This article is satirical and fake. It is a part of our annual Rectrum special, April Fools edition.
Yes, you read that right. College hockey is finally coming to Fargo, North Dakota, and the NDSU campus. President Cook released a statement early Monday morning, stating, “ Dear NDSU students and Bison faithful, I am pleased to announce the dream of college hockey is coming true to NDSU as both Men’s and Women’s programs will officially join the NCAA and National Collegiate Hockey Conference.” NDSU will join teams like Minnesota-Duluth, North Dakota, Denver, St. Cloud State, and many more.
This bombshell has struck the campus hard, as many are finally excited to see the Bison athletic program take on another sport. The Bison will be hitting the ground running with the hire of Men’s Hockey coach Brad Berry. Berry, who was fired from the University of North Dakota, is a well-experienced coach with a national championship under his belt and multiple conference titles with the Fighting Hawks. Berry is likely to bring a haul of transfers in to lay the foundation for the new Bison program.
Games will be played in Scheels Arena, which currently hosts the Fargo Force. NDSU will kick off the season with border rivals and new conference rival St. Cloud State, then head up north to take on Minnesota-Duluth. The Bison’s first home weekend will be against Big Ten powerhouse Michigan State. The Bison will have some work to do this summer to compete with these storied programs. However, rumors are going around that Coach Berry will bring some experience to his coaching staff.
During an interview with the Washington Capitals reporter Trey Jackson, T.J. Oshie, who is currently on long-term IR for the Caps, was asked about the firing of the coach at his alma mater. Oshie displayed sadness as he still keeps close ties with Coach Berry. Jackson then asked the Stanley Cup champion about possibly hanging his skates up and coaching in Grand Forks. Oshie chuckled and said the following.
“Hey, look, that is every player’s dream when they’re done skating. Helping the next generation get better. But currently, I am focused on getting back to form for the playoffs and making a deep run with the guys to win another cup. I don’t feel like I would be a great head coach. If I were to go into coaching, I would follow Coach Berry to Fargo and help build that program to see if I am even good at coaching.”
Oshie, a Stanley Cup champ, NHL All-Star, and Olympic medal winner, would bring an elite recruiting chip to the Bison stable and the experience in the show that a young program may need. This buzz is starting to work as NCAA phenom and future NHL star Ryan Leonard, a Capitals prospect who plays for Boston College, may return to College and enter the transfer portal to join Berry and Oshie in Fargo. It is a big if, but if the Bison are able to land a top prospect, they may instantly become national contenders with a super staff being built by Brad Berry.
We haven’t heard much on the Women’s side, but with the Men’s department splash, we shouldn’t put it past our AD to make a splash with an elite and experienced head coach. One rumor from Notre Dame writer Sean Ryan said that the Fighting Irish’s Michelle Lacourt is negotiating with multiple programs to leave the Fighting Irish, and we here at the Spectrum believe it. One rumor directly connected to NDSU is a far stretch, but it could make sense with the hiring of Brad Berry. Ohio State Buckeye Soccer and Hockey student writer C.J. Gilbert tweeted out that current Women’s Hockey coach Nadine Muzerall is in talks with North Dakota State. The hiring of Muzerall will instantly turn the Bison into a national contender, as she has constantly had the Bison at the top of the NCAA for her entire tenure.
Stay tuned with the Spectrum on all social media to stay up to date as we learn more about the incoming news of the Skatin’ Bison.