2026-27 NCDC Season Preview: Midwest Conference – North Division

The 2026-27 NCDC Season Preview Series continues with the Midwest Conference’s North Division.

All five organizations will begin their first season at the NCDC level in 2026-27, bringing established Premier programs into the league. The division features several teams coming off strong seasons, experienced returning groups and organizations focused on creating additional opportunities for players to advance to college hockey.

Here is a team-by-team look at the Midwest North Division entering its inaugural NCDC season.

 

Hudson Havoc

Head Coach: Russell Barone
2025-26 Premier Record: 4-36-2-1, 11 points

The Hudson Havoc enter their first NCDC season with a completely rebuilt roster and an emphasis on character, skill and hockey IQ.

“We have focused on a complete rebuild to our roster and are excited with the players that are coming in to the program,” Barone said.

Among the newcomers expected to play important roles are Issac Berberena, Nico Levén, Tyler Norduane, Mike Ertle, Carson Wendorff and Nicholas Carls.

Hudson used the offseason to strengthen its player development model and accountability structure while assembling a roster capable of handling the transition to NCDC hockey.

On the ice, Barone expects a clear identity.

“Disciplined, fast, physical, north and south play” Barone said.

Consistency will be one of the biggest challenges for a new group competing together at the NCDC level.

The Havoc will measure success primarily through the development and advancement of their players.

“Every player advancing and or making significant strides in their development,” Barone said.

For Hudson, the move to the NCDC represents a significant opportunity for the organization.

“It presents an exciting challenge for our organization,” Barone said. “We’ve prepared for this by recruiting high-end talent and adding player development resources to our program that few teams can match.”

 

Minnesota Blue Ox

Head Coach: Alec Hagaman
2025-26 Premier Record: 26-14-1-2, 55 points

The Minnesota Blue Ox enter their first NCDC season believing depth at forward can become one of the team’s biggest strengths.

Hagaman expects the returning group to play an important role in leadership as the Blue Ox transition to the NCDC level, while newcomer Quinn Andrews is one player the organization believes can make an impact.

With the move to the NCDC, Minnesota spent the offseason evaluating and improving every area of its roster.

The Blue Ox expect to establish a hard-nosed identity built around energy and compete level.

“We want to be hard-nosed and compete every night with lots of energy,” Hagaman said.

That competitiveness will also be central to Minnesota’s approach within the North Division, with Hagaman emphasizing the importance of building a group willing to play for one another.

The expectations for Year 1 are high.

“Going to Nationals,” Hagaman said of what would make the Blue Ox’s inaugural NCDC season a successful one.

 

Minnesota Squatch

Head Coach/General Manager: Chic Pojar
2025-26 Premier Record: 37-4-1-1, 76 points — North Division Champions

The Minnesota Squatch enter their first NCDC campaign following a 37-win Premier season and a trip to Nationals.

Ten players return from that group, giving Minnesota an experienced foundation as it makes the jump to the NCDC level. 

“This group knows how to win, and they will bring the new players along to understand our culture and style of play,” Pojar said.

Forwards Weston Schenkelberg, Bennet Prokop and Cole Perkins return after forming one of the team’s most productive lines last season. Alex Bever and Dallen Robinson are also expected to take on significant offensive roles.

On defense, Braeden Erickson and Jackson Heusinkveld return to provide skill and poise on the blue line.

New forwards Tanner Robinson and Austin Slettom are among the newcomers expected to contribute offensively, while goaltenders Collin Rosenau and Grant Atterson will compete to give the Squatch stability in net.

Minnesota also made adding size a priority during the offseason.

“We tried to get bigger this offseason,” Pojar said. “Last year’s group had a lot of speed and finesse. We looked to add some guys that can play heavier in the trenches.”

Forward Ethan Foiles and defenseman Seth Banner are two additions expected to provide that element.

The result is a roster Pojar believes can adapt to different styles.

“I think we have a little bit of everything this year,” Pojar said. “We’ll be able to get into either a track meet or a slugfest.”

Despite the increased level of competition, the Squatch enter their first NCDC season with straightforward expectations.

“Our goal is to win the division and earn a trip to the National tournament,” Pojar said.

Pojar expects tighter games throughout the division, making discipline and structure especially important.

“Games will be closer and tighter,” Pojar said. “Having the discipline to stay within the system will be the difference maker to winning those close games.”

Northwest Express

Head Coach: Brandon Richardson
2025-26 Premier Record: 30-10-3-0, 63 points

The Northwest Express enter their first NCDC season following a 30-win Premier campaign and with a roster Richardson expects to be built around experience and grit.

Mason Rappel is one returning player expected to take on a larger role, while Rylan Davis, Rhett Steel and Myles Morson are among the newcomers who could contribute immediately.

Richardson enters his first season with the team and expects the Express to establish an identity centered around effort.

“Relentless and hard to play against,” Richardson said.

Showing up with that same mentality every night will be particularly important in a division featuring programs from traditional Minnesota and Wisconsin hockey markets.

“Showing up to play every night,” Richardson said. “Minnesota and Wisconsin hockey is always at its best, so although it’s our first year as a conference, every team will be good.”

Northwest enters the season with the goal of winning the division, but Richardson also views the new NCDC alignment as an important opportunity for player exposure.

“It means everything to the organization and players,” Richardson said. “Players want to play at the highest levels, and I feel this Midwest North Division gives scouts a chance to see quality hockey teams play within a three-to-five-hour proximity.”

For players hoping to advance, Richardson believes that increased exposure can be significant.

“As a player playing junior hockey, it is your goal to move on, and in my opinion the more eyes on you, the better situation you have,” Richardson said.

 

Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings

Head Coach: Paul Pechmann
2025-26 Premier Record: 32-10-1-0, 65 points

The Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings enter their first NCDC season after winning 32 games at the Premier level and with a roster built to immediately handle the increased pace of the NCDC. 

“My team’s greatest strength, I feel, will be the ability to play big, fast and skilled, with hopes of dictating the pace,” Pechmann said.

Wisconsin Rapids returns only three players, but each is expected to take on a significant role.

Forwards Noa Diamond and Mateo Ruffolo return alongside defenseman Jacob Chevrier-Alexander.

“All three will be counted on to lead on and off the ice and show every newcomer the culture that is built here,” Pechmann said.

The Riverkings will ask a large group of newcomers to contribute immediately, with Pechmann believing the roster has the blend of size, age, speed and toughness needed to make the transition.

The offseason centered around constructing a team specifically capable of competing at the NCDC level.

“We focused heavily on increasing our overall pace, size and skill so we can dictate tempo the way we want to play,” Pechmann said.

Wisconsin Rapids wants to push the pace while maintaining physicality and purpose throughout its lineup.

“We want to be a team that pushes tempo, competes with physicality and plays with purpose every shift,” Pechmann said.

Playing to that identity consistently will be essential against the rest of the North Division.

“The biggest key for us will be playing to our identity every night; staying big, fast and skilled while maintaining discipline and structure,” Pechmann said.

The Riverkings want their first season to establish the program as one capable of succeeding in the NCDC. 

“A successful season for us would be defined by establishing ourselves as a competitive, respected NCDC program from Day 1,” Pechmann said.

The move also expands the organization’s development opportunities.

“It elevates every part of our operation; from daily standards to player development and recruitment expectations, and positions us for more college-advancement pathways,” Pechmann said.