GRAND FORKS — On Wednesday, UND hockey fans learned St. Thomas will be leaving the CCHA to join the NCHC and play regularly against the Fighting Hawks.
On Thursday, Grand Forks' Bauer Berry announced that he will be attending that series in the locker room across from the UND head coach as his father.
Bauer Berry, a 6-foot-4 defenseman for the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks, has committed to play for St. Thomas.
Berry is the son of UND coach Brad Berry.
“I've always wanted to play in the NCHC, so when I saw (St. Thomas change conferences) I was even more excited,” Bauer-Berry said.
Berry, 18, enrolled at Grand Forks Red River as a freshman before finishing his high school career playing at Northstar Christian Academy in Alexandria, Minnesota.
The 200-pound left-hander said he likes St. Thomas' coaching staff, new facilities and campus layout.
“All of these things made me choose,” Bauer-Berry said.
Bauer Berry will return to Muskegon next season. Last year, Berry played in 59 games and had one goal and 13 assists.
Bauer said he never intended to play for his father in Grand Forks.
“I couldn't do it,” Bauer said. “Even if I was good enough to play, if I was under my dad, there would be too much drama and pressure. In the locker room, etc… I didn't want that to happen. That's the way I've always been. ” St. Thomas had been talking to me for over two years and was really interested in going where I wanted to go. ”
Born in 2005, Berry was ranked 154th among North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's final draft rankings.
The NHL Draft will be held June 28th and 29th at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The first round will be held on June 28th, and rounds 2 to 7 will be held on June 29th.
Berry said he has embraced his role as a defensive defenseman.
“He's a mean, defensive defenseman, good at breaking up the puck, protecting the rush and not letting anyone go to the net,” Berry said. “I thought I had a good year and got more time on the ice throughout the season. I accepted my role with a seasoned squad. I moved into the position and did well. I'm looking forward to seeing my future.” I can't do that.'' You don't have to wait to get on campus and play college hockey there. ”
St. Thomas School in St. Paul plans to join the NCHC in 2026-2027.
The University of St. Thomas is currently building a $183.4 million on-campus facility to host hockey and basketball. Lee and Penny Anderson Arena is his 4,000-seat hockey venue.
St. Thomas is coached by Rico Blasi, who was in Miami when the NCHC was founded.
