Bulldogs lose forward depth in NCAA transfer portal – Duluth News Tribune

DULUTH — Duluth, Minnesota is losing two pieces of depth as fourth-line wingers Kyle Kleven and Luke Johnson have entered the NCAA transfer portal.

The underclassman transfer period in men's hockey began on Easter Sunday, March 31st. Underclassmen must enter their names by May 14, but graduate student athletes can enter at any time.

Kleven, a 23-year-old junior from Moorhead, Minn., played in 52 games over three years with the Bulldogs and had three goals and two assists in his UMD career. He missed the entire 2022-23 season with a shoulder injury and dealt with a groin injury at the beginning of the 2023-24 season.

Johnson, 22, a sophomore at St. Cloud University, played in 51 games over two seasons at UMD, totaling two goals and four assists in his career.

Kleven and Johnson both appeared in 26 games in 2023-24, but spent the first half of the season rotating in and out of the lineup as fourth-line wings, before injuries forced both players to sit out nights in the second half. It will be added to the lineup each time. half.

They become the second and third Bulldogs to enter the NCAA men's transfer portal this season, along with Hermantown senior wing Blake Biondi. He will play his fifth season at Notre Dame in 2024-25.

Clint Austin / File / Duluth Media Group

The Bulldogs are currently considering replacing nine players from the 2023-24 team, including seven forwards. UMD currently has eight freshmen for the 2024-25 season, four of whom are forwards.

And with sophomore center Cole Spicer's academic eligibility still in question, the Bulldogs may need to bring in up to eight forwards for next season.

Last week, Bulldogs coach Scott Sandelin said he was interested in further signings, and the program will also explore the transfer portal.

“There could be two people, it's possible both of them will be there,” Sandelin said last week, without specifying who “both of them” were. “It's totally fine. I like our group.”

UMD has two forwards with two years of USHL experience committed to the program, both of whom will turn 20 next season. Those include Fargo Force wing Harper Benz of Moorhead, Minn., and Green Bay Gamblers wing Blake Bechen of Dubuque, Iowa.

The 6-foot, 176-pound Bentz has 18 goals and 17 assists in 54 games and is a teammate of Bulldog recruit Zam Plante this season. He and Plante were teammates with UMD freshman wing Anthony Menghini last year in Fargo.

The 5-10, 175-pound Bechen has 21 goals and 23 assists in 56 games for the Gamblers this year and is teammates with incoming Bulldogs Jason Shaugabay and Adam Gajan. Betchen played last season with UMD freshman Matthew Perkins for the USHL Clark Cup champion Youngstown Phantoms.

Signed

• Clayton Knapp, G, Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL)

• Zam Plante, F, Fargo Unit (USHL)

• Adam Gajan, G, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

• Callum Arnott, F, Penticton Vees (BCHL)

• Jason Shaugabay, F, Green Bay (USHL)

• Ty Hanson, D, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)

• Max Plante, F, USA Hockey NTDP

• Adam Kleber, Democrat, Lincoln Stars (USHL)

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• Jacob Toll, D, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

• Harper Benz, F, Fargo Squad (USHL)

• Blake Bechen, F, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

• Ashton Dahms, F, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)

• Daniel Schrein, F, Shattuck St. Mary's

• John Stout, Democrat, Minnetonka (MSHSL)/Madison Capitals (USHL)

• Ryan Zaremba, F, Sherwood Park Crusaders (BCHL)

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