UND’s hockey coaching staff is expected to remain tactful in 2021-22

During those two seasons, the Fighting Hawks ’winning percentages were over .775, marking only the second time in program history done in consecutive years (the second was 1997-98 and 1998-99).

Berry-Jackson-Goehring’s staff led the Fighting Hawks to the Penrose Cup as champions of the regular season of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, as well as the only NCHC Frozen Faceoff played during that period.

All three coaches plan to return as well.

Jackson, longed for by professional groups and whose close friend Dave Hakstol was recently appointed head coach of Seattle Kraken, will remain with the Fighting Hawks, the Herald has confirmed.

So comes Goehring, who is considered a rising star in the coaching world and has played a role in player development at both UND and Tampa Bay Lightning, who are on the winning side of the second straight Stanley Cup.

Retaining both Jackson and Goehring is a big win for Berry before the season begins.

Players are scheduled to return to campus in two weeks to begin preparations for the 2021-22 season.

The list includes 13 new faces, eight newcomers and five transfers, the largest list change since 2005-2006. UND also had 13 new players this season, all freshmen.

Berry, who has won NCHC’s Herb Brooks coach of the year in three of his six seasons at the helm, helps keep his all-UND alumni together.

Jackson’s roles in UND

Jackson, who has been with UND since 2006, coaches the team’s attackers and punitive murder.

Last season, UND had the most points in the game, an average of 3.93 goals per game. Its penalty case also ranked nationally at number 6 and NCHC first.

UND shares recruitment responsibilities, but Jackson has managed to identify the players. UND was the first school to contact Jake Sanderson – and one of only two – after Jackson spotted the defender in Alberta. Sanderson has developed into one of the best players in his age group in the world. Jackson was also among the first to identify Shane Pinton, last year’s unanimous year NCHC player.

Jackson has been looking for professional teams at both the NHL and AHL levels during his time at UND, most publicly when Hakstol was appointed head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2015.

Hakstol, who was appointed head coach of Kraken last month, hired two of his assistants, Jay Leach and Paul McFarland, this week. However, Hakstol has not yet fully filled its staff.

Goehring’s roles in UND

Goehring, who served as a volunteer coach at UND from 2010-17, returned in the summer of 2019 as a full-time assistant.

Goehring coaches goalkeepers, defenders and power play. UND is ranked in the top five in team defense in both seasons since Goehring’s return. The power game also jumped more than 21 percent in each of the last two seasons.

Goehring’s goalkeepers have been successful at both the university and professional levels.

During his time as a volunteer coach at UND, his primary starting goals were Aaron Dell, Clarke Saunders, Zane McIntyre and Cam Johnson. Dell, McIntyre and Johnson have been in the NHL. Dell and Johnson earned contracts and places as free agents. McIntyre was the sixth-round draft choice. Saunders has just completed his seventh term and will be signed to play eighth next year in Poland.

Adam Scheel has been the primary starter for the past two seasons. Free agent Scheel also earned an NHL deal by signing with Dallas Stars this spring after winning the NCHC Goalkeeper of the Year award.

When Goehring was absent from UND for two years, he worked at Syracuse Crunch, Lightning’s top branch. In Syracuse, Goehring helped develop several players who have continued Tampa’s roles over the past two years, including strikers Anthony Cirelli, Ross Colton and Mathieu Joseph, and defender Erik Cernak.

The season ahead

Despite a significant list change, UND was able to retain several key players. In defense, Sanderson is expected to be NCHC’s best player. Ottawa Senators ’5th best draft pick was among all the starting teams last season and great at both ends of the field.

In front, UND retained striker Jasper Weatherby, who had a breakout junior year and scored 14 goals. Weatherby scored one goal behind Pinton and Minnesota Duluth’s Cole Koepke in NCHC lead.

UND opens the season with an exhibition game against the University of Manitoba 2. October.

The regular season opener is scheduled for October 8-9 against Niagara at the Ralph Engelstad Arena.

The opening of the UND conference is scheduled for November 5 against Denver in the Grand Forks. The Fighting Hawks are trying to be the first NCHC team to win three Penrose Cups in a row.