Updated Bulldogs incoming freshmen stats (as of Monday, Feb. 19):
F, Max Plante (U.S. National U-18) – 10 goals, 28 assists, 38 points, +13 in 31 games
F, Zam Plante (Fargo Force) – 20-34=54, +27, 38. Notes: Third in USHL individual scoring, with 14 points (five goals) in last five games.
F, Jayson Shaugabay (Green Bay) – 11-26=37, -1, 41. Notes: 6 points (4 goals) in last five games.
The next challenge for AF1 will be converting its larger digital audience into sustained interest during the playoffs and offseason.
Sandelin's base pay and supplemental retirement contribution was $595,000 last season and $600,000 for 2026-27, before bonuses and other benefits. Financial terms were not disclosed for the new agreement, which adds three seasons and could take him through his 30th year with the school.
My projection is 9-2 overall and 9-1 in the NSIC, with losses at Slippery Rock and Wayne State. That record should place UMD in the conference championship fight and produce another NCAA playoff berth.
The Vikings are too talented at receiver, too well coached and too versatile defensively to dismiss. They are also too uncertain at quarterback, center, safety and defensive-line depth to declare a championship contender. The most reasonable prediction is 10-7.
