UND Hockey Team Arrives in Vegas for Frozen Four

Behind-the-scenes look at the team's journey to the NCAA hockey championship tournament

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:55am

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A bold, geometric illustration in the Art Deco style, featuring sweeping, airbrushed gradients and towering architectural forms, capturing the sense of scale and spectacle surrounding the UND hockey team's journey to the Frozen Four in Las Vegas.The UND hockey team's arrival in Las Vegas for the Frozen Four tournament evokes the grandeur and excitement of college sports' biggest stage.Grand Forks Today

The University of North Dakota hockey team has arrived in Las Vegas for the NCAA Frozen Four tournament. The trip included a chartered flight with a larger-than-normal travel party, including the team, coaching staff, university officials, the band, and media. Despite some similarities to a normal road trip, the Vegas setting provided a sharp contrast to the cold weather in Grand Forks.

Why it matters

The Frozen Four is the culmination of the college hockey season, and UND's appearance marks their ninth trip to the national championship tournament. The team's journey to Las Vegas provides a unique glimpse into the experience of competing at the highest level of NCAA hockey.

The details

The UND players and staff boarded their chartered flight at the Grand Forks airport, facing 30 mph winds and chilly temperatures. The two-and-a-half-hour flight landed them in the warm, calm weather of Las Vegas. The plane was more crowded than usual, with additional family members, university staff, the band, and a larger media contingent. When the plane touched down, the players erupted in applause, a tradition that earned them a scolding from the flight attendants. Upon arrival, the team was greeted by an Elvis impersonator and showgirls at their hotel, the Palms Resort Casino.

  • The UND team departed Grand Forks on April 7, 2026.
  • The team's chartered flight landed in Las Vegas approximately 2 hours and 43 minutes later.

The players

Dane Jackson

UND head coach.

Andy Armacost

UND President.

Bill Chaves

UND athletic director.

Gino Gasparini

Legendary former UND hockey coach.

Tyler Young

UND hockey player.

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What they’re saying

“When the plane landed, the players erupted in applause... because why wouldn't this amusing cast of characters do something like that? And yes, they were scolded by the flight attendants again... because it's just tradition at this point.”

— The North Dakota Sportswriter, Author

What’s next

The UND hockey team will continue their preparations for the Frozen Four tournament, which begins on Thursday, April 10, 2026. They will face off against their first-round opponent, the University of Wisconsin, in the semifinal matchup.

The takeaway

The UND hockey team's journey to the Frozen Four in Las Vegas provides a unique behind-the-scenes look at the experience of competing at the highest level of college hockey. Despite the sharp contrast between the cold weather in Grand Forks and the warm climate of Vegas, the team's enthusiasm and camaraderie remain constant as they pursue their ninth NCAA championship.