UND Athletics/Russell Hons
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (UND Athletics)– University of North Dakota head hockey coach Dane Jackson announced on Tuesday forwards Ellis Rickwood and Isaac Gordon as well as goaltender Zach Sandy have signed valid grant-in-aids (GIA) and will join the Fighting Hawks for the 2025-26 season.
“Excited to bring this group of players into our program,” said Jackson. “Each guy brings a unique skillset that will increase our depth and help our team immediately.”
Rickwood spent the first three seasons of his career at Clarkson, where he blossomed into a dominant, two-way center in 2024-25. As a junior, Rickwood exploded for 10 goals and 35 points in 39 games while playing on the top line for the Golden Knights to earn All-ECAC honors. The Brantford, Ontario, native was also a force in the dot, finishing top-10 nationally with 430 wins and accumulating a 57.5 winning percentage.
Over his career, Rickwood has 14 goals and 35 assists for 49 points in 96 career games. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Gordon also joins NoDak up front after a pair of strong seasons with Michigan Tech, earning multiple accolades during his time with the Huskies. He jumped right in collegiate hockey in 2023-24, earning CCHA Rookie of the Year and All-CCHA Second Team honors after pacing the team with 36 points and 18 goals to post the most points by an MTU rookie since 2002-03. The Landmark, Manitoba, native had another solid season in 2024-25, finishing third on the team with 26 points in 36 games.
In just two seasons, Gordon has accumulated 23 goals and 30 assists for 53 points in 68 career games. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Sandy is set to return to his home state after spending the last three seasons with Minnesota Duluth, where he grew into a strong reserve option in net. The Fargo, N.D., native appeared in just one game over his first two seasons before making four appearances and two starts in 2024-25. His best performance came against Arizona State, where he finished with 25 saves on 28 shots in a 3-2 overtime loss.
During his prep career, Sandy helped lead Fargo South/Shanley to its first state championship appearance since 2007 and earned the senior athlete of the year award in boys hockey.
The three additions will be made available via Zoom interviews later in the month of May.
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