Freshman Netminder Invigorates North Dakota with Perfect 10-0 Record So Far
by Jordan McAlpine/CHN Reporter (@jordan_mcalpine)
Jan Špunar’s goalie career started on the pitch in Czechia, without a blocker, glove or skates.
Špunar’s first love came in front of a soccer net, blocking shots at a young age. He first remembers playing soccer at 4 and began playing hockey around 7, and he shifted his focus solely to the ice around 12.
“I started hockey as a forward and I liked it, but I was always a soccer goalie and I liked having to stop other people’s shots,” Špunar said. “I just remember once I tried goalie, I loved it right away, and I’ve always loved to compete and try to make more saves than the other goalie.”
Špunar quipped that his father, Jiri, wasn’t initially thrilled with the idea, especially with the cost of goalie equipment. However, he eventually gave him the green light, and the rest is history.
The Olomouc, Czechia, native is halfway through his fourth North American season and his first at the NCAA level, and Špunar has been one of the nation’s best goaltenders for North Dakota, having gone perfect through 10 games.
“The hockey here is much better and that’s why I wanted to choose this path,” Špunar said. “I’m enjoying every day with school and hockey, and it’s keeping me busy, and the guys are awesome. It’s a little different now living with teammates and some of the rules are a little different in college, like with the trapezoid. But I think it’s helping my development and we spend a ton of time at the rink, and I like it. The fans here are great too and the rink is so nice, so I’m just trying to enjoy every day.”
Špunar spent two seasons (2022-24) with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks and planned to head back overseas before a last-minute opportunity opened with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints – an opportunity he took full advantage of.
Špunar went 24-15-0 for Dubuque last season with a 2.82 GAA and .907 save percentage, and was named a USHL Goaltender of the Year finalist. That opened yet another door, as Špunar committed to North Dakota in late April.
College hockey had never been on Špunar’s radar, but he immediately became intrigued and liked what UND had to offer.
“I never really thought about it until last year and I didn’t know anything about college hockey,” Špunar said. “When I was with (Czechia’s) national team, my agent told me I should consider the CHL, so I chose that path and went to Portland, and then last year I was with Dubuque and they changed the rules (allowing former Major Junior players in to college hockey).
“I was still thinking I was gonna go back to Europe and play pro somewhere, but then a few coaches called me and I talked to North Dakota, and I was interested. My coaches in Dubuque talked to me too and I saw some videos on YouTube, and it looked like a sick spot to play.”
Špunar enters the second half a perfect 10-0-0, and he owns a 1.50 GAA and .936 save percentage – which rank first and tied for third among NCAA goaltenders.
He’s stopped 220 of the 235 shots fired his way and has allowed two goals or less in eight of his 10 starts. Špunar’s career started with a 17-save shutout at Clarkson and his resume includes wins over Minnesota Duluth, Arizona State and two at St. Cloud State.
Špunar is the first goalie in UND program history to win his first nine career starts.
“I was definitely familiar with Jan last season and saw first-hand what he can do in the net, and it’s been super impressive what he’s done for us so far,” North Dakota GM Bryn Chyzyk said.
Chyzyk got the chance to see Špunar last season, as UND’s first-year GM held the same title for the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks – one of Dubuque’s top rivals.
Chyzyk quipped he’s glad to have Špunar on his side now, as Špunar went 4-0-0 against Waterloo with a .907 save percentage, but he was always impressed by Špunar’s big-save ability and calm demeanor. He’s showing those same traits in Grand Forks.
“He’s got such a calming presence back there and he and Gibson (Homer) have been the backbone of our team,” Chyzyk said. “He doesn’t give up a ton of Grade-A’s and he makes the saves when we need him to, and he’s really poised for a freshman goaltender.
“So both for Jan individually and our group as a whole, we’re excited about where we’re at and we’ve seen a lot of young guys step up, but all of our goals are still in front of us. We haven’t achieved anything yet, and there’s a lot of work to do and a heavy schedule in the second half.”
It has given UND a glimpse of a future that might include getting off the cycle of one-and-done goaltending transfers it’s been on the last five years.
North Dakota (16-4-0) comes off two wins against Mercyhurst, and next heads to Colorado College for a pair. The Fighting Hawks have won eight straight and 12 of their past 13, and UND currently sits atop the NCHC standings with 25 points.
It’s a gauntlet out of the break, with CC followed by Denver, then back-to-back series at Arizona State and Minnesota Duluth. Denver, UMD and ASU are currently second, third and fifth in the NCHC standings.
It’s been quite the start, both individually and as a group, and Špunar wants to keep it going in 2026.
“We’re really excited and have a lot of great games coming up, and our goal is to win a championship,” Špunar said. “It’s been a teamwork so far and the boys have played really good in front of me. My job is to save the puck and I just want to do my job and help us win. So I just want to keep doing my job and stay the same person every game.”