DULUTH, Minn. – Opening Day is still a go for the Northwoods League, including the Duluth Huskies. General manager Greg Culver says that can change at any time, especially with what happens with the delayed start for the pros. “If MLB decides they’re going to go July 1st with four weeks of spring training and kicking the season off August…
STEVENS POINT, Wis. – High school student athletes in Wisconsin have been waiting for the past month to find out if the spring sports season will be taking place. And Thursday, they received some clarity, but not the good news they had expected. With Governor Tony Evers cancelling the rest of the school year, that all but ends the spring…
DULUTH, Minn. – With the cancellation of Grandma’s Marathon, it has left last year’s winner Boniface Kongin stranded in Duluth and in a dire financial situation. The man known affectionately as “Bones” recently returned to Duluth after having to drop out of the Los Angeles Marathon due to an injury. And now because of the coronavirus, he can’t return to…
DULUTH, Minn. – The coronavirus quarantine has impacted people from all walks of life. It doesn’t matter if you’re a high school baseball player, a college hockey player or a professional football player like Duluth native CJ Ham. The Vikings fullback is currently in self-isolation like everyone else as he awaits news on the upcoming season. Ham spoke about the…
DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth’s Lakewalk has been a busy place lately with more and more bikers showing up to ride. As the weather warms up, a lot of people in the Northland are anxious to get out and ride their bikes. Biking can be a great way for people to get around, lower stress, and get some exercise. The Lakewalk has…
VIRGINIA, Minn. – This past weekend, Mesabi Range College made history as they hired Tamara Moore to be the new head coach of their men’s basketball team. As a player, she’s a former winner of the Miss Minnesota Basketball Award, a former University of Wisconsin women’s basketball star and spent six seasons in the WNBA. She’s also experienced on the…
CLOQUET, Minn. – Universtiy of North Dakota forward Westin Michaud has signed with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. The Cloquet native was tied for the team lead in goals with 16 and added 12 assists to help the Fighting Hawks capture the Penrose Cup as the top team in the NCHC. Michaud spent the first three years of his…
DULUTH, Minn. – This past weekend, UMD’s Scott Perunovich became the sixth Bulldog ever to win the Hobey Baker Award. We spoke with two of the other five winners, Bill Watson and Jack Connolly, who say that the Hibbing native has left a strong legacy at UMD. “There is nothing that he hasn’t accomplished as an individual player. But more…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland is still buzzing after the announcement that UMD defenseman and Hibbing native Scott Perunovich was named the 2020 Hobey Baker Award winner. We spoke with Bulldogs head coach Scott Sandelin to get his reaction to the big news. “I think the people that have seen him play know what kind of player he is. He…
VIRGINIA, Minn. – Saturday, Mesabi Range College announced that former Minnesota Lynx guard Tamara Moore has been named the new head coach of the men’s basketball team, becoming the first female ever hired to run a men’s basketball program. Moore was named Miss Minnesota Basketball back in 1998, helping Minneapolis North High School go undefeated and win a state championship….
HIBBING, Minn. – UMD junior defenseman Scott Perunovich is the 2020 Hobey Baker Award Winner, edging out North Dakota forward Jordan Kawaguchi and Maine goaltender Jeremy Swayman. Perunovich, a Hibbing native, was named NCHC Player of the Year after leading the league in scoring, the first defenseman to do so. He also became the first player in league history to…
DULUTH, Minn. – Starting Monday, the UMD men’s basketball team will be holding a virtual skills camp. Over the next four weeks, five 30 minute pre-recorded videos will be released of the coaching staff walking participants through different drills. With gyms shut down, these workouts were designed to be done with little space and equipment needed. While the Bulldogs currently…
DULUTH, Minn. – Four UMD men’s hockey players, defenseman Scott Perunovich, goaltender Hunter Shepard, and forward Cole Koepke and Noah Cates were named American Hockey Coaches Association All-Americans for the 2019-20 season. Perunovich, was also named Hobey Baker Award winner on Saturday night, has received this honor three times, while this is Shepard’s second selection. Perunovich was a first-time (West)…
DULUTH, Minn. – Although Grandma’s Marathon 2020 is canceled due to the coronavirus, the organization still wants to honor those runners for their accomplishments and keep them motivated. Grandma’s Marathon will have a virtual race for the full marathon, the Garry Bjorklund half and the William A. Irvin 5K. Starting May 4 through July 31, runners can run their race…
DULUTH, Minn. – With the sports world still shut down, many athletes and coaches are adjusting to a new normal. But for one St. Scholastica assistant coach, the coronavirus makes things a little tougher. St. Scholastica women’s hockey assistant coach Julianne Vasichek had just wrapped up her first season in her new role when the coronavirus paused the sports world….
DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we chat with Proctor athletic director Dan Stauber and senior Ben Harnell. The pair spoke about the state of high school sports in the Northland, as well as how they got involved with the “Be the Light MN” social media movement. Categories: Coaches Corner, Friday Night Frenzy, High School, Sports
DULUTH, Minn. – Four weeks ago, the NHL announced it would be suspending play immediately due to the coronavirus pandemic. That left many players, including Winnipeg defenseman and Hermantown native Neal Pionk, scrambling for answers in a situation that no one was prepared for. “It was a time of the unknown. Usually in a world where you know things, you’re…
CLOQUET, Minn. – The NAHL announced Friday it has moved the day of their draft to July 21st. This also means that pre-draft camps will be moved as well, but will remain in their same locations. The Superior, Colorado camp will now take place starting June 26th. The Trenton, Michigan camp has been moved to July 10th. The Minnkota camp…
DULUTH, Minn. – Nine years ago on April 9th, the UMD men’s hockey team won their first national championship in program history. Let’s step into a time machine and relive that magic night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul as the Bulldogs knocked off Michigan 3-2, thanks to Kyle Schmidt’s overtime goal and iconic celebration. Categories: College, Sports,…
DULUTH, Minn. – This week, the UMAC is honoring senior student-athletes from the spring sports season. St. Scholastica is also doing the same on their social media accounts to give their athletes one last chance to remember their college careers. “The feedback I’ve gotten, and even going now into the winter sports and hearing back from some of them, that…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. – With all the doom and gloom in the news, it’s always nice to hear about the good things going on during this pandemic. And who better to step up on the court than our local youth basketball organizations. The Northland Youth Basketball Association and Starks Academy raised $2500 through a virtual food drive last week. And thanks…
PROCTOR, Minn. – The Halvor Lines Speedway have canceled their first few events of the racing season. That includes the Area Track Media Day on April 29th, the open practice on May 2nd and the 70th Anniversary Opening Night on May 3rd. Board president Mike Donnahue says the hope is that races will be able to continue later in May…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Marshall girls hockey coach Stephanie Erickson has stepped down as head coach of the team. Erickson spent the past two seasons with the Hilltoppers, guiding them to a 33-18-2 record. Last year, she helped Marshall make it all the way to the section title game and also earned Section 7A Coach of the Year honors. The…
ASHLAND, Wis. – Northland College announced Wednesday that Joel Barta has resigned as head coach of the Lumberjacks baseball team. According to a press release, the move was due to personal reasons as Barta wants to spend more time with family. Barta, who was the Lumberjack’s first head coach in program history from 2000 to 2006, returned to the program…
DULUTH, Minn. – So far, two UMD men’s hockey players have left school early to go to the NHL: Scott Perunovich with the St. Louis Blues and Justin Richards with the New York Rangers. Add one more to the list as Hermantown native Dylan Samberg has signed a three-year-deal with the Winnipeg Jets. “I’m very excited. This is something that…
DULUTH, Minn. – UMD offensive line coach Garth Heikkinen has been named to the All-Decade Team by D2Football.com. Back in 2012, the Duluth native became the first Bulldog to win the Gene Upshaw National Division II Lineman of the Year Award and was also chosen to six different All-American teams. His streak of 54 consecutive games started is still a…
PROCTOR, Minn. – Over 200 stadium lights across the state of Minnesota are shining bright this evening in honor of high school students, staff and community members for the “Be The Light Minnesota” social media movement. Among those participating is Egerdahl Field in Proctor, who turned their lights on as a beacon of hope for those who are hoping to…
DULUTH, Minn. – March was National Athletic Trainer Awareness month, shinning a light on how they help student athletes across the country. The St. Scholastica program worked all month-long to showcase what they do, how they’re available for student-athletes, and how they’re daily routines changed once the coronavirus hit. “We have taken for granted so long that sports are always…
DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we catch up with UMD head football coach Curt Wiese as he announced that spring practices have been cancelled. Among the topics discussed are the team’s plans moving forward as they get ready for the fall and how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted recruiting. Categories: Coaches Corner, College, Friday Night Frenzy, Sports,…
DULUTH, Minn. – After a stellar career at UMD, Brandon Myer now has his eyes on playing professionally. But with everyone in quarantine, it’s making things a little tougher for the Superior native. “The most negative way its impacted me specifically would be the gyms that aren’t open anymore. I guess I hoop out in the driveway. But that’s not…
DULUTH, Minn. – Longtime UMD sports information director Bob Nygaard has been let go from his position. Nygaard is the longest serving member of the UMD athletic staff at 37 years with the Bulldogs where he was in charge of media and public relations. In 2015, he was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame…
DULUTH, Minn. – The College of St. Scholastica announced today that Tim Madsen has stepped down as head coach of the nen’s hockey team. Madsen spent the past two seasons as the Saints’ bench boss, guiding them to a 20-30-2 record, including a top-ten national ranking in his first year and a Harris Cup Playoffs appearance this past season. In…
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – In his freshman year, Justin Richards scored a grand total of zero goals. Two years later, he’s become a two-time NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year and now, his career will continue in the pros. Richards has signed an entry-level contract with the New York Rangers. He says the team reached out to him last…
DULUTH, Minn. – UMD defenseman Scott Perunovich was named a Hobey Hat Trick Finalist, along with North Dakota’s Jordan Kawaguchi and Maine’s Jeremy Swayman. The Hibbing native is the ninth Bulldog ever to be named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and the first since Jack Connolly back in 2012. Perunovich, who signed a pro deal last week with…
DULUTH, Minn. – It’s spring time and for any other year, that would mean the start of spring football practice for the UMD Bulldogs. But as we’ve learned for the past few weeks, this isn’t any other year. According to head coach Curt Wiese, spring football camp has been cancelled, which includes the annual Red and Maroon Game. Coach Wiese…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland Youth Basketball Alliance and Starks Academy are hosting a virtual food drive. Thanks to an anonymous donor, every donation up $650 will be matched and 100% of all donations will go towards feeding community members in need. The donation window will go from Wednesday through April 6th. For information on how you can donate, click…
DULUTH, Minn. – Another major event is taken down by the coronavirus pandemic as Grandma’s Marathon has been cancelled for the first time in 43 years. Longtime runner and Glencoe, Minnesota native Joanna Olson spoke about her initial reaction to the news. “Well I was bummed, of course, training for it. Bummed for not only the runners, the volunteers, the…
TROY, Mich. – UMD’s Scott Sandelin is once again a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award, which is given to the top coach in Division I men’s hockey. Sandelin is a finalist for the fourth straight year and sixth overall in his career. He won the award back in 2004 and was a runner-up in 2011. The Hibbing native has…
DULUTH, Minn. – Despite the way it ended, the high school basketball season was a pretty good one in the Northland. Lots of wins, lots of points and lots of records broken. Let’s take a look at which players ended the season as the leading scorer at their respective schools: BOYS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL Pete Sutton, Cook County (1,346 points)…
DULUTH, Minn. – In the last 12 days, the UMD men’s hockey team lost their top defensive duo in Nick Wolff and Scott Perunovich as both signed deals in the pros. But not everyone is leaving as a pair of dynamic forwards will look to run it back next season. UMD Athletics have confirmed that Noah Cates and Nick Swaney…
HIBBING, Minn. – While the spring sports season is still unknown, so is the upcoming AAU, or Amateur Athletic Union, season for high school basketball players. And with the high school basketball season is in the books, many local athletes were looking forward to the upcoming AAU season. “We were going to a lot of cool places. We were going…
HIBBING, Minn. – The continuous spread of COVID-19 has left uncertainty for spring sports and summer programs across the country. While Minnesota is currently under a “Stay at Home” order and team practices aren’t allowed, the Hibbing boys basketball team is getting creative. Sophomore guard Ayden McDonald and his dad, head coach Joel McDonald, decided to start a social media…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Wisconsin-Superior forward Kaleigh Martinson has been named to the CCM/AHCA Women’s Division III West All-America First Team. The senior captain becomes the 14th All-American in program history. Martinson led the conference in goals with 26 and was second in points with 36. She was also tied for the lead in short-handed goals in all of Division III….
DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Coaches Corner, we talk with Nick Garramone who was recently named the new head coach of the Duluth Marshall baseball team. From 2006 to 2013, Garramone was an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He takes over for Joe Wicklund who stepped down to take the head coaching position at…
SAGINAW, Minn. – Luke Salo is one of the top basketball trainers in the Northland. “I had knee surgery, ACL surgery, miniscus surgery. I had shoulder surgery. I kind of had to find ways to keep the game in my life, other than just playing all the time,” Salo said. He currently trains nearly 50 local players for his program:…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Former Hermantown basketball standout Connor Bich announced on twitter Thursday night that he will be joining the St. Scholastica men’s basketball team. He’ll be transferring over from Dakota Wesleyan University. In his junior year, Bich helped the Hawks capture the Section 7AAA championship. He followed that with a senior campaign which saw him average nearly 22 points…
DULUTH, Minn. – Thursday, Northland soccer fans were dealt a tough blow as the NPSL announced the cancellation of the 2020 season, ending the year before it started for Duluth FC. Head coach Sean Morgan, who was getting set for his first year leading the Bluegreens, talked about the disappointing news. “To be honest, a lot of people probably had…
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – It has been quite the week for UMD’s Scott Perunovich. He took home three awards from the NCHC, including Player of the Year. And Friday, he’s made a decision regarding his future hockey career. The St. Louis Blues announced that they have agreed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the Hibbing native. The 21-year-old was drafted…
DULUTH, Minn. – Wednesday, the MSHSL announced that the spring sports season will continue to be postponed as long as schools are closed. Governor Tim Walz pushed his school closure declaration to May 4th and the league continues to be in lockstep with how the state government decides when it’s safe for students to go back to school. League executive…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – UMD junior defenseman Scott Perunovich has been nothing short of spectacular in his time with the Bulldogs. The two-time All-American is one of the best two-way players in the country and Thursday, he added another award to his mantle. Perunovich was named Player of the Year by the NCHC. It is the third major conference award…
