UND Fighting Hawks Hockey Team Bids Farewell to Stellar Season

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — The University of North Dakota (UND) Fighting Hawks men’s hockey team concluded its 2025-26 season with a mix of reflection and resilience, capping a campaign that saw both standout performances and a tough playoff exit. The team’s senior class bid an emotional farewell to Ralph Engelstad Arena, marking the end of an era for eight players who had become fixtures in the program.

Seniors Close Out Their Ralph Engelstad Arena Era

On March 8, 2025, UND hosted the University of Nebraska Omaha (Omaha) in the final regular-season game of the year, a contest that doubled as a senior night tribute for the Fighting Hawks’ graduating players. The evening was tinged with nostalgia as the eight seniors—including captain Louis Jamernik V—took their final strides on the Ralph Engelstad Arena ice during a game night. A video tribute played on the arena screens, and teammates lined the boards to embrace each senior as they exited the rink for the last time in a competitive setting.

Jamernik, the team’s captain, later reflected on the moment, telling reporters, It’s going to be a tough night. His words captured the bittersweet nature of the occasion, as the seniors processed the end of their collegiate careers in a venue that had been their home ice for years. The emotional farewell was a poignant reminder of the bonds formed over seasons of competition, even as the team faced the immediate disappointment of a playoff road trip.

A Season of Highs and Lows

The 2025-26 season had been one of contrasts for UND. The Fighting Hawks entered the final weekend of the regular season with a record of 19-14-2, positioning themselves for a potential home playoff series in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). However, a 7-3 loss to Omaha on that senior night dashed those hopes, dropping UND from third to fifth place in the conference standings. The defeat also relegated the team to a best-of-three quarterfinal series on the road, a stark shift from the home-ice advantage they had aimed to secure.

The game itself was a microcosm of the season’s challenges. Omaha struck early, scoring in the final minute of the first period and adding two more goals in the opening four minutes of the second, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 4-0 lead. Despite UND’s efforts to claw back, Omaha’s offense proved too much, with forwards Sam Stange and Harrison Israels each notching multi-point performances. Stange finished with two goals and four points, while Israels added two goals and three points. Omaha’s Cam Mitchell, Nolan Krenzen, and Brady Risk also found the back of the net, sealing the Mavericks’ fourth-place finish and the final home-ice spot in the NCHC quarterfinals.

UND head coach Brad Berry acknowledged the disappointment but framed the setback as an opportunity for renewal. Unfortunately, we’re going on the road, Berry said. The fortunate thing is everybody is at zero. It’s a blank slate right now. We’re going to go on the road and we’re going to play with passion and conviction. His comments underscored the team’s determination to reset and refocus for the postseason, even as they faced the prospect of playing in Omaha’s Baxter Arena.

Looking Ahead: A Program in Transition

While the 2025-26 season ended without a playoff run at home, the Fighting Hawks’ future remains bright. The program has already begun shaping its roster for the 2026-27 campaign, with several high-profile transfers and commits announced in recent weeks. Among the additions is Kasper Magnussen, a Norwegian forward from Bemidji State who enjoyed a breakout junior season, tallying 31 points for the Beavers. Magnussen’s arrival, along with the commitment of Connor Davis from Cedar Rapids and the transfer of Gavin Lindberg from Colorado College, signals UND’s continued emphasis on building depth and talent.

Coach Berry’s philosophy of developing a deep forward group appears unchanged, as evidenced by the team’s recent recruiting moves. The Fighting Hawks have also added Hudson Malinoski, a center from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, who served as an assistant captain at Providence this past season. Malinoski was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL Draft and will bring leadership and skill to UND’s lineup next year.

The 2026-27 schedule, released earlier this month, includes intriguing road trips that promise to test the team’s mettle. While specific matchups have not been detailed in full, the slate reflects UND’s commitment to competing against top-tier competition, a hallmark of the program’s recent history. The team’s ability to navigate these challenges will be critical as it seeks to return to the upper echelons of college hockey.

Legacy and Continuity

The departure of the senior class leaves a void, but it also opens doors for younger players to step into larger roles. The Fighting Hawks have a history of resilience, and the 2025-26 season—despite its ups and downs—served as a testament to the program’s enduring competitiveness. As the team turns its attention to the offseason, the focus will be on building cohesion and addressing areas of improvement, particularly in high-pressure situations like the one that unfolded against Omaha.

For the seniors, the season’s end marks the beginning of a new chapter. While their time in Grand Forks has concluded, their contributions to UND hockey will not be forgotten. The emotional farewell at Ralph Engelstad Arena was a fitting tribute to their dedication, and their legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Fighting Hawks.

As UND looks ahead, the program remains a perennial contender in college hockey, bolstered by a strong recruiting pipeline and a coaching staff committed to sustained success. The 2025-26 season may not have ended with a championship, but it reinforced the Fighting Hawks’ identity as a team that plays with passion, competes fiercely, and honors its traditions—both on and off the ice.