Recruiting: Scoring help on the way in 2024-25 for Bulldogs

DULUTH — Minnesota Duluth’s men’s and women’s hockey programs have both had their share of scoring struggles at times this season.

While Maura Crowell’s team has lit up the likes of Long Island University, Minnesota State, Bemidji State and St. Thomas for an average of four goals in each of the eight wins, the Bulldogs mustered just four total goals in four losses to Ohio State and Minnesota in home series at Amsoil Arena.

Scott Sandelin’s squad has been just as inconsistent, averaging 4.5 goals per game in the three wins and three ties, compared to 1.43 goals per game in UMD’s seven losses. Take away last Saturday’s 6-5 loss at St. Cloud State and UMD is averaging less than a goal per game in the six other defeats.

While both teams still have plenty of season left to find some consistency on the scoresheet, if they don’t, Bulldogs fans should know there could be some scoring help on the way for both programs in 2024-25.

Both teams recently signed a handful of recruits to a National Letter of Intent for next season. As part of this week’s three things to know about UMD hockey, here’s an early look at who is coming next fall to Amsoil Arena.

Sandelin signs six

Adam Gajan made 23 saves in Green Bay's season-opening win over Lincoln on Sept. 21, 2023 at the USHL Fall Classic in Pittsburgh, Pa. Jordan McAlpine / File / The Rink Live

The UMD men’s program will be losing at least four fifth-year seniors — three forwards and a goaltender — following the 2023-24 season, and those roster spots were filled this month with the signing of three forwards and a goaltender.

UMD also added two defensemen, however, despite the possibility of returning all eight from this year. Of course, one of those eight — junior Will Francis — is battling leukemia for a second time and the Bulldogs are an injury away from having just six available per night compared to the usual seven they’ve dressed all season.

Here’s a look at the six signees and how they are doing to start the 2023-23 season.

Zam Plante, F (Fargo Force, USHL) — Profiled by The Rink Live at the start of the month, the eldest son of former Bulldog Derek Plante is off to a hot start in his return to the Fargo Force of the USHL. Zam Plante is tied for third in the USHL in scoring and the Hermantown native leads the Force with 20 points through 16 games via nine goals and 11 assists. He’ll play for the U.S. Junior Select Team at the 2023 World Junior A Challenge coming up Dec. 10-17 in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Hermantown forward Max Plante (26) passes in front of Warroad forward Daimon Gardner (13) during the third period Saturday, March 12, 2022, in the State Boys Hockey Tournament at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Jason Wachter / File / The Rink Live

Max Plante, F (USA Hockey NTDP) — Zam Plante’s younger brother hasn’t played since Oct. 15. That probably has something to do with the brace he was wearing on his right hand in his NLI signing photo posted by the NTDP on social media. USA Hockey confirmed Max Plante is indeed out with an upper body injury. In the 10 games he played from Sept. 15-Oct. 15, Max Plante had three goals and 11 assists. NHL Central Scouting recently listed Max Plante as a B prospect in its preliminary rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft, meaning the former Hermantown Hawk is a second or third-round prospect. His playmaking abilities have been highlighted early on this year by those who follow potential NHL draft prospects.

Green Bay forward Jayson Shaugabay waits for a pass on Sept. 22, 2023 at the USHL Fall Classic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jordan McAlpine / File / The Rink Live

Jayson Shaugabay, F (Green Bay Gamblers, USHL) — Sitting 12th in scoring in the USHL is the 2023 Minnesota Mr. Hockey out of Warroad. Shaugabay has three goals and 16 assists through 19 games after a slow start. He posted just three assists in his first six games, but has points in seven of his last nine games now, and is second on the Gamblers in scoring. His 16 assists are tied for first in the USHL.

Sioux City defenseman Ty Hanson skates across the center-ice logo and looks to join the rush on Nov. 9, 2023 at Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Omaha, Nebraska. Jordan McAlpine / File / The Rink Live

Ty Hanson, D (Sioux City Musketeers, USHL) — One of three Hermantown natives signed this month, Hanson is tied for fourth among defensemen in scoring in the USHL with three goals and 10 assists through 19 games. He’s plus-7 for a Sioux City team that has given up 70 goals in 19 games. That’s the second-most goals allowed in the Western Conference. The Musketeers have also scored the most with 83 so far.

Lincoln defenseman Adam Kleber skates up ice against Madison on Oct. 8, 2023 at the Ice Box in Lincoln, Neb. The UMD commit scored his second goal of the season in overtime to give the Stars a 2-1 win. Jordan McAlpine / File / The Rink Live

Adam Kleber, D (Lincoln Stars, USHL) — Kleber will bring more size to the Bulldogs’ blue line next season at 6 foot, 4.75 inches tall and 204 pounds. He has two goals and three assists through 16 games this year after tallying just eight assists a year ago as a 16-year-old in the USHL. The Stars are struggling this year with just 28 goals in 16 games, but Kleber has been catching the eyes of those who follow the draft, like Chris Peters. Kleber will play with Zam Plante on Team USA in the World Junior A Challenge next month.

Adam Gajan, G (Green Bay Gamblers, USHL) — No goaltender in the USHL has faced more shots (516) or played more minutes between the pipes (899) than Slovakia’s Gajan. As a result, he’s sitting with a GAA of 3.07 that ranks 10th, however, his .911 save percentage is second in the USHL and he’s tied for the most wins with a 10-4-1 record in his 15 games played. He made 50 saves on 51 shots Oct. 13 at Des Moines. A crazier stat is Gajan is perfect in shootouts so far, winning 2-of-2 and stopping 8-of-8 attempts.

Crowell inks four

The UMD women have been playing with a shorter roster this season of 19 skaters and three goaltenders, meaning they have no healthy scratches at the ready. So when injuries occur — like winger Katie Davis going down long-term — the team plays short a skater.

Crowell has just two fifth-year senior forwards guaranteed to move on. True seniors Nina Jobst-Smith and Clara Van Wieren told the Bulldog Insider Podcast this fall they are returning in 2024-25, but fellow seniors Davis, forward Olivia Wallin and defenseman Paula Bergstrom could all move on in the spring.

So far Crowell has signed four recruits for 2024-25. Here’s what she has to say about them.

Caitlin Kraemer, F (Waterloo Ravens, OWHA) — The star of UMD’s 2024-25 freshman class, Kraemer led Canada to gold at the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship a year ago by scoring 10 goals in five games. Her 11 points was a tournament record. In the 2023 Under-18 series against the United States this summer, she had four goals and five assists.

Caitlin Kraemer can find many ways to score, but she's most dangerous in full flight off the rush #U18Nationals pic.twitter.com/Z1c4dDFvek

— Ian Kennedy November 8, 2023

“What I love about her is she's one of the most humble people you could meet,” Crowell said. “I love that about her because at that age, when you have that much attention, and you're that good, people go in the wrong direction. She has stayed true to herself and true to her family and it's an awesome, awesome family.”

Reese Logan, F (Etobicoke Dolphins, OWHA) — A teammate of Kraemer’s in the summer U18 series against the U.S., Logan also played with Kraemer this fall on Ontario Red, which won gold at Canada’s 2023 National Women’s U18 Championship. Logan has a goal and assist in the U18 series vs. the U.S. and five assists with Ontario Red. Crowell describes Logan as a big kid who plays in a tough, physical league.

“A very physical player, certainly loyal and she defends her teammates,” Crowell said.

Had the opportunity to watch Pittsburgh's newest Bulldog recruit help her team punch their tickets to nationals today! Very bright future ahead for this young lady #PittsburghHockey #UMDBulldogs pic.twitter.com/by0iNjsFjJ

— Kenny Reiter March 6, 2023

Zoey Krock, F (Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 19U) — Born in the Chicago area, Krock has lived in Pittsburgh since she was 4 years-old. While the UMD women have never had any alumni come from Pittsburgh, let alone the state of Pennsylvania, the men have one very notable alum from the Steel City in Kenny Reiter. And he’s already established himself as a Zoey Krock fan.

Crowell said Krock is a center, but she can also play the wing.

“Really smart, really has a nice scoring touch, as well,” Crowell said. “She'll fit in nicely with our program.”

Kamdyn Davis, D (Chicago Mission 19U) — Originally from Beloit, Wisconsin, Davis plays now for a Chicago Mission program that the Bulldogs are heavily recruiting these days. Davis’ teammate in Chicago this year, Ella Pukala, is committed to UMD for 2025-26. Davis played for the U.S. in 2022 in the U18 series against Canada.

“She's got great feet,” Crowell said. “A very mobile defenseman who likes to get up into the offense, likes to create from the blue line.”

UMD women hosting Colgate

Minnesota Duluth forward Clara Van Wieren (25) and Colgate forward Darcie Lappan (72) compete for the puck during the NCAA Women's National Collegiate Ice Hockey Championship quarterfinal game on Monday, March 15, 2021 at Erie Insurance Arena in Erie, Pennsylvania. Clint Austin / File / Duluth Media Group

Another top-5 opponent visits Amsoil Arena this weekend when Crowell’s ninth-ranked Bulldogs host No. 2 Colgate. The Raiders are the third top-5 team to visit Duluth this semester, with UMD going 0-4 at home against current No. 1 Ohio State and No. 4 Minnesota.

“If we play like we played last weekend, we clean up some situations that we dealt with last weekend, I think it'll be a great, great matchup,” Crowell said of this weekend’s series, which happens to be against her alma mater.

Crowell played four years at Colgate University in upstate New York from 1998-2002 while the program was transitioning from NCAA Division III to Div. 1, but has shown her alma mater no mercy as head coach of the Bulldogs, going 3-0. The most recent meeting was in an NCAA quarterfinal on March 15, 2021, in Erie, Pennsylvania during the 2020-21 COVID-19 season. Ashton Bell scored in overtime for a 1-0 win.

Minnesota Duluth forward Mannon McMahon (16), Colgate defenseman Sydney Bard (11) and Colgate goaltender Kayle Osborne (31) watch as a game-winning shot by Minnesota Duluth forward Ashton Bell (26) crosses the goal line in overtime during an NCAA Women's National Collegiate Ice Hockey Championship quarterfinal game on Monday, March 15, 2021 at Erie Insurance Arena in Erie, Pennsylvania. Clint Austin / File / Duluth Media Group

Colgate — which split with Ohio State in New York to start the season — is one of a handful of ECAC teams that have struggled over the previous eight seasons against Crowell’s Bulldogs. Since she took over the program in 2014-15, UMD is 15-6 vs. ECAC opponents and have won nine straight dating back to the NCAA quarterfinal in Erie.

Crowell said this year’s Colgate team is the best in the east. They’ve a veteran team, but Crowell likes UMD’s chances playing at home this holiday weekend.

“I think we can we can do a good job against them,” Crowell said. “It’s going to be a lot like it was last weekend, but just playing WCHA hockey gives us an advantage. They're flying in. They've got a long trip, they've got a play our style of hockey. We're excited to play.”