Bauer Dumanski, captain of the Prince George Cougars, has pledged to join the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks for the 2026‑27 season, adding a seasoned left‑handed defenseman to a blue line that is already brimming with youthful talent.
A Defensive Overhaul in Grand Forks
The 6‑foot‑2, 211‑pound blueliner from Lockwood, Saskatchewan, arrives after five years in the Western Hockey League where he logged 309 games and set franchise records among defensemen. Last season he led the WHL with 181 blocked shots and posted career‑high totals of nine goals, 30 assists and 39 points in 60 games.
General manager and head coach Mark Lamb praised Dumanski’s selfless style, noting that the player often paired on the right side of the Cougars’ defense despite being a left‑handed shooter, and that his leadership helped shape the team’s defensive identity.
His arrival will coincide with a wave of freshmen joining the Fighting Hawks’ back end, among them Carson Carels, who committed earlier this week, as well as Ethan MacKenzie and Garrett Lindberg, forming a core that promises both size and mobility.
A Young but Talented Defensive Corps
The upcoming roster will feature a mix of seasoned prospects and newcomers, with the only remaining vacancy being a third‑string goaltender, a position the staff hopes to fill before the season begins.