GRAND FORKS — Ollie Josephson was the final major piece of UND’s highly regarded 2025 freshman recruiting class.
The Fighting Hawks landed the former Red Deer Rebels captain in August, and the fourth-round draft pick of the Seattle Kraken has played a big role for the No. 3-ranked team in the country.
Josephson has three goals and 12 points in 28 games while centering the third line and playing on special teams. Josephson spoke to the Herald this week.
Q. What has the adjustment to college hockey been like for you?
A. It’s a lot faster, a lot stronger guys. I was kind of expecting that when they’re older. It’s just a higher pace, more intense. There aren’t as many games, so every game means a little more. It’s been a little more intense, a little faster, a little stronger. It’s been good, though.
Q. What are the games like?
A. They’re pretty crazy. It’s a lot different than junior. You’re playing in front of 12,000 a night. It’s a lot of fun. They’re intense and fast-paced.
Q. How have you developed on and off the ice?
A. Off the ice, you have to do school as well, so that’s been something. I’m working on time management, making sure all the homework is done, so you can focus on the games for the weekend. On the ice, it’s just maturing my game. It’s such a two-way game in college. You’ve got to be good on both sides of the puck. So, I’ve been really trying to work on that.
Q. What musical artist have you listened to the most in the last year?
A. Treaty Oak Revival or Chris Stapleton.
Q. What’s your biggest talent outside of playing hockey?
A. I’m not sure if I still am, but I used to be really good at drawing.
Q. Who is your best-dressed teammate?
A. (Jake) Livanavage.
Q. Outside of hockey, who is your favorite sports team to watch?
A. I liked the Raptors when they were good. I was a Steph Curry fan and Toronto Raptors, so that final was cool. But I’m not really a die hard outside of hockey.
Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
A. I don’t know if it was advice, but I saw a quote somewhere that said, “Every action you take is a vote to the person you want to become.” I saw that and kind of liked it, so I try to live by that every day.
Q. Who is the best hockey player you’ve ever played a game against?
A. I’d probably go with Connor Bedard. He was pretty special in Regina.
Q. What’s your dream job outside of being a pro hockey player?
A. I used to play lacrosse, so I’m going to go with a pro lacrosse player. I think that would be a lot of fun.
UND’s Ollie Josephson scores a shorthanded goal on Minnesota Duluth goalie Adam Gajan in the second period of a game against Minnesota Duluth.
Eric Hylden / Grand Forks Herald
Q. What movie do you quote the most?
A. Me and (Sam) Laurila have been quoting a lot lately. I’d probably go with Step Brothers or Talladega Nights.
Q. What app do you use the most on your phone?
A. Probably Instagram.
Q. What’s on your lock screen?
A. It’s me and my buddies at a game when I was playing against Victoria in a game with the (Red Deer) Rebels.
Q. What emoji do you use the most on your phone?
A. Probably the sideways crying laughing face.
Q. If you had to eat one meal for an entire week, what would you choose?
A. Steak and eggs.
Q. What’s one food you won’t eat?
A. I had sauerkraut yesterday for lunch. I didn’t enjoy that too much.
Q. Besides The Ralph, what’s your favorite place you’ve ever played a hockey game?
A. I played in Edmonton, Rogers Place. It was sold out for teddy bear toss. That was pretty cool.
Q. If you could go back in time and attend one sporting event, what would you choose?
A. I’d go MJ (Michael Jordan) when they won the championship and he had that buzzer-beater. I think that would probably be up there.
Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald’s circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.