2026-27 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[nascar99]

3 hours ago, brianvf said:

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

Wonder if Andrew and Jubenvill enter the portal or stick around

[108498]

Hate to compare, but which team went father and surprised more considering the preseason expectations? football or hockey? 

[The Sicatoka]

If you're Dalton Andrew or Ian Engel you stay quiet in a roster slot unless you have a new team lined up. I still see potential in each. 

Menghini was a disappointment. Worse than Notermann at missing the net. Maybe St Cloud ... ?

I see Jubenvill or Strathmann in the portal, likely Jubes. 

[nodakgirl93]

1 hour ago, nascar99 said:

Wonder if Andrew and Jubenvill enter the portal or stick around

What team would take Andrew? He came from the MJHL and was always going to be the last man out. Now that you can take players from the CHL teams have other options. 

[The Sicatoka]

12 minutes ago, 108498 said:

Hate to compare, but which team went father and surprised more considering the preseason expectations? football or hockey? 

Up next? The second season after setting new expectations. 

[brucespook]

With NIL is the push to sign early diminished somewhat?  

[siouxweet]

34 minutes ago, 108498 said:

Hate to compare, but which team went father and surprised more considering the preseason expectations? football or hockey? 

Football was an absolute dumpster fire, hockey had pieces in place but needed some tweaking and new leadership. 

[Dustin]

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/und-defenseman-jake-livanavage-set-to-turn-pro

Liv gone too.  IMO it's hard to win it all without upperclass defensemen.  UND was short on those this year, and now will be short on them next year without a transfer.

[Fratt Mattin]

1 minute ago, Dustin said:

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/und-defenseman-jake-livanavage-set-to-turn-pro

Liv gone too.  IMO it's hard to win it all without upperclass defensemen.  UND was short on those this year, and now will be short on them next year without a transfer.

My thoughts exactly. If there’s a high end junior or senior d-man available in the portal, I think we need to be all over that. Preferably a righty

[Dustin]

2 hours ago, nascar99 said:

A.Schultz, B.Schultz

Related?  I see they have different hometowns listed.

[beastandco]

6 hours ago, brianvf said:

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

Definitely a talented group. Hopefully there are no other significant pro signings. Unless roster caps change this offseason, there would only be the open forward spot. I expect a couple of players to hit the portal. If not, we might see a cut or two. I am really optimistic about this offseason. Bryn showed what he can do in matter of a couple months last offseason. Let’s see what he can do with a whole year.

[nascar99]

40 minutes ago, Dustin said:

Related?  I see they have different hometowns listed.

Not related

[cowboys5xsbs]

Defense is going to be hurting with all the talent lost 

[OopsSioux]

4 minutes ago, cowboys5xsbs said:

Defense is going to be hurting with all the talent lost 

I think they'll be alright as long as Emery doesn't leave early.  I think Voerhoff can progress into a shutdown guy but in order for him to have that role the forwards need to take a step.  The sophomore forwards should be great next year.

[dden3]

27 minutes ago, cowboys5xsbs said:

Defense is going to be hurting with all the talent lost 

And the group didn't live up to their billing as is. 

[Dustin]

7 minutes ago, dden3 said:

And the group didn't live up to their billing as is. 

I feel the defense was a year away.

[Speed_Kills]

Strongly disagree the defense will be hurting next year and that the group this year didn't live up to their billing. They were a little looser in the last month of the season at times but they shut down some really good teams all year. Spunar being really good helped of course. Wait until the cards fall and you get to watch some of the kids they have coming in.

[SIOUXELEVENS]

I think Strathmann, Laurila, Emery and Verhoff gorm a pretty good core and if the recruits pan out they should be solid. 

[nascar99]

Posted in the 2025-26 Season Thread, but will also post here: Livanavage has signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins, so he’s gone

[SpudsSioux]

15 minutes ago, Speed_Kills said:

Strongly disagree the defense will be hurting next year and that the group this year didn't live up to their billing. They were a little looser in the last month of the season at times but they shut down some really good teams all year. Spunar being really good helped of course. Wait until the cards fall and you get to watch some of the kids they have coming in.

I agree. If we miss out on the remaining big 3 (Carels, Dupont Rudolph) or lose Emery I'll be more nervous, but to get one of those guys, we needed to lose 3 so this makes sense. I think Verhoeff and Laurila were further along as Freshmen than Emery and Strathman were a year ago so I'm really optimistic about how big of a jump those two can take. If Emery take another jump like he did from Freshman to Sophomoreyear he could be a defensive defenseman of the year candidate next yaer.

While "young" grade wise, they won't be terribly young by age. Laurila and McKenzie will be 20 years old, Lindberg 19. 

[beastandco]

7 minutes ago, SpudsSioux said:

I agree. If we miss out on the remaining big 3 (Carels, Dupont Rudolph) or lose Emery I'll be more nervous, but to get one of those guys, we needed to lose 3 so this makes sense. I think Verhoeff and Laurila were further along as Freshmen than Emery and Strathman were a year ago so I'm really optimistic about how big of a jump those two can take. If Emery take another jump like he did from Freshman to Sophomoreyear he could be a defensive defenseman of the year candidate next yaer.

While "young" grade wise, they won't be terribly young by age. Laurila and McKenzie will be 20 years old, Lindberg 19. 

We will likely know about 2 weeks from now if UND is targeting one of Carels, DuPont, and Rudolph. Bryn has had enough dialogue by now with the players and/or their advisors to know if UND is their school of choice, or in serious consideration. With the portal opening and closing within the next 9 days, we’ll know how many more freshman will be added next year based off of the remaining open spots after portal commits. 
 

Cam Robinson linked Carels to UND again on his podcast today, so that is encouraging.

[brianvf]

1 hour ago, Speed_Kills said:

Strongly disagree the defense will be hurting next year and that the group this year didn't live up to their billing. 

1 hour ago, SIOUXELEVENS said:

I think Strathmann, Laurila, Emery and Verhoff gorm a pretty good core and if the recruits pan out they should be solid. 

Agreed.  I think defense is looking pretty good with those four plus MacKenzie + CHL stud "TBD".
Strathmann takes on a more offensive side (he's got it in him with his skill and skating)...Laurila was a huge surprise this year, he's poised to be a very very good NCAA dman...Verhoeff takes a jump...Emery is the shutdown guy with a pile of minutes.

[brianvf]

5 hours ago, nascar99 said:

Wonder if Andrew and Jubenvill enter the portal or stick around

Jubs would be my guess.  Was the odd man out all season it seemed.
He certainly has skill, but will wonder if he will be the odd man out again next season with the skill coming in.

[OopsSioux]

15 hours ago, brianvf said:

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

Rickwood was the stabilizing factor this team needed on the front end.  He had some offense as well but more importantly he brought faceoff wins, dependability, energy, experience, and playmaking.  The young man will be difficult to replace.  Unsung hero in my mind.

I'd argue he was as important to this team as anyone.  Thankfully, I believe there are two or three guys already on this roster who can step into that role.

We shall see.  Rickwood will be missed.

[cberkas]

8 hours ago, The Sicatoka said:

If you're Dalton Andrew or Ian Engel you stay quiet in a roster slot unless you have a new team lined up. I still see potential in each. 

Menghini was a disappointment. Worse than Notermann at missing the net. Maybe St Cloud ... ?

I see Jubenvill or Strathmann in the portal, likely Jubes. 

He had promise but then fall off toward the end of the season. He's the extra forward/4th line fill in.

With the CHL coming in need to be ruthless like VGK GM is ruthless. 

Need to get guys that can complement Cole more.  Need a line that you can say is the top line (CBS, DOT), balanced scoring is nice but need that top line of finishers. Duluth was a 1 line team that was finishers.