UND Hockey Coaches Get Their First Glimpse of the New Fighting Hawks Squad

When the first puck hit the ice at Ralph Engelstad Arena last week, it wasn’t just the players who were getting a feel for the upcoming season – the entire UND coaching staff was doing the same. Head coach Brad Berry, flanked by new assistants Ryan Lappas and former NHL forward Evan Bouchard, took a slow‑walk through the practice to size up the talent pool that will represent the Fighting Hawks in 2026‑27.

“You can tell there’s a buzz in the building,” Berry said, wiping sweat from his brow after a scrimmage drill. “We have a mix of familiar faces and a few fresh guys who are hungry, and that’s exactly the vibe we need.”

The roster, now officially posted on the university’s athletics site, shows 28 skaters and three goalies. Returning stalwarts like senior defenseman Sam Watson and forward Matt Suter are expected to anchor the blue line and top‑six scoring, respectively. But the real conversation centers on the nine freshmen and three transfer students who arrived over the summer.

One of those newcomers, 18‑year‑old winger Ethan Kelley from Minnesota, impressed on his first shift with a quick‑handed backhand shot that left the net‑minder scrambling. “He’s got a natural feel for the game,” Lappas remarked. “Give him a few weeks and we’ll see that spark turn into consistency.”

Transfers also made a splash. Junior defenseman Tyler Holland, who spent last season with the Wisconsin Badgers, slid into a defensive pairing with Watson during a five‑on‑five drill, displaying a calmness that surprised even the seasoned coaches. “He reads the play well,” Berry noted. “That kind of poise is hard to teach, so it’s a huge plus for us.”

Beyond individual talent, the staff is already charting line combinations and power‑play structures. Early practice sessions featured a three‑man unit of Suter, Kelle​y and sophomore forward Jake Miller, a trio that already showed chemistry on the rush. “We’re experimenting, but there’s a clear rhythm developing,” Bouchard said, smiling as he watched the line chase down a loose puck.

Off the ice, the coaches discussed the logistical hurdles of a compressed preseason schedule. With the NCAA allowing only two weeks of on‑ice training before the first exhibition game, the staff must fine‑tune conditioning, systems and special‑team strategies in a short window. “It’s a marathon in a sprint,” Berry joked, “but that’s the reality of modern college hockey.”

Fans in attendance got a brief glimpse of the atmosphere that will define the season – chants echoing through the arena, the clatter of sticks, and the palpable excitement of a program that has consistently been a national contender. As the staff wrapped up their first walk‑through, Berry reminded his players, “Every practice from now on is a chance to earn your spot. The work starts now.”

With the first exhibition game slated for October 7 against the University of Minnesota, the Fighting Hawks will have just under a month to solidify lines, cement special‑team units and build the chemistry that could carry them deep into the NCAA tournament. The coaching staff’s early observations suggest a roster that, while still finding its identity, possesses the talent and determination to stay in the conversation for another championship run.