UND Athletics/Russell Hons
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (UND Athletics)– Sophomore forward Cole Reschny has been named the 2026-27 University of North Dakota hockey captain in a vote by his peers, the program announced on Wednesday.
Reschny becomes the youngest captain by age in program history as well as joins Dave Hakstol (1990-91) and Bob Murray (1948-49) as the only underclassmen to wear the “C” at UND. He was named an assistant captain with Victoria in 2024-25 and has worn the “C” for his home nation of Canada in international competition.
“Cole Reschny was voted by his teammates to be the youngest captain in UND hockey history for a good reason,” said UND head hockey coach Dane Jackson. “His mature presence, relentless work ethic and team-first approach embodies our North Dakota culture.”
Joining him in the leadership group is junior forward Cody Croal, senior forward Anthony Menghini and junior forward Mac Swanson – who will all wear a letter for the first time in their collegiate careers.
“Cole [Reschny], alongside assistant captains Cody Croal, Anthony Menghini and Mac Swanson, will lead this team with a competitive will and daily toughness that will ensure our process meets the UND standard,” said Jackson.
Reschny returns for his second campaign with the program following a strong rookie season and was named to the NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team on Tuesday. The Macklin, Saskatchewan, native paced all UND freshman skaters and ranked tied for seventh nationally among rookies with 35 points while also sitting third nationally for rookies with 29 assists — the third-most by a UND freshman this century behind only Zach Parise and Brock Boeser. He paced NCHC rookies in both overall points (35) and league points (23) to earn NCHC Rookie of the Year honors while also finishing with 301 faceoff victories and a 54.8 winning percentage in the dot. Reschny was selected in the first round (18th overall) by the Calgary Flames in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Croal is coming off a career-best offensive season in 2025-26, where he scored 10 goals and notched 14 points in 35 games. The North Branch, Minn., native paced the team with a whopping plus-20 rating, struck twice on the power play and added a game-winner. He elevated his play on the biggest stage, scoring a trio of goals in the NCAA Tournament in wins over Merrimack and Quinnipiac to earn Sioux Falls All-Regional Team honors. Croal last wore a letter in 2024-25 when he served as the captain for the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
Menghini returns for his second year with the program and serves as the only returning senior forward on the roster in 2026-27. The Baxter, Minn., native appeared in 35 games, scored five goals and dished out seven assists for 12 points last season. He also saw his game rise down the final stretch of the season, with eight of his points coming in the second half. Menghini is a three-time AHCA/Krampade All-America Scholar honoree and last wore a letter with Northstar Christian Academy in 2020-21.
Swanson was one of only three players to appear in all 40 games last season and enjoyed a strong offensive season. He finished seventh on the team in points with 28 by scoring 11 goals and dishing out 17 helpers while also potting five power play tallies to sit third on the squad. Consistency was key for Swanson last season, as he never went longer than three straight games without a point. The Anchorage, Alaska, native has never missed a game over his career entering this season and is a two-time All-NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete selection.
North Dakota opens the 2026-27 season with a pair of home exhibition contests against Augustana (Oct. 3) and Manitoba (Oct. 4) at 6:07 p.m. and 3:07 p.m., respectively.
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