Francis Announces He’s Cancer Free, Bulldogs Prep for Colorado College

Francis will use the remainder of the season as a redshirt year.

DULUTH, Minn.- This weekend will mark the first home series of 2024 for the UMD men’s hockey team as the Bulldogs will take on Colorado College.

UMD will have a chance to climb up the NCHC standings as they are currently one point back from Colorado.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 3 to 1 exhibition loss to St. Thomas this past weekend.

Turnovers were an issue for UMD in that contest and head coach Scott Sandelin says that must be addressed especially going against a team like the Tigers.

“Most teams do. We did the same thing against Air Force. We fed their transition. We fed their offense. If we don’t take care of pucks better. Number one thing I went in before the game was puck management. We didn’t do a very good job of it. If we continue to play with the puck like that, we’re going to be on our heels and we’re going to have a tough time winning hockey games,” said Sandelin.

A high point from the St. Thomas exhibition contest was the return to play for junior defenseman Will Francis.

Francis had been away from the team dealing with a leukemia cancer setback.

He announced on Wednesday that he is cancer-free. Something that he says has made him more at ease.

“It’s a huge relief for me personally, obiviously first and foremost. And then my family, secondly. Just the team and culture and staff around here. It’s a big relief. It kind of gives you a little breath of fresh air,” said Francis.

Francis also added that he will take the remainder of the year and use it as a redshirt season.

Colorado College and UMD drop the puck at 7:07 on Friday.