2026-27 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[nascar99]

3 minutes ago, Speed_Kills said:

My predictions with no formal insight…

Definite early departures: Liv and Wiebe. Homer (could go portal).

Poss early departures: Emery and Spunar. I think Spunar more likely to sign than EJ.

Portal: Jubenvil, D Andrew.

Rangers aren't urgent to sign Emery, although that is subject to change with how much that organization overreacts/overcorrects every year

[Frozen4sioux]

15 minutes ago, cberkas said:

Also with Wiebe Calgary would lose him if he doesn't sign and Blue Jackets either would lose Strathmann this year or next

Calgary is eliminated and has 3 home games next week...

Im predicting Wiebe will make his NHL debut as a bonus to sign.

[nascar99]

18 minutes ago, cberkas said:

Also with Wiebe Calgary would lose him if he doesn't sign and Blue Jackets either would lose Strathmann this year or next

Blue Jackets have until at least August 15 2027 to sign Strathmann

[brianvf]

13 minutes ago, cberkas said:

The only portal players I want to see them get are JJ or a Potter if he leaves.

Other than that, CHL or bust.

If another Rickwood type shows up in the portal, I’d take him in a heartbeat 

[Godsmack]

2 minutes ago, brianvf said:

If another Rickwood type shows up in the portal, I’d take him in a heartbeat 

And Tyler Young as well.

[cberkas]

This game also showed that playing a B1G or Hockey East team would better prepare them for the NCAAs than playing Bemidji every year 

[nascar99]

15 minutes ago, cberkas said:

This game also showed that playing a B1G or Hockey East team would better prepare them for the NCAAs than playing Bemidji every year 

Should be playing any/all of Michigan, Wisconsin, Boston University, Boston College, Michigan State every year IMHO. Providence College & Northeastern would be interesting too

 

EDIT: Should play Minnesota every year but that goes without saying

[Oxbow6]

You have 5 solid centermen that should return.....

Reschney, Ollie, Kernan, Klee and Littler. 

Rickeood was an assist machine but these 5 for 4 lines is not too bad.

[Wilbur]

Croal-Kernan-Littler together could be a great line.  

[SiouxFan100]

Too soon

[Oxbow6]

4 minutes ago, SiouxFan100 said:

Too soon

Something every husband hears.....

[tnt]

58 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

Should be playing any/all of Michigan, Wisconsin, Boston University, Boston College, Michigan State every year IMHO. Providence College & Northeastern would be interesting too

 

EDIT: Should play Minnesota every year but that goes without saying

Get swept by any on top of the NCHC schedule, and tournament chances could take a huge hit.

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

21 minutes ago, Oxbow6 said:

Something every husband hears.....

[nascar99]

19 minutes ago, tnt said:

Get swept by any on top of the NCHC schedule, and tournament chances could take a huge hit.

Win your games, I'd rather play tougher teams than cupcakes.

[cberkas]

25 minutes ago, tnt said:

Get swept by any on top of the NCHC schedule, and tournament chances could take a huge hit.

These colors don't run

I'd rather play harder teams then a cupcake, get fat on cupcakes ask Penn State

[Nodak1883]

28 minutes ago, tnt said:

Get swept by any on top of the NCHC schedule, and tournament chances could take a huge hit.

Not with NPI now. Wins against bad teams that drag down the NPI would hurt us until it's eventually dropped more than say splitting a series against Michigan. And I think fans would want to see tougher teams and not just the same group of non-conference opponents. 

I would love to see more season openers against a CCHA team like the Mavs or Augustana over a 7-1 tilt with Manitoba for the 10th year in a row.  

[rochsioux]

23 minutes ago, tnt said:

Get swept by any on top of the NCHC schedule, and tournament chances could take a huge hit.

Don’t need to play all tough non-conference. There are 10 non- conference games each year (unless you have exempt games). Out of those 10 you need a series against a good Big10 team, another against a good hockey east team, one (&only one) series against the CCHA, one against either the ECAC or Atlantic hockey. That’s 8 games, the final 2 should be an additional series with the Big10 or hockey east. 
Finally, please stop scheduling Bemidji every stinking year. Thank you. 

[Fratt Mattin]

3 hours ago, Oxbow6 said:

You have 5 solid centermen that should return.....

Reschney, Ollie, Kernan, Klee and Littler. 

Rickeood was an assist machine but these 5 for 4 lines is not too bad.

Not saying it’s likely, but I don’t think we can assume Reschny is back. I personally don’t think he’s ready, but he plays a very pro style game and who knows what he/Calgary think would be best for him

[nascar99]

10 minutes ago, Fratt Mattin said:

Not saying it’s likely, but I don’t think we can assume Reschny is back. I personally don’t think he’s ready, but he plays a very pro style game and who knows what he/Calgary think would be best for him

I think he needs to improve his acceleration. Whether Calgary feels they can do that with him or they're fine letting him stay in Grand Forks another year, we'll see. But Flames GM Craig Conroy (Clarkson) really likes the NCAA route for prospects so I wouldn't expect Conroy to rush to sign Reschny.

I certainly think another year in the weight room at North Dakota would help Reschny.

[nascar99]

Chyzyk/Jackson had 4.5 months to fill ~12-15 spots and put together a roster that got to the Frozen Four in Year 1 of the era.

Very intrigued to see what they do moving forward.

[Fratt Mattin]

10 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

I think he needs to improve his acceleration. Whether Calgary feels they can do that with him or they're fine letting him stay in Grand Forks another year, we'll see. But Flames GM Craig Conroy (Clarkson) really likes the NCAA route for prospects so I wouldn't expect Conroy to rush to sign Reschny.

I certainly think another year in the weight room at North Dakota would help Reschny.

Totally agree that he needs another year for the same reasons you say. Glad to hear that about Conroy

[MoSiouxFan]

4 hours ago, Dustin said:

Any early signees?  I just don't see too many.  I think Reschny and Verhoff are back.  Zellers?  Probably not after Freshman year.  Got a good goalie.  Defensemen will be a year older.  Should be in good shape.

Things can always change, but what Zellers said after the game was encouraging:  "We'll be back. We'll for sure be back with this core group."  I hope that he DOES come back.  I love his play and his attitude.

[brianvf]

12 minutes ago, Fratt Mattin said:

Totally agree that he needs another year for the same reasons you say. Glad to hear that about Conroy

I’m sure he’d like to work on his finishing as well. He has great vision and a strong 200ft game. Getting double the goals he got this year would be fantastic. 

[brianvf]

Wiebe to sign:

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/unds-abram-wiebe-to-sign-with-calgary-flames

Quote

Wiebe is not expected to be UND's lone early signing.

Junior defenseman Jake Livanavage has generated significant interest as an undrafted free agent.

 

[brianvf]

Next season roster so far.
Probably a couple of signings...probably a couple of portal entrants...hopefully the core group is back to make another run + with some excellent new additions:

Forwards (14 of 15):
SR - Menghini
JR - Andrew, Croal, Littler, Swanson
SO - Josephson, Kernan, Klee, Reschny, Zakreski, Zellers
FR - A.Schultz, B.Schultz, Simpson

Defense (8 of 9):
SR -
JR - Emery, Jubenvill, Strathmann
SO - Engel, Laurila, Verhoeff
FR - Lindberg, MacKenzie

Goalies (3 of 3):
SR - Sandy
JR -
SO - Spunar
FR - Heil