LAS VEGAS — This travel journal will provide a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be in Las Vegas for the NCAA Frozen Four.
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas
UND players walked out to their Allegiant charter airplane with 30 mph winds blowing across the Grand Forks International Airport tarmac, making chilly temperatures feel even colder.
Two hours, 43 minutes later, they landed in calm, 90-degree Las Vegas.
It was a sharp, welcome contrast.
UND head coach Dane Jackson walks to the team plane at Grand Forks International Airport on April 7, 2026, ahead of the NCAA Frozen Four.
Eric Hylden / Grand Forks Herald
There were similarities and differences between this flight and a normal road trip.
The biggest difference is the number of people on it. Immediate family members of the coaching staff traveled with the team — a Frozen Four custom — as did several university employees who usually don’t travel.
The band and cheer team also traveled on the flight, and the media crew was larger than normal (including four from the Grand Forks Herald).
All of that meant the plane was much more packed than a normal road trip.
Among those seated at the front of the plane near the coaching staff and their families: UND President Andy Armacost, athletic director Bill Chaves and legendary former coach Gino Gasparini.
UND players Tyler Young (right), Gibson Homer (center) and Dylan James (left) board the plane at Grand Forks International Airport on April 7, 2026, en route to Las Vegas for the NCAA Frozen Four.
Eric Hylden / Grand Forks Herald
But, yes, this trip was similar in some ways, too.
When the plane landed, the players erupted in applause. . . because why wouldn’t this amusing cast of characters do something like that? And yes, they were scolded by the flight attendants again. . . because
it’s just tradition at this point.
After they landed and walked off the plane, they were greeted by Wisconsin’s plane pulling up right beside it.
The UND Fighting Hawks team wait to board their bus in Las Vegas as their Thursday opponent Wisconsin team charter taxis in the background Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the Las Vegas Airport.
Eric Hylden / Grand Forks Herald
The team dropped its gear off at T-Mobile Arena, then continued to Palms Resort Casino. UND was greeted by an Elvis impersonator and showgirls at the hotel.
All four teams are staying off the Strip — yes, that’s on purpose — but they’re not far away.
The Herald team covering the event is myself (Brad Schlossman), sports editor Tom Miller, sportswriter Alex Faber and photographer Eric Hylden.
This is the 13th Frozen Four I’ve covered, the ninth with UND involved. This is Miller’s fifth and Faber’s first. Hylden is the veteran.
He has photographed three of UND’s eight NCAA national championships — 1997 in Milwaukee, 2000 in Providence and 2016 in Tampa.
But maybe I’ve hit the jackpot among the group. This is the fourth time I’ve been sent to Las Vegas for work — the 2018 game vs. Minnesota in Orleans Arena, the 2022 game against Arizona State in T-Mobile Arena and the 2024 NHL Draft at The Sphere.
UND players soak in the sun as they arrive in Las Vegas Tuesday, April 7, 2026 for the NCAA Frozen Four.
Eric Hylden / Grand Forks Herald
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.