UND Hockey Seniors Reflect on Emotional Final Game

Bittersweet Farewell Highlights Bonds, Resilience, and Second Chances

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:05am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented, overlapping movements and energy of a college hockey game, conveying the bittersweet emotions of a team's final moments together.The raw emotion and shared experiences of UND's departing hockey seniors transcend the final score, revealing the profound human stories that define a team's legacy.Grand Forks Today

The University of North Dakota (UND) hockey team's seniors faced the reality of their final game after a 2-1 loss to Wisconsin in the NCAA Frozen Four semifinals. The raw emotion that followed revealed the profound human experiences behind athletic careers, from the depth of camaraderie among teammates to the resilience required to overcome injuries. The stories of transfer players finding a supportive environment at UND and the ripple effect of the seniors' leadership highlight the universal lessons in sports that go beyond wins and losses.

Why it matters

These moments of athletic farewells often reveal more about the human experience than any trophy or statistic. They raise deeper questions about the emotional labor of athletes, the transformative power of second chances, and how we redefine success in sports to include quieter victories.

The details

UND senior Ben Strinden reflected on his love for his teammates, saying 'The fact that this was my last game with these guys is kind of what's hardest for me.' Transfer players like Tyler Young and Ellis Rickwood praised the professionalism and camaraderie of the UND program, with Young calling his time there 'the best year of my life.' Captain Bennett Zmolek's journey, having missed two full seasons due to hip surgeries, underscores the resilience required in sports and the untold stories of athletes' physical and mental battles.

  • The UND hockey seniors faced their final game on April 11, 2026 after a 2-1 loss to Wisconsin in the NCAA Frozen Four semifinals.

The players

Ben Strinden

A UND hockey senior who reflected on his love for his teammates.

Tyler Young

A UND hockey transfer player who spent three seasons at Merrimack and called his time at UND 'the best year of my life.'

Ellis Rickwood

A UND hockey transfer player from Clarkson who praised the professionalism and camaraderie of the UND program.

Bennett Zmolek

The UND hockey team captain who missed two full seasons due to hip surgeries, underscoring the resilience required in sports.

E.J. Emery

A UND hockey underclassman who expressed disappointment for the seniors that they couldn't 'get this one for them.'

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What they’re saying

“I love this team more than anything... The fact that this was my last game with these guys is kind of what's hardest for me.”

— Ben Strinden, UND Hockey Senior

“It was definitely hard to sit out those games and practices... you just want to be with the guys 24/7.”

— Bennett Zmolek, UND Hockey Team Captain

“It sucks to not go all the way, but I think North Dakota hockey is in a really good spot.”

— Ellis Rickwood, UND Hockey Transfer Player

“It really sucks we couldn't get this one for them.”

— E.J. Emery, UND Hockey Underclassman

What’s next

The UND hockey program will look to build on the legacy and culture established by this year's senior class as they prepare for the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

The stories of UND's hockey seniors reveal that the true legacy of sports lies not just in wins and losses, but in the profound human experiences of perseverance, gratitude, and the lasting bonds forged through shared challenges. Their emotional farewell is a reminder that sports are as much about the journey as the destination.