2025–26 North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's ice hockey season
| 2025–26 North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's ice hockey season | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conference | NCHC |
| Home ice | Ralph Engelstad Arena |
| Rankings | |
| USCHO | #3 |
| USA Hockey | #3 |
| Record | |
| Overall | 23–7–0 |
| Conference | 15–5–0 |
| Home | 12–4–0 |
| Road | 11–3–0 |
| Neutral | 0–0–0 |
| Coaches and captains | |
| Head coach | Dane Jackson |
| Assistant coaches | Matt Smaby Dillon Simpson Bryn Chyzyk |
| Captain | Bennett Zmolek |
| Alternate captain(s) | Dylan James Jake Livanavage Ben Strinden Abram Wiebe |
| North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's ice hockey seasons « 2024–25 2026–27 » | |
The 2025–26 North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's ice hockey season is the 85th season of play for the program and 13th in the NCHC. The Fighting Hawks represent the University of North Dakota in the 2025–26 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, play their home games at Ralph Engelstad Arena and are coached by Dane Jackson in his first season as head coach. The team is wearing new sweaters this season, which were revealed on July 24, 2025.[1]
Season
Departures
| Player | Position | Nationality | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Berg | Forward | .png){kind=small} United States |
Graduation (signed with Bridgeport Islanders) |
| Sacha Boisvert | Forward | .svg.png){kind=small} Canada |
Transferred to Boston University |
| Hobie Hedquist | Goaltender | United States |
Transferred to Ferris State |
| Aleksi Huson | Goaltender | United States |
Left program |
| Louis Jamernik V | Forward | Canada |
Graduation (retired) |
| Kaleb Johnson | Goaltender | United States |
Graduation (retired) |
| Tanner Komzak | Defense | Canada |
Transferred to Mount Royal University (U Sports) |
| Jackson Kunz | Forward | United States |
Graduation (signed with Abbotsford Canucks) |
| Caleb MacDonald | Defense | United States |
Signed professional contract (Columbus Blue Jackets) |
| Owen McLaughlin | Forward | United States |
Transferred to Boston University |
| Dane Montgomery | Defense/Forward | United States |
Graduation (signed with Stuttgart Rebels) |
| Jayden Perron | Forward | Canada |
Transferred to Michigan |
| T.J. Semptimphelter | Goaltender | United States |
Graduation (signed with Bridgeport Islanders) |
| Jake Schmaltz | Forward | United States |
Graduation (signed with Providence Bruins) |
| Carter Wilkie | Forward | Canada |
Graduation (signed with Calgary Wranglers) |
Recruiting
| Player | Position | Nationality | Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Engel | Defense | United States |
21 | Hortonville, WI |
| Gibson Homer | Goaltender | United States |
21 | Grand Rapids, MI; transfer from Arizona State |
| Ollie Josephson | Forward | Canada |
19 | Victoria, BC; selected 105th overall in 2024 |
| Jack Kernan | Forward | United States |
20 | Maple Grove, MN |
| David Klee | Forward | United States |
20 | Castle Rock, CO; selected 196th overall in 2023 |
| Sam Laurila | Forward | United States |
18 | Moorhead, MN; selected 138th overall in 2025 |
| Anthony Menghini | Forward | United States |
22 | Brainerd, MN; transfer from Minnesota Duluth |
| Cole Reschny | Forward | Canada |
18 | Macklin, SK; selected 18th overall in 2025 |
| Ellis Rickwood | Forward | Canada |
22 | Brantford, ON; transfer from Clarkson |
| Zach Sandy | Goaltender | United States |
22 | Fargo, ND; transfer from Minnesota Duluth |
| Jan Špunar | Goaltender |  Czech Republic |
21 | Olomouc, CZ |
| Keaton Verhoeff | Defense | Canada |
17 | Fort Saskatchewan, AB |
| Tyler Young | Forward | United States |
24 | Lancaster, MA; transfer from Merrimack |
| Josh Zakreski | Forward | Canada |
19 | Saskatoon, SK |
| Will Zellers | Forward | United States |
19 | Maple Grove, MN; selected 76th overall in 2024 |
Roster
As of January 21, 2025.[2][3][4]
| No. | Nat. | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
|
Zach Sandy | Junior (RS) | G | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2002-12-05 | Fargo, North Dakota | Minnesota Duluth (NCHC) | — |
| 2 |
|
Bennett Zmolek (C) | Graduate (RS) | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2002-04-17 | Rochester, Minnesota | Minnesota State (CCHA) | — |
| 3 |
|
Jayden Jubenvill | Sophomore | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2003-06-19 | Gilbert Plains, Manitoba | Dubuque (USHL) | — |
| 4 |
|
Jake Livanavage (A) | Junior | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2004-05-06 | Phoenix, Arizona | Chicago (USHL) | — |
| 6 |
|
EJ Emery | Sophomore | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2006-03-30 | Compton, California | USNTDP (USHL) | NYR, 30th overall 2024 |
| 7 |
|
Mac Swanson | Sophomore | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2006-01-10 | Anchorage, Alaska | Fargo (USHL) | PIT, 207th overall 2024 |
| 8 |
|
Ollie Josephson | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 191 lb (87 kg) | 2006-07-22 | Victoria, British Columbia | Red Deer (WHL) | SEA, 105nd overall 2024 |
| 9 |
|
Will Zellers | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2006-04-04 | Maple Grove, Minnesota | Green Bay (USHL) | BOS, [1] 76th overall 2024 |
| 11 |
|
Ian Engel | Freshman | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2004-05-13 | Hortonville, Wisconsin | Bismarck (NAHL) | — |
| 13 |
|
Sam Laurila | Freshman | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 193 lb (88 kg) | 2006-09-02 | Moorhead, Minnesota | Fargo (USHL) | NYI, 138th overall 2025 |
| 14 |
|
Tyler Young | Senior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2001-05-08 | Lancaster, Massachusetts | Merrimack (HEA) | — |
| 15 |
|
Jack Kernan | Freshman | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 2005-03-30 | Maple Grove, Minnesota | Des Moines (USHL) | — |
| 16 |
|
Andrew Strathmann | Sophomore | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2005-02-27 | Beach Park, Illinois | Youngstown (USHL) | CBJ, 98th overall 2023 |
| 17 |
|
Cole Reschny | Freshman | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2007-04-06 | Macklin, Saskatchewan | Victoria (WHL) | CGY, 18th overall 2025 |
| 18 |
|
Keaton Verhoeff | Freshman | D | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | 2008-06-19 | Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta | Victoria (WHL) | — |
| 19 |
|
Cody Croal | Sophomore | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2003-06-17 | North Branch, Minnesota | Muskegon (USHL) | — |
| 20 |
|
Cade Littler | Sophomore | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2004-07-12 | East Wenatchee, Washington | Penticton (BCHL) | CGY, 219th overall 2022 |
| 21 |
|
Ben Strinden (A) | Senior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2002-06-04 | Fargo, North Dakota | Muskegon (USHL) | NSH, 210th overall 2022 |
| 22 |
|
David Klee | Freshman | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2005-05-10 | Castle Rock, Colorado | Muskegon (USHL) | SJS, 196th overall 2023 |
| 24 |
|
Josh Zakreski | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 197 lb (89 kg) | 2005-12-17 | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Portland (WHL) | — |
| 25 |
|
Abram Wiebe (A) | Junior | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 2003-08-28 | Mission, British Columbia | Chilliwack (BCHL) | CGY, [2]209th overall 2022 |
| 26 |
|
Dylan James (A) | Senior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 193 lb (88 kg) | 2003-10-12 | Calgary, Alberta | Sioux City (USHL) | DET, 40th overall 2022 |
| 27 |
|
Anthony Menghini | Junior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2002-12-03 | Brainerd, Minnesota | Minnesota Duluth (NCHC) | — |
| 28 |
|
Dalton Andrew | Sophomore | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | 2003-08-05 | Brandon, Manitoba | Winkler (MJHL) | — |
| 29 |
|
Ellis Rickwood | Senior | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2002-07-02 | Brantford, Ontario | Clarkson (ECAC) | — |
| 31 |
|
Gibson Homer | Graduate | G | 6' 6" (1.98 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2003-12-29 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Arizona State (NCHC) | — |
| 35 |
|
Jan Špunar | Freshman | G | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 2004-05-30 | Olomouc, Czech Republic | Dubuque (USHL) | — |
- 1.^ Zellers was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in 2024, but his NHL rights were traded to the Boston Bruins on March 7, 2025.[5]
2.^ Wiebe was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2022, but his NHL rights were traded to the Calgary Flames on January 18, 2026.[4]
Standings
| Conference record | Overall record | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | W | L | T | OTW | OTL | SW | PTS | GF | GA | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | |||
| #3 North Dakota | 18 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 42 | 73 | 40 | 28 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 108 | 61 | ||
| #8 Denver | 20 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 40 | 65 | 45 | 31 | 17 | 11 | 3 | 105 | 72 | ||
| #4 Western Michigan | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 66 | 55 | 28 | 20 | 8 | 0 | 104 | 70 | ||
| #10 Minnesota Duluth | 20 | 9 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 28 | 52 | 57 | 30 | 18 | 12 | 0 | 98 | 76 | ||
| St. Cloud State | 20 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 58 | 67 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 93 | 87 | ||
| #20 Miami | 18 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 47 | 53 | 28 | 17 | 9 | 2 | 89 | 78 | ||
| Colorado College | 18 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 47 | 53 | 28 | 11 | 13 | 4 | 76 | 78 | ||
| Arizona State | 18 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 47 | 65 | 30 | 13 | 16 | 1 | 91 | 103 | ||
| Omaha | 18 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 40 | 63 | 28 | 10 | 18 | 0 | 74 | 96 | ||
| Championship: March 21, 2026 † indicates conference regular season champion (Penrose Cup) * indicates conference tournament champion (National Cup) Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll; updated February 9, 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||
Schedule and results
Rankings
| Week | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | Final |
| USCHO.com [7] | 11 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | * | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||
| USA Hockey[8] | 10т | 11 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | * | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||
Note: USCHO did not release a poll in week 12.
Note: USA Hockey did not release a poll in week 12.
References
- ^ Schlossman, Brad (July 24, 2025). "UND unveils new hockey jerseys". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ "2025-26 Men's Hockey Roster". University of North Dakota Athletics. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
- ^ Johnson, Alec Stocker; FightingHawks.com (September 3, 2025). "Bennett Zmolek named captain, four selected as assistants". University of North Dakota Athletics. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
- ^ a b Schlossman, Brad (January 21, 2026). "UND defenseman Abram Wiebe reacts to trade to Calgary Flames". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
- ^ Bailey, Curtis (March 7, 2025). "BREAKING TRADE NEWS: Bruins Forward Charlie Coyle to the Avalanche in Exchange for Casey Mittelstadt". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
- ^ "2025-26 Men's Hockey Schedule". University of North Dakota Athletics. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
- ^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ^ "2025-26 NCAA Division I Men's Poll". USA Hockey. Retrieved February 9, 2026.