GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota head hockey coach Brad Berry announced the addition of seven incoming freshmen to the program, completing the roster for the 2023-24 season.

The group consists of two forwards, four defensemen and a goaltender, matching the previously announced seven transfers who will skate for the green and white next year.

Class Breakdown:

By Position: Defense (4), Forward (2), Goaltender (1)

By State/Province: British Columbia (2), Arizona (1), Manitoba (1), Minnesota (1), New Hampshire (1), New York (1)

By Previous League: USHL (4), BCHL (2), AJHL (1)

Names are listed in alphabetical order: 

Nate Benoit | D | Bow, N.H. | Waterloo (USHL)
Played four seasons in the USHL for three-different franchises … Started the 2022-23 campaign with the Omaha Lancers before being traded to Waterloo … Served as an assistant captain for the Lancers where he tallied four goals and 13 assists in 37 games … Chipped in two goals and added six helpers for eight points … Helped the Black Hawks reach the USHL playoffs … Played with current UND player Owen McLaughlin at Mount St. Charles Academy in 2020-21 … Selected in the sixth round (182nd overall) by the Minnesota Wild in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft … Believed to be first player from the state of New Hampshire to play hockey at North Dakota.

Michael Emerson | F | Yorktown Heights, N.Y. | Chicago (USHL)
Starred for two seasons with the Chicago Steel of the USHL … Had a breakout campaign in 2022-23, scoring 30 goals and adding 34 assists for 64 points in 60 games … Also chipped in a trio of goals in six playoff contests … Spent four years playing with the North Jersey Avalanche AAA program, where he had two seasons with at least 20 goals … Expected to be selected in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft … Joins Shane Pinto (2020-22) and Ryan Sidorski (2022-23) as the only New York natives to play hockey at NoDak.

Hobie Hedquist | G | Heron Lake, Minn. | Alberni Valley (BCHL)
Spent two seasons with Alberni Valley in the BCHL … Became the franchise's all-time leader in games played (83) and wins (54) … Finished his rookie season with a 28-9-5 overall record with a 2.53 GAA and a .909 save percentage with five shutouts … Appeared in 10 postseason games in 2021-22, going 6-4-0 with a stellar 1.98 GAA and .920 save percentage … Nearly matched his work last year, winning 26 of his 41 appearances with a 2.74 GAA and an improved .914 save percentage with a trio of shutouts … Once again reached the postseason and won five games in eight appearances with a .925 save percentage.

Tanner Komzak | D | West Kelowna, B.C. | Whitecourt (AJHL)
Enjoyed a breakout offensive season with Whitecourt in the AJHL in 2022-23 … Exploded for 12 goals and added 40 assists for 52 points in 60 games along the blue line … Dished out six more helpers and scored a goal for seven points in nine postseason contests … Finished his Whitecourt career with 60 points and 161 penalty minutes in 118 career games … Also played two seasons in the BCHL with Langley and Cowichan Valley where he combined for 12 points in 58 games.

Jake Livanavage | D | Phoenix, Ariz. | Chicago (USHL)
Carved out a strong trio of seasons with Chicago in the USHL … Teammed up with current UND player Jackson Blake as well as fellow incoming freshmen Jayden Perron and Michael Emerson to play with the Steel … Tallied 90 points in 152 career games while finishing with a +42 rating … Helped Chicago reach the postseason in each of his three years, winning a Clark Cup in 2021 and reaching the finals in 2022 … Racked up 42 assists for 45 points in 61 games during the 2021-22 campaign before being limited to just 48 contests last season due to an injury … Still dished out 30 helpers and scored six goals … Joins Colten St. Clair (2012-16) as only natives of Arizona to play hockey at UND.

Jayden Perron | F | Winnipeg, Man. | Chicago (USHL)
Emerged as one of the top playmakers in the USHL during his two seasons with Chicago … Often played on the power play with fellow incoming freshman Michael Emerson … Had a solid rookie campaign in 2021-22 with 17 goals and 28 assists for 45 points in 60 games … Appeared in a trio of postseason games and added three points to help the Steel reach the Clark Cup Finals … Nearly doubled his point total last season, scoring 24 goals and dishing out 48 assists for 72 points in 61 contests … Struck for four tallies in six postseason tilts … Became only the fourth incoming UND player in the last 21 years to register over 70 USHL points in a season, joining current UND players Jackson Blake and Dylan James as well as former player Mike Cichy (2009-11) … Ranked as one of the top 50 draft prospects for the upcoming 2023 NHL Entry Draft, where he is expected to be taken in the first three rounds.

Abram Wiebe | D | Mission, B.C. | Chilliwack (BCHL)
Played parts of four seasons with Chilliwack of the BCHL … Appeared in all 54 games in each of his final two years … Served as team captain in 2022-23 … Finished his career with 95 points in 131 career games … Had his best offensive season last year, scoring 12 goals and adding 41 assists for 53 points in 54 games … Chipped in two tallies and 10 helpers in 15 postseason contests in 2022-23 … Finished second among all BCHL defensemen in points … Named the Campbell Blair Trophy winner, awarded to the BCHL's top defenseman … Became the third incoming UND player to garner the award, joining Troy Stecher (2013-16) and Travis Roche (1999-01) … Averaged nearly 26 minutes per game, ranking second among all skaters in the BCHL … Drafted in the seventh round (209th overall) by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

For more information on North Dakota hockey, follow on social media @UNDmhockey or visit FightingHawks.com.