The University of North Dakota has dominated the National Collegiate Hockey Conference for the past five seasons, winning the Penrose Cup four of the last five years. NCHC media voted for the Fighting Hawks to finish second in 2024-2025.
The Fighting Hawks will look to bounce back this season after a sour ending last March. Last season, UND boasted a 26-12-2 record, adding a sixth Penrose Cup and the program’s 36th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The season ended with back-to-back losses in the NCHC Frozen Faceoff to Omaha and an opening-round NCAA Tournament loss to Michigan.
Coach Brad Berry returns for his 10th season with the Fighting Hawks. During his tenure, UND has a record of 206-104-33 with five Penrose Cups, one Frozen Faceoff title, six NCAA Tournament appearances, and a national championship in 2016.
The Fighting Hawks lost a lot of talent and production from last season as 10 skaters and one goaltender departed, including four of the team’s top seven point-getters. That list includes sophomore forward Jackson Blake, who led UND with 22 goals and 38 assists last year. UND’s senior captain forward Riese Gaber also leaves after finishing the year with 129 career points to rank tied for 43rd in program history.
The Fighting Hawks lost many other key veterans, including senior starting goaltender Ludvig Persson, who was 21-11-2 with a .904 save percentage last season. Other losses include veteran defensemen Logan Britt, Keaton Pehrson, and Garrett Pyke and veteran forwards Hunter Johannes, Griffin Ness, and Carson Albrecht. The list of departures is rounded off with freshman defenseman Nate Benoit transferring to Quinnipiac and freshman forward Michael Emerson transferring to Merrimack.
The Fighting Hawks return 13 skaters and two goalies from last season. Including three of the team’s top five point-getters. Senior forward Cameron Berg and sophomore defenseman Jake Livanavage were recently named to the pre-season all-NCHC team. Junior forward Owen McLaughlin returns after being second in points last year for the team with 13 goals and 26 assists.
Fifth year forward Louis Jamernik V will be wearing the “C” this season. While Cameron Berg, senior forward Jake Schmaltz, junior defenseman Bennett Zmolek, and senior forward Jackson Kunz are his assistants. Sophomore forward Jayden Perron returns after being sixth on the team in goals last season. Other returning forwards include junior Dylan James, junior Ben Strinden, and junior Dane Montgomery. Sophomore defensemen Abram Wiebe and Tanner Komzak rounded out the returning skaters. Sophomore goaltenders Hobie Hedquist and Kaleb Johnson are also returning. Hedquist posted a 5-1 record with a .905 save percentage last season.
The Fighting Hawks reloaded this offseason, adding 10 new skaters and one new goaltender. Of the 11 arrivals, eight are freshmen and three are transfers. Forward additions include freshman Mac Swanson (USHL), Sacha Boisvert (USHL), Cody Croal (USHL), Cade Littler (BCHL), Dalton Andrew (MJHL), and senior transfer Carter Wilkie (RIT).
Defensive additions include freshman Jayden Jubenvill (USHL), EJ Emery (NTDP), Andrew Strathmann (USHL), and sophomore transfer Caleb MacDonald (Alaska). The Fighting Hawks also bring in graduate transfer goaltender T.J. Semptimphelter, who was a standout at Arizona State over the past two seasons, posting a 31-26-4 record with a .911 save percentage.
The Fighting Hawks have 13 NHL draft picks on their roster this season, including five incoming freshmen. Sacha Boisvert was selected 18th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks, and EJ Emery was selected 30th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1st round this year. Other freshmen drafted include Andrew Strathmann (CBJ), Mac Swanson (PIT), and Cade Littler (CGY). Other UND players with NHL draft rights include Cameron Berg (NYI), Jayden Perron (CAR), Owen McLaughlin (PHI), Dylan James (DET), Ben Strinden (NSH), Jackson Kunz (VAN), Abram Wiebe (VGK), and Jake Schmaltz (BOS).
UND starts the season with an exhibition against Augustana on October 5. Then, the regular season opens up at the Ralph Engelstad Arena for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game against Providence on October 12.
Elijah Andrews is the Dakota Student Sports Reporter. He can be reached at [email protected].
