From champions to foes, former Sioux City teammates will go head-to-head this weekend
Oct. 26—GRAND FORKS — Minnesota State will come to Ralph Engelstad Arena this weekend with a new head coach.
But a couple of UND players won't need an introduction.
Luke Strand, who took over the Maverick program after Mike Hastings left for the University of Wisconsin, was the head coach of the Sioux City Musketeers in the United States Hockey League two years ago.
His top-line forwards on that team were UND sophomores Owen McLaughlin and Dylan James.
They led the Musketeers to the Clark Cup as USHL playoff champions.
"Now, we're competitors," Strand said. "There's no question on that side. I'm proud of them for their development and how they're continuing to track and trend in the right direction. Now, I've got a team here. I wish them well."
McLaughlin and James also know the Mavericks' goaltender.
Alex Tracy was the netminder of that Clark Cup-winning team and the playoff MVP.
"That will definitely be a little weird seeing them on the bench," McLaughlin said. "It will be pretty cool. That will be really nice to see those guys. It's been a long time. I'm sure a lot of memories will come up from the time in Sioux City. Hopefully, we'll get some time to talk before or after the game. It will be fun."
Sioux City finished second in the USHL's Western Conference in 2021-22, but upset regular-season champion Tri-City in the semifinals, then topped Madison in the finals.
"We all enjoyed going to the rink every day," McLaughlin said. "Coach Strand developed a really good culture. We all bought into it and loved hanging out with each other. It was a lot of fun that year."
Strand left Sioux City after winning the title and spent a season as an assistant at Ohio State.
This summer, he landed the Minnesota State job.
The Mavericks enter the weekend 2-2. They swept St. Cloud State 3-2 and 5-1 to open the season, then got swept by UMass 6-3 and 1-0 last weekend.
Minnesota State outshot UMass 32-15 in the loss and Strand thought the Mavericks played better than they did in beating St. Cloud State twice.
"We actually played better hockey, maybe, both the days," he said.
The Mavericks pulled into Ralph Engelstad Arena on Thursday afternoon — their first road trip of the season — and ran through an hour practice.
The games are set for 7:07 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday.
It will mark the first time McLaughlin and James have competed in the same hockey game as Strand and Tracy since the 2022 Clark Cup Final clinching game.
"It's going to be weird," James said. "Great people. Once the game starts, I don't really care. I want to beat them."
Do McLaughlin and James have a scouting report on Tracy, who has started all four games for Minnesota State this season?
"He's really good, really fast," McLaughlin said. "He was so good for us that year, especially in the playoffs and down the stretch. Hopefully, we can get a few past him this weekend, but he's a really good goalie."
When: 7:07 p.m. Friday, 6:07 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Ralph Engelstad Arena (tickets available).
TV: Midco Sports (GF Ch. 27/622 HD).
Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM).
Stream: NCHChockey.com.
