University of Minnesota – Duluth

Hermantown Native Neal Pionk Signs Four-Year Deal with Winnipeg Jets

The former UMD standout led all defenseman on the team with 32 points in 54 games last season.

WINNIPEG, Canada – For the past three seasons, Hermantown native Neal Pionk has defied expectations that people had of him as a pro hockey player. And now, he’ll continue to do that with a new contract and some more money. Wednesday, Pionk signed a four-year, $23.5 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets. The 26-year-old was a restricted free agent, but…

Hermantown’s Ty Hanson Commits to UMD Men’s Hockey

The soon-to-be junior scored nine goals and 20 assists during his sophomore campaign.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown defenseman Ty Hanson announced on Twitter Wednesday that he has committed to joining the UMD men’s hockey team. The soon-to-be junior scored nine goals and 20 assists during his sophomore campaign. He is the third Hermantown player to commit to UMD, joining Joey Pierce and Zam Plante, and they will join current Bulldogs Jesse Jacques, Blake…

Former Northwestern Star Nate Pearson Among Five Captains for UMD Football

Pearson is a team captain, thanks to his junior campaign that saw him lead the team in sacks and finish fifth in total tackles.

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD fans love their Bulldogs, but understandably, the local players get a little extra love. The UMD football team has five Northland natives on the roster, including linebacker Nate Pearson. The former Northwestern Tiger will be a sixth-year senior in 2021 after redshirting as a freshman and losing last season due to the pandemic. Pearson is now…

UMD Football Holds First Fall Practice After Nearly Two Years

After not being able to have a season last year, the UMD football team returned to the gridiron on Monday to prepare for their season opener on Sept. 2, led by a handful of fifth and sixth year players.

DULUTH, Minn. – After watching almost every UMD team play some kind of season last year, it’s finally the football team’s turn to get back on the field, as they held their first fall practice since 2019 on Monday. “There’s just kind of that feeling in the air that it’s football season again and it’s hard to beat that feeling,”…

Former Bulldogs Stalder, Mrazova to Play at IIHF Women’s World Championship

Lara Stalder will represent Switzerland, while Katerina Mrazova will skate for the Czech Republic.

DULUTH, Minn. – A pair of former UMD hockey standouts will be taking part in the 2021 IIHF women’s world championship. Lara Stalder will represent Switzerland, while Katerina Mrazova will skate for the Czech Republic. Stalder scored 148 points in her Bulldog career, was named 2017 WCHA Player of the Year and a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier award. Mrazova…

UMD Volleyball Picked to Finish 2nd in NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll

UMD's "Player to Watch" is senior Kate Berg, who led the Bulldogs in kills in 2019.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD volleyball team was picked to finish 2nd in the NSIC preseason coaches poll. The top spot went to Concordia St.-Paul. After missing out on the 2020 season due to COVID, the Bulldogs will look to build off of their successful 2019 season, which led to a fourth straight NCAA tournament appearance and their 18th in…

Coaches Corner: Jen Walter

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

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we spoke with UMD softball coach Jen Walter, who announced this week that she is leaving the program become an assistant coach at St. Thomas. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports, University of Minnesota – Duluth

Friends of Eveleth Native, Former UMD Hockey Player Mark Pavelich Hosting Special Events to Raise Money for Mental Health “Ranch”

The event will help raise money for a project Pavelich was working on before his death: "The Ranch: Teammates for Life" which rehabs, researches and educates people on mental illness.

SAUK CENTRE, Minn. – Evelth native and former UMD hockey standout Mark Pavelich will be honored and remembered with multiple events next weekend. Friends and family of the “Miracle on Ice” star want to use the event to continue the conversation of mental health awareness, while also shining a light on who Pavelich was, besides his own mental illness. “People…

UMD’s Laura Harmon Stepping Down as Head Coach of Track & Field, Cross Country Programs

Harmon has coached two Bulldogs to All-American status: hurdler Danielle Kohlwey three times and Haleigh Reindl in the 800-meter run.

DULUTH, Minn. – Friday morning, UMD’s Laura Harmon announced that she is stepping down as the head coach of the Bulldogs’ track & field and cross country teams. According to a press release, Harmon says she would like to focus on being closer to family back home, but will be keeping tabs on the team this year and into the…

UMD Men’s Basketball to Face University of Nevada This Upcoming Season

It will be the first time UMD will face a Division I opponent since 2018 when the Bulldogs battled Minnesota.

DULUTH, Minn. – This upcoming season, the UMD men’s basketball team will be heading out west for a very special exhibition game. The Bulldogs will take on the University of Nevada on December 15th. It will be the first time UMD will face a Division I opponent since 2018 when the Bulldogs battled Minnesota. So what’s the connection between the…

UMD’s Ashton Bell Named to Canadian National Team for 2021 World Championship

This past season, Bell captained UMD to their first NCAA Frozen Four appearance in over a decade.

DULUTH, Minn. – Thursday, UMD’s Ashton Bell was selected as one of 25 players to represent Canada at the 2021 IIHF women’s world championships in Calgary. Bell is one of just three NCAA players selected, but won’t be the only Bulldog as former UMD standout Jocelyne Larocque will be playing as well. This past season, Bell captained UMD to their…

UMD Softball’s Jen Walter Leaving Program to Join St. Thomas

Walter is the fastest coach in program history to reach 100 wins and in 2018, led the Bulldogs to their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Super Regionals.

DULUTH, Minn. – Six years ago after a storied coaching career at St. Scholastica, Jen Walter signed on to be the new head softball coach at UMD. And Tuesday, her short, but very eventful tenure, came to an end. Walter is leaving the program to become an assistant coach at Division I St. Thomas. Since taking over in the summer…

UMD Football Picked To Finish First in North Division, John Larson Named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year

The Bulldogs will open their season September 2nd on the road against Upper Iowa.

BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The UMD football team has been picked to finish first in the North division in the NSIC Preseason Coaches poll. The top overall ranking went to Minnesota State-Mankato. UMD is preparing for its first game in two years as they will open fall camp later this week. Senior quarterback John Larson was named Preseason Offensive Player of…

Hermantown’s Zam Plante Commits to UMD Men’s Hockey Team

Plante joins a long list of Hawks to become Bulldogs and will also follow in his dad Derek's footsteps who played for the Bulldogs in the 90s and is now the associate head coach.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown hockey star Zam Plante has announced his verbal committment to joining the UMD men’s hockey team. Plante joins a long list of former Hawks to become Bulldogs, including currently Darian Gotz, Blake Biondi and Jesse Jacques. He will also follow in his dad Derek’s footsteps, who played for the Bulldogs in the 90s and is now…

Coaches Corner: Karson Kuhlman and Neal Pionk

For this week's segment, we chat with two former UMD men's hockey standouts.

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we hear from former UMD men’s hockey standouts Karson Kuhlman and Neal Pionk as they are back in town to help with the Bulldog Hockey Camp at Amsoil Arena. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, Professional Sports, Sports, University of Minnesota – Duluth

UMD’s Gabbie Hughes Invited to 2021 USA Hockey Women’s National Festival

Hughes was selected to the U23 roster as the festival serves as a pre-camp for the U.S. women's national team trip to the IIHF world championships.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, UMD’s Gabbie Hughes has been invited to the 2021 USA Hockey Women’s National Festival. Hughes was selected to the U23 roster as the festival serves as a pre-camp for the U.S. women’s national team, who is getting ready for the IIHF women’s world championships next month. The Lino Lakes native was named to the All-WCHA…

Duluth Native Andy Welinski Signs with Calgary Flames

The former UMD standout has appeared in 46 NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks over the past three seasons

CALGARY, Canada – Thursday, the Calgary Flames announced that they have signed Duluth native Andy Welinski to a one-year deal. The former UMD standout has appeared in 46 NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks over the past three seasons, and even scored his first career NHL goal back in 2019 against the Flames. Welinski brings in a lot of AHL…

Former Bulldogs Neal Pionk, Karson Kuhlman Return to UMD for Youth Hockey Camp

The camp is staffed entirely by members of the men's and women's hockey teams.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD men’s hockey alumni group is filled with guys who are skating professionally in the NHL. And this month, they have returned home to take part in a special youth camp. This week was Week Two of the Bulldog Hockey Camp with over 100 squirts and peewees in attendance. For the scrimmages, each team was coached…

Former UMD Captain Hunter Shepard Signs Two-Year, Two-Way Deal with Washington Capitals

The former UMD captain helped the Bulldogs win back-to-back national titles in 2018 and 2019.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Cohasset native and former Bulldog Hunter Shepard has signed a two-year, two-way deal with the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old appeared in three games last season for the Hershey Bears of the AHL, going undefeated with one shutout and a .969 save percentage. Shepard also played in 21 games for the Carolina Stingrays in the ECHL, recording a…

Boston Bruins Re-Sign Former UMD Defenseman Nick Wolff

Last year, Wolff spent time overseas in Slovakia before appearing in 24 games with the Providence Bruins of the AHL.

BOSTON, Mass. – The Boston Bruins announced this week that they have re-signed former UMD defenseman Nick Wolff to a one-year, two-way deal. Last year, Wolff spent time overseas in Slovakia before appearing in 24 games with the Providence Bruins of the AHL. The former Bulldogs captain powered UMD to three straight national championship appearances and back-to-back national titles in…

Klein, Hanley to Serve as Team Captains for UMD Women’s Hockey Team

Senior defenseman Kailee Skinner will serve as the alternate captain.

DULUTH, Minn. – Every team needs a captain to be a leader and to set a great example. This week, the UMD women’s hockey team announced who will be wearing the “C” this upcoming season. Senior forwards Anna Klein and Kylie Hanley have been named team captains for the 2021-2022 season. Klein served as an alternate captain last season alongside…

Twin Ports Pro Development Camp Returns for Sixth Year with New Instructors

Current UMD players Koby Bender and Ben Patt along with pros Brett Olson, Andy Welinski, Brenden Kotyk and 2012 Hobey Baker winner Jack Connolly are all coaching this week, with Connolly and Patt making their first appearances at the camp which runs through Thursday.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Twin Ports Pro Development Camp is back for their sixth year, allowing local youth hockey players to learn from the pros and current college players who were in their shoes not too long ago. “Anytime you can have the chance to skate with an NHL player or past Hobey Baker, you have to take advantage of…

UMD Defenseman Connor Kelley Picked By Blackhawks in 7th Round of NHL Draft

UMD Defenseman Connor Kelley was selected in the seventh round Saturday afternoon by the Chicago Blackhawks at pick no. 204.

DULUTH, Minn.– The Bulldogs weren’t left out of the NHL Draft day action. UMD Defenseman Connor Kelley was selected in the seventh round Saturday afternoon by the Chicago Blackhawks at pick no. 204. The freshman totaled three goals and two assists. Along with four blocked shots last season for the Bulldogs as they made another Frozen Four appearance. Kelley is…

Bulldogs Men’s Hockey Announces Team Awards from Previous Season

Senior Forward Nick Swaney was the Bulldogs MVP award. Swaney notched a team-high 28 points.

DULUTH, Minn.– The UMD Men’s Hockey team announced their team awards from last season. Senior Forward Nick Swaney was the Bulldogs MVP award. Swaney notched a team-high 28 points. Junior forward Noah Cates for the second year in a row was the Bulldogs’ most inspirational player. The captain earned All-NCHC Second Team honors. Koby Bender was UMD’s most improved player,…

Generations of Bulldogs Men’s Hockey Reunite for Golf Tournament

90 former Bulldogs were in attendance for the golf tournament.

DULUTH, Minn.– As the hockey world takes a pause for the summer, some former UMD Men’s Hockey players traded in their hockey sticks for some golf clubs Friday afternoon. The UMD Men’s Hockey Alumni Golf Tournament at the Northland Country Club has been going on for over two decades. 90 former Bulldogs were in attendance to see if they still…

Former Bulldog, Wild Defenseman Carson Soucy Selected by Seattle in Expansion Draft

Soucy finished with a career high 16 assists this season for the Wild.

SEATTLE, Was. – The Seattle Kraken held their expansion draft on Wednesday night and a Bulldog is headed out west as former UMD defenseman Carson Soucy was selected from the Wild. Soucy established himself on the third pairing this year, finishing with a career high 16 assists and 17 points. The 2013 draft pick had two seasons left on his…

Former UMD Captain Sydney Brodt Signs Pro Deal in Sweden

The three-year captain finished her career with 40 goals and 58 assists, the 98 points being the 21st most in program history. 

DULUTH, Minn. – Former UMD women’s hockey captain Sydney Brodt has signed a one-year deal with the Linkoping Hockey Club (LHC) of the Swedish Hockey League. The three-year captain finished her career with 40 goals and 58 assists, the 98 points being the 21st most in program history. Brodt has spent time with Team USA in the past, earning an…

Laura Schuler Rejoins UMD Women’s Hockey Coaching Staff

She is no stranger to the program as Schuler was on the Bulldogs coaching staff from 2008 to 2015, including during UMD's NCAA title run in 2010.

DULUTH, Minn. – Big news for the UMD women’s hockey team as they announced Thursday that Canadian Olympic head coach Laura Schuler will be joining the Bulldogs as an assistant coach this upcoming season. She is no stranger to the program as Schuler was on the Bulldogs coaching staff from 2008 to 2015, including during UMD’s NCAA title run in…

UMD Football Hosts Final Session of Summer Team Camps

The UMD staff hopes that the camp allows teams to get a little ahead on their fall camp work before their seasons begin next month.

DULUTH, Minn. – The final session of UMD football team camps wrapped up Wednesday at Malosky Stadium. 20 teams were on campus for this session as they received training from the Bulldogs’ coaching staff and got to scrimmage against one another as well. “Just really cool to play on this field and just get an opportunity to get a chance…

UMD’s Nick Bryant to Join USA Hockey for 2022 Winter Olympics

Bryant will serve in a similar role as the hockey operations and event manager for the women's national team ahead of the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD women’s hockey director of operations and equipment manager Nick Bryant is leaving the program to permanently join USA Hockey. Bryant will serve in a similar role as the hockey operations and event manager for the women’s national team ahead of the 2022 Beijing Olympics. “I do feel as though the roots that I put down at…

St. Louis County Promotes COVID Vaccines with “Athletes vs. COVID” Campaign

The campaign features short PSAs where each person shares why they got the vaccine and why it's important to encourage others to do so as well.

DULUTH, Minn. – As of today, 70% of adults in the state of Minnesota have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot. And according to St. Louis County, there’s still more work to do so they’ve enlisted the help of some local sports celebrities. The county recently started putting out videos called athletes versus COVID, featuring some well known names…

Former UMD Hockey Star Maddie Rooney Vying for Spot on Team USA Roster

Former UMD women's hockey goalie Maddie Rooney has been named to her second U.S. Olympic residency roster.

DULUTH, Minn. – Former UMD women’s hockey goalie Maddie Rooney has been named to her second U.S. Olympic residency roster. She will be one of 27 players vying for a spot on Team USA for the 2022 Winter Olympics. The Andover native made international headlines when she backstopped her country to a gold medal over Canada in the 2018 Winter…

Winnipeg Jets Agree to Extension with Duluth Native, Former UMD Captain Dominic Toninato

Toninato scored his first goal with the team in Game One of their first round playoff series against Edmonton.

WINNIPEG, Canada – This week, the Winnipeg Jets have agreed to a two-year extension with Duluth native Dominic Toninato. The 27-year-old played two regular season games with the Jets and scored his first goal with the team in Game One of their first round playoff series against Edmonton. The former UMD captain has played in 87 games in the NHL…

Bulldogs Host Youth Football Camp

Close to 100 kids were on the field Thursday afternoon for day one of UMD's youth football camp.

DULUTH, Minn.– While the bulldogs won’t be back on the gridiron until their season begins in September, there was plenty of action this afternoon at Malosky Stadium. Close to 100 kids were on the field Thursday afternoon for day one of UMD’s youth football camp. Young athletes from the 3rd up to the 8th grade spent the day learning different…

UMD Defensemen Kaiser, Kelley, Former Grand Rapids Defenseman Peart Invited to USA World Junior Summer Showcase

The showcase will take place July 24-31 in Plymouth, Michigan. 

PLYMOUTH, Mich. – UMD defensemen Wyatt Kaiser and Connor Kelley, as well as former Grand Rapids defenseman and 2021 Mr. Hockey award winner Jack Peart are among 44 players invited by USA Hockey to the 2021 World Junior Summer Showcase. The showcase will serve as an evaluation for athletes looking to make the World Junior Championship rosters later this year….

UMD Assistant Coach Ashleigh Brykaliuk Leaving Women’s Hockey Team to Pursue Teaching

This past season, she became just the fourth UMD player to both play and coach in an NCAA quarterfinal game.

DULUTH, Minn. – Ashleigh Brykaliuk will be stepping down as the assistant coach on the UMD women’s hockey team. The former Bulldog captain joined the coaching staff in the spring of 2018 after playing professionally in China. This past season, she became just the fourth UMD player to both play and coach in an NCAA quarterfinal game. Brykaliuk will pursue…

Former UMD Hockey Coach Mike Sertich Reacts to Passing of Tom Kurvers

The Saint Paul native was UMD's first-ever Hobey Baker Award winner back in 1984, when he led the Bulldogs to the national championship game.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, the hockey world is in mourning for a player who exemplified what it meant to be a Bulldog, on and off the ice. Former UMD hockey legend Tom Kurvers passed away Monday morning after a two-and-a-half year battle with lung cancer. The Saint Paul native was UMD’s first-ever Hobey Baker Award winner back in 1984,…

UMD Women’s Basketball Host First Youth Camp of the Summer

This week's Day Camp is for third through eighth graders, helping kids work on basic skills and fundamentals.

DULUTH, Minn. – After not being able to hold camps at all last summer, the UMD women’s basketball team returned to the fieldhouse for their annual summer camps where local kids can learn from their favorite Bulldog players. This week’s Day Camp is for third through eighth graders, helping kids work on basic skills and fundamentals while also playing games…

Former Bulldog JT Brown Retires from Pro Hockey to Join Seattle Kraken TV Broadcast Team

Brown played seven years in the NHL with stops in Tampa Bay, Anaheim and right here in Minnesota.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Former UMD hockey standout JT Brown announced on Twitter Monday that he is retiring from professional hockey. He will be joining the NHL’s newest expansion team, the Seattle Kraken, as a TV analyst. Brown played seven years in the NHL with stops in Tampa Bay, Anaheim and right here in Minnesota. He played last season in…

Former UMD Hockey Legend Tom Kurvers Passes Away at the Age of 58

In 1984, Kurvers became the first Bulldog in program history to win the Hobey Baker award.

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD men’s hockey alum Tom Kurvers passed away Monday morning at the age of 58 after a two-and-a-half year battle with lung cancer. “The UMD men’s hockey program and all of Bulldog Country send our thoughts and prayers to the Kurvers family,” said UMD men’s hockey head coach Scott Sandelin. “Tom will hold a special place in…

Former Bulldog Danielle Beattie (Kohlwey) to Run in U.S. Olympic Team Qualifiers

Kohlwey will run in the 100 meter hurdles Saturday in Eugene, OR.

DULUTH, Minn. – Former UMD track star Danielle Beattie, formerly Kohlwey, will be taking part in the U.S. Olympic Team trials this weekend. Kohlwey will run in the 100 meter hurdles Saturday in Eugene, OR. She currently holds the UMD record in the 100 and 200 meter dash, as well as the 100 meter hurdles, which she also holds the…

Katie Stark to Join UMD Women’s Basketball Coaching Staff

After her playing career ended, Stark spent this past season on the coaching staff for the UWS women's basketball team.

DULUTH, Minn. – Hayward native Katie Stark was a major part of the resurgence of the UMD women’s basketball team. And she had so much fun with the Bulldogs that she has decided to come back to help out her former head coach. Mandy Pearson announced this week that Stark will be joining her coaching staff for next season. Stark…

UMD Football Adds Two Members to Coaching Staff

KeyShawn Carter will be the new running backs coach, while Monay Swafford joins the Bulldogs to coach the cornerbacks.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD football team has added two new members to their coaching staff. KeyShawn Carter will be the new running backs coach, while Monay Swafford joins the Bulldogs to coach the cornerbacks. Carpenter is originally from Chicago and played running back at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Swafford played corner for three years at Concordia Moorhead, then transferred…

UMD Researcher Looking Into Why Head Coaches Are Leaving Their Positions

The Mike Randolph situation has prompted more conversations about the role parents play in youth sports.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Mike Randolph situation has prompted more conversations about the role parents play in youth sports. Sean Bedard-Parker, a local soccer official who works in the education department at UMD, is currently researching organizational leadership in sports while trying to answer the question “why do people who are involved in the game decide to leave it?” “I…

UMD Releases 2021 Fall Schedules for Football, Volleyball, Women’s Soccer

All three teams will begin their seasons on the road on September 2nd.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, UMD released their 2021 schedule for the upcoming fall sports season. The football team will open things up on the road September 2nd against Upper Iowa. Their home opener at Malosky Stadium will be September 11th against Minnesota State Mankato. The UMD volleyball team will also return to action September 2nd at the Michigan Tech…

UMD, Maura Crowell Agree to Four-Year Contract Extension

This comes after UMD clinched their first Frozen Four appearance since 2010.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, UMD and women’s hockey head coach Maura Crowell agreed to a four-year contract extension that will keep her behind the Bulldog bench through 2026. This comes after UMD clinched their first Frozen Four appearance since 2010. In her six seasons with the Bulldogs, Crowell has led UMD to two NCAA tournament berths and recorded her…

UMD’s Maura Crowell Part of Group Proposing Expansion of NCAA Women’s Hockey Tournament

The group is looking to make some big changes, which includes expanding the field from eight teams to ten.

DULUTH, Minn. – The UMD women’s hockey coaching staff is part of a group of coaches across the nation who want to shake up the NCAA women’s hockey tournament. In a story first reported by Matt Wellens of the Duluth News Tribune, the group is looking to make some big changes, which includes expanding the field from eight teams to…

UMD’s Haleigh Reindl Earns First Outdoor All-American Status With Seventh Place Finish in 800-Meter Run Final

Reindl set a new PR with a time of 2:08.77, after she broke her old one Friday night in the preliminaries.

ALLENDALE, Mich. – UMD’s Haleigh Reindl finished seventh on Saturday in the 800-meter run final at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Reindl set a new PR with a time of 2:08.77, after she broke her old one Friday night in the preliminaries, and it’s now her fastest 800-meter time she’s recorded during her collegiate career. Reindl also earns…

Former Clarkson Star Elizabeth Giguere Talks Joining UMD Women’s Hockey Team

Giguere is already familiar with the Bulldogs' roster, having played them during her sophomore and junior years.

DULUTH, Minn. – After a stellar four years at Clarkson University, Elizabeth Giguere has decided to take her talents to UMD as a graduate transfer. The Quebec City native admitted that the decision to leave the golden knights was very difficult. “I just had to think about myself and what would make me a better player and just start fresh,…