Mar. 30—GRAND FORKS — Dylan James has been one of UND's best defensive forwards since he stepped onto campus in the fall of 2022.
The offense started popping this season — he scored 14 goals as a junior — and he's looking to take another step next year.
James told the Herald on Sunday that he has decided to return to UND for his senior season rather than sign with the Detroit Red Wings, who selected him in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Detroit will retain his rights.
His decision came one day after
UND announced longtime associate coach Dane Jackson
as the program's new head coach.
"I have a lot of faith in Jax and how he coaches the game and how he will coach our team," James said. "I'm super excited to play for him. Liver (Jake Livanavage) coming back, and the defensive corps, is the perfect mixture of what we want out of the team."
James scored eight goals as a freshman, nine as a sophomore and 14 as a junior.
The 6-foot, 185-pound winger from Calgary had a three-point game against St. Cloud State in December and a four-point game against Colorado College in February.
"I think it was just that I'm a junior now, I'm getting more ice time and the coaches trust me more," James said. "That helps with confidence."
James was a nominee for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's defensive forward of the year award. It went to Tim Washe of Western Michigan.
UND has now received pledges from three key players for next season.
Livanavage, a first-team all-NCHC selection,
told the Herald on Saturday night
he plans to return for his junior season. Defenseman Bennett Zmolek, who suffered a season-ending injury Game 1 last season,
said he will return, too.
UND's defensive corps should be the strength.
James hopes to be part of the answer offensively.
"Hopefully, I can be a driver on the offensive side," James said. "I trust Jax, and whoever the coaching staff is, will put the right pieces together."
