College

UW-Superior’s Reinertsen, CSS’s Thomeczek Advance to Conference Nominations for NCAA Woman of the Year Award

The selection committee will now choose the top ten from each division, which will be announced next month.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Tuesday, the conference representatives have been announced for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. The UMAC has nominated former UWS basketball standout Eva Reinertsen. The Duluth native says she was surprised again to make it this far in the nomination process and is proud to still be up for the award. “I just think that this…

UMD Pausing Workouts, NSIC’s Fall Decision Coming Later This Week

The University of Minnesota put a pause on athletic departments in their system that can't test yet as it is a requirement to be able to train.

UPDATED 6:05 P.M., Mon August 10, 2020: UMD athletic director Josh Berlo released a statement on the pause for athletic activties: “In light of last week’s NCAA decision to cancel Division II Fall Championships, revised guidance from the NCAA Sports Science Institute and the recent NSIC decision to delay the start of the Fall sports season, Bulldog Athletics is pausing…

UMD Football Hosting Another Round of Skills Camps

The next round of camps will take place on August 17 and August 18 and are open to any high school players.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD football team added two more skills camps to their summer schedule for Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 18 at Malosky Stadium. The football camps are the only UMD camps to take place in-person this summer. The Bulldogs started camps on July 6 and have already held six camps this summer. They are for any…

Hobey Baker Winner Scott Perunovich Talks Signing On with St. Louis Blues

Instead of burning this season in the uncertainty of the NHL bubble, Perunovich decided to begin his contract next season.

DULUTH, Minn. – Former UMD hockey star Scott Perunovich was officially awarded his Hobey Baker trophy Thursday night. Next up for the Hibbing native is preparing for the NHL. Last month, Perunovich signed a two-year deal with the St. Louis Blues. But instead of burning this season in the uncertainty of the NHL bubble, Perunovich decided to begin his contract…

Hibbing Native Scott Perunovich Honored at Hobey Baker Award Ceremony

Before Perunovich heads off to the NHL, the former UMD standout was honored at a special golf outing and banquet to celebrate his 2020 Hobey Baker Award win.

LAKE ELMO, Minn. – Thursday was a reason to celebrate for former UMD defenseman Scott Perunovich as he finally received his 2020 Hobey Baker Award trophy. “It’s definitely exciting that the day is finally here,” Perunovich said. The former UMD men’s hockey star was the guest of honor at a special golf outing and banquet to honor his 2020 Hobey…

NCHA Pushes Back Conference Action to 2021

Both the CSS men's and women's hockey teams will not start conference play until at least January 1.

DULUTH, Minn. – We are continuing to find out more and more about the status of local sports happening for the rest of this year. On Wednesday, DIII canceled all fall championships and on Thursday, we’re learning a winter sports update. The Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) announced that it will be moving the start of conference play back to…

NCAA D2, D3 Fall Championships Cancelled

The NCAA also released guidelines to protect student-athletes during the pandemic

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Big news from the NCAA as there will be no fall championships in Divisions II and III. The NCAA Board of Governors directed each division to determined their status by August 21st. But DII and DIII were quick to decide that fall championships were not going to happen. No word yet on the status of conference championships….

Long Layoff Coming for UWS Men’s Soccer Team

The UMAC announcement means the Yellowjackets will have a long layoff until they get a chance to defend their UMAC championship.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Last week, the UMAC became one of the last Division III conferences to announce the postponement of the fall sports season, sending high-risk sports into the spring season. UWS men’s soccer head coach Joe Mooney spoke Monday about his reaction to that announcement. “I think it was fairly inevitable. Who are we going to play if every…

Northland College AD Seamus Gregory’s Daughter Fighting Cancer

Northland College Athletic Director and men's hockey head coach Seamus Gregory announced that his oldest daughter Clare, who is just five years old, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

ASHLAND, Wis. – Northland College Athletic Director and men’s hockey head coach Seamus Gregory announced that his oldest daughter Clare, who is just five years old, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Fellow athletic programs, especially local hockey teams like UWS and CSS, flooded Twitter with their support. There is a GoFundMe for the Gregory family that has raised over…

“Interesting Summer” for UMD’s Gabbie Hughes

Hughes admits that she and most of her teammates are in the dark in terms of what's going to happen next.

DULUTH, Minn. – This offseason has been a wild one for the UMD women’s hockey team. Forward Gabbie Hughes has been spending this week with the Twin Ports Pro Developement Camp. We caught up with her to ask what she’s been up to this summer and she says the work has been picking up since she’s been back in town….

UMD’s Jim Boos Talks Adapting to Changes in NSIC Schedule

As of now, the Bulldogs will open their season at home against Minnesota State-Mankato on October 2nd.

DULUTH, Minn. – Earlier this week, the NSIC adjusted their fall sports schedule for the second time, which includes a decrease in matches for volleyball teams from 20 to 15. And with the start date of practices pushed to after Labor Day, UMD head coach Jim Boos says his team’s yearly routine will definitely be different. “Usually having a couple…

D3 Athletic Directors React to UMAC’s Decision on Fall Sports

The UMAC has decided to move high risk sports like football, volleyball and soccer to the spring.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Upper Midwest Athletic Association has been one of the last Division III conferences to announce their plans for the upcoming fall sports season. And the UMAC has decided to move high risk sports like football, volleyball and soccer to the spring. We spoke with the three local UMAC athletic directors: UW-Superior’s Nick Bursik, St. Scholastica’s Franco…

UMAC Moves Football, Volleyball, Soccer to Spring Season

Non-conference competition in the fall for those high-risk sports will be left up to the schools.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – For the past few weeks, several Division III conferences announced their plans for the upcoming fall sports season, with many deciding against hosting competition. The UMAC is the latest domino to fall. The conference announced Thursday that high-risk sports, including football, volleyball and men’s and women’s soccer, will be moved to the spring. The statement also…

Former UMD Captain Zoe Hickel to Join Ohio State Coaching Staff

After her time with the Bulldogs, which saw her captain the team for two years, Hickel played professionally in the United States, Canada and Sweden.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Former UMD women’s hockey standout Zoe Hickel will be seeing her alma mater very soon. Hickel has joined the coaching staff for fellow WCHA foe Ohio State University. After her time with the Bulldogs, which saw her captain the team for two years, Hickel played professionally in the United States, Canada and Sweden. She also played in…

Twin Ports PDC Kicks Off at Superior Ice Arena

The camp concepts are still the same, with a few tweaks to stay in line with social distancing guidelines.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Just a few months ago, we had no clue if any kind of sports would be going on this summer, much less camps. But this week, one of the most popular hockey camps in the Northland is back on the ice. The Twin Ports Pro Development Camp returned for its fifth year in Superior. Campers were able…

NAHL Announces Delayed Start to 2020-2021 Season

The league says action will start October 9th and the schedule will be released on September 1st.

DALLAS, Tex. – The National American Hockey League announced Monday that the upcoming season will begin nearly one month later. The league says action will start October 9th and the schedule will be released on September 1st. NAHL commissioner and president Mark Frankenfeld says between now and the schedule release, they will be communicating with other leagues to develop the…

NSIC Announces Delayed Start to Fall Sports Season

Schedules have been reduced as football will have an eight-game schedule while volleyball will play 15 matches and soccer will have 11.

BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The NSIC announced Monday that they will be delaying the start of the fall sport season. For football and men’s and women’s cross country, practices will begin Wednesday, September 2nd, with the first games scheduled for Saturday, September 26th. For volleyball and soccer, practices will start Tuesday, September 8th and matches will begin on Friday, October 2nd….

Former Duluth East Captain Charlie Erickson Excited to Join Minnesota Wilderness

Erickson was one of 12 players drafted by the Minnesota Wilderness.

DULUTH, Minn. – Earlier this week, the NAHL Entry Draft took place and the Minnesota Wilderness stayed local as they selected Duluth East forward Charlie Erickson. The former Greyhounds captain talked about the moment he found out he was staying close to home to play junior hockey. “I found out from my dad. I had been watching the draft all…

UMD Football Team Hosts High School Team Camp

12 teams from across the Northland, and some from outside the local area, were split up on different fields to maintain social distancing guidelines.

DULUTH, Minn. – Friday, the UMD football team hosted their annual High School Team Camp. 12 teams from across the Northland, and some from outside the local area, were split up on different fields to maintain social distancing guidelines. Coaches say this camp has been something their teams have been waiting for all summer. “I’m really glad we got to…

Former Duluth East Standout Phil Beaulieu Signs Two-Way Deal with Iowa Wild/Allen Americans

Beaulieu was a three-time All-Conference honoree and the 2019 WCHA Defenseman of the Year.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Former Duluth East hockey standout Phil Beaulieu has signed a two-way deal with the Iowa Wild of the AHL and the Allen Americans of the ECHL. The defenseman wrapped up his college career at Northern Michigan University recording 121 points in 158 games, finishing third all-time among Wildcat blueliners. Beaulieu was a three-time All-Conference honoree and…

Wilderness Take East’s Erickson, GR’s Clafton Goes to Danbury in NAHL Entry Draft

Both team captains are heading to the NAHL.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Tuesday, the 2020 NAHL Entry Draft took place virtually. The Minnesota Wilderness stayed local, taking former Duluth East captain Charlie Erickson in the eighth round. The forward tallied 25 points in his final season with the Greyhounds. And he wasn’t the only local pick as the Danbury Junior Hat Tricks selected Grand Rapids goalie Carter Clafton in…

Northland College Men’s Lacrosse to Join Midwest Lacrosse Conference

The LumberJacks will join Beloit, Cornell, North Central, Northwestern and Monmouth for the 2021 season.

ASHLAND, Wis. – Since the program’s inception in 2017, the Northland College men’s lacrosse team has competed as Division III independent program. A few years later and the LumberJacks will now be competing in an official DIII conference. Athletic director Seamus Gregory announced Tuesday that Northland College will be joining the Midwest Lacrosse Conference. The move opens the schedule a…

UMD Not Planning to Release COVID-19 Testing Results of Student-Athletes

UMD says they can't release the results of their COVID-19 testing due to the private nature of the data.

DULUTH, Minn. – Last month, universities across the country partially opened their campuses for the return of student athletes. One of the conditions for these voluntary workouts would be that athletes needed to be tested for COVID-19. Over two dozen schools, including the University of Minnesota, have been releasing the results of those tests, while places like UMD do not…

Coaches Corner: Josh Berlo

For this week's segment, we hear from UMD's director of athletics.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we spoke with UMD athletic director Josh Berlo. Among the topics discussed includes the latest regarding the status of the fall sports season, as well as the partial re-opening of campus for voluntary workouts. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Sports, University of Minnesota – Duluth

It’s Tournament Time for Playmakers North AAU Boys Basketball Team

Last weekend, the team competed in their first tournament in Wisconsin Dells, winning all three games by a wide margin.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Playmakers North AAU boys basketball team are back in action. Last weekend, the team competed in their first tournament in Wisconsin Dells, winning all three games by a wide margin. The players admit though the experience was different than what their used to. “It was weird when we weren’t playing. But when we were playing, it…

Former CSS Goalie Lexi Thomeczek Nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year Award

Thomeczek wrapped up her career at CSS as the all-time leader in five major categories, including wins, saves and shutouts.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, former St. Scholastica goalie Lexi Thomeczek has been nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. The St. Louis native says she is honored to be one of 220 nominees in all of Division III that are being recognized for their accomplishments in women’s sports. “Some people sometimes look down upon it and don’t…

UMAC Provides Update on Fall Sports, Includes Schedule Adjustments

The league says they still intend on playing sports this fall with a few tweaks to the schedule.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Thursday, the UMAC released an update On the status of fall sports. The league says they still intend on playing sports this fall with a few tweaks to the schedule. Men’s and women’s soccer will have eight league games, as well as two additional games, which won’t count in the UMAC standings. Same for volleyball As…

CSS Ski Team Starts Fundraiser for Duluth Chapter of NAACP

The team says they were motivated to help out, despite coming from a sport that has little to no diversity.

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s been nearly two months since the death of George Floyd sparked protests across the world, including right here in the Northland. One local team was moved so much by the protests that they want to give back to the cause. The St. Scholastica ski team started a fundraiser to benefit the Duluth branch of the NAACP….

Former UWS Basketball Standout, Duluth Native Eva Reinertsen Nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year Award

She was a three-time All-Conference selection in her time with the Yellowjackets while recording a 4.0 GPA in social work.

DULUTH, Minn. – Each year, the NCAA recognized female student-athletes who have distinguished themselves in academics, athletics, service and leadership. 220 nominees came from Division III including a Duluth native. Former UWS basketball standout Eva Reinertsen is a UMAC nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year award. She was a three-time All-Conference selection in her time with the Yellowjackets…

UMD Men’s Hockey Postpones 2020 Ice Breaker Tournament

The tentative dates are now October 15th and 16th of 2021.

DULUTH, Minn. – Sports schedules have been turned upside down thanks to the pandemic. This week, the UMD men’s hockey team will put out an updated version of their upcoming schedule and we already know one big change that is coming. The 2020 Ice Breaker Tournament, which was scheduled for October 9th and 10th, will be postponed to next season….

Derek Plante Returns to UMD Men’s Hockey Team as Assistant Coach

Plante was inducted into the UMD Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004 and finished his career with the Bulldogs tied for second place on the all-time scoring list.

DULUTH, Minn. – Monday, the UMD men’s hockey team announced they are bringing back Hall of Famer Derek Plante for another stint as an assistant coach. The Cloquet native was on the coaching staff when they won their first national championship in 2011 and he says he’s excited to once again work alongside head coach Scott Sandelin. “Obviously he’s a…

Scott Perunovich Signs Two-Year, Entry-Level Deal with St. Louis Blues

The 21-year-old won the 2020 Hobey Baker Award after leading the NCHC in scoring.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – It looks like Scott Perunovich’s pro debut will be on hold for at least another year. The Hibbing native has agreed to a two-year, entry-level deal with the St. Louis Blues and will be eligible to join the team next season. The 21-year-old won the 2020 Hobey Baker Award after leading the NCHC in scoring. Due…

Coaches Corner: Kevin Moore

For this week's segment, we hear from the new head coach of the CSS men's hockey team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we chatted with the new head coach of the St. Scholastica men’s hockey team Kevin Moore. Moore spent the past two seasons in the NCHA as an assistant at Adrian College. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

Jason Carter Named New Head Coach of Northland College Women’s Hockey Team

Carter will join the LumberJills after spending three seasons as an assistant at St. Mary's college.

ASHLAND, Wis. – Northland College has hired Jason Carter to lead their women’s hockey program. Carter will join the LumberJills after spending three seasons as an assistant at St. Mary’s college. He takes over for Kelly Rider, who stepped down last month. Carter is a 2013 graduate of St. Thomas and began his coaching career while still in college as…

St. Scholastica Tabs Kevin Moore As New Head Coach of Men’s Hockey Team

Moore spent the past two seasons in the NCHA as an assistant at Adrian College.

DULUTH, Minn. – Three months ago, Tim Madsen resigned as head coach of the St. Scholastica men’s hockey team. The Saints began a nationwide search for their next bench boss and found their man who has some ties to the east coast. CSS announced Thursday that Kevin Moore is the new head coach of the men’s hockey team. Moore spent…

MCAC Football Coaches React to Fall Sports Cancellation

Seven Northland colleges were impacted by the MCAC's decision to cancel the fall sports season.

VIRGINIA, Minn. – The Northland is still buzzing after the Minnesota College Athletic Conference cancelled their fall sports season. The news was tough to hear for local head football coaches who had the unenviable task of breaking the news to their players that their season was over before it even began. “It was difficult. We had heard whispers as a…

Scott Perunovich to be Honored by Hobey Baker Committee Next Month

The ceremony will take place August 6th at the Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo, MN.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Hobey Baker Award committee announced Wednesday that former UMD Bulldog and 2020 Hobey Baker Award winner Scott Perunovich will be honored at a banquet/golf outing next month. The ceremony will take place August 6th at the Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo, MN. The event was scheduled to take place back in April, but the coronavirus…

Lake Superior College’s Daniel Fanning Talks Fall Sports Cancellation

The IceHawks will lose both men's and women's soccer, as well as cycling.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, the first domino fell for the status of fall sports as the Minnesota College Athletic Conference announced that they would be cancelling their fall season. This impacts seven Northland colleges, including Lake Superior College. Athletic director Daniel Fanning gave his thoughts on the announcement. “It’s a tough decision. We really do feel bad for the…

UMD Hockey Great Caroline Ouellette Named Interim Head Coach at Concordia University

She is stepping in for her wife Julie Chu, who will be on maternity leave after the birth of their second child back in May.

MONTREAL, Canada – Former UMD women’s hockey legend Caroline Ouellette has been named interim head coach of the Concordia University women’s hockey team, which is located in her hometown of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She is stepping in for her wife Julie Chu, who will be on maternity leave after the birth of their second child back in May. Ouellette has…

UMD Releases Updated Schedules for Fall Sports

The football team was scheduled to close the season against Northern State, but that game has been dropped.

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD Athletics have released updated sports schedules for the fall. For the football team, the schedule has been reduced from 11 games to 10, per NCAA regulations, which means the season will start one week earlier. The Bulldogs will open their season at home against MSU-Mankato on September 12th. The season opener against Upper Iowa will now…

Minnesota College Athletic Conference Cancels 2020 Fall Sports Season

Team and group activities will not take place, even for winter and spring sports teams.

ROCHESTER, Minn. – The Minnesota College Athletic Conference announced Monday that they are cancelling their 2020 fall sports season. This includes football, volleyball and soccer, but does not apply to low-risk sports such as clay target shooting and golf. Team and group activities will also not take place, even for winter and spring sports teams. The conference has 24 teams…

Coaches Corner: Seamus Gregory

For this week's segment, we chat with the full-time athletic director at Northland College.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we hear from Seamus Gregory, who was recently named the full-time athletic director at Northland College. Gregory also serves as the head coach of the men’s hockey. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports

UMD Set to Partially Re-Open Athletic Facilities for Voluntary Workouts

The guidelines and protocols call for all student-athletes to quarantine for 14 days prior to returning to campus.

DULUTH, Minn. – For those who are hoping for the return of sports this upcoming fall, we got a small glimmer of hope, courtesy of UMD. The university announced Thursday its initial plans for a phased approach to bringing student-athletes back to campus. Beginning Monday July 6th, around 100 student-athletes will return to campus for voluntary workouts. Only select facilities…

Seamus Gregory Named Full-Time Athletic Director at Northland College

Gregory has been interim A.D. for a year and a half while also serving as the head coach of the Lumberjacks men's hockey team.

ASHLAND, Wis. – Northland College has removed the interim label off of Seamus Gregory’s title and named him the full time athletic director. Gregory has been interim A.D. for a year and a half while also serving as the head coach of the Lumberjacks men’s hockey team. “My family’s excited. I got the three little girls here in town so…

Melissa Fracker Excited for New Era of UWS Softball

Fracker is a graduate of Western Connecticut State University.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Last week, UW-Superior announced that Melissa Fracker would become the new head coach of the Yellowjackets softball team. She’s originally from Connecticut and didn’t know much about Superior. But when she got the job, she was pumped to join the UWS family. “I was beyond excited for a different opportunity. I’ve realized just being at home that…

Coaches Corner: Maura Crowell

For this week's segment, we chat with the head coach of the UMD women's hockey team.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we spoke with UMD women’s hockey head coach Maura Crowell about how the pandemic has impacted communication with her team, as well as recruits. Also, Crowell spoke about the PWHPA and what it means to see three of her former players join the organization. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Professional…

UMD Softball Recruits Meet for First Time at National Tournament

This week, five future Bulldogs joined the Minnesota A's fast pitch softball team for a national tournament in Florida.

VIERA, Fla. – Recruiting has been a challenge for college coaches across the country. In person visits have been replaced with Zoom meetings. And even after recruits commit, it may be a while before they even get to meet each other. But that wasn’t the case for a group of future UMD softball players. This week, five future Bulldogs joined…

Former UMD Goaltender Hunter Shepard Signs Pro Deal

Shepard has signed with the Hershey Bears, the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals.

HERSHEY, Penn. – Former UMD goaltender Hunter Shepard announced on his Twitter page that he has signed his first professional contract with the Hershey Bears, the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals. The Cohasset native helped lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships as a sophomore and junior, the latter earning the Grand Rapids alum the NCAA Tournament MVP award….

Duluth Huskies Requesting Extension on Northwoods League Deadline

The Huskies are looking to buy some time in case restrictions on mass gatherings are lifted soon and Wade Stadium could be opened for games after July 1st.

DULUTH, Minn. – As of right now, there are four pods in the northwoods league who will be playing or are already playing their 2020 schedule. The Duluth Huskies are not one of the those teams, but they are still trying to salvage the summer season. According to a source within the organization, the team has requested an extension on…

Northwestern Alum, Poplar Native Tom Burke to be Inducted into University of Wisconsin Hall of Fame

The defensive end was dominant in his senior campaign, leading the nation in sacks with 22, which also broke the single-season Big Ten record.

MADISON, Wis. – Poplar native Tom Burke will be inducted into the University of Wisconsin Hall of Fame. The defensive end was dominant in his senior campaign, leading the nation in sacks with 22, which also broke the single-season Big Ten record. Burke would go on to earn Consensus All-American honors and be named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the…