UND's Sleeper Freshman: Jack Kernan Shines Amidst Top Recruits

Strategic Insights -

UND freshman Jack Kernan is a 20-year-old undrafted player from the Twin Cities who played for the Des Moines Buccaneers last season. He may not be as flashy as some of his first-round draft pick teammates, but he's a late-bloomer with the potential to become a key player in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. Kernan's story is similar to those of NCAA national champions, where undrafted players often emerge as critical contributors.

Key Takeaways:

  • Eight of the last nine NCAA Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player winners were undrafted players, with some having nondescript freshman seasons.
  • UND's last NCAA national championship team in 2016 had key drivers including first-round picks Brock Boeser and Nick Schmaltz, but the Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player was undrafted Drake Caggiula.
  • Kernan, a Des Moines Buccaneers alum, has made a positive impression on his teammates this summer and has the potential to become an impactful player in Grand Forks.
  • Other undrafted freshmen in the NCHC to watch include Denver's Kyle Chyzowski, Western Michigan's Tyler MacKenzie, St. Cloud State's Nolan Roed, and Miami's David Deputy.
  • The last six NCHC Rookies of the Year have been drafted, but don't overlook late-bloomers like Kernan who have been fixtures on college hockey championship teams.
  • UND freshman defenseman Keaton Verhoeff and committed recruit Cooper Williams won bronze medals with Canada's Hlinka Gretzky Cup team, with Verhoeff scoring one goal and tallying four points in five games.
  • The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is a highly scouted event that kicks off the 2026 NHL Draft cycle.
  • Multiple former UND players, including Goaltender Cam Johnson, Newcastle's Joel Janatuinen, and former UND defenseman Logan Britt have signed with various professional teams, bringing the total number of former UND players under professional contract to 63 for the 2025-26 season.

Statistics:

  • 63 former UND players are currently under professional contract for the 2025-26 season.
  • 8 of the last 9 NCAA Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player winners were undrafted players.
  • The last 6 NCHC Rookies of the Year were all drafted players.
  • UND has now committed 5 players to the Hlinka Gretzky Cup team.

Sources:

  • Grand Forks Herald (August 19)
  • NCAA Hockey (multiple references)
  • UND Hockey (multiple references)
  • NHL Central Scouting (multiple references)