NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING HAWKS

UND won its first national hockey title with a converted forward in net

Rob Beer — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 15:55:00 GMT

GRAND FORKS — It’s been nine years since the University of North Dakota won its last NCAA hockey championship. Its eight championships are the third-most behind Denver and Michigan.

By the fall of 1958, Michigan had already won six times and Denver once, beating UND 6-2 in the previous spring’s title game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.

For UND to capture its first championship on March 14, 1959, the team had to overcome several obstacles and find a goaltender.

But first, let’s set the stage during the 1957-58 season.

In January 1958, Minnesota head coach John Mariucci said the three Big Ten ��s in the Western Intercollegiate Hockey League may drop out of the conference because of differences in eligibility standards. Maricucci claimed Denver and Colorado College used players older than the league’s age limits. That created a slew of teams joining the Gophers in leaving the WIHL before the 1958-59 season.

That same January, UND’s top goaltender Bob Peters, a sophomore, was ruled ineligible to play. The future UND coach and legend at Bemidji State posted a 1.27 goals against average in his 11 games.

The NCAA said Peters accepted three payments totaling $500 from the Detroit Red Wings. UND athletic director Glenn (Red) Jarrett said Peters wanted to give the first payment of $100 back to the NHL club but they would not accept it. UND lost its appeal, the Grand Forks Herald reported.

With Peters out, UND turned to Grand Forks’ own Bob Peabody to stand between the pipes. A six-game winning streak set up a March 7, 1958, showdown with UND playing at Denver with its lone chance to make the NCAA tournament field. UND won 4-1 and the league title following Minnesota's victory over Colorado College.

After its runner-up finish, UND head coach Bob May was in high demand. In March, May said he turned down two offers and decided to stay with UND. “I can see an opportunity to have another great team here next year,” May said.

But they’d have to do it without another seasoned goaltender.

Peabody's big decision

On Oct. 22, 1958, May announced Peabody was quitting hockey, following a doctor’s advice, “marking another major blow to the Sioux hopes for the 1958-59 season,” the Herald reported.

Peabody had three operations to remove cartilage from one leg and he may need surgery on the other, the Herald reported.

The news came on the heels of the death of sophomore Tom Forest from Yellow Knife, Northwest Territories, who died as a result of a hunting mishap before the season. Forest was being groomed to play in the net once he became eligible the second semester.

By the start of practice in early November, UND would return 12 lettermen. As for who would play goalie, May began to shuffle the cards. His options were senior Frank Watkinson, who allowed seven goals in his only game action the previous season, or converting one of his skaters. George Gratton, a forward, began to strap on the big pads, but as May told the Herald, “It’s a slow process for anyone to learn to play in the nets.”

May planned to try as many as six netminders in the intrasquad game, including Jerry Fox, a center on the football team, but Peabody had his own idea and returned to the team despite doctor’s orders. Unsure of Peabody’s long-term availability, Gratton would still get a look as the No. 1 goaltender, sticking with it after taking two pucks off his face in early practices.

By the time the alumni game came around, Gratton and Peabody stood out. Meanwhile, Peters returned to play for the alumni and made 44 saves while taking the 9-1 loss.

May opted for the more experienced Peabody to take the net for the opener at Michigan State.

“Thus far [Peabody] has shown no signs that the limbs are going to fold,” wrote the Herald’s Jim Hansen.

Peabody took a 6-0 loss before UND righted the ship behind Reg Morelli’s hat trick in a 5-4 win the next night in East Lansing. Two wins followed at home against Denver to keep the momentum going.

Finishing the job

UND finished the regular season on an 8-3 run to make the final four field despite losing captain Bill Steenson and Steve Thullner in February due to scholastic eligibility issues.

For the national semifinals in Troy, New York, Peabody got the nod even though he suffered an eye cut earlier in the week. UND led 3-0 early in the third period before St. Lawrence tallied three straight goals, chasing Peabody from the game. Gratton took over between the pipes and junior Guy LaFrance’s 30-foot shot found the net to lift UND to a 4-3 overtime win.

The Herald reported the title game crowd of 6,000 showed heavy UND support and the team did not disappoint against Michigan State. Morelli’s overtime goal gave UND a 4-3 win (the team’s seventh consecutive overtime victory) and its first national title. Gratton remained as UND’s netminder and collected 21 saves.

“North Dakota attained its perch atop the hockey world by overcoming rugged obstacles, including more than its share of injuries and ineligibility," Hansen wrote in his victory story.

Morelli was selected as the tournament’s MVP. He was joined by junior teammate Ed Thomlinson, along with players from Michigan State, Boston College and St. Lawrence, on the first team.

For the season Gratton finished with a 2.73 GAA and Peabody 3.10.

UND’s first national title also would give the already-planned community hockey banquet a major boost. UND, Central, East Grand Forks and St. James high schools, along with the Jets and international champion Midgets hockey team, were to be honored the next week at the armory-auditorium in Grand Forks.

Gov. John Davis, a UND graduate, was to speak at the event. There’s no doubt the $2 adult tickets were gobbled up fast.

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Bemidji State's Jaksen Panzer tallies assist in hometown return

Abby Sharpe — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 20:16:42 GMT

GRAND FORKS — Bemidji State center and Grand Forks native Jaksen Panzer had the puck on the blue line at Ralph Engelstad Arena in the second period Saturday night.

Panzer found Rhys Chiddenton cutting behind UND defenseman E.J. Emery. Chiddenton’s shot was tipped in by Noah Quinn, giving the Beavers a 3-2 lead and forcing the Fighting Hawks to pull starting goaltender Hobie Hedquist.

Panzer’s assist was his second in his fifth collegiate game — and first point in his hometown rink.

“It’s huge,” he said after the 3-3 tie. “To be able to go battle and get a point and play, it's awesome.”

The freshman, who tallied 125 points in a three-year prep career at East Grand Forks Senior High, wasn’t sure how many family members and friends were in attendance at The Ralph Saturday, but knew there were “quite a few people, for sure.”

“I've grown up watching games here,” Panzer said, “but touching the ice in front of all the fans is something different. It's a feeling I just can't describe.”

Panzer flipped his college commitment to Bemidji State in March, after initially committing to UND as an eighth-grader in 2019.

Panzer made the move in his second full season with the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede. UND didn’t plan to bring him in until 2025, but the Beavers had room for him this season.

The atmosphere of The Ralph was what he had anticipated, and what he experienced as a fan watching games throughout his childhood with his father, Jeff, who played on UND’s 2000 NCAA national championship team and was a Hobey Baker Award finalist.

“It was awesome,” Panzer said. “It was loud and fun, but once you get going, playing the game, it's pretty easy to dial in and focus in.”

Panzer also went 2-for-2 in the faceoff dot in the 3-3 tie against UND.

“Jaksen’s smart,” Beavers coach Tom Serratore said. “He's smart. He's sturdy. He's good on faceoffs. He does the little things well. Really like Jaksen.”

Panzer didn’t dress for Friday night’s 2-1 Bemidji State win in Bemidji — he hasn’t played both games of a weekend series yet in his young career — but he felt the importance of carrying the momentum into Saturday’s finale.

“We knew it was going to be a battle coming into tonight,” he said. “We gave them everything we had. They gave us everything they had. I thought it was a very good game. It was huge last night to get that win, and then tonight to get that tie. Big weekend for us.”

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Beavers extend unbeaten streak with road tie against North Dakota

Jared Rubado — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 04:13:07 GMT

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – For the seventh consecutive series between Bemidji State and North Dakota, a game went to overtime.

Both the Beavers and the 14-ranked Fighting Hawks erased one-goal deficits to take a 3-3 tie into an extra session. Neither team scored in the five-minute, 3-on-3 period, extending BSU’s unbeaten streak to five games with a draw.

This Bemidji State group is no stranger to avoiding the loss column. It went unbeaten in 11 consecutive games prior to the Mason Cup championship last season.

But the new streak comes with more surprise, despite it only being five games.

It started with an upset over Minnesota before a five-point weekend against St. Thomas in CCHA play. The Beavers beat North Dakota for just the sixth time in program history on Friday night before Saturday’s tie.

For the first time in program history, Bemidji State beat UND and the U of M in the same season.

“I’m pretty happy with our month,” sophomore forward Noah Quinn said. “We got better and developed. I like where we’re headed. We’re playing pretty good hockey right now.”

Adam Flammang entered his junior season coming off a big sophomore year. The winger had nine goals and 10 assists in 38 games.

This year, however, Flammang’s offensive struggles have been clear, evident by his one assist in 14 games heading into Saturday’s tilt against the Fighting Hawks.

“At the beginning of the year, I wasn’t doing the little things right,” Flammang said. “I wasn’t being physical, I wasn’t playing low. Once I started doing that, I started to get more chances. Eventually, I popped one.”

Nine minutes into the first period, Flammang picked Dylan James’ pocket in the neutral zone before rifling a shot off the left post and in to give the Beavers a 1-0 lead.

“I had a slower start than I wanted to this year, so it definitely felt good to finally get one,” Flammang said. “Being a little snakebit is frustrating. Once one goes, sometimes it opens up for you and you’re scoring a bunch. Hopefully, that’s the case this time.”

“It’s nice for him to get a little sugar,” BSU head coach Tom Serratore said. “Hopefully, he builds on it.”

Unfortunately for BSU, North Dakota had a couple of players also looking to find a rhythm offensively.

Owen McLaughlin, who had been held scoreless in each of his eight games this season, picked off Eric Martin’s offensive-zone pass and streaked down the ice on a breakaway. He beat Mattias Sholl to tie the game with 1:36 left in the first period.

The Fighting Hawks weren’t done there. Jake Livanavage tossed a bad-angle shot on goal. Carter Wilkie went unmarked on the back door and tapped home the rebound to put UND ahead with 14 seconds remaining in the opening frame.

“They took advantage of a couple of miscues,” Serratore said. “(North Dakota) can do that, this building can do that.”

Bemidji State’s lackluster finish to the first period was made up for by an impressive start to the second.

Reilly Funk got a gift. He took a shot that hit Hedquist’s arm and rolled in to tie the game two minutes into the middle frame.

Noah Quinn, who played in just his fourth game this season, regained the lead for the Beavers. Quinn swatted a pick out of mid-air past Hedquist for his second career goal one minute after Funk scored.

“I kind of just took a whack at it, and luckily it went in,” Quinn said. “It’s been a while, I’ve been in and out of the lineup, so it’s a relief to get one. … You want to make the most of your opportunities as much as you can.”

Quinn entered Saturday’s contest with just one point in 22 career games.

“He’s playing desperate, which is good,” Serratore said. “It’s good to play desperate. They want to get in the lineup. Other than the goal, I also thought he managed the puck well, he got up and down the ice. There’s a lot more than just scoring a goal.

“If you have 300 shifts a year and you have 10 points, what are you doing the other 290? You have to do something that’s productive, and I thought he was productive tonight.”

Quinn’s goal was enough for UND head coach Brad Berry to make a change at goaltender. Hedquist was relieved after stopping five of the eight shots he faced.

In stepped TJ Semptimphelter, who didn’t allow a goal on 18 shots. He made 20 saves at the Sanford Center on Friday night.

“He’s a great goalie,” Flammang said. “He made some big-time saves. I think if we had a couple of guys out front, maybe one would’ve popped through. But he had a great game.”

Once again, though, North Dakota had a response. Jake Schmaltz tied the game two minutes later on a goal that required video review.

Schmaltz dove at a loose puck in front of a Sholl, who sprawled out to make the initial save. Schmaltz’s stick pushed Sholl’s leg into the net, and the puck followed. Serratore challenged the play for goaltender interference, but the goal stood.

“You’re just flipping a coin right there,” Serratore said. “You don’t care if you’re losing your timeout. You have to challenge that because you never know.”

Neither team scored in the third period. After getting outshot 8-4 in the opening frame, Bemidji State held a 21-13 edge in shots on goal over the final two periods.

“I thought we played a heck of a game,” Serratore said. “It was a 60-minute hockey game by us. I liked our response. … Overall, as the game wore on, we got better. That’s all you want as a coach.”

Bemidji State 3, No. 14 North Dakota 3

BSU 1 2 0 0 – 3

UND 2 1 0 0 – 3

First period – BSU GOAL: Flammang (unassisted) 9:04; UND GOAL: McLaughlin (unassisted) 18:26; UND GOAL: Wilkie (Livanavage, Perron) 19:46.

Second period – BSU GOAL: Funk (Macaulay) 2:14; BSU GOAL: Quinn (Chiddenton, Panzer) 3:03; UND GOAL: Schmatlz (unassisted) 4:02.

Third period – No scoring.

Saves – Sholl (BSU) 21; Hedquist (UND) 5; Sepmtimphelter (UND) 18.

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Defense leads the way, Beavers beat No. 14 UND to notch another win over ranked opponent

Jared Rubado — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 05:46:24 GMT

BEMIDJI – It’s been over a decade since the Bemidji State men’s hockey team beat four separate ranked opponents in the same season.

The Beavers picked up four upsets in 2022-23, beating No. 2 St. Cloud State and No. 16 Minnesota State thrice. But the last time BSU bagged three ranked wins against separate teams was back in 2014-15.

Bemidji State opened its season 11 years ago with a win over No. 2 North Dakota. BSU upset No. 7 Minnesota Duluth and No. 1 Minnesota State at the North Star College Cup at the Xcel Energy Center later that year before thwarting No. 6 Bowling Green.

So when the Beavers arrived at the Sanford Center with an opportunity to get their fourth ranked win this season against No. 14 North Dakota, they were prepared.

“It’s just sticking to our game plan,” junior defenseman Mitch Wolfe said. “We know we can hold leads and play with these guys. It’s been big for us, just playing Beaver hockey.”

Bemidji State opened the 2024-25 season with a 4-3 overtime win over 18th-ranked Minnesota Duluth. It picked up a 1-0 win over No. 1 Minnesota State before knocking off No. 3 Minnesota 3-1.

Now, the Beavers have four after dispatching the Fighting Hawks 2-1.

"I thought it was everything we expected out of them," UND goaltender TJ Semptimphelter said to the Grand Forks Herald. "We knew they were going to play hard, intense. You know they do a good job of blocking shots and just kind of packing the middle in front of the net. I thought we were ready. I thought we did a good job making looks. That game really could have gone our way, should have gone our way. We'll look forward to going back at it tomorrow and getting a better result."

It looked as if both teams were content to take a 0-0 tie to the second intermission, but Wolfe had other plans.

He received a pass in the high slot from Eric Martin on a zone entry and sniped the top-right corner to give the Beavers a 1-0 lead.

“First goal of the year, so that one feels good,” Wolfe said. “Little bit of weight off the shoulders. … (Defensemen) have to take care of both sides of the ice. But when we’re able to jump into the play, help our forwards out, we try to do that. It’s something we practice.”

It’s just the second goal of Wolfe’s career.

“Wolfy’s got good speed,” BSU head coach Tom Serratore said. “He jumped up into the play. I have to look at it, I don’t know if there was a line change or he just beat people up ice … he had space entering the zone, and Marty made a good play. … Wolfy’s like a quarterback who can scramble out of the pocket and get you a first down. His game’s built with his legs and his compete level.”

Wolfe did what no other Beaver could do for two periods: beat Semptimphelter. The graduate transfer goalie from Arizona State made a three-save sequence on Reilly Funk, Carter Randklev and Adam Flammang early in the first period. He also helped the Fighting Hawks kill off a major penalty.

With 10 minutes left in the second period, Cade Littler caught Randklev with an elbow to the head. It gave the Beavers five uninterrupted minutes on the man advantage.

UND, however, killed off the infraction with ease. It held BSU to just one shot on the power play, though, Donte Lawson ripped a puck off the post before North Dakota was at full strength again.

“We have to make a few plays, then once and a while, too, maybe get a puck in deep and win some battles,” Serratore said. “Hats off to North Dakota on the kill, but we have to have a little better execution. We’re going to have to look at some tape and make a few adjustments.”

The highlight of the major penalty came in Bemidji State’s defensive zone. Carter Wilkie charged a 2-on-1 with Dylan James following a blue-line turnover near the BSU bench.

Mattias Sholl, however, is in the business of making big saves. Sholl cut down James’ one-time shot to hold the Fighting Hawks scoreless through two periods.

Sholl finished the night with 34 saves on 35 shots.

“He’s unbelievable,” Wolfe said. “He’s one of the best goalies in the country, easily. He’s a stud. … It’s crazy, you see him make a save and you’re amazed at what he can do and everyone gets fired up. It’s cool to watch.”

BSU extended its lead with another rip from a defenseman.

Rookie blueliner Isa Parekh scored his third this season eight and half minutes into the third period to double the Bemidji State lead.

“It’s awesome to have a freshman come in and have confidence,” Sholl said. “He’s contributing on the offensive side of the puck, too, which is always a great addition to have a defenseman who can do that. He’s doing great, and he’s a great kid.”

The Fighting Hawks pulled Semptimphelter with a little over four minutes left in the third period, and they caught a break.

Freshman Sacha Boisvert attempted a pass across the slot. It hit Jackson Jutting’s leg and found the top-right corner past Sholl with 3:33 left.

But Bemidji State didn’t break. It closed out the final three and a half minutes to secure another one-goal win, its fifth this season.

“You brush it off, there’s really nothing you can do after that,” Sholl said. “You have to do your job and know how to win one-goal games and protect one-goal leads. It was a great response.”

BSU is 5-3-0 in one-goal games and 6-1-0 in games when it scores first.

Friday’s win marks the first time the Beavers (7-6-1) have beaten Minnesota and North Dakota (7-7-0) in the same season. Four of BSU’s seven wins have come against ranked opponents.

“It shows what we’re capable of,” Sholl said. “Massive wins, of course, but it’s about finding the ability to win night in and night out and having a consistent effort. It’s not just about having a big win here and there. Doing it every night in conference play as well is even more important. But these wins, they’re great for our program.”

Bemidji State 2, No. 14 North Dakota 1

UND 0 0 1 – 1

BSU 0 1 1 – 2

First period – No scoring.

Second period – BSU GOAL: Wolfe (Martin, Corcoran) 19:04.

Third period – BSU GOAL: Parekh (Lund, Funk) 8:23; UND GOAL: Boisvert (Livanavige, McLaughlin) EA, 16:27.

Saves – Sholl (BSU) 34; Semptimphelter (UND) 20.

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Bemidji State’s Carter Randklev, Jaksen Panzer haven’t forgotten their roots ahead of showdown with UND

Jared Rubado — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 21:08:28 GMT

BEMIDJI – Three years ago, Carter Randklev’s hockey career came full circle.

The Fergus Falls native moved to Moorhead when he was in seventh grade with the hopes of finding increased recognition as a collegiate prospect.

It worked.

Randklev traded his maroon and tinted gold Otters colors for black and orange. He played in three state tournaments and became a Minnesota Mr. Hockey Finalist in 2018 for the Spuds.

The local kid stayed local, inking his commitment to North Dakota to continue his playing career at the collegiate level.

However, in his first USHL season with the Fargo Force, Randklev tore his ACL. On Dec. 1, 2018, Randklev’s hockey trajectory changed. UND pulled his offer to play for the Fighting Hawks, forcing Randklev to pivot to Niagara.

So when the Purple Eagles opened the 2021-22 season in Grand Forks, Randklev finally got his Ralph Engelstad Arena homecoming.

“It didn’t go very well, we got smoked,” Randklev quipped.

Niagara lost the season opener 6-2. North Dakota shut out the Purple Eagles the next night 4-0.

But for Randklev, that weekend was bigger than hockey.

“I just remember my family being able to come and watch me play,” Randklev said. “One person that made it super special for me was my grandma. Grandma Nora was able to make it there, so going back there brings back some memories of my last game with her watching before she passed away.”

Randklev’s memories will resurface on Saturday when Bemidji State makes its annual trip to the Ralph. After all, he grew up wearing a lighter shade of green than the one he wears now.

The fifth-year forward isn’t alone. His freshman teammate, Jaksen Panzer, also grew up a UND fan. This will be his first trip to the Ralph as a collegiate hockey player.

“As a kid, you grow up watching those guys,” Panzer said. “Whether you’re watching or playing against them, it’s something you grow up with as a kid wanting to do – be them or play them. It’s hard not to be excited.”

Panzer, an East Grand Forks native, has had his opportunities to play at the Ralph in youth hockey, but this weekend could be his first at the college level.

“Once you step on the ice and look around, it’s a pretty big rink,” Panzer said. “All you see are seats. But once the game gets going, it’s pretty easy to see the ice and focus on the game. … You want to get out there and soak it in, but at the end of the day, it’s another hockey game with the same goal. We’re going out there to win, and I want to play my game.”

Despite being five years apart in age, Panzer and Randklev share a similarity. Panzer was committed to North Dakota until last March before he flipped to Bemidji State.

Panzer committed to play for the Fighting Hawks in eighth grade. He grew up with the Ralph in his back yard. His father, Jeff, and uncle, Jay, both won national titles for UND.

“When I was a kid, when my dad was done playing hockey, he'd take me there every weekend we could get there,” Panzer said. “We’d watch the game and he’d take me down to the locker room. All of my memories are with my dad, just being around him and him showing me everything about it.”

This weekend, Panzer could play his first game in Grand Forks as a Beaver. For Randklev, though, it’s guaranteed to be his last.

“From the hockey side of things, I think it’s just so different for me having all of my family members be there,” Randklev said. “They get to go see me play in the Ralph one last time. That’s where my hockey dreams started, so to have all of them there is pretty special. … There’s a mix of emotions in wanting to do really good for my team but also really good for my family.”

Randklev recalls his childhood at the Taj Mahal of college hockey. While growing up in Fergus Falls, he took in his first UND game with some friends in a suite.

“The people we went with had a box there for a while, and some friends and I got to go up there for our first games,” Randklev said. “I remember playing knee hockey in the suite. We’d pull the garbage can out and use it as a net. I remember the band that came walking by and playing their music. It’s hard not to love it when those are your first memories.”

Both Randklev and Panzer expect to have dozens of family and friends in attendance for the second half of BSU’s home-and-home series against UND.

“All of those people believe in you,” Panzer said. “It gives you a little bit more confidence knowing they’re all there to watch you. Any time you get to put the jersey on and go play, you get pretty juiced up.”

However, their days as UND fans are behind them. Once the sentimental side of this weekend wears off, Panzer and Randklev are looking to bank another win over a ranked opponent this season.

“At the end of the day, we’re all having fun, we’re all kids,” Ranklev said. “I might be 25, but I’m still a kid at heart. But at the same time, we know we can beat these teams. We’ve proven that this year. These teams don’t look at us lightly, they know we can take it to them. Going in there with a little bit of swagger is important.”

“Every game you want to win,” Panzer said. “But some games mean more. I’d love to beat these guys.”

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UND cracks top five in USA Hockey / The Rink Live men's poll

The Rink Live — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 19:19:43 GMT

North Dakota climbed into the fifth spot this week as Denver remained the nation's top team in the third week of the USA Hockey / The Rink Live men's poll.

The Fighting Hawks, a 5-2 winner over Providence on Saturday, sent the Friars down two spots this week to No. 14.

Boston College, Boston University and Michigan State round out the top five.

The NCHC, Big Ten and Hockey East have six teams in the rankings and ECAC Hockey has two.

Rank, school, points, last week, record, weeks in top 20 1. University of Denver, 679 (33), 1, 2-0-0, 3 2. Boston College, 629, 2, 1-1-0, 3 3. Boston University, 610, 3, 2-0-0, 3 4. Michigan State University, 571, 4, 3-1-0, 3 5. University of North Dakota, 518, 6, 1-0-0, 3 6. University of Minnesota, 501, 5, 1-1-0, 3 7. Cornell University, 465 (1), 7, 0-0-0, 3 8. Quinnipiac University, 442, 8, 1-0-0, 3 9. University of Michigan, 370, 13, 2-1-1, 3 10. University of Maine, 357, 10, 1-0-0, 3 11. Colorado College, 339, 12, 2-0-0, 3 12. University of Nebraska Omaha, 289, 16, 2-0-0, 3 13. St. Cloud State University, 239, 15, 3-0-0, 3 14. Providence College, 217, 11, 0-1-0, 3 15. University of Wisconsin, 211, 9, 1-1-0, 3 16. Western Michigan University, 201, 17, 2-0-0, 3 17. University of Massachusetts, 189, 14, 2-1-0, 3 18. University of Notre Dame, 99, 18, 2-0-0, 3 19. Northeastern University, 90, 20, 1-0-0, 2 20. Penn State University, 27, RV, 2-1-0, 1 Others Receiving Votes: Minnesota State University, 26; Arizona State University, 12; Michigan Tech University, 10; Harvard University, 9; University of St. Thomas, 8; University of New Hampshire, 6; Ohio State University, 7; University of Minnesota Duluth, 5; St. Lawrence University, 3; University of Connecticut, 2; Dartmouth College, 1.]]>

St. Thomas to leave the CCHA for the NCHC

Brad Elliott Schlossman — Wed, 15 May 2024 14:39:26 GMT

GRAND FORKS — The National Collegiate Hockey Conference won't be at an odd number of teams for long.

The University of St. Thomas, located in St. Paul, Minn., will join the NCHC in 2026-27, the Herald has learned from multiple sources.

The Tommies currently play in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

They jumped to the Division-I level in 2021-22.

It will be the second addition to the NCHC in two years. Last summer, the league announced Arizona State will join in the fall of 2024.

The NCHC will have nine teams for two years — 2024-25 and 2025-26. It will grow to 10 when the Tommies join in 2026-27.

The NCHC board of directors, which is made up of the league's athletic directors, voted unanimously to add St. Thomas.

"During our annual NCHC meetings in Naples, the athletics directors engaged in robust conversation about the conference’s vision and goals in the current NCAA landscape, including membership," NCHC commissioner Heather Weems said. "St. Thomas’s institutional vision and commitment to nationally competitive hockey, as well as their central location in our footprint and new facility, make them an ideal fit

The vote was unexpected from the league's coaches, because they were not part of discussions about expansion at the Naples meetings.

St. Thomas is currently constructing a $183.4 million on-campus facility to host hockey and basketball. Lee and Penny Anderson Arena is expected to seat 4,000 for hockey.

It was initially set to open for the 2025-26 season, but construction was recently paused due to controversy with the neighbors. It is unclear if that will change the projected opening date.

The Tommies become eligible for the NCAA tournament in 2026-27.

The NCHC was formed in 2013-14 with eight original members — UND, Denver, Colorado College, Omaha, St. Cloud State, Minnesota Duluth, Miami and Western Michigan.

It has been dominant on the national scene, winning six NCAA national championships in the last eight years.

St. Thomas is coached by Rico Blasi, who was at Miami when the NCHC formed.

East Grand Forks Senior High graduate Mason Poolman just completed his freshman season at St. Thomas. He will be a senior when the Tommies become a member of the NCHC.

The CCHA currently has eight full members — St. Thomas, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech, Northern Michigan, Lake Superior State, Ferris State, Michigan Tech and Bowling Green. Augustana is a full voting member but is only playing a partial schedule during its first two years of Division-I hockey — 2023-24 and 2024-25. It will play a full CCHA schedule in 2025-26.

In other sports, St. Thomas is a member of the Summit League along with NCHC members UND, Omaha and Denver.

UND scheduled nonconference games against St. Thomas in 2025-26 (Grand Forks) and 2026-27 (St. Paul). It's unclear how this development will change that agreement.

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Jaksen Panzer released from commitment to North Dakota, flips to Bemidji State

Jared Rubado — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 23:56:22 GMT

BEMIDJI — Jaksen Panzer wants to play college hockey close to home.

No school is closer than North Dakota, the institution he was previously committed to since April 2, 2019. Panzer, a Grand Forks, N.D., native, grew up at Ralph Engelstad Arena watching the Fighting Hawks in his backyard. It’s the program his father, Jeff, and uncle, Jay, played for, winning national championships in 2000 and 1997, respectively.

Panzer committed to North Dakota in eighth grade and was one of the youngest UND commits in program history.

Now, he’s set to play for Bemidji State. Panzer expressed his desire to decommit from UND, and North Dakota released him from his National Letter of Intent earlier this week. Panzer announced his new commitment on Instagram Thursday afternoon.

“It was nothing bad between me or North Dakota,” Panzer said. “I kind of wanted to look for something new, maybe get a different opportunity or a better opportunity. That’s where I stood. I informed UND of that, and they were very understanding of me. They worked very well with me, my family and my advisor to get that done as soon as possible.”

Panzer is in his second full season with the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound forward has 15 goals and 17 assists in 53 games. He had 13 goals and 15 assists in his first full season and three goals and eight assists for the Stampede in 18 games following his junior season at East Grand Forks High ��.

“The USHL, I’d say, is one of the hardest leagues to play in,” Panzer said. “My first year wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. I battled through a couple of months throughout the season where I was struggling. It’s helped me mature as a player and as a person. You have to get through those times mentally and physically.”

Panzer plans to attend Bemidji State next year, an opportunity he likely wouldn’t have had at North Dakota, according to Fighting Hawks beat writer Brad Schlossman on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/SchlossmanGF/status/1768397878383247780

“When I was thinking about room (to play) next year, there were some other schools I also had in mind,” Panzer said. “Bemidji offered me what I liked and what I was looking for. It was a pretty easy decision.”

Wanting to stay relatively local, Panzer committed to play for the Beavers 110 miles from his hometown.

“I’ve always kind of wanted to be close to home to play college hockey,” Panzer said. “Even when I was committed to UND, Bemidji State was always in the back of my head. I’ve always thought it was a really good school. I’ve always heard stuff about the coaches, especially Tom Serratore. When they gave me a call, it was pretty easy to tell them, ‘I’m in.’

“I’ll be able to have my parents at pretty much every home game. Whether it’s my parents, my grandparents, my aunt and uncle, I’ll have somebody I’m pretty close with at every home game. That’s important to me, and it made the decision pretty easy when Bemidji gave me the call.”

Panzer noted the importance of East Grand Forks head coach Tyler Palmiscno and his guidance throughout the recruiting process.

“I have to give him a lot of credit,” Panzer said. “He did absolutely everything for me and gave me everything I needed. Most guys don’t get second chances to (choose) a different school, and he’s helped me a lot. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t know if I’d get another chance like I did.”

Panzer is eager to finish the rest of his USHL stint with a clear vision of his future. He’s even more excited to build on a MacNaughton Cup-winning season for the Beavers starting in the fall of 2024.

“I want to get better every year,” Panzer said. “I want to be better as a sophomore than I was as a freshman, then continue that chain. I want to come in and help the team win. I don’t care if I score or get a point, I just want to win. (BSU) has had a lot of success this year, and I want to help keep that going.”

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Colorado College cracks top 10 in USA Hockey / The Rink Live men's poll

The Rink Live — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 22:09:36 GMT

A weekend sweep of No. 10 Massachusetts kept Boston College in the top slot in this week's USA Hockey / The Rink Live men's college poll. After that, the top 10 got put in a shaker.

Boston University moved up a spot to No. 2, along with Denver and Michigan State gaining ground as the top four. North Dakota, swept by Colorado College, dropped three spots to No. 5.

Colorado College had the biggest move this week, jumping six spots to No. 10. Its previous high was in Week 17 when the Tigers were ranked 15th.

Hockey East and the NCHC lead with six ranked teams while the Big 10 has five and the ECAC has two.

��, points, last week, record, weeks in poll

1. Boston College, 680 (34), 1, 23-5-1, 19

2. Boston University, 637, 3, 20-8-2, 19

3. University of Denver, 590, T-5, 20-8-2, 19

4. Michigan State University, 574, T-5, 20-7-3, 19

5. University of North Dakota, 547, 2, 20-8-2, 19

6. University of Wisconsin, 494, 4, 22-8-2, 16

7. Quinnipiac University, 488, 9, 22-7-2, 19

8. University of Minnesota, 428, 7, 19-8-5, 19

9. University of Maine, 401, 8, 18-8-2, 15

10. Colorado College, 357, 16, 18-9-1, 9

11. Providence College, 326, 11, 16-10-3, 16

12. Western Michigan University, 304, 13, 17-10-1, 19

13. Cornell University, 298, 12, 16-4-5, 19

14. University of Massachusetts, 249, 10, 16-9-3, 16

15. St. Cloud State University, 190, 15, 14-9-5, 16

16. University of Michigan, 171, 14, 15-12-3, 19

17. University of New Hampshire, 159, 19, 16-11-1, 14

18. Arizona State University, 91, 17, 20-6-6, 18

19. University of Nebraska Omaha, 74, 18, 15-10-3, 5

20. University of Notre Dame, 33, NR, 15-15-2, 9

Also receiving votes: Northeastern University, 21; Rochester Institute of Technology, 15; College of the Holy Cross, 13.

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UND gains ground on Boston College in USA Hockey / The Rink Live men's poll

The Rink Live — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:25:25 GMT

Boston College lost for the first time in five games when No. 3 Boston University took a 4-3 win at The Beanpot a week ago, but the Eagles retained the No. 1 ranking over idle North Dakota in this week's USA Hockey / The Rink Live college men's hockey poll.

The Fighting Hawks garnered 10 first-place votes after Boston College was the unanimous top-ranked team the previous two weeks. The Terriers received two first-place votes, the first time since the Jan. 22 poll three teams received votes for the top spot.

Following BC's fifth loss of the season, the Eagles took care of New Hampshire 6-1 on Friday.

Michigan State climbed into a tie for No. 5 with Denver after the Spartans swept then-No. 11 Michigan over the weekend.

Wisconsin remained fourth. Hockey East leads with seven ranked teams while the NCHC has six, Big 10 has four and the ECAC has two.

��, points, last week, record, weeks in poll

1. Boston College, 655 (22), 1, 20-5-1, 18

2. University of North Dakota, 653 (10), 2, 20-6-2, 18

3. Boston University, 618 (2), 3, 19-7-1, 18

4. University of Wisconsin, 585, 4, 22-6-2, 15

5, University of Denver, 500, 6, 18-8-2, 18

(tie). Michigan State University, 500, 8, 20-7-3, 18

7. University of Minnesota, 471, 9, 18-7-5, 18

8. University of Maine, 457, 7, 18-6-2, 14

9. Quinnipiac University, 437, 5, 20-7-2, 18

10. University of Massachusetts, 351, 10, 16-7-3, 15

11. Providence College, 317, 13, 16-9-2, 15

12. Cornell University, 310, 12, 15-4-4, 18

13. Western Michigan University, 268, 14, 17-10-1, 18

14. University of Michigan, 220, 11, 14-11-3, 18

15. St. Cloud State University, 213, 16, 14-9-5, 15

16. Colorado College, 196, 15, 16-9-1, 8

17. Arizona State University, 125, 18, 20-6-6, 17

18. University of Nebraska Omaha, 91, 19, 15-10-3, 4

19. University of New Hampshire, 81, 17, 14-11-1, 13

20. Northeastern University, 33, NR, 12-12-2, 5

Also receiving votes: Rochester Institute of Technology, 22; University of Notre Dame, 16; Penn State University, 5; College of the Holy Cross, 3; Michigan Tech University, 3.

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