UND freshman goalie Hobie Hedquist wins first collegiate start
Jan. 5—GRAND FORKS — UND hockey athletic trainer Mark Poolman received a call from goaltender Ludvig Persson early Friday morning saying he wasn't feeling well.
At about 6:45 a.m., Poolman and coach Brad Berry knew Persson wouldn't be playing in UND's series opener against Alaska.
Persson had played every minute of regular-season action in the first half of the season.
But it gave freshman Hobie Hedquist his first regular-season starting opportunity.
Hedquist found out before the team's morning meetings from assistant coach Karl Goehring that he'd be going Friday.
The first thing Hedquist did was text his parents, who arrived in Grand Forks in time to watch his college debut at The Ralph — a 6-4 UND win over Alaska.
"There was a lot of excitement, to be honest," Hedquist said. "I have dreamed of this for a while."
Persson texted Hedquist before the game, telling Hedquist to "play your game and go out there and get the win," he said.
Hedquist felt prepared after starting last Saturday's exhibition against the U.S. Under-18 Team.
"You can practice all you want," Hedquist said, "but taking some live bullets last week I think really helped settle me into the game today."
Hedquist stopped 23 of 27 shots, including 11 in the first period.
"There were some goals that went in through screens, so just go back, watch those and see if there's anything that I could do differently on the screens and tips," he said. "But it's always good when you get a win."
UND's six goals — five in the second period — helped settle Hedquist into the game.
Not having Persson to begin the second half wasn't the plan Berry envisioned, but his illness created an opportunity for Hedquist.
"That's kind of how things work during the season," Berry said. "You never can plan accordingly. I was in here on Wednesday telling you guys everybody was going to play, back in the lineup, and then stuff happens. I have to hand it to Hobie. He came in and did a good job on making some tough stops at key times and getting his first collegiate win."
Hedquist feels prepared to start Saturday if needed.
"You always want to go back to back," he said.
