The University of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey team will lean heavily on a blend of sophomore talent, NHL-drafted skill, and experienced leadership next season. This blend is crucial for the team’s return to contention in the NCHC. Scott Sandelin’s roster includes a mix of familiar faces and promising newcomers, with the experienced players playing a key role in guiding the team.
Key Players to Watch
Daniel Shlaine, Freshman Forward ★★★★★
Shlaine arrives with elite credentials after excelling at Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep and the USHL’s Lincoln Stars. The 6-foot, 185-pound lefty from Russia is an elite playmaker with slick puck-handling skills and a quick release. Ranked No. 129 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting for the 2025 draft, Shlaine is expected to step into a top-six role and energize the Bulldogs’ offense.
Adam Kleber, Sophomore Defenseman ★★★★
A second-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres (No. 42 overall, 2024), Kleber is poised for a breakout sophomore season. At 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, the right-shot defenseman played in 33 games as a freshman, tallying five points. He won gold with Team USA at the 2025 World Junior Championship and is expected to anchor the Bulldogs’ blue line with a more physical and consistent defensive game.
Max Plante, Sophomore Forward ★★★
Plante tied for the UMD scoring leader last season despite missing 13 games, finishing with 28 points (9 goals, 19 assists). Drafted No. 47 overall by Detroit in 2024, the Hermantown native was instrumental in Team USA's gold medal at World Juniors. With top-six and No. 1 power play minutes, his health and productivity are critical to the Bulldogs’ playoff hopes.
Jayson Shaugabay, Sophomore Forward ★★
A former Mr. Hockey winner and fourth-round pick by Tampa Bay, Shaugabay scored 12 goals and 26 points as a freshman. The Warroad product boasts a dangerous shot, including a team-high six power-play goals a year ago, but needs to develop a stronger two-way game to have a more substantial impact.
Adam Gajan, Sophomore Goaltender ★
The 2023 second-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks (No. 35 overall) struggled in his freshman season, posting a .855 save percentage and a 3.30 GAA across 20 starts. Despite these challenges, Gajan is known for his athleticism and international play with Slovakia and is determined to rebound this season.
Aaron Pionk, Junior Defenseman
Pionk, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound left-shot defenseman from Hermantown, is the youngest of five hockey-playing brothers, including NHL defenseman Neal Pionk. Aaron, an up-and-coming prospect in the Minnesota Wild organization, started his career as a forward at Hermantown before switching to defense in his junior hockey years.
Cole Sheffield, Freshman Goaltender
Sheffield, a 21-year-old from London, Ontario, compiled a .921 save percentage and a 2.43 GAA over 123 starts with the Dauphin Kings (MJHL). He was 30-14 last season with a .922 SV% and two shutouts. Durable and composed, he will challenge Gajan for a starting role.
Riley Bodnarchuk, Senior Defenseman
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound veteran from Okotoks, Alberta, has played 62 games over four years, bringing leadership and reliability. Twice an NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete, Bodnarchuk plays a disciplined, stay-at-home style and helps guide younger blueliners.
Ty Hanson, Sophomore Defenseman
A mobile 5-foot-9 defenseman from Hermantown, Hanson stood out in the USHL and was named NCHC Rookie of the Week in 2025. His strengths are gap control, breakout speed and offensive instincts.
Grayden Siepmann, Freshman Defenseman
Siepmann, a former WHL standout with Saskatoon, is the first CHL transfer to join UMD under the new NCAA rules. A 5-foot-11 right-shot defenseman with 48 points last season, he’s expected to contribute immediately in a top-four role.
Jacob Toll, Freshman Defenseman
Toll, 6-foot-3 and 176 pounds, is a left-shot defender from Rosemount, Minn., who played in both the NAHL and USHL. With 17 points over two seasons, he brings size and character to the Bulldogs’ back end.
Kyle Gaffney, Senior Forward
A transfer from Alaska-Fairbanks, Gaffney totaled 43 points over three seasons, including 20 in 2024-25. At 6-foot, 181 pounds, the Michigan native adds maturity and two-way consistency.
Scout Truman, Senior Forward
A transfer from UMass Lowell, Truman adds experience to the forward group. While his college production is modest, he’s expected to contribute in a depth role.
Braden Fischer, Junior Forward
Fischer, a 6-foot center from Virden, Manitoba, is entering his third year with the Bulldogs and adds reliable faceoff skills and two-way play. Should be a third- or fourth-line center.
Callum Arnott, Sophomore Forward
Arnott, a winger from Ontario, was the BCHL Penticton Vees’ MVP in 2023-24. He scored 25 goals that season and adds speed and power-play potential.
Blake Bechen, Sophomore Forward
From Dubuque, Iowa, Bechen adds a strong net-front presence and a hard-nosed forecheck. At 6 feet, 185 pounds, he’s projected to provide secondary scoring in a bottom-six role.
Harper Bentz, Sophomore Forward
A Moorhead, Minn., native, Bentz played for the Fargo Force and is known for speed and defensive awareness. A likely penalty-kill contributor.
Zam Plante, Sophomore Forward
Plante, a Penguins draft pick and brother of Max, has shown flashes of offensive potential and brings a strong hockey lineage as the son of former UMD standout Derek Plante. Also hails from Hermantown and starred at Fargo of the USHL.
Trevor Stachowiak, Sophomore Forward
The 6-foot-2 forward from Illinois played in the NAHL and adds grit and size. He had 40 points in his final junior season.
Hunter Anderson, Freshman Forward
Anderson, from Ontario’s OJHL, led his team in scoring and earned First Team All-Star honors. A creative winger is expected to compete for top-nine ice time.
Luke Bibby, Freshman Forward
Bibby is a 6-foot center from Rochester, N.Y., is known for his strong faceoff work and a shutdown role – a defensive specialist.
Ryan Zaremba, Freshman Forward
Zaremba joins the Bulldogs from the NAHL’s Minnesota Wilderness, where he scored 33 goals in 60 games. He’s a strong offensive finisher with top-six potential.
2025-26 UMD Bulldogs Men’s Hockey Roster
Goaltenders
Sophomore – Adam Gajan
Freshman – Cole Sheffield
Defensemen
Seniors – Riley Bodnarchuk, Joey Pierce
Junior – Aaron Pionk
Sophomores – Ty Hanson, Adam Kleber
Freshmen – Grayden Siepmann, Jacob Toll
Forwards
Seniors – Kyler Kovich, Kyle Gaffney, Scout Truman
Junior – Braden Fischer
Sophomores – Callum Arnott, Blake Bechen, Harper Bentz, Max Plante, Zam Plante, Jayson Shaugabay, Trevor Stachowiak
Freshmen – Hunter Anderson, Luke Bibby, Daniel Shlaine, Ryan Zaremba
