MACKLIN, Sask. — Headlines in the hockey world are buzzing with one name in both Canada and the United States, and that is Cole Reschny.
Playing for the University of North Dakota, Reschny’s appointment as captain for the 2026-27 season will make him the youngest captain the team has ever had. Three assistant captains, Cody Croal (Minnesota), Anthony Menghini (Minnesota) and Mac Swanson (Alaska), will join Reschny as the leadership group for the Fighting Hawks.
In an online video on UND’s Facebook page, head coach Dane Jackson said being a captain in North Dakota is not a popularity contest.
“Your captain doesn’t have to be a saint or perfect, but they must be the person that you trust to lead them in the toughest moments and in adverse situations. They've got to have emotional control; if you’re lost, they know what the team needs, and character is revealed in the hardest moments, not the best.”
Jackson continued, saying, “The first guy that’s going to be our captain at the University of North Dakota embodies the competitiveness, kind of the presence, a team-first mindset to a tee,” before announcing Reschny’s name.
Reschny took a moment to speak to his teammates during the same video.
“There’s a ton of guys that could wear this for sure. A lot of credit goes to last year's juniors who brought us freshmen in, helped us and taught us. I learned a lot from you guys and from the seniors that moved on too. I’m really excited for the year. I think we got a special team here, so I can’t wait to get going.”
The Macklin native is one of four Saskatchewan players wearing the UND Fighting Hawks jersey. The team will start its season on Oct. 3 against the Augustana University Vikings.
