Bulldog Insider

The memorable run for the University of Minnesota Duluth mens hockey team ended this past Sunday with a 4-3 loss to the No. 1 overall seed, Michigan, in an NCAA regional final at MVP Arena in Albany, New York. The Bulldogs (24-15-1) improved their win total by 11 from a year ago to get back to the NCAA Tournament, but they fell one win short of a spot in the NCAA Frozen Four. For the season finale of the Bulldog Insider podcast, Matt Wellens of the News Tribune and Zach Schneider of My9 Sports are joined by KDAL's Bruce Ciskie as the insiders answer your questions, look back at the 2025-2026 and look ahead to next season. As the trio tells us, there are a lot of reasons for optimism in 2026-27. This episode was recorded on Thursday, April 2, 2026. From everyone associated with the Bulldog Insider podcast, thank you for listening this season. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producers Dan Williamson and Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

Minnesota Duluth sophomore forward Max Plante has been hearing 'congratulations' a lot lately, but he isn't always sure what for. Sure, he has been collecting awards and honors left and right the past couple weeks and last week alone, he was named 2026 NCHC Forward of the Year, 2026 NCHC Player of the Year and a top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award. But, what he and his teammates are seeking is a NCAA championship. The Hermantown native and 2024 second-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings joined News Tribune college hockey reporter Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider of My 9 Sports on the Bulldog Insider Podcast this week to discuss those awards, the postseason run that the Bulldogs are on and to answer questions from fans (including his grandma). Max is also asked if he and his brother - and teammate - Zam Plante could play a second sport at UMD like their parents Derek Plante (hockey and baseball) and Kristi (Duncan) Plante (basketball and softball), what would it be; who's the better pickleball player between he and Zam; the possibility of having all three Plante Brothers (Max, Zam and Victor) playing at UMD next season and much more. It is the second time that Max has appeared on the podcast this season. As for this season, while the Bulldogs fell last Saturday in double-overtime in the NCHC championship game at Denver, they're still NCAA Tournament bound. No. 8 UMD (23-14-1) will take on No. 9 Penn State (21-13-2) at 8 p.m. CT on Friday at MVP Arena in Albany, New York, in a NCAA regional semifinal, with the winner advancing to the regional championship at Sunday against either No. 1 Michigan or No. 16 Bentley. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producers Dan Williamson and Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

At 2 p.m. on Sunday, the University of Minnesota Duluth mens hockey team will hear their name called during the 2026 NCAA tournament selection show on ESPNU for the first time since winning their last Frozen Faceoff title in 2022. The Bulldogs are one of 11 teams who are considered to be a 100% lock for the NCAA tournament based on the 20,000 simulations run by College Hockey News. But before Selection Sunday, the sixth-ranked Bulldogs are hoping for some hardware, specifically - the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Championship as they will take on fourth-ranked Denver at 7:07 p.m. Friday at Magness Arena on the University of Denver campus in the conference final. Joining Bulldog Insider co-host Matt Wellens this week to discuss the NCHC playoffs and NCAA Tournament is freshman forward Daniel Shlaine. The native of Moscow, Russia has five goals and five assists in 34 games this season. Shlaine also discusses his background in hockey, growing up in Russia, his brother Artem who played at Arizona State, playing at Shattuck St. Mary's in Faribault, what brought him to UMD, apartment life with teammates as roommates and much more. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producers Dan Williamson and Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

The second part of a "double dog week" is here for the Bulldog Insider podcast with another episode, this one featuring freshman defenseman Grayden Siepmann of the UMD mens team. The native of Langley, British Columbia, Canada has five goals and seven assists in 33 games this season. Siepmann joins Bulldog Insider co-hosts Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider to discuss his background in hockey, his path to UMD, how he ended up with number 37, his passion for cooking, who is the "MVP" of his living situation with teammates as roommates, and much more. The Bulldogs face North Dakota on the road on Saturday at 6:07 PM in an NCHC semifinal showdown. As Wellens writes, UMD is considered a lock to make the 16-team NCAA Tournament. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producers Dan Williamson and Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

The season is not done for Ashley Messier and the UMD womens hockey team! They earned a sixth-consecutive NCAA tournament berth. Messier, a Graduate Student defenseman from Wilcox, Saskatchewan, Canada, joined the Bulldogs after five years at Cornell. If you're wondering about her last name, she is indeed related to NHL legend Mark Messier, who is a cousin of her father Joby, also a former NHL player. In this episode, Messier joins Bulldog Insider co-host Matt Wellens via Zoom, discussing her background in hockey, why she transferred to UMD, being reunited with Bishop Kearney Selects teammate Mary Kate O'Brien, making the 2026 NCAA Tournament, and much more. The Bulldogs were able to hang on to the last at-large bid to the 11-team tournament last week, finishing No. 10 in the NCAA Percentage Index Ratings — the system used to select and seed the NCAA men's and women's hockey tournaments. The week began with five Cinderellas from outside the top 10 of the NPI still alive in conference tournaments. One by one, they fell throughout the week, improving UMD's chances each day. UMD (20-14-3) now has a chance to bounce back from a disappointing WCHA tournament by playing Yale (25-9) in a "battle of the Bulldogs" at 5 p.m. CDT Thursday at the OSU Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio, with the winner getting the top seeded Ohio State Buckeyes (34-4) at 5 p.m. Saturday. The winner advances to the 2026 NCAA Women's Frozen Four at Penn State. It's a special double dog week for the Bulldog Insider podcast with another episode scheduled for Friday featuring freshman defenseman Grayden Siepmann of the UMD mens team. They'll face North Dakota on the road on Saturday at 6:07 PM in an NCHC semifinal showdown. As Wellens writes, the Bulldogs are considered a lock to make the 16-team NCAA Tournament. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producers Dan Williamson and Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

The NCHC playoffs begin this week and regardless of the outcome of their quarterfinal series, the UMD mens hockey team appears to have secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The UMD womens team fell in their best-of-three WCHA quarterfinal series against Minnesota State. But a spot in the NCAA Tournament may still be possible for the women, but they'll need some help from other squads. This week, the Insiders break down the bracketology of the NCAA mens and womens tournaments. They also answer your submitted questions. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producers Dan Williamson and Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

Minnesota Duluth senior defenseman Tova Henderson scored in overtime in back-to-back games as the Bulldogs swept the University of Minnesota at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis last weekend to wrap up the regular season. In this episode, Henderson, a native of Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, talks about that big series win, her decision to come to UMD, what her career has been like, and much more. The Bulldogs will host Minnesota State in a best-of-three first round WCHA playoff series, with game one scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at 2 p.m. Amsoil Arena. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producers Dan Williamson and Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

They're both defensemen, both in their fourth seasons in Bulldog Country and it has been a memorable ride for both Joey Pierce and Riley Bodnarchuk. Pierce, a Hermantown graduate, didn't have to travel far from home for his college career while Bodnarchuk comes from Okotoks, Alberta, Canada. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producers Dan Williamson and Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

Derek Plante has worn many hats at UMD. He's played hockey for the Bulldogs, coached the Bulldogs and now when he's not scouting in the NHL, the 1993 Hobey Baker finalist a Bulldog Dad. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

Bulldogs defenseman and Detroit Red Wings prospect Brady Cleveland is a two-time transfer, who took a long and winding road to finally reach the college team he wanted to play for as a kid. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

When Minnesota Duluth associate head coach Adam Krause came calling, wingers Blake Bechen and Harper Bentz answered to join their junior hockey teammates on a growing 2024-25 rookie class at UMD. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

UMD starting goaltender Adam Gajan quietly played his way this season onto Slovakia's 2026 Olympic men's hockey team for the Winter Games in Italy, where he'll be ready for anything come February. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

The final two pieces of the Bulldogs' 2025-26 roster, Hunter Anderson and Luke Bibby, didn't come to Duluth, or meet with the UMD coaches face-to-face before committing to the program last spring. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

KDAL's Bruce Ciskie, Zach Schneider of My 9 Sports and the News Tribune's Matt Wellens answer your questions about the Bulldogs in Ireland, Saturdays and Max Plante's chances of winning the Hobey. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

This special episode includes the bonus segments recorded during the breaks of episodes 2, 5, 7, 10 and 11 with UMD women's hockey players Mary Kate O'Brien, Eve Gascon, Krista Parkkonen, Thea Johansson, Sophie Villanueva, and Kaitlin Kraemer. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

Should athletes who have played in professional leagues be allowed to play in the NCAA? While recording season 8 episode 8 of the Bulldog Insider podcast, Bruce Ciskie, Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider discussed how the NCAA should limit the eligibility of athletes who have played in professional leagues. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

After winning gold in 2025 in Ottawa, Hermantown native and UMD wing Max Plante is after another gold medal at the 2026 World Junior Championship in Minnesota with his longtime USA Hockey teammates. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

Team USA's big man on the blue line, UMD defenseman Adam Kleber, previews the upcoming 2026 World Junior Championship that is coming to Duluth, Minneapolis and St. Paul in December and January. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

The No. 5-ranked Minnesota Duluth women's hockey program has one more WCHA series scheduled this weekend at Bemidji State before it begins a three-week holiday break. But not everyone is getting a break from hockey. Bulldogs sophomore center Caitlin Kraemer will continue her double life as a college hockey player and 2026 Olympic hopeful, suiting up for the Canadian National Women's Team in Games 3 and 4 of the Rivalry Series against the United States on Dec. 10 and 13 in Edmonton. Kraemer and UMD junior goaltender Eve Gascon are both candidates to play for Canada in the upcoming Winter Games in February in Milan and Cortina, Italy. Both were on Team Canada for Games 1 and 2 of the Rivalry Series in the U.S. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

This special episode includes the bonus segments recorded during the breaks of episodes 3, 4, 6 and 9 with UMD men's hockey head coach Scott Sandelin, and players Callum Arnott, Jayson Shaugabay, Zam Plante and Ty Hanson. The topics: -Scott Sandelin discusses growing up in Hibbing -Arnott and Shaugabay's most unpopular opinions -Zam Plante on what kind of pet he would get -Ty Hanson on favorite road rinks and the old Hermantown rink. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.