UND Hockey Faces Youthful Roster Challenges
Associate head coach Matt Smaby emphasizes patience as UND navigates a roster of young defensemen and a new signing class.
By Lauren Foster ·
Matt Smaby spent 18 months at the University of North Dakota as an 18-year-old defenseman before becoming a junior captain on a Frozen Four team. He now applies that personal history to the current roster, which includes two of the youngest players in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.
Carson Carels and Keaton Verhoeff lead the team in ice time on the back end. Smaby, who joined the coaching staff as an associate head coach, noted that the young defenders are highly talented but still learning the nuances of the game against elite competition. He said he was not the best defenseman until age 30 and emphasized that learning is a continuous process.
The team has faced early struggles, including two losses to rival Minnesota. However, Smaby pointed to a recent tie and win against Western Michigan as evidence of steady progress. He stated that the defensive corps starts from a high baseline of skill, which makes the learning curve manageable despite the challenges.
UND currently lists eight defensemen on its roster but plays seven in each game. The coaching staff has rotated the scratch player over the last three matchups. Head coach Dane Jackson said the decision is based on earning ice time through performance. He explained that the staff is spreading opportunities until it becomes clear who has elevated their play.
"We say everything is earned here," Jackson said. "The guys that play the best are going to be in." He described this accountability as a cornerstone of the team culture and stated the staff would continue to emphasize it during regular season rotations.
The early signing period for college hockey opened Wednesday. Three high school seniors committed to UND: Beck Thoreson, Nolan Fitzhenry, and Carson Scott. Fitzhenry, a projected first-round NHL Draft pick, is expected to play for the team next fall. Once players sign, other schools cannot recruit them, and coaches may discuss the athletes publicly.
The NCHC suspended Western Michigan forward Adam Benak for one game for slashing UND forward Cody Croal in the neck area. The incident occurred during an empty-net goal that sealed the game Saturday. Jackson described the hit as careless rather than malicious and said the suspension was appropriate given the rules. Croal is expected to be available for this weekend's series at St. Thomas.
