.

4. The kids would be more competitive in the WDA and travel far fewer miles doing it. More local games, less highway time, and not everything coming straight out of parents’ pockets. They'd be joining an already decent WDA program, likely giving a good boost to bump Williston up the standings and competiveness.

These aren’t wild takes, so I'm not quite sure why youre so upset about it. 

[sioux rube]

1 hour ago, Johnny Five said:

OK the hot rumor around Bismarck is that Troy Olson has let go of the reigns of the CHS Patriots.  It's been a hell  of a run for Ole.  

What a run he had. Great guy who I’ve some great conversations with. He definitely deserves to kick back and enjoy the game from the other side 

[Wilbur]

A lot of the coaches/parents/broadcasters I speak to around the state have nothing but great things to say about Ole.  Ran into him a few times and I never had a bad conversation with him.  Great one liners!

"The kid has two speeds....neutral and reverse..."

[Frozen4sioux]

On 5/12/2026 at 10:20 PM, Frozen4sioux said:

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On 5/15/2026 at 11:09 AM, Frozen4sioux said:

Well, this is awkward....   Honestly I expected a Press release to be out already..... 

 

3 hours ago, Johnny Five said:

OK the hot rumor around Bismarck is that Troy Olson has let go of the reigns of the CHS Patriots.  It's been a hell  of a run for Ole.  

 

20 minutes ago, Wilbur said:

A lot of the coaches/parents/broadcasters I speak to around the state have nothing but great things to say about Ole.  Ran into him a few times and I never had a bad conversation with him.  Great one liners!

"The kid has two speeds....neutral and reverse..."

Calling a few hockey games as color man is something that I would very much like to tune in and hear Ole do.    Just don't think that works in 2026 but hey what's the worst that can happen. Whining bitchy parents calling ADs?  

Give the man the headset!

[Johnny Five]

Haha...he has some amazing one liners that's for sure.  I think he'd be excellent on PSP or even state tournament coverage.  He's got a comment for everything.

[Frozen4sioux]

4 hours ago, Brim006 said:

Where was it confirmed? JakeLove's comment vs these other comments has me super confused now haha. Especially since there are no news releases still, that I know of. 

Also, if WC left junior gold for both boys and girls, and H-B left for girls, and now Langdon is leaving for both...that sure doesn't leave much. For boys, Richland could prob co-op with Williston, Crosby could mayyyyyybe make the jump on their own for boys? Northwood could co-op with Mayport, and the GF and Fargo kids would just be SOL. 

 

[yzerman19]

wait, they have hockey west of Fargo and Grand Forks?  Send pics.

 

Just poking the bear lol

[sioux rube]

1 hour ago, Johnny Five said:

Haha...he has some amazing one liners that's for sure.  I think he'd be excellent on PSP or even state tournament coverage.  He's got a comment for everything.

How long was he Century coach? 25 years?

[cberkas]

15 minutes ago, sioux rube said:

How long was he Century coach? 25 years?

Longer if you count his time as the assistant coach

[Frozen4sioux]

58 minutes ago, cberkas said:

Longer if you count his time as the assistant coach

And player in the early mid 80s....  Been involved with the program for the vast majority of its existence. 

[JakeLove]

6 hours ago, Brim006 said:

It feels like you’re just here looking for an argument, and I was just spit balling some potential ideas...but ill bite anyway. 

Why would a public school (Sidney) consider a co‑op?

1. Adapt or die. They'd want to take care of their student body. They've got a group of kids who might be having a sport taken away from under them and a co-op could solve the issue for them. Plus adding programs keeps schools and communities alive, especially when they already have the players. Partnering with an existing program removes most of the usual barriers so it's far easier and simpler than starting it from scratch.

2. If Langdon leaves, Jr. Gold is finished. They’re not going to “thrive” playing four remaining teams, three of which require 700–900‑mile round trips.

3. Canadian games wouldn’t disappear. They only played one Canadian team last year, so co‑oping with Williston would actually increase those opportunities.

4. The kids would be more competitive in the WDA and travel far fewer miles doing it. More local games, less highway time, and not everything coming straight out of parents’ pockets. They'd be joining an already decent WDA program, likely giving a good boost to bump Williston up the standings and competiveness.

These aren’t wild takes, so I'm not quite sure why youre so upset about it. 

 Not angry, just lament that jr gold is not likely going to make it which will diminish access to hockey.