Bauer Dumanski to bring some Bennett Zmolek-like elements to UND's defensive corps
· Yahoo Sports
May 29—GRAND FORKS — Bauer Dumanski is busy these days.
It's the middle of seeding season on his Saskatchewan family farm. He's been planting wheat and canola.
Visit biznow.biz for more information.
But the 6-foot-2, 211-pound defenseman from the Prince George Cougars found time to navigate a decision on his hockey future.
Dumanski, 21, committed to UND for the upcoming season after making a visit to Grand Forks earlier this month.
"Right after Christmas break, I was trying to make a decision," he said. "Do I want to find an AHL deal and play pro? Or do I want to go to school? North Dakota reached out. It's a pretty hard place to pass up, for sure.
"I went down there a couple weekends ago and got to meet a lot of the guys. The room atmosphere seems unbeatable. You see the facilities they have down there and it's mind-blowing. I've never seen anything like it."
UND is losing captain Bennett Zmolek, who will not apply for a medical hardship and sixth year of college eligibility.
But it is adding Dumanski, who was the Western Hockey League's version of Zmolek last season.
Dumanski wore the captain's 'C' for Prince George. He led the WHL in blocked shots. He also has some sneaky offensive instincts that allow him to make good breakouts.
"I want to bring a strong defensive game, a responsible game, and chip in offensively when I can," Dumanski said. "I'm coming in with a role of being a hard-nosed defenseman and locking it down in the D-zone, be there to support the goalies and make good first passes."
While Dumanski projects as a defensive-style defenseman at the NCAA level, he did everything for Prince George.
He spent more time on ice shorthanded than anyone on the team. He played on the second power-play unit. He played in 5-on-6 and 6-on-5 situations at the end of games. Although he's left-handed, Prince George frequently used him on the right side.
"It was awesome to get that kind of trust from my coaches," Dumanski said. "I had my most productive season. The team was unlike any other one I've been a part of. It was a great group of guys who wanted to win. We fell short at the end, but it was an awesome way to end my junior career."
Dumanski played all five junior hockey seasons with Prince George. He suited up for 309 regular-season games, the most by any defenseman in franchise history.
"You don't really see it anymore," Dumanski said. "It was an honor to get to wear the red and black my whole career, grow into a leader and a better player. It was sad to see it end, but I'm excited for what the next journey holds."
Dumanski plans to stay on the farm until seeding season is over. Then, he will train in Saskatoon, which is about an hour west, until mid-July.
Then, Dumanski will move to Grand Forks. He is tentatively planning to room with fellow freshman and former Prince George teammate Carson Carels.
"I'm super excited to get started, meet everyone and get settled in," Dumanski said.