GRAND FORKS, N.D. (UND Athletics)– Four University of North Dakota hockey student-athletes were named to the All-NCHC Rookie Team on Monday afternoon, as announced by the league office.
Forwards Cole Reschny and Will Zellers, defenseman Keaton Verhoeff and goaltender Jan Špunar were all named to the team, joining Denver in 2021-22 as the only teams to place four freshmen on the league’s all-rookie squad.
Verhoeff was the top vote-getter on the All-Rookie Team receiving 49 points and 16 of a possible 17 first-team votes, while Reschny also garnered 16 first-team votes and 48 points.
It also marks the first time UND has placed at least four freshmen on an all-rookie team in program history.
Reschny (Macklin, Sask.) leads all NCHC freshmen with 33 points and 28 assists in 32 games this season, while scoring five goals. The Calgary Flames draft pick has also been strong in the faceoff dot, ranking third among NCHC rookies with 265 faceoff wins, while his 54.3 win percentage is second among freshman centers. He leads all NCHC rookies with a +13 plus/minus on the year. In conference play, Reschny also led rookies with 23 points and 19 assists, scoring four of his five goals in NCHC action, including a game-winner. He was twice named NCHC Forward of the Week and once Rookie of the Week this year.
Zellers (Maple Grove, Minn.) leads all NCHC freshmen with 18 goals in 34 games this season, while his 30 points are second behind only Reschny. The Boston Bruins prospect has six game-winning goals to lead NCHC rookies, while also handing out 12 assists. In conference play, Zellers finished second in freshman points behind Reschny with 20, while tying with Deputy for the rookie goal lead with 13, including five of his six game-winners. Zellers was named NCHC November Rookie of the Month and also earned Rookie of the Week once.
Verhoeff (Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta) leads all NCHC freshman defensemen with 20 points in 32 games this season, scoring six goals and adding 14 assists, the latter of which also leads NCHC rookie blueliners. He has also scored two game-winning goals. The projected first round NHL draft pick in 2026 has posted a +10 plus/minus, which ranks third among rookie defensemen in the NCHC, while blocking 41 shots. In conference play, he again led rookie blueliners with 14 points (3g/11a) in 22 games, and had a +10 plus/minus in NCHC action, as well. Verhoeff was tabbed NCHC Defenseman of the Week in January.
Špunar (Olomouc, Czechia) has had a stellar freshman season, backstopping North Dakota to the Penrose Cup. In 23 overall games this season, he leads the NCHC with a 1.93 goals-against average while going 18-3-1 in net. His .915 save percentage is fourth in the NCHC among all goalies, while his four shutouts tie for the conference lead. In conference play, Špunar went 12-3-1 in 17 appearances, ranking second with a 2.15 GAA and fourth with a .910 save percentage. He was the only goalie with two shutouts in conference play this season. Špunar was the NCHC Rookie of the Month in December and a one-time Rookie of the Week, while he was the lone goalie from the NCHC named a Mike Richter Award Semifinalist. He’s also a finalist for NCHC Goaltender of the Year.
Voting for All-Rookie Team was conducted by the nine head coaches at each member institution and nine media members, one covering each member school. Coaches and media voted for six forwards, four defensemen and two goaltenders, awarding first-team votes for six players (three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender) and second-team votes for the other six selections. Three points were awarded for a first-team vote while one point was awarded for a second-team vote, with the most points at each position earning the honors. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players, making 17 first-place votes (51 points) the maximum a player can receive.
The NCHC will announce its three All-Conference Teams on Tuesday. Individual award winners will then resume being released on Wednesday, March 11 with the NCHC Sportsmanship Award and Three Stars Award. Individual NCHC award winners will continue to be revealed through Thursday, March 19.
2025-2026 NCHC All-Rookie Team
F: Cole Reschny, North Dakota – 48 points (16 first-team votes)
F: Will Zellers, North Dakota – 46 (15)
F: David Deputy, Miami – 37 (10)
D: Keaton Verhoeff, North Dakota – 49 (16)
D: Eric Jamieson, Denver – 41 (13)
G: Jan Špunar, North Dakota – 45 (14)
Comments