North Dakota continues to trend upward in the latest USCHO Division I Men’s poll, climbing one spot to No. 4 as the season heads toward 2026. The Fighting Hawks swapped places with Minnesota Duluth, reinforcing their position among the nation’s elite as the top tier of the rankings remains largely unchanged.
While Michigan still controls the No. 1 spot with 38 first-place votes and Wisconsin sits close behind at No. 2, North Dakota’s move into fourth highlights its steady momentum. Only Michigan, Wisconsin, and Michigan State now sit ahead of UND, underscoring the Fighting Hawks’ status as a legitimate national contender.
The rest of the top 10 holds firm around North Dakota. Minnesota Duluth slips to No. 5, while Denver and Western Michigan remain at Nos. 6 and 7. Penn State edges up to No. 8, Dartmouth drops to No. 9 despite a strong 12–2–0 record, and Quinnipiac rounds out the top 10.
Further down the poll, movement is minimal, with most teams either holding position or trading places by a single spot. No new teams cracked the rankings this week, though Augustana and New Hampshire remain just outside the top 20, tied as the leading unranked programs.
For North Dakota, the rise to No. 4 reflects consistency and growing national respect—exactly where the Fighting Hawks expect to be as the season continues.
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