GRAND FORKS, N.D.(UND Athletics) – Five members of the University of North Dakota hockey program earned spots on the trio of All-NCHC Teams, which were announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon.
The Fighting Hawks led all NCHC teams with five all-conference players overall, including a pair earning All-NCHC First Team honors. The five selections are the most since the 2023-24 team also had five while the two first teamers are the most since 2020-21.
Junior defenseman Jake Livanavage and freshman goaltender Jan Špunar each were named to the All-NCHC First Team, with Livanavage earning the honor for the second straight year and Špunar becoming the first freshman goaltender to be named to the first team.
Senior forward Ben Strinden and junior blueliner Abram Wiebe nabbed All-NCHC Second Team selections while senior forward Ellis Rickwood was named to the All-NCHC Third Team.
Livanavage (Phoenix, Ariz.) repeats on the First Team after totaling 25 points (5g/20a) in 35 games this season. His 20 assists tie for third in the conference this year. The UND assistant captain carries a +19 plus/minus, which is third among defenseman, while blocking 44 shots on the year. In conference play, Livanavage was fifth among blueliners with 17 points (4g/13a) in 23 games, with his 13 helpers third. He led the NCHC with a +16 plus/minus in conference games. Livanavage is a finalist for both Offensive and Defensive Defenseman of the Year, the lone player to do so. He was also the NCHC and National Defenseman of the Month in December.
Špunar (Olomouc, Czechia), who earned NCHC All-Rookie Team honors yesterday, backstopped 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 Rookie of the Year and Goaltender of the Year.
Strinden (Fargo, N.D.) had a breakout season, finishing fourth in conference scoring with 26 points in 24 games. The UND assistant captain scored 11 goals in NCHC action and added 15 assists, both of which ranked in the top seven. His +15 plus/minus in NCHC play was second among forwards. Overall this season, Strinden has compiled 33 points in 34 games on 15 goals and 18 assists. He was the NCHC November Forward of the Month and a two-time Forward of the Week this season, as well.
Wiebe (Mission, B.C.) had a massive season on the UND blue line, finishing second in conference-only scoring among defensemen with 19 points (4g/15a). His 15 helpers led blueliners in NCHC action, while he tallied an overtime game-winner and finished with a +7 plus/minus. Overall this season, the Calgary Flames prospect ranks third among NCHC blueliners with 27 points (5g/22a), with the 22 assists second. Wiebe became only the second NCHC player ever to win three straight Defenseman of the Week honors this season, while he was also the NCHC and National Defenseman of the Month for February.
Rickwood (Brantford, Ontario) made an impact in his lone season in Grand Forks, racking up 34 points in 31 games this season (1.10ppg). The Clarkson transfer has eight goals to go with 26 assists, which are sixth in the NCHC, and a +13 plus/minus. In the center circle, he is third in the NCHC with a .602 win percentage and sixth with 337 faceoff wins. In conference play, Rickwood totaled 21 points in 21 games, including six goals and 15 apples. He was the NCHC’s January Player of the Month, as well.
The All-Conference Teams were voted on by the NCHC’s nine head coaches and one media member covering each team (18 voters total). Coaches and media voted for nine forwards, six defensemen and three goaltenders, awarding first-team, second-team and third-team votes for six players (three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender) for each team. A first-team vote was worth 5 points while a second-team vote was worth 3 points and a third-team vote worth 1 point. Coaches could not vote for their own players, making 17 first-team votes and 85 points a unanimous selection. The highest point totals earned all-conference honors.
2025-26 All-NCHC First Team
F: Max Plante, Minnesota Duluth, So. – 85 points (17 first-team votes) – unanimous
F: Tyson Gross, St. Cloud State, Jr. – 81 (15)
F: Cruz Lucius, Arizona State, Sr. – 57 (8)
D: #Eric Pohlkamp, Denver, Jr. – 83 (16)
D: *Jake Livanavage, North Dakota, Jr. – 60 (8)
G: Jan Špunar, North Dakota, Fr. – 60 (8)
2025-26 All-NCHC Second Team
F: Bennett Schimek, Arizona State, Sr. – 56 points (6 first-team votes)
F: Ben Strinden, North Dakota, Sr. – 34 (2)
F: Austin Burnevik, St. Cloud State, So. – 34 (1)
D: Abram Wiebe, North Dakota, Jr. – 55 (6)
D: Ty Hanson, Minnesota Duluth, So. – 49 (3)
G: ^Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan, So. – 59 (8)
2025-26 All-NCHC Third Team
F: Zam Plante, Minnesota Duluth, So. – 29 points (1 first-team vote)
F: Grant Slukynsky, Western Michigan, Jr. – 28 (2)
F: Ellis Rickwood, North Dakota, Sr. – 21 (1)
D: Boston Buckberger, Denver, Jr. – 39 (2)
D: Samuel Sjolund, Western Michigan, Sr. – 19 (1)
G: Matteo Drobac, Miami, So. – 12
* 2024-25 First-Team All-NCHC
^ 2024-25 Second-Team All-NCHC
# 2024-25 Third-Team All-NCHC
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