UND's Ollie Josephson to Play in Frozen Four Semifinal

Freshman center cleared to return to lineup after missing NCAA regional games

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:49pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with the players and ice broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes in a vibrant color palette, capturing the raw energy and intensity of the Frozen Four semifinal.UND's Ollie Josephson's return to the lineup provides a boost of energy and leadership as the Fighting Hawks pursue a national championship.Duluth Today

UND freshman center Ollie Josephson, who suffered a lower-body injury in the NCHC semifinals, has been cleared to play in Thursday's NCAA Frozen Four semifinal game against Wisconsin. Josephson, a fourth-round draft pick of the Seattle Kraken, has six goals and 20 points this season and is expected to center the Fighting Hawks' second line.

Why it matters

Josephson's return is a major boost for UND, as he is one of the team's top two-way centers and a key part of their penalty kill. His presence will provide a lift to the lineup as the Fighting Hawks look to advance to the national championship game.

The details

Josephson went through a full practice on Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and was given the green light by UND coach Dane Jackson to play in the semifinal. He had missed the team's NCAA regional games against Merrimack and Quinnipiac after being checked low by Minnesota Duluth's Joey Pierce in the NCHC semifinals on March 14.

  • Josephson first returned to practice on March 27 in Sioux Falls.
  • UND held its Frozen Four practice on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Las Vegas.

The players

Ollie Josephson

A freshman center for UND who is a fourth-round draft pick of the Seattle Kraken. He has 6 goals and 20 points this season.

Dane Jackson

The head coach of the UND men's hockey team.

Joey Pierce

The captain of the Minnesota Duluth hockey team, who delivered the check that injured Josephson in the NCHC semifinals.

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What they’re saying

“He's going to be good to play. He's healthy. He's ready to go, so he'll be in. It's a huge benefit for us. Ollie brings a ton of two-way game. He's one of our best penalty killers, a real reliable centerman. He plays with a lot of pace and tenacity.”

— Dane Jackson, UND Head Coach

“For a young guy, he's got a ton of presence, too. You could see why he was a former captain. I'm sure he'll be a captain one day here as well. I feel extremely fortunate to have the benefits he brings on the ice and in our locker room.”

— Dane Jackson, UND Head Coach

What’s next

UND will face Wisconsin in the NCAA Frozen Four semifinal on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 4 p.m. Central time on ESPN2.

The takeaway

Josephson's return to the lineup is a major boost for UND as they look to advance to the national championship game. His two-way play and leadership will be critical factors as the Fighting Hawks take on Wisconsin in the Frozen Four semifinal.