2026-27 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[LuvHockey]

40 days until the puck drops.....

[brianvf]

3 hours ago, AeroSioux said:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vAHVAHxwHbZOn6Pbp7u7R?si=CkHLapOJT7COka4kpRcJ1A&utm_source=copy-link

Solid interview with Chyz here at 46:44.

https://x.com/UofHockeyBlog/status/2091917501474930812

Quote

We've had a couple families over the years ask about the money piece, that's something we discuss at the end of the process. If that question comes up early, you won't be playing for the University of North Dakota. We do not want guys coming here for money.

 

[upnorthkid]

49 minutes ago, brianvf said:

https://x.com/UofHockeyBlog/status/2091917501474930812

 

This is 100% how I would want my program run as well. You're also going to be far more apt to get guys who want to be there for non-money reasons to come back for extra years, and we all know in college hockey the "bonus" year players are essential to winning titles and guys focused on money are culture killers (have to imagine is a big reason for the exodus at PSU this last offseason)

[brianvf]

 

 

[hockeytherapy13]

It’s the time of year to start guessing so here we go

 

Swanson-Reschny-Zellers

Magnussen-Kernan-Simpson

Croal-Ollie-Lindberg (shutdown line)

Zakreski-Malinoski- Davis

Menghini- B. Schultz-A. Schultz

 

Carels-Emery 

Laurila-Verhoeff

Mackenzie-Boser

Dumanski-Lindberg

 

Spoons

Heil

Scheiwiller

 

I feel decent about my D pairings but this forward group is tough, especially trying to figure out who is going to sit. Kernan played great at center but could be lethal at wing this year. I’m not sold on Malinoski yet so I put him bottom 6.

Predictions: Reschny, Swanson, and Magnussen a will each get 25+ assists this year with their playmaking skills.  Zellers with 25+ goals, Kernan and Simpson each with 15+ goals. 

Good luck to the bottom 6 forwards going to war each week to stay in the lineup. 
 

[brianvf]

10 minutes ago, hockeytherapy13 said:

It’s the time of year to start guessing so here we go

 

Swanson-Reschny-Zellers

Rasmussen-Kernan-Simpson

Croal-Ollie-Lindberg (shutdown line)

Zakreski-Malinoski- Davis

Menghini- B. Schultz-A. Schultz

 

Now you're just making up players.   

Agreed on the forward group.  The practice battles are gonna be intense each week as everyone fights for those lineup spots.
They'll need to keep playing at a very high level if they want a consistent spot in the lineup.

[hockeytherapy13]

9 minutes ago, brianvf said:

Now you're just making up players.   

Agreed on the forward group.  The practice battles are gonna be intense each week as everyone fights for those lineup spots.
They'll need to keep playing at a very high level if they want a consistent spot in the lineup.

lol updated, good catch 

[I Ranger]

6 hours ago, hockeytherapy13 said:

It’s the time of year to start guessing so here we go

 

Swanson-Reschny-Zellers

Magnussen-Kernan-Simpson

Croal-Ollie-Lindberg (shutdown line)

Zakreski-Malinoski- Davis

Menghini- B. Schultz-A. Schultz

 

Carels-Emery 

Laurila-Verhoeff

Mackenzie-Boser

Dumanski-Lindberg

 

Spoons

Heil

Scheiwiller

 

I feel decent about my D pairings but this forward group is tough, especially trying to figure out who is going to sit. Kernan played great at center but could be lethal at wing this year. I’m not sold on Malinoski yet so I put him bottom 6.

Predictions: Reschny, Swanson, and Magnussen a will each get 25+ assists this year with their playmaking skills.  Zellers with 25+ goals, Kernan and Simpson each with 15+ goals. 

Good luck to the bottom 6 forwards going to war each week to stay in the lineup. 
 

I've had those same three penciled in as the third (shutdown line) basically since Lindberg transferred over as well. I think Reschny and Zellers need to play together just not sure who is the right fit on the other wing. I've thrown around potentially Kernan on the wing with those two if he isn't needed at center. 

 

I thought Magnussen was more of a scorer/known for his heavy shot? 

[.357]

Smart to start the season with 2 exhibition games instead of 1, will give the team more time to iron out some kinks before they play meaningful competition with NPI on the line. It's difficult to get any flow going just playing Manitoba once & then jumping directly into the fire. Augustana should provide a good mirror as to how ready UND is at the start of the season.

[tnt]

55 minutes ago, .357 said:

Smart to start the season with 2 exhibition games instead of 1, will give the team more time to iron out some kinks before they play meaningful competition with NPI on the line. It's difficult to get any flow going just playing Manitoba once & then jumping directly into the fire. Augustana should provide a good mirror as to how ready UND is at the start of the season.

Also a chance to get a look at guys that might be fighting for a spot in the lineup as a forward, or perhaps as a seventh defenseman.  Competition could be so tight it would be nice to check out how guys react in game conditions.

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

1 hour ago, .357 said:

Smart to start the season with 2 exhibition games instead of 1, will give the team more time to iron out some kinks before they play meaningful competition with NPI on the line. It's difficult to get any flow going just playing Manitoba once & then jumping directly into the fire. Augustana should provide a good mirror as to how ready UND is at the start of the season.

Two exhibitions homecoming weekend should be a tradition going forward; swap Minot State or Mary in sometimes and book it annually.

[brianvf]

Kernan mic'd up on Day 1 skate, ha.  I love Croal "stop talking to me".  

 

[hockeytherapy13]

On 8/26/2026 at 7:08 AM, I Ranger said:

I've had those same three penciled in as the third (shutdown line) basically since Lindberg transferred over as well. I think Reschny and Zellers need to play together just not sure who is the right fit on the other wing. I've thrown around potentially Kernan on the wing with those two if he isn't needed at center. 

 

I thought Magnussen was more of a scorer/known for his heavy shot? 

Probably true but I don’t know if he’s a high end goal-scorer at even strength since 6 of his 10 goals were on the power play. But he had 21 assists so it seems like he’s also a good playmaker and that’ll be especially tested and hopefully true if he’s on a line with Simpson and Kernan. I assume he’ll get a look on the power play; maybe they try him on the right flank since he’s a lefty with a heavy shot. 

[brianvf]

Article on Simpson, with many mentions of Zellers as well.

https://blackngoldhockey.com/2026/08/bruins-prospect-cooper-simpsons-path-forward-is-full-of-familiar-faces/

[Fratt Mattin]

18 hours ago, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

Two exhibitions homecoming weekend should be a tradition going forward; swap Minot State or Mary in sometimes and book it annually.

Probably not going to happen because it would mean sacrificing ticket/concession revenue at the Ralph, but I’d love to see them scrimmage Minor State and Mary on the road every so often. Could make a whole thing out of it and do a fan fest the night before or something. I think it’d be a good way to stay connected with fans and alumni in the western part of the state who don’t get to see the team in person as often as folks who live in Fargo, GF, etc.

[brianvf]

Quick little Q&A with Malinoski and Magnussen from the NCHC:

 

[Green Banner]

On 8/27/2026 at 12:56 AM, brianvf said:

Kernan mic'd up on Day 1 skate, ha.  I love Croal "stop talking to me".  

 

Divided locker room already? Not good😁

[brianvf]

3 hours ago, Green Banner said:

Divided locker room already? Not good😁

Already!!    

[brianvf]

Almost time to start memorizing new numbers and faces!

 

[Oldguy]

Roster is up on UNDsports.com.  The thing that really jumped out to me is that this team is HEAVY.  Lots of guys are listed at 195+ pounds (some significantly more).

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/nhl-prospect-rankings-top-75-skaters-2026-2027-mckenna-benson-martone-stenberg

Carels, Verhoeff, Reschny listed in the top half. No Emery, Rucks or surprises.

[brianvf]

Can't wait for that first puck drop!

 

[LuvHockey]

32 days and 20 hrs….

[Blackheart]

Curious how good this team is gonna be this season.  Last year the boys seemed to have an answer every time things got close; always seemed to make the big play in crucial moments.  Not saying it was luck but sometimes you just don't get the bounces.  Also, the transfer portal guys like Tyler Young and Rickwood were excellent fits for the Sioux.  Hoping they can recreate some of that magic this year.

[Big A HG]

4 minutes ago, Blackheart said:

Curious how good this team is gonna be this season.  Last year the boys seemed to have an answer every time things got close; always seemed to make the big play in crucial moments.  Not saying it was luck but sometimes you just don't get the bounces.  Also, the transfer portal guys like Tyler Young and Rickwood were excellent fits for the Sioux.  Hoping they can recreate some of that magic this year.

 

Come on, Blackheart!  We were all left with a quote that's etched into the annals of UND hockey history.

"The harder I work, the luckier I get."  -Ralph Engelstad

Dane instilled some work ethic back into the program, so call it luck or call it skill, but I'm optimistic that we'll see more resiliency from the team in green this year.