Matt Wellens

Duluth

College Hockey Reporter at Duluth News Tribune

College hockey reporter for @duluthnews covering the UMD Bulldogs men's and women's hockey programs. Co-host of the Bulldog Insider Podcast.

Articles

UMD hockey attendance at Amsoil Arena drops in 2024-25

1 week ago | duluthnewstribune.com | Matt Wellens

DULUTH — A third-straight losing season in 2024-25 for the Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey program led to the lowest average attendance in 13 full seasons at Amsoil Arena, not counting the COVID-19 pandemic season of 2020-21 when only a few hundred fans were allowed at games. The Bulldogs averaged 5,668 fans per game in 2024-25 as they lost 20 games for the third-consecutive season, finishing 13-20-3.
Winnipeg 'Bulldogs' will Jets onward in Stanley Cup Playoffs

1 week ago | duluthnewstribune.com | Matt Wellens

DULUTH — Former Minnesota Duluth defensemen Neal Pionk and Dylan Samberg, both of Hermantown, played over 40 minutes each Sunday night for the Winnipeg Jets in a come-from-behind 4-3 double-overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues in Game 7 of their first round series. Pionk had three assists and finished with 46 minutes, 15 seconds of ice time.
Swedish, Finnish national team players transfer to UMD

2 weeks ago | duluthnewstribune.com | Matt Wellens

Swedish, Finnish national team players transfer to UMDThe UMD women’s hockey program has added a pair of transfers who just finished playing for Sweden and Finland in the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Czechia. Mercyhurst junior forward Thea Johansson of Sweden and Minnesota junior defenseman Krista Parkkonen of Finland are transferring to the Bulldogs for 2025-26.
5 things to know about the 2025-26 UMD men's hockey schedule

2 weeks ago | duluthnewstribune.com | Matt Wellens

DULUTH — The 2025-26 Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey schedule was released Monday in conjunction with the unveiling of the entire league schedule by the NCHC for next season. The Bulldogs will host Augustana, Bemidji State and Lindenwood (St. Louis, Mo.) in nonconference play at Amsoil Arena while St. Cloud State, North Dakota, Omaha, Arizona State, Colorado College and defending national champion Western Michigan visit for NCHC play.
Duluth to be named preliminary site for 2026 World Juniors

2 weeks ago | duluthnewstribune.com | Matt Wellens

DULUTH — Duluth and Amsoil Arena will host pre-tournament games before the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minneapolis and St. Paul, according to News Tribune sources. The games will take place in December while both the Minnesota Duluth men’s and women’s hockey programs are on a holiday break. Ice time at Amsoil Arena is currently on hold from Dec. 14-25.
Future UMD defenseman comfortable, confident with identity

3 weeks ago | duluthnewstribune.com | Matt Wellens

DULUTH — Future Minnesota Duluth defenseman Brady Cleveland, who is transferring to UMD for his junior season in 2025-25, describes himself as “a hard, physical defenseman.”He’s a defensive defenseman, and that’s the role he anticipates he’ll play as a Bulldog. “That's my game,” said Cleveland, who is 6-foot-5, 220 pounds. “I'm not a guy that's going to play on the power play or get a lot of points. I understand my role, and it's to be hard on the other team and play a physical game.
Former Bulldog Larocque makes history at World Championship

3 weeks ago | duluthnewstribune.com | Matt Wellens

DULUTH — Former Minnesota Duluth Bulldog Jocelyne Larocque became the fifth player and first defenseman to play 200 games with the Canadian women’s national team on Sunday in the 4-3 overtime loss to the United States in the gold medal game of the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Czechia. Larocque, 36, was a sophomore on the Bulldogs' blue line when she played her first game with the Canadian national team on Nov.
Red Wings prospect transferring to UMD

3 weeks ago | duluthnewstribune.com | Matt Wellens

Red Wings prospect transferring to UMDDefenseman Brady Cleveland, a 2023 second round NHL Draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, is transferring to Minnesota Duluth for his junior season in 2025-26. Absolute Honor to be drafted by the Detroit Red Wings. Thank you!! pic.twitter.com/jjjdxoynBD— Brady Cleveland (@_bradycleveland) July 2, 2023 Cleveland is a two-time transfer from Wausau whose college career started in his home state with the Wisconsin Badgers in 2023-24.
Projected 2025-26 UMD rosters

3 weeks ago | duluthnewstribune.com | Matt Wellens

Projected 2025-26 UMD men’s and women’s rostersNote: Rosters will be tentatively capped at 26 players in 2025-26.
Bulldogs lead Winnipeg Jets into NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

3 weeks ago | duluthnewstribune.com | Matt Wellens

At least five alumni of the Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey program will take part in the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs that get underway this weekend. At least three will suit up for the Winnipeg Jets, including defensemen Dylan Samberg (the two-time national champion at UMD) and Neal Pionk, both of Hermantown, and forward Alex Iafallo. It's the fifth career playoff appearance for both Iafallo and Pionk, with Pionk's all coming in Winnipeg.