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UND will have last year's seniors in mind as they play in the NCAA tournament - Grand Forks Herald

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The seven seniors, whose careers suddenly and unexpectedly ended, spoke in an emotional meeting.

"We saw how heartbroken the seniors were," UND captain Jordan Kawaguchi said.

Kawaguchi and his classmates soon vowed to come back for their senior seasons and to complete, what they've called, some "unfinished business."

They started that job two weeks ago, winning the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Frozen Faceoff title for the first time in program history. Now, they'll take it to the NCAA tournament, where they open against American International at 8:30 p.m. Friday in Fargo's Scheels Arena.

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When the Fighting Hawks take the ice, they will have last year's seniors in the backs of their minds.

"We're playing for our team this year," UND coach Brad Berry said, "but we're also playing for the seniors that didn't get a chance at playing in the postseason last year."

Kawaguchi added: "We definitely have a little extra motivation to try to do it for that group as well. They're part of our family. It's definitely extra motivation for everyone."

Last year's seniors -- Colton Poolman, Cole Smith, Zach Yon, Andrew Peski, Dixon Bowen, Casey Johnson and Westin Michaud -- have moved on. Some are playing pro hockey. Smith has already suited up in the NHL for the Nashville Predators, but he's still invested in this UND team.

"It's kind of tough sitting on the sidelines, but it's pretty cool seeing Bubs (Berry) in the last presser and guys say they're doing part of it for us," Smith said. "Obviously, it's something we didn't get a shot at last year. For me, I still feel like I'm part of the team there. I was around this fall a little bit with the guys. And with the way things ended last year, I'm pretty glued to it on my TV. I'm finding myself immersed in the games, because I feel like I'm part of it. I'm always sending messages to the guys after games."

In the offseason, Smith and Poolman helped train them, too.

Kawaguchi, Matt Kiersted and Gavin Hain spent June in Brainerd, Minn., working out with Smith and Poolman, who were annually the team's two most fit players.

Kawaguchi, Kiersted and Hain are all having strong seasons. Kawaguchi and Kiersted earned first-team all-NCHC honors. Hain has been clutch in the playoffs, scoring the overtime winner against Denver in the NCHC semifinals and scoring again in the Frozen Faceoff title game against St. Cloud State.

"Obviously, the team has been so much fun to watch with all the success they've had individually and as a team," said Poolman, last year's team captain. "They're such a good group of guys. They're in such good hands with the leadership they have and with the new guys they've brought in. I've seen some games here and there. After last year, going through the Pod like they did, and for them to come out probably even with a better team than we had last year, it's pretty incredible."

Poolman sensed this team could be pretty good when all of this year's seniors -- Kawaguchi, Kiersted, Collin Adams, Grant Mismash, Jackson Keane, Peter Thome, Gabe Bast and Josh Rieger -- decided to come back for this season. It's only the second senior class at UND to stick together for all four years without losing a single player early.

"The first thing was March and April, when they all decided to come back," Poolman said. "Then with new recruits, the guys who went to the World Juniors. . . you kind of knew they were going to be a special group again. No doubt they can make a run at it."

And how would they feel if this group happened to win four more games this season and finish off another championship?

"It would mean the world to me," Smith said. "Those guys were right there with us last year. We had a great shot at doing something special with a unique group. They have another unique group. It would be really cool if they're able to pull this off. I have a lot of best friends on that team."

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