College

Kelly Grgas-Wheeler Named UMD Director of Athletic Communications

Grgas-Wheeler has worn many different hats since starting with Bulldog Athletics almost 17 years ago.

DULUTH, Minn.- On Friday, the UMD Athletics department named a Kelly Grgas-Wheeler as the Director of Athletic Communications and Media Relations. Grgas-Wheeler has worn many different hats in her time with Bulldog Athletics. She’s served as the men’s and women’s basketball contact, the women’s hockey communications director for the past 16 years, acted as the communications director in three NCAA…

Hermantown’s Peyton Menzel to Play College Football at UMD

The soon to be senior wideout hauled in 40 receptions with seven touchdowns and 579 yards receiving.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- A Hermantown standout is staying close to home to play college football. Hawks wide receiver Peyton Menzel announced his commitment to UMD on Saturday. The soon to be senior wideout hauled in 40 receptions with seven touchdowns and 579 yards receiving. Overall, he would accumulate 687 all-purpose yards. Menzel and Hermantown are coming off a 6-3 season last…

Northland Men’s Basketball Coach Scott Sorenson Selected for NCAA College Basketball Academy

This will be the 2nd time in his career that Sorenson has coached at the academy. His first year was back in 2019.

ASHLAND, Wis.- Northland head men’s basketball coach Scott Sorenson will make his way to Memphis later this month. Sorenson will serve as a coach for the NCAA College Basketball Academy. The academy give prospective men’s and women’s student athletes a sample of the college basketball experience. This will be the 2nd time in his career that Sorenson has coached at…

UMD’s Henderson & Gascon Invited to Team Canada’s National Development Camp

Henderson posted one goal and six assists last season. While Gascon is set to make her debut this fall.

ST. CATHARINES, Ontario.- Two current UMD women’s hockey players will have a chance to suit up for Team Canada at their National Women’s Development Team training camp. Sophomore defenseman Tova Henderson and freshman goaltender Eve Gascon will take part in the four-day camp in Ontario. Henderson posted one goal and six assists last season, while Gascon is set to make…

UMD Men’s Hockey Releases Roster for 2023-2024 Season

UMD will have six new players suiting up for the team this season.

DULUTH, Minn.- 82 days from now the UMD men’s hockey team will drop the puck in their home and season opener against Michigan Tech. And just over the weekend, the team released their roster for the upcoming season. The Bulldogs will have four freshman suiting up for the team. They are headlined by defensman Aaron Pionk and forward Matthew Perkins,…

St. Scholastica Announces 2023 Athletics Hall of Fame Class

The class will officially be inducted on October 14th as part of Homecoming weekend.

DULUTH, Minn.- The College of St. Scholastica announced their 2023 Athletics Hall of Fame Class on Thursday afternoon. It will be the 12th class in program history to be inducted. The class includes a pair of All-Americans, Walt Aufderheide, who is tied for the program record with 18 wins as he manned the pipes for the Saints from 1979 to…

Rooney Rounds Out Bulldogs at USA Women’s Hockey National Festival

The festival takes place August 7th through the 13th in Lake Placid, New York.

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.- It was announced on Tuesday that four UMD women’s hockey standouts from a year ago will be skating at the USA Hockey Women’s National Festival. Also on the list is former UMD goaltender and olympic gold medalist Maddie Rooney. Rooney has already established herself, but it will be a big weekend for current Bulldogs Mannon McMahon and…

Four Bulldogs Invited to USA Hockey Women’s National Festival

The festival will take place from August 7th to August 13 at Lake Placid in New York.

DULUTH, Minn.- Four UMD women’s hockey players will be participating in the USA Hockey Women’s National Festival later this summer. Maggie Flaherty, Gabbie Hughes, Mannon McMahon, and Clara Van Wieren have all been invited to compete at the Festival. Duluth native Sanya Sandahl will also serve as the goaltending coach. It will take place from August 7th to August 13…

Naomi Rogge Joins SDE of Swedish Women’s Hockey League

Rogge graduated as the program's all-time games played record holder.

DULUTH, Minn.- Former Bulldog Naomi Rogge will get to play hockey this year after all. Rogge originially signed her first professional contract with the Metropolitan Riveters of the PHF earlier this off-season, but the league would be bought out. Now, she’s heading overseas as she signed a deal with SDE of the Swedish Women’s Hockey League. Rogge graduated as the…

Northland College Names New Head Baseball & Head Men’s Hockey Coach

The school made the official announcements last Friday.

ASHLAND, Wis.- Northland College in Ashland has a new head baseball coach. The team named former Duluth Denfeld coach Cal Fougner as their new bench boss. Fougner had been with Valley City State in North Dakota since 2020 as their lead assistant coach. He also coached at Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College back in 2012. On the ice,…

UMD’s Noah Cates & Flyers Agree to Two-Year Contract Extension

Cates was one of four NHL rookies to appear in every game for his team.

PHILADELPHIA, Penn.-  It appears former Bulldog Noah Cates and the Philadelphia Flyers won’t have to go to arbitration anymore. On Monday, the left wing and Philadelphia agreed to a two-year contract extension worth 5.25 million dollars. Cates recorded 38 points in 82 games for the Flyers last season. He was one of four NHL rookies to appear in every game…

Nick Wolff Departs Boston Bruins for Anaheim Ducks Organization

The D-man would register four points in 35 games just this past season.

SAN DIEGO, C.A.- Defenseman Nick Wolff departed the Boston Bruins organization for the Anaheim Ducks organization on Thursday evening. Wolff signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Gulls, who are the AHL affiliate of the Ducks. Wolff played in 91 games for the Providence Bruins the last three seasons. The D-man would register four points in 35 games just…

Former Bulldog Noah Cates Files for Arbitration with Philadelphia Flyers

The arbitrator will have the sole discretion to decide Cates' 2023-24 salary on either a one or two year deal.

PHILADELPHIA, Penn.- Former UMD left wing Noah Cates has filed for arbitration with the Philadelphia Flyers. Philadelphia extended a qualifying offer to Cates back in June for almost 875 thousand dollars, which is 50 thousand dollars less than he made this past season. Cates appeared in all 82 games last season for the Flyers. He would post 13 goals and…

Former Hermantown Hawk Dylan Samberg Re-Signs with Winnipeg Jets

The defenseman stays with a Bulldog heavy Winnipeg Jet roster that already includes Alex Iafallo, Neal Pionk, and Dominic Toninato.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba.- Former Hermantown Hawk and UMD Bulldog Dyland Samberg is re-upping with the Winnipeg Jets on a two-year, 2.8 million dollar deal. Samberg just finished up his 2nd season in the NHL. In 63 games played, he would total two goals and six assists. The defenseman stays with a Bulldog heavy Winnipeg Jet roster that already includes Alex Iafallo,…

Esko Native Karson Kuhlman Signs One-Year Deal with New York Islanders

This will be Kuhlman's 4th NHL team as he also spent time with the Boston Bruins early in his career.

  ELMONT, N.Y.- He spent last season splitting time with the Seattle Kraken and the Winnipeg Jets. Now, Esko native Karson Kuhlman is once again on the move. Kuhlman and the New York Islanders agreed to a one-year, two-way contract on Wednesday afternoon. The former Bulldog would tally three goals and seven points in 47 games of action last year….

St. Scholastica Names Brooks Repking New Head Baseball Coach

Repking comes from Crown College, where he was the head coach for the Polars in the 2023 season.

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Scholastica baseball team has a new head coach. Brooks Repking becomes the 5th head baseball coach in program history. He replaces Corey Kemp, who returned to the program on an interim basis in 2023. Repking comes from Crown College, where he was the head coach for the Polars in the 2023 season. He helped lead the…

Arizona State Joins NCHC as 9th Member of Conference

This is the first time since the conference began play in 2013 that the NCHC is expanding.

TEMPE, AZ.- The UMD men’s hockey team played Arizona State twice last season in non-conference play. Starting in the 2024-2025 season, the Bulldogs will meet the Sun Devils in conference play as Arizona State was announced as the 9th member of the NCHC conference on Wednesday. This is the first time since the conference began play in 2013 that the…

Goaltender Hunter Shepard Staying in Hershey on Two-Year, Two-Way Contract

Shepard posted a record of 20-8-5 while helping guide the Bears to a Calder Cup title.

HERSHEY, Penn.- Cohasset native and former Grand Rapids goaltender Hunter Shepard is staying put. On Sunday, it was announced that the Hershey Bears, an affiliate of the Washington Capitals, and Shepard agreed to a two-year, two-way contract. Shepard posted a record of 20-8-5 while helping guide the Bears to a Calder Cup title. Categories: Professional Sports, Sports, University of Minnesota…

Bulldogs on the Move: Richards, Soucy, & Tufte Find New NHL Teams

Soucy & Richards are now on their 3rd NHL team. Meanwhile, Tufte moves on to his 2nd.

DULUTH, Minn.- A trio of former UMD men’s hockey players found new teams over the weekend. Shortly after the free agency period began on Saturday, Defenseman Carson Soucy signed a three-year, 3.3 million dollar deal with the Vancouver Canucks, ending a two-year stint in Seattle. Soucy had his best professional year with the Kraken in 2021 and 2022 posting 21…

Former Bulldog Nick Swaney Re-Signs with Minnesota Wild

This will be Swaney's fourth season in the Minnesota organization.

ST. PAUL, Minn.- Nick Swaney, who was scheduled to be a restricted free agent, re-signed with the Minnesota Wild on a one-year, two-way contract on Friday. Swaney recorded 30 points in 48 games last season for the Iowa Wild. He would also see one game in the pros, suiting up in the April 13th contest against the Nashville Predators. This…

Hermantown Native Aaron Pionk Selected By Minnesota Wild in NHL Draft

It will be a few years before Pionk puts on the Wild sweater. He's set to play for UMD this upcoming season.

  NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Hermantown native Aaron Pionk would have to wait a little bit on Thursday to hear his name called in the NHL Draft. Finally at pick number 149 in the 5th round, Pionk’s home state team, the Minnesota Wild would select the defenseman. “The thought of that is crazy. I thought I had played my last game there…

Future Bulldogs Gajan, Shaugabay, & Perkins Picked on Day 2 of NHL Draft

The trio join Aaron Pionk, who was selected by the Wild in the 5th round as Bulldogs selected in this year's draft.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- The UMD men’s hockey team was well represented on Day 2 of the NHL Draft on Thursday. Just three picks into the 2nd round, the Chicago Blackhawks would select goalie Adam Gajan at 35th overall. Gajan, has already verbally committed to the Bulldogs and is set to join the team in the fall of 2024. Two rounds later,…

Hermantown Hockey Standout Aaron Pionk Soaking Up NHL Draft Experience

Pionk says he's spoken to seven organizations at the combine and has had others team reach out after the fact.

DULUTH, Minn.- Hermantown hockey standout Aaron Pionk is set to experience a childhood dream. And that’s hear his name called at the NHL draft in the coming days. Over the past year, the former Hawk forward now turned defenseman, started to see interest from NHL teams at his USHSL games as well as the combine. He says he’s spoken to…

Former Greyhounds Pitcher Caden Edwards Transfers to Minnesota Crookston

Over the course of three seasons in Fargo, Edwards appeared in eight games.

CROOKSTON, Minn.- Former Duluth East and NDSU pitcher and first baseman Caden Edwards announced on Tuesday that he is transferring to Minnesota Crookson. Over the course of three seasons in Fargo, Edwards appeared in eight games. He would strikeout eight over the course of 11 1/3 innings played. Edwards also earned his first collegiate win in a contest against Mayville…

Donovan, Troumbly, & Friesen Join Bischoff on Augustana Hockey Roster

The Vikings will have their first-ever game against Donovan's former team, Wisconsin on October 7th.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.- One of college hockey’s latest Division 1 programs, Augustana announced their roster for their first season. The original list includes four with ties to the area. Some of the recent additions include former Duluth East defenseman Shay Donovan, former Greenway forward Ben Troumbly, and former UWS forward Colton Friesen. The roster also includes former Grand Rapids forward…

Hermantown’s Pionk & Hanson Hope to Hear Name Called in 2023 NHL Draft

Both players spent last season in the USHSL. They are each set to join UMD in the coming years.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- The NHL draft takes place on Wednesday in the Music City. And two local Hermantown standouts could potentially hear their named called on the two-day draft. Those two being defenseman Aaron Pionk and Ty Hanson. Pionk just recently flipped his commitment from MSU-Mankato to UMD. He spent last season with the Waterloo Blackhawks in the USHSL, posting 12…

Bulldogs in the Pros: Iafallo Dealt From Kings to Jets, Soucy to Test Free Agent Market

Iafallo has spent his whole NHL career in LA, appearing in 420 games and posting 204 points. Soucy has spent time in Minnesota & Seattle.

DULUTH, Minn.- A pair of former Bulldogs are potentially set to join new NHL teams this upcoming season. One that is officially set to join a new team is forward Alex Iafallo. Iafallo was traded from the Los Angeles Kings to the Winnipeg Jets as part of a four-player deal on Tuesday afternoon. Iafallo has spent his whole NHL career…

Star-Studded Lineup Raises Funds for Youth in Heritage Summer Hockey Classic

The proceeds provide youth from financially challenged families the resources to compete in organized sports and further their education. 

DULUTH, Minn.- The stars were out tonight as some of the area’s best professional hockey players took the ice at the Essentia Duluth Heritage Center. Hockey lovers could indulge in a star-studded lineup with some pretty great hockey. But what brought these pros back to Duluth was for a purpose bigger than the game. After a four year hiatus the…

Titans’ Okuayinonu Returns to Alma Mater for Youth Football Camp

The camp hosted over 30 campers who each walked away better football players and some, with a goal to one day reach the league. 

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn.- School’s out which means camp season is in. Today in Mountain Iron, campers got a chance to learn from a pro. Minnesota North College held its Annual Mesabi Range Pepper Lysaker Football Camp with a special guest appearance from a former Norsemen football alum. Titans’ defensive tackle, Sam Okuayinonu, returned to the Range to help teach campers…

Former UMD Standout Caroline Ouellette to Be Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame

Ouellette has already been selected for the IIHF and the UMD Hall of Fame recently.

DULUTH, Minn.- Another week, another hall of fame induction for former Bulldog standout Caroline Ouellette. Announced on Wednesday, Ouellette will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 13th. She’s most known for winning four goal medals with Team Canada. But, she also got it done in the college ranks winning two national titles for UMD, one as…

Former Bulldog Joey Anderson Re-Signs with Chicago Blackhawks

Anderson would split time with Chicago and the Toronto Maple Leafs organization in 2022.

CHICAGO, Illinois.- Former UMD forward Joey Anderson re-signed with the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday. It’s a one-year, eight hundred thousand dollar deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. Anderson would split time with Chicago and the Toronto Maple Leafs organization in 2022. He would suit up in 38 NHL games, tallying 9 points total in those contests. This upcoming season will be…

Cohasset Native Hunter Shepard Wins Calder Cup with Hershey Bears

Shepard was also named MVP of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

DULUTH, Minn.- Former UMD goalie Hunter Shepard and the Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup against the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Wednesday night. Shepard would stop 45 of the 47 shots he saw in the game 7, 3-2 overtime victory. For his efforts, the goaltender would be awarded the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy, which is awarded to the MVP of…

Maesyn Thiesen Joins UMD Women’s Basketball Coaching Staff, Cecile Kieger Named Lead Assistant

Thiesen is coming off a season in which she averaged 7.6 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game.

DULUTH, Minn.- Former UMD women’s basketball player Maesyn Thiesen will be joining the coaching staff this upcoming season. Thiesen is coming off a season in which she averaged 7.6 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game, helping lead the Dogs to the national title game. Thiesen wasn’t the only coaching move as Cecile Kieger has been named lead assistant…

Former UMD Women’s Basketball All-American Lindsey Dietz to be Inducted into 2023 NSIC Hall of Fame

Dietz becomes UMD's 23rd inductee into the NSIC Hall of Fame and the first since 2017.

DULUTH, Minn.- Former UMD women’s basketball All-American Lindsay Dietz has been named to the NSIC Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Dietz becomes UMD’s 23rd inductee into the NSIC Hall of Fame and the first since 2017. She would suit up for the Bulldogs from 2002 to 2006. During her time at UMD, Dietz was the first Bulldog women’s player…

Brooke Olson Adds DII Honda Athlete of the Year to List of Accolades

Olson becomes the second UMD athlete to reach this honor and will be dawned the award in Los Angeles on June 26. 

DULUTH, Minn.- Announced on Friday, Bulldogs grad Brooke Olson was named DII Honda Athlete of the Year. The award is voted on by 1000 NCAA member schools as part of the Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards program. Olson adds this award to a long list of accolades including 2023 DII Player of the Year, the first in program history. She’s been…

Philadelphia Flyers Extend Qualifying Offer to Former Bulldog Noah Cates

Cates would skate in 82 games for Philly last season. He would total 38 points in those contests.

PHILADELPHIA, Penn.- A former Bulldog appears to be sticking around in the City of Brotherly Love. The Philadelphia Flyers extended a qualifying offer to Noah Cates on Wednesday. Cates would skate in 82 games for Philly last season. He would total 38 points in those contests. The qualifying offer is worth nearly 875 thousand dollars on a two-way contract. Cates…

Former Bulldog Sydney Brodt Re-Signs with Minnesota Whitecaps

Brodt is the 5th UMD player on the Whitecaps roster.

RICHFIELD, Minn.- Former UMD forward Sydney Brodt is staying in the state of hockey. Brodt re-signed with the Minnesota Whitecaps on a two-year deal. In her first season with the Whitecaps, she tallied five goals and nine points in 21 games of action. She was also one of six Whitecaps players to be selected to the PHF All-Star Game. Brodt…

Connolly & Ouellette Headline 2023 UMD Athletic Hall of Fame Class

This will be the first induction ceremony since February of 2019.

DULUTH, Minn.- Earlier this week, the UMD athletic department announced their 2023 Athletic Hall of Fame class. This year they will induct 10 members for their 22nd class. Among those being honored include former hockey All-americans Jack Connolly and Caroline Ouellette, as well as track and field and cross country All-American Morgan Kowalik, and football All- American Russ Rabe among…

UMD’s Linser & Rogge Sign with Metropolitan Riveters

Linser and Rogge join Emma Soderberg and Maggie Flaherty as Bulldogs that have signed pro deals this off-season.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ.- Within the last month, the UMD women’s hockey team has seen two players go on to the pros. They can now add two more to that list. Forwards Naomi Rogge and Anneke Linser each signed one-year deals with the Metropolitan Riveters of the PHF. Rogge graduated as the program’s all-time games played record holder. She was also…

UMD Summer Camp Season is Upon Us

Summer camp season is here and UMD athletics have a full slate of camps scheduled this summer. 

DULUTH, Minn.- Summer camp season is here and UMD athletics have a full slate of camps scheduled this summer. Football: UMD football has six sessions scheduled for the summer, click here for more information or to register. Basketball: The men’s and women’s basketball team will host a camp from Romano, nearly every week this summer. For men’s camp information and…

Wolfpack’s Mason Smith Commits to St. Thomas Lacrosse

Smith has started 13 games this season with the Wolfpack with 25 goals, averaging 2.62 per game.

DULUTH, Minn.- On Friday, the Duluth Wolfpack boys lacrosse team announced senior Mason Smith is moving on to the next chapter of his lacrosse career, committing to the University of St. Thomas. Smith has started 13 games this season with the Wolfpack with 25 goals, averaging 2.62 per game. The Tommies play DII in the Men’s College Lacrosse Association (MCLA)….

Wilderness Wing Kevin Marx Noren to Play College Hockey at Northern Michigan

Noren's coming off a breakout year where he tallied 33 goals and 26 assists.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Wilderness Wing Kevin Marx Noren is making the jump to the college ranks next season. On Thursday, Noren announced his commitment to Northern Michigan. He’s coming off a breakout year where he tallied 33 goals and 26 assists for a total of 59 points on the season. Noren also played a big role in getting the Wilderness to…

Former Bulldog Caroline Ouellette to be Inducted Into IIHF Hall of Fame

She is the 2nd Bulldog in program history to be named to the IIHF Hall of Fame.

DULUTH, Minn.- Former Bulldog forward Caroline Ouellette has been named to the International Ice Hockey Federation’s Hall of Fame for the class of 2023. Ouellette was a standout at UMD as she was awarded All-American honors twice. She also was the Frozen Four Most Valuable Player in 2003 after helping lead UMD to their 3rd national title. Ouellette was able…

Superior’s Daynen Lull Commits to Play College Hoops at Morton College

Lull was a Lake Superior Conference Honorable Mention after averaging 11 points per game and seven rebounds per game.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Superior forward Daynen Lull made his college commitment on Monday. Lull announced he will be suiting up for Morton College, a junior college program in Illinois. Lull was a Lake Superior Conference Honorable Mention after averaging 11 points per game and seven rebounds per game. He also played a huge role in helping the Spartans win a region…

Former UMD Forward Brooke Olson Joins Gophers as Graduate Manager

The five-year forward just capped off her Bulldog career in April, in which she helped lead UMD to their first-ever National Title game.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.- Four time All-American and UMD forward Brooke Olson is making the next step in her basketball career. Olson recently joined the University of Minnesota coaching staff as a Graduate Manager. The five-year forward just capped off her Bulldog career in April, in which she helped lead UMD to their first-ever National Title game. She’s the first Bulldog in…

UWS Pitcher Ryan Rodriguez Earns All-Region Honors to Cap Off Career

This past season, Rodriguez posted a 6-2 record with an earned run average of 2.59.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- UWS left-handed pitcher Ryan Rodriguez was named to the All-Region 3rd team on Monday by D3baseball.com. This past season, Rodriguez posted a 6-2 record with an earned run average of 2.59. As for his career with the Yellowjackets, he went 23-13 in 59 appearances, including 52 starts. He would also strike out 345 hitters. This is the first…

St. Scholastica Hammer Thrower Lily Beneke Takes Home All-American Honor

Beneke is the second woman in program history to earn All-American status.

ROCHESTER, New York.- St. Scholastica Lily Beneke earned All-America honors for the first time in her career on Saturday. She made that possible in the hammer throw on the final day of the 2023 NCAA D3 Outdoor Track & Field Championships. On Beneke’s final throw of the contest, she recorded a distance of 56.84 meters, which was good enough to…

UMD’s Cailee Peterson Achieves All-American Status at D2 Outdoor Track and Field Championships

The previous Bulldog to achieve that honor was Emi Trost in 2017 and 2015.

PUEBLO, Colorado.- UMD mid-distance runner Cailee Peterson had a weekend to remember. On Saturday, Peterson would place fourth in the finals of the 1500 meter at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She finished with a time of 4:38.82 to earn All-American status and become the third All-American in program history in the 1500m. The previous Bulldog…

UMD’s Cailee Peterson to Compete in 1500M Finals at NCAA D2 Outdoor Championships

Peterson becomes the 3rd Bulldog in program history to compete in the 1500 meter final at the national championship.

PUEBLO, Colorado.- UMD’s Cailee Peterson has competed on the national stage for plenty of events this year. Back in the fall, she and the rest of the UMD women’s cross country team placed 20th in the National Championship. A few months later, she was runner-up in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. Now, Peterson will get the chance to…

MIB Senior Guard Sage Ganyo Commits to Play College Hoops at Bemidji State

Ganyo would average 17 points per game and also played a big role in helping lead MIB to their first ever girls basketball state championship.

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn.- Mountain Iron-Buhl guard Sage Ganyo won’t have to travel too far for her next team. Earlier this week, Ganyo signed her letter of intent to play basketball at Bemidji State. Ganyo would average 17 points per game and also played a big role in helping lead MIB to their first ever girls basketball state championship. Ganyo and…