Former UND forward Griffin Ness reflects upon his four years with the Fighting Hawks

WEST FARGO — Griffin Ness originally planned to play hockey at Air Force before ending up at the University of North Dakota for four years.

Coming out of high school, the Wayzata, MN, native did not have many offers. But after a successful season in the USHL with the Waterloo Black Hawks, he re-opened his recruiting and eventually landed at UND. 

“I went on a few visits to other schools,” Ness said. “But when I came here, I fell in love right away.”

Ness also had visits with Ohio State and the University of Minnesota, and plenty of other schools were trying to recruit him. But his decision to play at UND was an easy one.

Ness’s first season with the Fighting Hawks was very different compared to most players. He joined the team for the 2020-21 season but spent his first month of college hockey playing in the NCHC pod in Omaha due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The whole freshman year was something that will never happen again and was really unique,” Ness said. “We basically had an extra two or three months of summer, which was just a blast. We weren't playing games till December, so we practiced a lot, which can kind of get a little boring, but the coaches always made it fun. Our team was so close that year. We hung out all the time.

“It was kinda a weird time. The pod was a unique experience; we each got our own hotel room, but we were basically all living together for a month; in the lobby, they had a Pac-Man machine and a pool table and bags outside if it was a nicer day.”

North Dakota finished 7-2-1 in the NCHC pod and eventually ended the season with an overall record of 22-6-1. UND was eliminated in the NCAA playoffs during a five-overtime thriller versus Minnesota Duluth.

Looking back on his four years at North Dakota, Ness had plenty of memories to choose from, but winning the Penrose Cup last season on Senior Night was one of his favorite moments of his career.

“That one comes to mind right away,” Ness said. “I had a lot of family there; my girlfriend's family was there, and it was a perfect ending. Lifting the trophy — going upstairs afterward and getting to celebrate with the coaches and families, it was the perfect send-off winning that trophy on Senior Night.”

Ness suited up for 111 games for the kelly green and white and played many roles for the Fighting Hawks.

“I didn't have the most illustrious role throughout my time,” Ness said. “In my situation, I felt that I did the most that I could have done. With the opportunity that I was given, I tried to take it and run with it the best I could. I feel like whether I was playing for two minutes or 10 minutes, it was just do whatever I could to help my team win and give them energy, and I felt like, for the most part, I did that to the best of my ability.”

Over four seasons at UND, Ness tallied 10 goals and 10 assists and helped lead the Hawks to three Penrose Cups. Of the 10 goals he scored, his most memorable was his first-ever goal during his sophomore year against St. Cloud in the Ralph Engelstad Arena. Another was the game-winning goal in the 2023 NCHC quarterfinals versus Omaha that sent UND to the Frozen Faceoff. 

Griffin Ness (11) celebrates his game-winning goal against Omaha - 2023 | Photo by Mark Kuhlmann

The Fighting Hawks finished the 2023-24 season in a tough manner, losing 4-3 to Michigan in the NCAA Tournament.

“Going into that period up one and feeling good about yourself, I think we gripped our sticks a little tight and sat back,” Ness said. “We didn’t take it to them like we should have.”

Although UND let up three unanswered goals, they did claw back to make it a one-goal game but were unable to equalize within the final minutes.

“The message (from coaching staff) was always to believe and never give up,” Ness said. “When you’re down two goals with your season on the line, it's easy to give up and put your head down. I thought we played with a little desperation. Obviously, we got one more goal, but it was just too little too late.”

It was not easy for Ness to have his senior season end the way it did in Maryland Heights. Following the loss to Michigan, the team talked about the season and what they did accomplish.

“A lot of tears and a reflection upon the season, at that point in time, there's nothing more to be done, and it sucks,” Ness said. “You also have to reflect upon the good parts of the season and the run we had. Obviously, it was my last game wearing that sweater; I didn't really say a whole lot. I was kind of an emotional wreck.”

In the age of the transfer portal and the COVID-19 fifth year, Ness could have had the opportunity to play another season with a different school. But he wanted to finish out his college career as a Hawk.

“I kinda knew it was my last run,” Ness said. “It was a great four years, and I wouldn't change it for anything, but unfortunately, it does have to come to an end at some point.”

After UND’s season ended, Ness signed a pro deal with the Maine Mariners of the ECHL. He got some reps at the pro level and plans to continue forward and up the ranks of professional hockey.

“I played a couple of games in the coast (ECHL); that was a good experience, and I am hoping to go back there again,” Ness said. “Just living in the moment and seeing how it goes. I would like to move up and get as far as I can, just play for a couple of years, and maybe see if Europe is an option.

“Just taking it day by day and year by year, just trying to see how everything goes, working my hardest, and doing my best and seeing how far I can make it.”

Ness elaborated upon how his mentality has always been to have a strong work ethic and let the path present itself.

“Taking it back to high school, I wasn't exactly one of the more highly touted guys back then, but I worked hard and started to see success that got me here. Grinding to stay in the lineup at UND and seeing a little success. Hopefully, I can take that into my next endeavors, not getting too far ahead of myself and just staying in the moment, working hard, and trying to be the best I can be.”

For the future UND hockey players, Ness shared some words of wisdom.

“Cherish it,” Ness said. “It goes by super quick. It truly is the best four years of your life; it does fly by, so make the most of it, whether in the weight room, on the ice, or outside the rink with the boys and the community. Live every day like it is your last year.”