UND's Red Hot Ben Strinden Takes Flight

 

Entering the 2025-26 season, UND senior forward Ben Strinden had never scored more than 16 points in a season. This season, Strinden has played like a player with something to prove. 

Strinden is on a heater. 

Before this season, Strinden had played in 99 games; he scored (17g-20a--37pts), and he was also a plus-17. This season, something clicked for him. After his career-high four-point game against Minnesota-Duluth, he said his late father, who passed this way this past summer, gave him inspiration.

"I really felt him with me tonight," an emotional Strinden said. "I don't think I've ever gotten four assists at any level of hockey. I think that was my dad, for sure. It was special. It's hard to put into words. I miss him every day."  

I started tearing up listening to @realbenstrinden speak about his father in the post-game. https://t.co/TRqb9GIxE4

— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) November 2, 2025

Strinden followed up that four-point effort with a three-point effort against the Omaha Mavericks. He's scored (6g-5a-11pts) in his last six games. He has four multi-point games on the season, a career-high. The next point he records will equal his career high in points from last year. Strinden leads UND with (7g-8a--15pts), and he's a plus-eight, which is second on the team in plus/minus.

Strinden's second goal against ASU was a thing of beauty. Unfortunately, UND would lose the game to the Sun Devils 4-2, but Strinden's second goal gave the team some life. 

Ben snipes it home to pull us within one! #UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/gdMUAn2Q8v

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) November 16, 2025

Strinden's play has caught the eye of the UND coaching staff. 

"He's such a powerful player," head coach Dane Jackson said. He plays with confidence; he's a driver. He's always going to the net. We're trying to get him out for some extra shifts because he's feeling it, and he's a dangerous player right now."

After his four-point night against the Bulldogs, his teammate Abram Wiebe was complimentary of Strinden's play. 

"He was dominant," Wiebe said. "He was everywhere on the ice. He did a good job coming into their zone and being a support option for the defenseman. He was flying all night, making plays, finding guys, and it was showing. I am really happy for him."

From what we have seen so far, Strinden has a very high ceiling. 

Forks Down, UND Blasts ASU, 5-2

 

Friday, UND looked to even the score against Arizona State. The Sun Devils were making their first visit to Ralph Engelstad Arena. Through the first three games, ASU had gotten the better of UND, winning two out of three games. 

On Friday night, things started great for UND. NoDak got off to a fast start and took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission, with goals from Ben Strinden and Will Zellers. 

In the second period, UND faced some adversity. With UND clinging to a 2-0 lead, the Sun Devils gained momentum, scoring a power play goal by Kyle Smolen and an even-strength goal from Lucius Cruz. The second period would end in a 2-2 tie. 

What a difference a year makes. Last year's team would have found a way to lose after the Sun Devils tied the game. That didn't happen. UND came out in the third period with a purpose. 

The game wouldn't stay tied very long. At the 1:04 mark of the third period, freshman forward Will Zellers would score his second goal of the game. For those keeping track, Zellers now leads the Hawks in goal scoring. 

Before Brian Rivers could finish announcing the Zellers' goal, senior forward Tyler Young would score his first goal of his UND career. Young would also get an assist on UND's final goal, as sophomore forward Cody Croal scored to ice the game.  

With the injury to freshman forward Jack Kernan, Young was penciled into the lineup with Mac Swanson and Ellis Rickwood. In the post-game, Young was gracious and happy to get the opportunity. This brings new meaning to the next man up. Young made the most of his opportunity. 

"This is the most special locker room I've been in," Young said. "No one's treated differently, whether you're in or you're out. You're treated the same way. You're always ready."

How did UND end recruiting the senior forward Young? 

"You have to give GM (Bryn) Chyzyk credit for that," UND head coach Dane Jackson said.

For those wondering at home, Young is the son of the former NHL player Scott Young, yes, that one, the two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche. 

When you look at this UND team, all four lines are contributing. Eleven players recorded points in Friday's game. Seventeen players have scored a goal for UND this season. 

Here are the highlights from Friday's 5-2 win. 

        

UND Sweeps Omaha in Omaha, a Night of Firsts

How sweep it is. Here are my thoughts from this past weekend. UND traveled to Omaha for its first National Collegiate Hockey Conference road series of the season. 

Mission accomplished. UND returned home with six conference points. 

What a difference a year makes. On Saturday night, after Omaha scored the goal to make it 2-1, last year's team might have crumbled and lost the game. The 2025-26 UND hockey team has a much better mental makeup. They seem to thrive on adversity. Nodak would score two more goals to give UND the win and an impressive (7-2 W, 4-1 W) sweep of Omaha. 

Not that it matters, but UND is sitting atop the NCHC standings after two weekends of conference play. Obviously, it's early, and there are 22 more conference games to go. UND has improved, but still has a lot of work to do. 

I posted this on Sioux Sports: I don't know about y'all, but I never felt that UND was going to lose last night's game. Was it a tight game? Of course. UND frustrated the Mavericks throughout the weekend. There is definitely a difference in talent level between UND and Omaha. I saw many things this past weekend that gave me hope. This team is one of the younger ones in college hockey, and they're making great strides. I have been impressed with the CHL kids, as well as the freshmen, such as Kernan and Zellers. Are there things that need to be cleaned up? Yes, 100 percent. Mac Swanson is starting to excel and make plays. 

Two-Headed Goalie Rotation

If UND has a two-headed monster in the net, that would be a good thing, too. We should find out over the next month what UND has in net. Okay, I am guilty, after I saw the lineup was posted for Saturday's game, I tweeted this. Okay, maybe it didn't age well. 

I am a little puzzled that Gibson Homer gets the start tonight after Jan Spunar was awesome in net last night. pic.twitter.com/aON6lNSOlg

— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) November 9, 2025

Gibson Homer has appeared in seven games and is (4-3-0, 2.74 GAA, and a .890 save percentage). Looking at his career numbers, this is by far his worst in his three-year career. Counting this year, he has two years of eligibility left, but the word is that he's going to turn pro after the season is over. His victory on Saturday broke a three-game losing streak. 

Jan Spunar has appeared in three games (3-0-0, 1.01 GAA, and a .951 save percentage). Spunar has let in three goals in 178.09 minutes of play. That's impressive. 

Night of Firsts

Yes, it was a night of firsts. Freshman forward Jack Kernan scores the first goal of his collegiate career. It will be the first of many to come.   

Kernan gets his first and it's a big one! #UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/8aRBOVzIF9

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) November 9, 2025

Entering the season, I expected more from Anthony Menghini, the junior forward from Baxter, Minnesota. I was also excited that he was signed by UND. First, he entered the season having scored 20 goals in 72 games. This year, my excitement had faded. Through the first eight games, he's been almost invisible until Saturday night, when he scored his first goal of his UND hockey career in his ninth game. That was also his first career point with UND. Hopefully, this is the first of many for Gino.  

First in a UND sweater for Menghini! #UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/kY7TppPc1k

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) November 9, 2025

CHL Alumni Take Center Stage 

We've heard a lot about the CHL players being eligible to play in NCAA hockey. Now, all of a sudden, the NHL media has spent more time taking a look at NCAA hockey. Albeit, they have foamed and slobbered all over Penn State and Gavin McKenna. What the writers are discovering is that Division 1 college hockey is challenging. There are no nights off. 

When Friday’s game was over, he’d scored what would stand as Penn State’s lone goal of the weekend, finished plus-1, registered a game-high seven shots (nearly a third of the 25 his team registered) and played a game-high 23:57.

And yet the gathering collection of scouts and hockey folks weren’t kind to him leaving the rink, with multiple NHL scouts commenting to The Athletic over the course of the weekend on his work rate off the puck, a number of backchecks he appeared to give up on, pucks he didn’t stop on and an ongoing desire for more effort. (Link) 

With development of CHL players getting to play in college hockey, this has also changed how teams in the NCAA have recruited. This season, UND has four players who have come over from the WHL; these players are making an impact. After 10 games, forward Cole Reschny has scored (2g-8a--10pts), and he's also a minus-one. He's averaging 16:48 minutes a game.

It's hard to believe that Keaton Verhoeff is 17 years old. The freshman defenseman from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta has scored (4g-2a--6pts) and is plus-two. He's scored one goal on the power play and is probably going to be a top-five draft pick. 

While everyone is ranting and raving aobut Gavin McKenna, there are other players in college hockey that should be grabbing everyones attention. The aforementioned Reschny has 10 points in 10 games, McKenna has played two more games and is only four points ahead (4g-10a--14pts).  

Last weekend, Ollie Josephson (2g-4a--6pts), had a breakthrough weekend, scoring (2g-2a--4pts), Friday night, he added an assist to his points total. Unfortunatley, his three-game points streak came to an end on Saturday night.  Nodak has won four straight over Omaha and four straight at Baxter Arena, and they have won five of the last six games they've played against the Mavericks. Nodak is 6-4-0 in he last 10 games they've played against Omaha.  

Finally, freshman Josh Zakreski was having a good season, until he suffered a serious lower-body injury. Until his injury, the Portland Winterhawks Alum was playing a significant role.  In six games, the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native scored (1g-2a--3pts). He's listed as month-to-month. Hope he can return before the season is over.       

Senior Forward Dylan James 

During his collegiate career, senior forward Dylan James has scored 37 goals, nine (.243) of them have come against Omaha. Three of them were scored this past weekend.

Omaha goalie Simon Latkoczy has now played UND 14 times in his 5-9 and has lost four out of the last five games against UND. One final stat, as we mentioned earlier James has scored goals agianst Omaha, six of his nine goals have come against Latkoczy. 

Despite the Naysayers, Ollie Josephson Making an Impact, Earns Rookie of the Week Honors

This past weekend, I wrote this: One player who has stood out for me is UND freshman forward Ollie Josephson. The Victoriaville, B.C. native scored his first goal of the UND career on Friday night and added an assist to lead the team in scoring. He followed up his solid Friday performance with another goal and an assist on Saturday night. 

After scoring just a single assist in his first six games, he had a solid weekend against UMD.  His play on the ice is turning heads. Just for the record, he's only 19 years, 3 months, and 11 days old. He's a big, strong player who is good in all three zones on the ice. He's also an excellent skater. 

For his efforts, Josephson earned NCHC Rookie of the Week Honors.

After last Friday's game, Josephson gave his thoughts on the college hockey game. 

"It's a really good league," Josephson said. "Definitely a step up from junior. So, yeah, just trying to get better every day and consistently improve my game has been big."

Doesn't sound like Josephson is having any regrets about leaving the WHL for college hockey. Through eight games, Josephson has scored (2g-3a--5pts), and he's also a plus-four. 

𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗜𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞

🏅 @UNDmhockey's Ollie Josephson

Josephson had a breakout weekend vs. UMD, totaling 4⃣ points with a goal and assist each night, including his first career goal short-handed on Friday! 💥

📰: https://t.co/VU1jw2ev1N#theNational // #UNDproud pic.twitter.com/max28sL3cC

— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) November 4, 2025

With the NCAA opening up to players from the CHL, some individuals may not understand or appreciate college hockey. First, both the CHL and the NCAA are great routes to the NHL. With the rule change, players who have aged out of the CHL may still have the opportunity to play college hockey if they choose to do so. There are late bloomers who develop later in college hockey and get a chance to play at the next level.    

Today, while I was browsing X.com, I came across a few tweets that are at best clueless and shortsighted. I tweeted this. I had to respond; it was one of the more clueless things that I had read today. 

Tell me you know nothing about college hockey and how Ollie Josephson is doing by one horribly inaccurate tweet. While his ex-teammates are riding buses, he's flying on a charter and playing a big role on UND’s team. However, don't let me get in the way of your flawed narrative. https://t.co/JO5NY67fQa

— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) November 4, 2025

Brad Schlossman also responded to a clueless tweet, too. Another fan who thinks the CHL is better than college hockey. Schloss from the top of the ropes, times two.  

pic.twitter.com/eY8VW07Vbt

— Brad Elliott Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) November 4, 2025

Where do they come up with this people? Yes, the CHL is a good league, but it's not the only route to the NHL. Michigan is a B1G program backed by a lot of money. I am sure they can come up with the resources.

And what I'm asking is what could the Flames possibly do that the University of Michigan Medical Center cannot?

— Brad Elliott Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) November 4, 2025

Linkarama: Minnesota vs North Dakota Click Away

 

Last night, college hockey fans witnessed the revival of one of the greatest rivalries in college hockey. Minnesota vs. North Dakota — or, as some would say, Gophers versus Sioux. 

If you're a UND hockey fan, you're smiling from ear to ear today. If you're a Gophers fan, you're probably not as happy. 

This morning, the theme I am hearing today, Gopher Nation is complaining about the officiating. Some things never change. Four of the Gophers' minor penalties were for stick fouls. The NCHC officials will make that call every time. Don't worry, NCHC fans aren't going to show you any empathy; we've already addressed the NCHC's on-ice officials. Multiple times. 

Whine or not, UND went 1-7 (.142) on the man advantage last night. To make things work, UND held the Gophers to 6 shots over the final two periods. That's not a missprint. 

Here's the GPL Gamer from last night's game. Hey, it's a rivalry —not everyone is going to be happy with how things unfolded. Gophers coach Bob Motzko thought some of the calls weren't penalties. (Gophers Drop Opener in Grand Forks)

Here's Brad Schlossman's gamer: UND delivers rivalry win over Minnesota for a raucous crowd. 

"I don't know if I'll experience something like this again — pro hockey or wherever hockey takes me," Dylan James told the press following the game. "I don't think there's a crowd or a fan base that has more passion for their players. I'm grateful to be here and score in front of them."

Here's another stat from Brad Schlossman: UND is now 8-3 in the last 11 rivalry games against Minnesota, and 20-3-4 in the last 27 against college hockey teams from the state of Minnesota. I didn't realize that UND has owned the teams from the state of hockey in recent years.  

Brad Schlossman: Friday night rewind: UND wears on Minnesota in opener

Alex Faber: Dylan James’ latest shorthanded goal is the dagger in rivalry win

Here's my post-game post from Inside Hockey: The Roar is Back; UND beats UMN, 5-2

Let's say it was loud in the Ralph last night. I had to turn my hearing aid down because my head was ringing. One of the new players that has stuck out for me this season is Ellis Rickwood, the transfer portal pickup. He’s been a pleasant surprise. While the young kids and high draft choices get a lot of press, this guy is a solid two-way player. Through three games, Rickwood is UND’s leading scorer with (1g–4a–5pts). He’s an excellent pickup.  

Here's a stat that many of us weren't aware of.

Tanner Ludtke is the seventh player to score his first #Gophers goal at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Ludtke is the first player to score his first Gopher goal shorthanded since Grant Cruikshank versus Minnesota Duluth on Oct. 22, 2021.pic.twitter.com/sd6cwdOjRY

— Gopher Game Notes (@GopherGameNotes) October 18, 2025

I also took some pictures during the first period of last night's game: UMN vs. UND in Pictures. 

If you're one of the few people who didn't watch last night's game, here are the highlights from last night. Finally, remember it's just a game, have fun, enjoy the game, and make some good memories.

CBS Sports Net Will No Longer Showcase NCHC Hockey Games; Positive or a Negative?

 

For the first time since the NCHC was formed in 2013, it will not have games on CBS. The league says every game in an NCHC building will be on https://t.co/fPAbe0ZsGL this season... and it might free up Alex Heinert to do more UND in second half. Story: https://t.co/A7FkNqNRyo

— Brad Elliott Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) August 21, 2025

It was announced last August that the NCHC would not renew a deal with the network ahead of the 2025-26 season. Upon reviewing this announcement, it's neither positive nor negative. Yes, it's not ideal that there won't be any NCHC hockey games on the network anymore. 

However, looking at it from a fan's perspective, they really didn't have that many games on anyway. Each NCHC team had at a minimum one game on the network and at most three games. 

Negative: It sucks that we won't have Alex Heinert doing play-by-play and Dave Starman as analyst. Let's not forget that Shireen Saski did a great job as a rinkside reporter. Someone could bring them in for a few games. 

Positive: Looking at it from a UND hockey fan's perspective, that's a win; Heinert should be back in the booth for most, if not all, of UND's hockey games. Winning! 

Positive: In speaking with fans and reading some of the comments, it's clear that many people don't have access to CBSSN. I took it for granted because it's included in my DirecTV stream package. I've had CBSSN since I switched from cable to DirecTV.  Having all of the games on NCHC.TV fans will be able to watch all their favorite teams' games on the streaming service if they have a subscription. 

Negative for some: In the past, I've been critical of the NCHC.TV. Primarily, because there are a few schools with poor broadcasts. The quality is not very good, making it difficult to watch those games. 

Positive: For UND fans, Midco Sports does a good job of producing UND hockey games and UND sports in general. They've set the bar very high for the rest of the NCHC. 

Eventually, I'd like to see Midco Sports take over the production of the NCHC.TV, like they did with the CCHA's streaming service. 

Is it hockey season yet? 

Redwing77's Take: New Coach... Direction?

 

Whoo boy.  Here we go!

I recently posted my thoughts on the next coach of UND hockey.  So much weight is put on whom it was who takes the reins that it often goes hand in hand with the rumors of how and why we got into this situation in the first place.  I had no issues with Brad Berry.  I've only talked to him once, and that was briefly over the phone.  Most who blog or follow UND hockey closely within the media know him far better than I ever will.

That being said, I have no qualms about saying that I was surprised by Berry's firing.  However, it happened and everyone asked:  What next?  What direction would UND take?  The answer was the same direction, it appears, that UND took when Blais left.  This poses an interesting bit of reading when it comes to what the fanbase thought.  After Jackson's hiring, I joking told Goon that perhaps we should start up X threads and UND hockey message board threads about when to fire Jackson.  This direction was not what the angry UND fan mob wanted to go.  They all seemed to want Hakstol or other untouchable coaches (like Fershweiler from WMU or even David Carle from DU).  

Regardless of "spin," I believe that hiring Dane Jackson was the safe, if not predictable move by Chaves.  Jackson has been around UND hockey for 19 years as a coach and almost 25 years all together.  His dedication is hardly arguable.  But image weighs a lot to the fans outside of the inner circles.   If memory serves, Jackson was a Blais or Hakstol hire whom Berry promoted to associate when Hakstol departed.  Therefore it's not a stretch to claim that Jackson is simply a younger variant of Hakstol and Berry.  He inherits a team in turmoil amidst NCAA college sports in its own turmoil.  NIL and CHL (and USports by extension) is now a thing for NCAA DI college hockey.  This, in itself, is a topic for another day. Jackson inherits a challenge and I hope he's up to it.  We'll find out either way.

I watched the press conference and there were a few things that jumped out at me:

1.  Modernize the program.  It's perhaps a not so challenging argument to be made that the program had sort of stagnated.  We were still getting decent recruits, but times were changing and it was thought, imo, that UND was falling behind the curve.  Having a recruiting/portal/GM coordinator as an assistant is a pretty decent idea of changing that complacency... assuming that UND and the 1883 Collective can compete against big money programs like those found in the Big 10 Hockey Conference.  Right now, it's not out of control, but it's rocketing towards that direction; following in the wake of college football and perhaps college basketball.

2.   Jackson's Staff.  Coach Jackson hasn't said much about who he will be hiring other than the fact that UND will hire an assistant coach/GM/recruiting guy.  This seems to scream Bryn Chyzyk.  I think this job redesign is essential but it's also going to be a severely time consuming and stressful job to do it well.

3.  Building a program of no excuses filled with 3-4 year players is all well and good but in the day of NIL and player selfishness, one has to wonder what kind of players we'll end up with?  UND fans aren't really patient and sometimes lose sight of everything short of the Frozen Four.  To me, it's an ideal situation but in reality it would put us in the same tier as UNO.  They go after high-character and hard-working guys.  However, if they are in fact top tier hockey talent, they're invariably going to transfer out to a program with money like Jayden Perron did for UND to Michigan or Tanner Ludtke of UNO transferring to Minnesota.  Top tier players now see DI hockey as more of an academic CHL with the added bonus of having control over where you play.  Don't like what it's like here?  Transfer there.  UND fans might not like what type of program that would display.  But then again I'm a skeptic and a cynic.  

4.  The NIL.  Jackson talked about the role of the 1883 Collective in the future of UND.   I think that the 1883 Collective will quickly, if it isn't already, become the most important off ice factor in bringing championships to UND.  And that's a problem considering UND doesn't have the financial clout that most of the teams in the Big 10 Hockey Conference does as well as teams like ASU and, perhaps, some teams out East.   

Coach Jackson has to address the remainder of his staff.  He has two openings to fill.  One will be the GM he spoke about, but the other will be the Associate Head Coach if he doesn't name Simpson to that role.  I wonder whom it will be?  Will it be a former UND player like Matt Smaby or Colten St. Clair?  Or will he go off the board?  Maybe someone from the CHL or the pro minor leagues?  Who knows outside of him.  

It will be interesting to see what happens.  It will definitely be an interesting ride.

UND Head Coach Dane Jackson Introduced as 17th Head Coach; Messages Were Sent

A few people asked me what I thought about the Dane Jackson introductory press conference. I was going to get to it earlier, but I have been busy being a Just for Kix Dance Dad, attending band concerts, and taking care of other personal things that need to be taken care of in the off-season. This afternoon, I listened to yesterday's press conference again. 

Wow! Messages have been sent. It's a new dawn, a new day, a new direction. 

First, I would like to recognize former UND head coach Brad Berry. He always had time to sit down with the media and give you his thoughts on the team and college hockey. Good luck in the future, coach. He will be remembered for leading UND to its eighth NCAA title. Coach Jackson mentions Berry in his opening statement.

"Our staff wants to acknowledge and thank the recent leaders of our program: Brad Berry, Dave Hakstol, Hacks, and Gino Gasparini," Jackson said. 

Coach Jackson sent quite a few messages during the brief press conference. It was obvious who he was pointing his comments at. If you missed that, you should watch the video again (embedded below). 

"Gino (Gaspirini) taught us about toughness, competing, selflessness, Jackson said. "His passion and fire were inspiring. He talked about the logo on the front being more important than the name on the back."

There's more. 

"These leaders (Gaspirini, Blais, Hakstol) taught us about humility and respect, how to work and compete, and that everything is earned," Jackson said. "We are a selfless team, first being part of something bigger than yourselves."

You can already see where this is going. UND will commit to hard work and won't put up with entitled passengers. Draft status will not matter to the new staff moving forward. Every player will earn it every day. The UND hockey team will give 100 percent. That means on the ice in games. They will outwork their opponents for every game. UND will train hard in every drill in practice and in the weight room. The players will earn every inch, every day, and work hard. They will bring pride back to the UND brand and hockey jersey. The coaching staff is committed to getting UND hockey back to where it belongs. No excuses. 

Our staff's plan: "North Dakota has always been built differently. We've been built on the man -- the character -- the toughness -- the grit, Jackson said. "(We want) the guys that rise up in big moments. That's what our coaches have picked for years. We will get back to that. We have done that a lot, and we will ensure that's our core identity. Our core identity is to get the right players, for the right reasons, who want to play at UND, win championships, and develop as players and people."

Interpretation: There is a new sheriff in town, and things will change. Jackson and the staff will be ready for the new year with a new attitude. If you don't want to be here, pack your bags, we don't want you. 

"We need to modernize our program in this fast-changing college landscape," Jackson said. We need to adapt. We're going to hire a person who's a GM/recruiting coach dedicated to recruiting, roster management, and portal management. Having said that, we'll ensure we get back to a sustainable model of recruiting and developing three and four-year players (who) are tied to UND and love the program." 

Boom!

There are about six months until the 2025-26 season begins. There is a lot of work to be done, but you will see a new UND hockey team when the puck drops on the 2025-26 season. 

 

Dane Jackson Is UND Hockey's 17th Head Coach, Now What?

Grand Forks, ND—What a week it's been. Last Sunday, around 6:20 pm, the University of North Dakota announced that it had fired Brad Berry and named Associate Head Coach Dane Jackson interim head coach. UND also announced that a national search would start immediately and close at Midnight on Wednesday.

Fast-forward to Saturday evening, around 9:30 pm, when UND announced that it had promoted Dane Jackson to head coach. Apparently, after conversations with current and former players and others, UND decided they didn't need to look outside the organization.

Well driving home from the @jfkdance meet in Wahpeton, the @UNDmhockey drops their announcement of who is the next head coach. The phone blew up on I-29—an impressive list of finalists. I wonder if UND could pull an assistant coach or two out of that list.

Matt Smaby, Jason… https://t.co/epbBNGvzkz

— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) March 30, 2025

Now what? From this day forward, UND head coach Dave Jackson's chair will immediately be hot. If you think I am kidding, I am not. All you have to do is peruse social media and our favorite fan messageboard. Some from this group wanted Dave Hakstol fired after he didn't win an NCAA title after numerous trips to the Frozen Four. 

Again,  we've come full circle. 

Exhibit A: UND Hockey: Making the Case for Dave Hakstol

Exhibit B: Fire Coach Hakstol, Not Likely

For the record, I am not a burn it to the ground fire everybody kind of guy. Did we need to make a change? I don't know. Something had to change. The loudest fire Brad Berry fans got their wish. We now have a new head coach. I don't know if UND got better. Only time will tell. It is what it is, that's the nature of the business. College sports are now a professional minor league. 

As I tweeted on X today, checking the responses to this announcement, it would appear that it's about 40/60 or 50/50 on the @UNDmhockey team's new head coach.

Checking the responses to this announcement, it would appear that it's about 40/60 or 50/50 on the @UNDmhockey team's new head coach. https://t.co/IpNJGIr6Jq

— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) March 30, 2025

My question is, how long of a honeymoon does Jackson get? How long before the fans start calling for his head, too? Some people are never happy. I guess time will tell. It will be interesting to see how the 2025-26 UND hockey team responds. There will be a lot of background noise, especially if they stumble out of the gate. 

Also, if Jackson wins a title in his first year, will fans say, "Well, he did it all with Brad Berry's recruits?" 

Also, should we be concerned that the players chose Berry's replacement? Is everyone comfortable with this? This is 2025, not your daddy's UND Fighting Sioux team or a 1990s version of college sports. Everything has changed. In the old days, if you were unhappy with your playing time, you'd talk to the coach, and he'd tell you to practice harder and play better. Now, players go somewhere else. The unhappy players take their sticks and leave. It's just a different time. 

After Jackson was hired, Dylan James and Jake Livanavage announced their return. That's excellent news for the UND hockey team. We should see more personnel announcements as the week moves forward. 

I recommend that you listen to the "Live in Five" podcast. It's interesting. It features former UND hockey players Gage Ausmus and Jordan Schmaltz from the 2016 NCAA title-winning team. Obviously, Ausmus is dialed in to the college hockey NIL.  

🚨Episode 80: New Bench Boss

-Weekend Recap
-Bob Rock is all time
-UND fires Brad Berry
-Best candidate for the job
-NailGun of the week
-People’s 📞📞 term of the week
&& much more !!

🎧: https://t.co/U0U3Qs1P8W pic.twitter.com/nDGQEFVMFc

— Live in Five (@LiveInFivePod) March 26, 2025

Here are a few things that stood out for me from the podcast. 

"The fans think they have the answers: We can go out and get whoever we want, or replacing Bubs is the better option," Ausmus said. "Are we sure we'll find a better coach than Bubs? Are you sure about that? You don't know. I don't know, either. Who knows if it's the right call?" 

 "The college landscape has changed, Jordo," Ausmus said. "The Gopher's first line this year cost them 225k or something like that, that's a rumor that I heard. Our first line cost 12k, and some free Deeks pizza on Saturday nights. What are we ranking right now in NIL money compared to these other schools? It ain't near the top 10 or 15. There might be like 10 to 15 teams spending more money than us. Do we expect to be better than them? I know we got a huge tradition and culture at North Dakota, and it's a great place to play, but at the end of the day, we've got to figure that out."

UND Hockey: Brad Berry Is Out as Head Coach

The University of North Dakota men's hockey team has decided to part ways with head coach Brad Berry after 10 seasons with the Fighting Hawks. Per a release from UND: Berry guided North Dakota to 10 winning seasons, amassing a 227-119-35 overall record to rank fourth all-time in program history in wins. He also captured five NCHC Penrose Cups, one NCHC Frozen Faceoff crown, and five NCAA Tournament appearances. He became the first and only head coach in NCAA Division I men's hockey history to win a national title in his first season in 2015-16.

"Coach Berry has had a tremendous decade run at his alma mater," UND Athletic Director Bill Chaves said. "Not many coaches win a national title, and he's one of a very few. His time will be cherished, but today was the right time to move in a new direction for UND hockey."

UND will immediately seek a replacement. AD Chaves also announced that Dane Jackson will serve as interim head coach. 

Pursuing social media and our favorite fan message board, I see fans wanting a Dave Hakstol 2.0. That would be fine, but I doubt he's interested in coaching college hockey again. I imagine he'd like to coach in the NHL again. Finally, I also want to remind these people you were the same people who wanted him fired after he didn't win an NCAA title. We come full circle. 

Exhibit A: UND Hockey: Making the Case for Dave Hakstol

Exhibit B: Fire Coach Hakstol, Not Likely

There will be more on this subject later this week. 

The Hockey World Responds to Berry's Firing.

After 10 seasons, 227-119-35 overall record, 2016 national championship, Berry not returning behind North Dakota bench - https://t.co/v0xsCbiioi pic.twitter.com/OLLNvdIbrA

— USCHO.com (@USCHO) March 23, 2025

Brad Berry will not return next season in North Dakota. Berry guided North Dakota to 10 winning seasons..he became the first-and-only head coach in NCAA D I men’s hockey history to win a national title in his first season in 2015-16 pic.twitter.com/dE30CxzMO9

— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) March 23, 2025

I'm not sure I can express enough how upset I am to hear the news regarding Brad Berry. For the better part of 20 years Brad has been a friend, a colleague, and someone whose helpful advice on many topics I have sought out in my career. Great coach; incredible human being.

— Dave Starman (@DStarmanHockey) March 23, 2025

Who are we thinking they hire now? Give me one realistic and one out there idea. I’ll start.
Garret Raboin (Augie Coach)

Or @Gausmus47

— Sioux Lite (@SiouxLite) March 24, 2025

This is a bit stunning...

— 𝙂𝙋𝙇 🏒 (@GopherPuckLive) March 23, 2025

This is a bit stunning...

— 𝙂𝙋𝙇 🏒 (@GopherPuckLive) March 23, 2025

I guess i’m not that surprised brad berry is out at UND. Thats a program that expects a championship year in and out. Super interested to see who they hire next

— Mike Grinnell (@MikeGrinnell_) March 24, 2025

Welp. The angry people get what they want. Y'all better be right.

— Tim Boger (@timothyboger) March 24, 2025

Couldn’t have said it better. Bubs gave me the chance to live out a dream I never knew was possible—working a dream job I didn’t know I would fall in love with. His leadership, dedication, and the values he instilled in the program have shaped my career and life in ways I’ll… https://t.co/cnstdi8PRC

— Dan Johansson (@DanJohansson14) March 24, 2025

Dave Hakstol (dreaming)
Garrett Raboin
Matt Smaby

That’s my wish list. And whoever it is brings Bryn Chyzyk with as GM. https://t.co/ncxWcNQS9Z

— F’n Hawks Talk (@fnhawkstalk) March 24, 2025

When does a love his players and them for him a love for the program and a great record including 4 conference titles and a National championship doesn’t mean more years to keep it going? I’m staggered at news for a great coach and a better man and friend

— tim hennessy (@tim_cctimh) March 24, 2025

I can't find any evidence that North Dakota ever fired a coach before. In 1978, UND and Rube Bjorkman "mutually agreed" to part ways after many seasons of mediocrity. That led immediately to the Gino Gasparini heyday.

— Adam Wodon (@CHN_AdamWodon) March 24, 2025

Bring back Hak if only so we can get #FireHak trending every week again

— LetsGoDU (@LetsGoDU) March 24, 2025

NCHC Coaches: They Said What?

Hockey is full of cliches' and sound bites. Yesterday, during the semifinal round of the NCHC Frozen Faceoff, it was a big day for quotes from the coaches. Here are a few that caught my attention. 

Arizona State head coach Greg Powers talked about the Pairwise Rankings. 

"We feel like we're a team that should still be playing," coach Powers said. "We're the first team in the history of the NCHC to finish second (in the regular season standings) and not advance. It's a screwy year in the Pairwise. Cornell won tonight, and there's another spot gone."

Late in the first period, ASU Graduate forward Artem Shlaine blocked a Denver Pioneers shot. Shlaine would miss some time, but he would return later in the game, score a goal, and almost set up another goal. 

"He's a warrior, he's (Shlaine) our MPV," coach Powers said. "His foot is probably broken. I'm sure it's fractured. For him to come back and do what he did, get a big goal, and miss Chuckie (Charlie Schoen) in the back door and make a great play there in the third to take the lead, and their guy just got their stick on him, that's what he does. He's a winner and has a long career in front of him."

UND head coach Brad Berry gave his thoughts on his team's season being over. 

"Everybody has key injuries," coach Berry said. "The inconsistency in our game early on, which led to our nonconference record, was .500 or about .500. It wasn't good enough to get in the tournament. You have to build it up early in the year, which means your nonconference record. Not only us but also a lot of teams in our league didn't have great nonconference schedules or outcomes. We have to be better at that next year."

Denver head coach David Carle discussed Arizona State's fortunes and how the Sun Devils deserve to be in the NCAA tournament. 

"I certainly think they're a team that deserves to be," coach Carle said. "They're a top 12, top 10 team all day long. But unfortunately, it is what it is. You've got to win your games, and the Pairwise is a brutal thing sometimes. The games count as much in October as they do in March and don't take into account injuries or anything like that."

Western head coach Pat Ferschweiler on his team's style of play. 

"We talk daily," head coach Ferschweiler said. No slamming your stick. No frustration. Frustration is a weakness. We will not show it. We will stick with our plan. We'll believe in ourselves, and we're gonna we're gonna go forward in a relentless fashion. That's the way we play."

Well...Redwing77's Take

Well….

Another season is in the books and well… it was a season.  This was a season made most notable by injuries, transfers, and freshmen.  It was also a season made noteworthy by less favorable statistics.   Here’s my take:

The Offense

This was a team that, on paper, could hang with anyone.  Sometimes it did!  Sometimes, it did not.  The only consistent factor of our offense was the fact that it was inconsistent.  All in all, I figured that the offense had to carry this team in order for it to win.  How so?  They’re VERY FAR under .500 when they score 3 or less goals.  Tonight, they lost the semifinals 4-2.  Very sad, considering how well we played otherwise.

Drop the Puck…no wait… uhm…

This team struggled mightily in the faceoff circle.  I’m not sure how to fix this.  What I saw on the replays and as I watched wasn’t bad form per se, but then again… if you need me to judge form and technique, you might as well fold the team.  Regardless, this is an issue.

The Defense

Young and somewhat Injury-plagued as well.  Emery, Jubenvill, and Strathman have promise.  Strathman can be great if he just is more disciplined.  Jubenvill is going to be special.  I might be the only one, but Caleb McDonald didn't impress me all that much.  He wasn't a liability, but, to me, he wasn't a first-pairing defenseman.  Regardless, UND's defense used to provoke fear due to their physicality and proficiency at their trade.  I don't feel like that's the case much anymore.  WMU shot the puck at will. 

The Goaltending

Whoo… this part is the most aggravating to me.  TJ played great tonight against a VASTLY superior Western Michigan.  However, it’s not enough.  I can’t find much to say negatively about his play tonight, but why is it that it takes most of the season to grow into this form?  I talked to some more dialed-in UND fans at the Baxter Arena in Omaha, and they spoke highly of TJ and even said that he was the best “first-shot goaltender” they’ve ever seen.  The problem is you don’t see just one shot in a flurry of chances usually.  To me, I’m still leaning a lot towards comparing TJ to Drew DeRidder.  Both TJ and Drew had rough seasons and got hot late in the season all for naught.  My thought to ponder, though, is: Is it better to come up just short despite playing well with a transfer or to come up equally short developing a homegrown goaltender like Hedquist?  I think Berry ultimately made the right choice with TJ, but I've always been a homegrown guy.  Think of Herb Brooks in Miracle.  He brought in the flashy guy and sent him home in favor of the guys he had to start.  I'm like that.  Maybe detrimental and irrational, but still..

Special Teams… WELLLLL……

The Power play was pretty good again.  Not as good as last year but still good.  The Penalty Kill, however…. That was special with air quotes around it.  50th in the nation special.  I will give BIG kudos to UND for killing off two penalties against WMU when WMU could shoot the puck practically at will.  I would say that this is the most significant problem in UND’s game if it wasn’t for the fact that faceoffs happen all game long.  I know.  Understatement as usual and certainly not a statement made on a limb.  It was straight-up bad this year, even with the later season PK being better.  

Coaching

FIRE…. No one.  It never ceased amazing me how many social media coaches and GMs out there would fire a head coach with Berry’s resume.  It is true this is the first time since 1990 that UND had 20+ wins and failed to get to the NCAA Regionals, but UND is going to need to fail more before the boo birds get their way.  That being said… I can’t see this year being all that helpful towards the careers of Dane Jackson and maybe Karl Goehring.  Jackson ran the PK coaching, and it was atrocious, and Goehring seems unable to find good goaltenders, or at least ones that grow season to season.  And that hurts because Karl Goehring might be my favorite all-time UND player.  He certainly is my favorite goaltender.

The Future

I think the future hangs a lot on #9.  Sacha Boisvert was a stud this year.  It’s no secret that the Blackhawks are NOT very good and Bedard isn’t happy.  Chicago drafted Boisvert as a two-way player that can, eventually, center a line with Bedard (though I thought Bedard was a center?).  We have good players already in Grand Forks and more coming, but none nearly as dynamic and game-changing as Boisvert.  And he’s only going to get better.  That being said, if we’re not talking about Boisvert, the player that impressed me the most late in the season was Cade Littler.  He’s the replacement for Jackson Kunz and Cam Berg easily if he can improve his faceoff skills.  He’s a big kid, and he can score.  I am VERY certain that Cade will be a top 2 liner next season.

Predictions

Well, here we may get a bit edgy, but this is an Op-Ed piece, so…

1. Next season, UND will only have 1 returning goaltender:  Alexsi Huson (assuming Kaleb Johnson graduates).  TJ graduates, and I’m predicting Hobie Hedquist transfers.  What does this mean?  Another transfer to come in with Caleb Heil.  Let’s face it.  Heil didn’t have statistically the best season in Madison.  True, he was 22-8-2, but his 2.67 GAA with a .897 Save% was nothing to write home about.  Will it matter if we’re always going to the Portal for 1 year wonders in net?  I can’t help but notice that WMU had a transfer goaltender, too…as a backup to their freshman phenom (and a former UND commit to boot).  DU doesn’t have a transfer goaltender on their roster.  I guess that puts me in the “homegrown” camp.  I guess I’d rather develop a goaltender through playing time rather than roll the dice on a retread every year.  

2. Please note that the following is my opinion and it is not meant to be a dig at any player or be mean-spirited in any way!  I think Berry SHOULD use the transfer portal to bring in a bench defenseman or depth at D.  Why?  Because Bennet Zmolek has more talent than his body allows him to display.  I like the kid, and it kills me to say this, but… he’s too fragile to play the game style he’s been playing thus far.  Yes, he’s coming back next year, but for how many games?  He hasn’t played a full season to my recollection yet… at least in Grand Forks.  He’s a GOOD defenseman, though.  Maybe this time, he’ll come back healthy and become a workhorse on the back end for UND.  I certainly hope so.  I’m just not confident that his body will allow what his mindset and spirit desires.

3. They aren’t going to fire Berry, but his seat MIGHT be getting warmer.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure Berry was the primary recruiter while Hakstol was the head coach.  Could be wrong on this. 

4. In the transfer era, we need a new recruiting philosophy.  How come we’re not even top 3 in the NCHC at recruiting goaltenders?  Even UNO is better than we are and there’s an argument to be made that CC is better too.  I really am thinking that Adam Scheel and Cam Johnson were flukes.  And how come Denver is always able to find great goaltenders?  Pisses me off.

5. It seems like the NCHC is having a grand time finding Scandinavian skaters to bolster their American and Canadian skaters…except UND isn’t one of them.  UND, to my knowledge, has had three:  Ludvig Hoff, Ludvig Persson, and Jacob Helleston.  Not so sure we need Scandinavians but what’s with that anyways?  Bring the umlaut to UND!  :D 

    

Ponderings from around D1 Hockey:

Ok, this is off-topic, but I’ve watched a bit of hockey from other places, and this is what I have pondered:

1. What is everyone’s fascination with Trey Augustine of MSU?  I’m not suggesting he’s a bad goalie nor am I saying he’s overrated.  I’m simply amazed by how, when I watched him play vs. Penn State earlier this year, the commentators couldn’t stop raving about him even after he gives up a rather weak goal or even after MSU lost the game.  This must be the potential he shows.  He was ok with Team USA.  It’s like he’s the second coming of Rick DiPietro or Mike Richter.  Future NHLer?  Quite probably.  Great college hockey goalie?  Not yet.

2. Alex Bump is good.  Not as good as Dave Starman made him out to be, but very darn good.  I feel that Bump is as likely to be signed this offseason as Boisvert is.  Philadelphia is hurting for talent, too. 

3. As for coaching hot seats, What do you think is happening in Duluth?  Sandelin continues to get talent (like the Plante brothers, and their goaltenders aren’t that bad), but they’ve been terrible.  Could Sandelin’s seat be getting a bit toasty?

Final Thought

If you’ve hung around college athletics the past year, be it hockey or football, the prevailing thoughts have been centered around the transfer portal and NIL.  True, the NIL isn’t as big of an issue in hockey as it is in football (and WOW, is it a problem in FBS land), but the true test of Berry and whether or not he can last will be how he will build a team despite the revolving door college athletics has become.  Are we done seeing teams that primarily build from within?  I think the transfer portal has made it harder to build teams and instead play into superficiality in both players and fans alike.  TJ would have been a great add if he were a sophomore or even a junior, but he’s one and done.  Imagine what Ludvig Persson would have been like had he had more than 1 year of eligibility remaining when he came to Grand Forks.  So many fans want a “win now” attitude or maybe now they’re far more vocal than in the past.  UND fans are going around saying that we should be in the National Championship game every year or at least the Frozen Four on a yearly basis and that’s just not practical in this environment.  The biggest key will be how coaches can build and develop teams moving forward in this landscape.  I think UND is trying to find its footing and UND will be back.  I just hope it’s sooner rather than later.