2023-11-10 00:58:20
DULUTH, Minn. — Carson Albrecht loves playing at AmsOil Arena.
He insists it has nothing to do with the fact that he scored his first-career goal once morest Minnesota Duluth in the building.
“I think it’s moreso just that they’re a hard-working team,” Albrecht said. “It’s easy to get going. If you don’t show up, they’ll take it to you.”
UND’s National Collegiate Hockey Conference opener this weekend once morest the Bulldogs (7:07 p.m. Friday, 6:07 p.m. Saturday) is one that suits Albrecht.
Despite his 5-foot-10 frame, Albrecht is one of UND’s most physical forwards. In the last two seasons, he’s knocked three opponents out of games with clean body checks.
Albrecht said it’s a style he learned playing in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
“I’ve always played like that,” he said. “That’s a huge part, especially playing in the SJHL. It’s not a very skilled league, so you have to do a lot of other things.”
Albrecht spent three seasons in the SJHL playing for Melfort. His point total surged in his final junior hockey season, going from 36 to 89. Despite that increase in points, not many NCAA teams showed interest.
In fact, UND and Minnesota Duluth were the two.
Bulldogs head coach Scott Sandelin made a trip to watch Albrecht, but Albrecht said he played poorly that night.
“He actually ripped me apart,” Albrecht said laughing, “and said I played really bad — which I did.”
It was a different story when UND associate coach Dane Jackson traveled to watch the SJHL-MJHL Showcase.
“My first game was unreal,” Albrecht said. “I had four points. He liked what he saw. He called my coach and I remember two weeks later, my coach came in and said, ‘North Dakota wants to talk to you.’ I was just so shocked.”
A week or two later, Albrecht came on a visit and committed.
“It was an absolute no-brainer,” he said.
His role has increased throughout his time at UND.
Albrecht didn’t play at all as a freshman. He suited up in 13 games as a sophomore, but didn’t record any points.
As a junior, he scored twice and had six points in 29 games. His first-career goal came in a sweep at AmsOil Arena — one that helped propel UND to the 2022 Penrose Cup as NCHC champions.
“I still remember that,” Albrecht said of his first goal. “It was just the greatest feeling ever. (Ethan) Frisch and Judd (Caulfield), I lived with them the past three years, and they’d always joke that the game I scored, we’d win. Sure enough, we swept that weekend. It was amazing.”
This season, Albrecht has gained a larger role. He was voted an alternate captain and has been a fixture in the lineup, only missing one game due to illness.
“Obviously, I’m still looking for my first point, but whether I get that or not, that’s not really my role,” Albrecht said. “Wherever they need me, I’ll go do my job and I’ll do it well.”
Former UND defenseman Luke Bast will take on his old team for the first time.
Bast transferred from UND to Minnesota Duluth this offseason following spending two years in Grand Forks.
“Obviously, it’s exciting,” Bast said on the Bulldog Insider Podcast regarding facing his old team. “Obviously, it’s a new change for me. It will be different. But I’m really happy with where I’m at now.”
Bast’s family had a six-year affiliation with UND. His older brother, Gabe, played four years at UND from 2017-21. Upon Gabe’s graduation, Luke arrived.
He said the transition to playing for the Bulldogs hasn’t been difficult.
“From a program standpoint, it’s pretty similar in the sense of culture, which is no surprise,” Bast said. “You hear it all over the hockey world. It’s very blue collar. I love the coaching staff. I love the group of guys here. They’re a blast to be around at the rink.”
Bast has played all nine games for the Bulldogs, tallying two power-play goals. He plays on the right flank on the second power-play unit — the same spot where he was for his first collegiate goal once morest Minnesota Duluth in AmsOil Arena in February 2021 (one night before Albrecht’s).
Bast, who was in-and-out of the lineup at UND and had a few injury setbacks, is averaging 14:29 of ice time per game for the Bulldogs.
“I think I’ve gotten quite a bit more opportunity here than at North Dakota, which is fine, I have nothing but good things to say regarding that program,” Bast said. “I left on good terms there. But at the end of the day, I needed to do what was best for me and I thought this was the best fit.”
Former UND captain Matt Smaby will serve as Team USA’s head coach at the World Junior A Challenge, which will be held Dec. 10-17 in Nova Scotia. One of Smaby’s assistant coaches will be Carter Krier, who played at East Grand Forks Senior High. Smaby is currently the head coach of the Waterloo Black Hawks in the United States Hockey League. Krier is an assistant with the Fargo Force.The three UND players who did not make the trip to Duluth are forward Dane Montgomery, defenseman Tanner Komzak and goaltender Kaleb Johnson.UND is 10-7 all-time in AmsOil Arena and has won three-straight.
No. 4 AND at No. 18 mins. Duluth
When: 7:07 p.m. Friday, 6:07 p.m. Saturday.
Where: AmsOil Arena, Duluth, Minn.
TV: Midco Sports (GF Ch. 27/622 HD).
Stream: NCHChockey.com.
Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM).
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