GRAND FORKS — By the time the clock hit 2 a.m. Monday, it was already the biggest single day in the history of the men’s college hockey transfer portal.
By the time the flood of players entering the portal is over, UND will have a handful in there, too.
According to multiple sources, center David Klee, winger Dalton Andrew, defenseman Andrew Strathmann, defenseman Jayden Jubenvill, defenseman Ian Engel and goaltender Gibson Homer are planning to enter the transfer portal.
Strathmann, a sophomore, played the most out of the group.
The Beach Park, Ill., product and fourth-round Columbus Blue Jackets pick played in 38 of 40 games, tallying a goal and six points. He averaged 11:51 per game.
Jubenvill, a sophomore from Gilbert Plains, Man., played 15 games, tallying two assists. He averaged 9:20 of ice time.
Klee, a freshman from Castle Rock, Colo., played in 24 games, tallying three goals and six points. The seventh-round San Jose Sharks pick averaged 10:11 of ice time.
Andrew, a sophomore from Brandon, Man., played five games, scoring one goal. He averaged 7:31 in the games he played.
Homer came to UND from Arizona State and was the expected starter. But freshman Jan Špunar claimed the starting job and won the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s Goaltender of the Year honor.
The Fighting Hawks are expecting Špunar to return and join Tampa Bay Lighting draft pick Caleb Heil as the top two goalies.
Homer has one year of eligibility remaining.
UND added Engel late in the summer last year, taking advantage of a designated player slot.
Because UND opted into the House settlement, it is limited to a 26-person roster plus any “designated student-athletes” that are non-counters against that limit. Transfer Tyler Young was a designated student-athlete, opening the door to add one extra player.
With Bennett Zmolek’s injury history, UND opted to add Engel for insurance. Engel played in two games.
With Young’s graduation, UND is now required to be at 26 players — unless it adds a transfer who has the designation.
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.