2024-25 North Dakota Hockey -ND Ice Column

GRAND FORKS --- As the dust settles from UND's regional semifinal loss to the University of Michigan, it's time to start taking a look at what next season's team will look like.

Updated Information 5/8/24

North Dakota and Minnesota have finally inked another deal to play each other for the foreseeable future.  Both teams will once again resume their yearly non-conference series in the 2025-26 season, starting a four-year deal. 

The two teams will face off against each other in Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks in the 2025-26 season, followed by two - tilts in Minnesota's 3M Arena at Mariucci in 2026-27. They will return to Grand Forks in 2027-28 for another series before concluding with a two-game set in Minneapolis in 2028-29.

Last 10 matchups

GP          Year         Location                   Winner              Score

289 2017 Grand Forks, ND North Dakota 4–0

290 2018 Las Vegas, NV         North Dakota 3–1

291         2019 Minneapolis, MN North Dakota 9–3

292         2019 Minneapolis, MN North Dakota 3–2

293         2021 Grand Forks, ND         Minnesota       5–1

294       2021 Grand Forks, ND         North Dakota      3–2

295  2022 Minneapolis, MN Minnesota     3–2 OT

296  2022 Minneapolis, MN North Dakota   5–4 OT

297       2023 Grand Forks, ND           Minnesota  4–0

298  2023 Grand Forks, ND       North Dakota 2–1

Series: Minnesota leads 145–137–16

GP = Number of matchups

Updated Information 5/6/24

Future Fighting Hawk Mac Swanson is headed to the Clark Cup Finals (USHL) for a second year in a row. Swanson leads the USHL in playoff points (3 goals, 9 assists) in eight games played. 

The Force will play the Dubuque Fighting Saints in a five-game series. The top-scoring defenseman in this year's USHL playoffs, Jayden Jubenvill, is also committed to North Dakota. Jubenvill has three goals and two assists in seven playoff games. The Fighting Saints are looking to win its first Clark Cup since 2012-13.

Clark Cup Final

#1 Fargo vs. #1 Dubuque

Game 1: Dubuque at Fargo (Friday, May 10 at 7:05 p.m. CST)

Game 2: Dubuque at Fargo (Saturday, May 11 at 6:05 p.m. CST)

Game 3: Fargo at Dubuque (Friday, May 17 at 7:05 p.m. CST)

Game 4*: Fargo at Dubuque (Saturday, May 18 at 7:05 p.m. CST)

Game 5*: Dubuque at Fargo (Tuesday, May 21 at 7:05 p.m. CST)   

*if necessary

Updated Information 4/11/24

The Fellas Frozen Four picks

With puck drop being less than two hours away, the ND Ice team will share their picks on who they believe will win today.

Lincoln - Boston University 5, Denver 4 |  Michigan 5, Boston College 3

David - Boston University 5, Denver 3 | Boston College 3, Michigan 1

Special guest Connor - Boston University 4, Denver 3 | Boston College 5, Michigan 2

Players to watch

Macklin Celebrini (BU) - Celebrini has been arguably the best player in college hockey this year. The freshman phenom has led the Terriers to the Frozen Four for the second year in a row. Celebrini is a Hobey Baker Finalist, with 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists)

Matt Davis (DU) - Davis has been hot as of late. The junior netminder for the Pioneers saved 70 of 72 shots on net in the regional matchups vs. UMASS- Amherst and Cornell. For Denver to be successful against the Terrier's high-flying offense, Davis will need to be on his A-game.

Ryan Leonard (BC) - The Eagles have no shortage of high-scoring talent on their team, but Leonard is my pick to click. Leonard has been outstanding for the Eagles this season. He set the record for most goals by a Boston College freshman, passing Brian Gionta (29). Leonard has 31 goals this season and scored two powerplay goals a few weeks ago to help lead BC past Quinnipiac in the regional final.

Gavin Brindley (UMICH) - The Big 10 Player of the Year has been outstanding as of late. Brindley had a goal and an assist in Michigan's regional final win over Michigan State to send them to the Frozen Four.

Updated Information - 4/10/24

Cameron Berg announces return

The West Fargo, ND native has announced that he will return to UND for his senior season. Berg played a large role for North Dakota offensively. He finished third on the team in points with 37 (20 goals, 17 assists), while also being a key part of the powerplay.

Berg coming back means a few things for the Fighting Hawks. One, you can pencil him as North Dakota's top-line center. He took a team-high 704 faceoffs, winning 56 percent of them. With the number of playmakers on UND's roster, fans can expect Berg to score a lot of goals next season.

"We got really good guys staying and good guys coming in. I am really looking forward to next year," Berg said.

Career statistics for Cam Berg                                 GP   G     A     TP  PIM  +/-

2021-22 Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha NCAA 37   8 15 23 14 4 |

2022-23 Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha NCAA 37 10 14 24 38 -5 |

2023-24  Univ. of North Dakota         NCAA 40 20 17 37 8 7 |

Jackson Blake signs with Carolina

The 60 - point, Hobey Baker finalist has officially inked a deal with the Carolina Hurricanes. 

Blake signed a three-year, entry-level contract Wednesday morning. His contract is worth $775,000 in 2023-24, and $832,500 at the NHL for the 2024-26 seasons. He will receive a $277,500 signing bonus.

In his two seasons with the Fighting Hawks, Blake recorded 102 points (38 goals, 64, assists). Since 2003-04, Blake became the first player to reach 100 points as a sophomore.

Brock hits 40

Former North Dakota forward Brock Boeser (2015-17) has hit the 40 goal mark for the first time in his NHL career. Boeser is the first player to score 40 goals for the Vancouver Canuks since 2010-11. Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler did it that season in 78 games, Boeser has 40 goals and 73 points.

With 40 goals, Boeser is tied for fourth place with Jason Blake for the most goals scored by a former UND player in a single NHL season. Boeser still has four regular season games remaining before the playoffs.

1. Zach Parise (45) New Jersey, 2008-09

2. Troy Murray (45) Chicago, 1985-86

3. Dave Christian (41) Washington, 1985-86

4. Jason Blake (40) NY Islanders, 2006-07 

5.  Brock Boeser (40) Vancouver, 2023-24

Updated Information - 4/8/2024

North Dakota landed it's third transfer for the 2024-25 season

The top scorer who entered the transfer portal has decided to play his final season of college hockey at the University of North Dakota.

Carter Wilkie will transfer from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). 

Wilkie recorded back-to-back 40-point seasons for the Tigers and helped lead them to the NCAA tournament. He took more faceoff draws than anyone in the country, with over 1,000, finishing second in the country in faceoffs, winning 566 at 54.2 percent.

Wilkie will bring some size into North Dakota's locker room next season. The Calgary, Alberta (Canada) native is 6'2, weighing in just over 200 lbs.

"They're a top-end program," Wilkie told Brad Schlossman in a Grand Forks Herald story earlier this week. "Obviously, with lots of great players and lots of great history. They have an outstanding coaching staff. They have a track record of moving guys on to the next level.

"And to play in front of those fans, in that facility, will be amazing."

Wilkie will most likely play a top-six role at the forward position for the Hawks next season.

Updated Information - 4/7/2024

Shane Pinto and Jake Sanderson help lead the Senators past the Capitals in an overtime thriller Sunday night

Former UND hockey players Shane Pinto and Jake Sanderson recorded points in their win against the Washington Capitals. 

Pinto tallied one assist in an excellent set-up goal to Ridly Greig, tying the game 2-2 with 7 minutes and 11 seconds left in the third.

Just 41 seconds into the three-on-three overtime, Sanderson ripped a shot from the point past Capitals netminder Charlie Lindgren to win the game 3-2.

Benoit bounces

Freshman defenseman Nate Benoit has entered the transfer portal. This comes a few days after North Dakota added Alaska Fairbanks transfer Caleb MacDonald. 

Benoit played in 19 games this season, averaging 8:31 per game. He recorded one assist on the season.

Pyke signs AHL deal

One of North Dakota's top blueliners last season has signed with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL.

The fifth-year senior will play the rest of the 2023-24 season on an amateur tryout for the Eagles. His two-year, one-way contract will begin next season.

During his one season with UND, Pyke recorded 25 points (3 goals, 22 assists) in 39 games.

Britt heads to the ECHL

Logan Britt has signed a a deal through the rest of the season with the Greenville (S.C.) Swamp Rabbits.

Britt played a large role on North Dakota's backend, logging on average 20:14 per game. He had 14 points on the season in 40 games (7 goals, 7 assists).

Updated Information - 4/5/2024 - Scroll down for more news regarding next season's UND hockey team

Hawks land another Nanook

The Fighting Hawks have added a second player out of the transfer portal. Freshman defenseman Caleb MacDonald of Alaska Fairbanks.

The 6'4 220 lb. D-man recorded 14 points in 31 games for the Nanooks this season. MacDonald was a plus 13 on the year, averaging just under 20 minutes per game. Last January, MacDonald scored two goals against the Hawks.

UND has had success recruiting defensemen from Alaska. Both Chris Jandric and Garrett Pyke transferred to North Dakota following a strong couple of seasons for the Nanooks.

Unlike Jandric and Pyke, MacDonald will come to UND as an underclassman. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Gaber makes his pro-contract official

The former UND captain has signed a two-year AHL deal with the Charlotte Checkers (beginning next season).

Gaber tallied 129 points (64 goals, 65 assists) in 142 games.

Johannes heads to the Red Wings organization

Johannes signed with the Grand Rapids, Griffins in the AHL. His one-way contract will begin next season.

Griffin Ness goes pro

Ness signed with the Maine Mariners of the ECHL. He wrapped up his fourth season with North Dakota, scoring three goals and recording three assists. 

Ness played a pivotal role on UND's fourth line this year. 

Denver grabs Pohlkamp

The Pioneers snagged former Bemidji State standout defenseman Eric Pohlkamp. He helped lead Bemidji to a MacNaughton Cup-winning season, recording 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 32 games.

The 5'11, San Jose Sharks fifth-round pick was All-CCHA First-Team, and Rookie-Team

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Departures

Ran out of eligibility - Forwards, Hunter Johannes | Defenseman - Logan Britt, Keaton Pehrson, and Garrett Pyke

Signed professional contracts or planning to - Forwards, Riese Gaber (Charlotte Checkers) - Griffin Ness (Maine Mariners) Jackson Blake (Carolina Hurricanes) |Defenseman, Logan Britt (Greenville Swamp Rabbits) - Garrett Pyke (Colorado Eagles) | Goaltenders, Ludvig Persson

Eligible to return for another year - Forward Carson Albrecht

New bloods

UND has a promising freshman class coming in next season

Forwards - Sacha Boisvert, Boisvert is projected to be drafted in the first or second round of the 2024 NHL entry draft. The 6-foot-2 center is thriving in the USHL

 - Mac Swanson. Swanson recently set the Fargo Force point record, currently sitting at 73 points; he ranks second in the USHL in scoring.

 - Cody Croal. Croal will age out of juniors this season. He has put up excellent numbers thus far. Croal has been a point-per-game player for the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

Defenseman - E.J. Emery. Emery, a six-foot-three defensive defenseman, is projected to be drafted in the first or second round of the 2024 NHL draft.

 - Andrew Strathmann. Strathmann is a highly gifted offensive defenseman for the Youngstown Phantoms. He was drafted in the fourth round by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL draft.

- Jayden Jubenvill.  Jubenvill, also aging out of junior, will bring an older experience in on UND's back end for their freshman class. He won't be as flashy as Strathmann, or as lockdown as Emery, but he be great for shutting teams down on the rush. Watch for Jubenvill to sneak his way into the lineup next season.

(NOTE - All of these freshman are expected to come in next year)

Depending on what the coaching staff decides, forwards David Klee (Muskegon USHL) and Cade Littler (Penticton BCHL) could also come into UND this season.

Transfer Portal?

In the day and age of the transfer portal, it has become vital that teams pick up experienced players. Most NCAA teams will lose guys to the portal for various reasons. Whether it's playing time or potentially being forced out; many players will enter the portal to find a new home.

UND has already grabbed one player from the transfer portal this offseason. To replace Ludvig Persson, UND picked up former Arizona State netminder T.J. Semptimphelter. Semptimphelter played one season at Northeastern, behind Mike Richter award-winning goaltender Devon Levi. After transferring to Arizona State, he found success posting a .913 save percentage his sophmore season, and a .908 his junior year. This season, he went 16-5-4 for the Sun Devils, with a 2.52 goals against average and a .908 save percentage.

Semptimphelter has played against UND before; he started in goal for ASU in the 2023 USA Hockey Hall of Fame game in Las Vegas, Nevada. UND lost the matchup 3-2.

ND ICE Transfer Portal Watch List

Forwards - Carter Wilkie, sr, RIT, 16-25—41 | Matthew Wood, so, UConn, 16-12—28 (NSH pick) | Harrison Israels, sr, Alaska, 20-6—26

Defenseman - Tim Lovell, sr, Arizona State, 5-32—37 | Eric Pohlkamp, fr, Bemidji State, 11-13—24 (SJS pick) 

There are hundreds of other players in the transfer portal, we will update our watch list in the coming days. These guys stand out to us for numerous reasons. Skill, size, and overall offensive and defensive play.