Center Jack Kernan dedicates to UND

GRAND FORKS– UND’s a lot of pressing need this offseason is to attend to center depth.It took a big step in that direction Friday. Center Jack Kernan, the leading

scorer of the Des Moines Buccaneers in the United States Hockey League, offered a spoken commitment to UND for next season.Kernan was previously committed to Minnesota State, but just recently re-opened his recruitment and was pursued by Huge 10 and National Collegiate Hockey Conference teams.His decision boiled down to UND and Wisconsin.

“North Dakota is a premier organization,”Kernan said.” It has actually been such a big program for so many years. The centers and training personnel are great. The players were actually excellent to me when I got up there to see it myself. It seemed like the right fit. “Kernan, a 6-foot-2, 196-pound center from Maple Grove, Minn., finished fifth in the USHL with 29 objectives this season. He had 53 points in 62 games.”In my years of doing this, I don’t know if there’s a more respected kid, a kid I think in more, than Kerny,”Des Moines coach Matt Curley stated.”He’s a hockey player, a 200-foot centerman, terrific in between the dots, can play in all circumstances, an alpha in the room, an animal in the weight room, a leader on and off the ice.” Dane(Jackson )had talked a lot about the old– to me,

it’s Sioux– mindset and trying to return to that mindset and what Sioux hockey implies and the players they utilized to have and get. I believe Jack embodies that to a T. I think the world of him.” Kernan was particularly efficient on the power play this

season. The right-handed shooting forward played in the left circle, where he used his one-timer to score 14 power-play objectives, second-most in the league.He accounted for 16%of Des Moines’goals this season, the third-highest share in the league behind Green Bay Gamblers forwards Will Zellers and Aidan Park.Zellers and Kernan will be freshman classmates at UND.” Personally, I had a lot of development in my game this year and

things I want to roll over to North Dakota,”he stated.

“As a team, we eventually didn’t reach our objective of making the playoffs and competing for a Clark Cup. However all in all, it was among the best seasons I have actually ever had. The coaching personnel and players made it enjoyable to come to the rink every day. It was a great season in that sense. I had excellent linemates who contributed to my success and fantastic people around me.”Kernan won 53 percent of his faceoffs.”He’s a competitive kid, extremely requiring of himself and those around him,

“Curley said.” Because, he optimizes his capability. He’s a motorist. That maximizes his skillset while improving those around him. “This was Kernan’s 2nd year in the USHL. Prior to that, he dipped into Maple Grove High School. Kernan at first dedicated to Minnesota State in 2023. “I decided it would be best if I started taking a look around to see

what other alternatives there would be,”Kernan stated.

“It was a very tough choice, however I had a good call with the training staff at Mankato. They understood it and we decided to part ways. “Kernan visited UND this week.He arrived Wednesday and left Thursday.”It was incredible,” Kernan said.”

It started off by fulfilling the staff, then a remarkable trip of The Ralph. It was mind-blowing in a way. The centers are unbelievable. I got to have dinner with the coaching personnel.”Then, I got to socialize with a few of the guys and be around them. I felt invited. They were very inviting and friendly. It was a great method to satisfy a few of them and seem like part of the group in a manner. We covered it up, I talked with the staff and concerned the decision that this is the fit. “UND has significant holes to fill at center. Cameron Berg, Jake Schmaltz, Carter Wilkie and Louis Jamernik V finished. Sacha Boisvert transferred to Boston University. UND returns soon-to-be-sophomore Cade Littler at center.Now, it has 2 inbound forward recruits who played center in the USHL this season in Kernan

and David Klee.”I believe it’s going to be, reasonably speaking, a smooth transition for him,”Curley said.”I say that and believe that because of, one, the person he is, very first and

primary. He constantly looks at himself as an underdog. He will not take a day off preparing himself for that challenge.” And, 2, on the ice, I think his game is translatable to that level or quite honestly any level. He’s got size. He can skate. He’s got a great brain.

He does everything well. He may not be elite, elite in any one particular area, however he has a well-rounded game and I believe those types of players equate. “ Des Moines forward Jack Kernan skates with the puck on Nov. 16, 2023 at Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Omaha, Neb.Jordan McAlpine/ The Rink Live