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Veteran pro, college, junior and prep hockey writer John Gilbert on the 2024-25 Bulldogs men's and women's hockey teams – "UMD hockey fans should prepare for one of the most exciting teams in the history of the men’s program. The arrival of a highly skilled and exciting crop of freshmen should ignite a return to title contention in the NCHC, led by brothers Zam and Max Plante, who both come in as freshmen even though Zam is a year older. The Hermantown sons of former UMD and NHL star Derek Plante, the two are remindful of the spectacular Broten brothers of Roseau who led the Gophers to the NCAA championship game at the DECC in 1981, the year after Neal Broten played on the Miracle on Ice gold meal US team that won the Lake Placid Olympics, while Aaron Broten starred as a Gophers freshman. A further similarity is that another younger brother, Paul Broten, followed to the Gophers and the NHL, the Plante’s also have a younger brother, Victor Plante, who has committed to UMD as well. The Plante brothers are only two of a half-dozen blue-chip freshmen that will enliven Amsoil Arena this season. In the women’s side, new coach Laura Schuler sends her deep and talented Bulldogs to an early starting showdown at Ohio State against the defending champion Buckeyes. UMD is ranked No. 7 in the country, but will have to overcome Wisconsin, Ohio State and Minnesota — ranked 1-2-3 in the WCHA and the nation. The UMD women will be led by goaltender Eve Gascon and a balanced and skilled crop of forwards, and we’ll learn whether they can play among the 'Big Three' in the league by the opening series of the season."
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