May 19—GRAND FORKS — UND had one of the best shot blockers in college hockey the last few seasons with graduating defenseman and captain Bennett Zmolek.
The Fighting Hawks have another one coming.
Prince George Cougars captain Bauer Dumanski has committed to UND to round out the defensive corps for the 2026-27 season.
Advertisement
“I’m proud and honored to announce my commitment to play Division 1 hockey at the University of North Dakota,” Dumanski wrote on Instagram. “Thank you to my family, friends, coaches, billets, teammates, and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey.”
Dumanski, a 6-foot-2, 211-pound left-hander from Lockwood, Sask., played five seasons and 309 regular-season games for Prince George, ranking first in franchise history among defensemen.
Dumanski, 21, became a fan favorite in Prince George, where he was used in all situations.
He played on the power play and led Prince George in shorthanded time on ice.
Advertisement
Dumanski led the entire Western Hockey League in blocked shots last season with 181, finishing 17 blocks ahead of anyone else.
Offensively, Dumanski tallied nine goals, 30 assists and 39 points in 60 games last season — all career highs.
Dumanski made a recruiting visit to UND after Prince George’s season ended April 19 with a Game 6 loss to Penticton in the second round of the WHL playoffs.
After that game, Prince George general manager and coach Mark Lamb credited Dumanski for his work as team captain.
“There was no selfishness through this whole team,” Lamb said in a radio interview. “I think everybody could see that. When we’re down and out, we’re never down and out, because we just go do our jobs. It’s a real credit to the guys and it’s a real credit to Dumer.”
Advertisement
Although he’s a left-handed shooter, Dumanski often played on the right side of Prince George’s defensive corps.
One of his frequent defensive partners was highly touted prospect Carson Carels, who committed to UND earlier this week.
The Fighting Hawks will be young but talented on the back end next season.
Half of UND’s defensive corps is scheduled to be freshmen — Dumanski, Carels, Ethan MacKenzie of the Edmonton Oil Kings and Garrett Lindberg of the Fargo Force.
They’ll join with juniors E.J. Emery and Brasen Boser, and sophomores Keaton Verhoeff and Sam Laurila.
UND has just one spot left to fill on its 2026-27 roster — a third-string goaltender.
