willistonherald
GRAND FORKS — Mac Swanson has shed his sling and returned to the ice with his UND hockey teammates. The junior forward from Anchorage is making strong progress after undergoing shoulder surgery during the offseason, said Fighting Hawks head coach Dane Jackson.
“He’s ahead of schedule on everything,” Jackson remarked. “He’s done a great job on his rehab. He’s had no setbacks.” Swanson attended the Pittsburgh Penguins’ development camp earlier this month but did not participate in on-ice drills. The Penguins selected Swanson in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas.
Jackson noted that Swanson still has steps to take in his recovery. UND does not anticipate Swanson being cleared for physical contact until September. The Fighting Hawks have preseason exhibitions scheduled for Oct. 3 against Augustana and Oct. 4 against Manitoba, with the regular season opener set for Oct. 9 at Bemidji State. “We think there’s a high likelihood he’ll be ready to play for our first game,” Jackson said.
Swanson played through the injury late last season before opting for surgery after consulting with medical staff. He had a strong sophomore campaign, recording 11 goals and 28 points in 40 games. The playmaking forward is expected to be one of UND’s top offensive threats in 2026-27.
“He was playing so well last year,” Jackson said. “What’s interesting about Mac is that everyone thinks about him as a high-end offensive thinker and playmaker, but he’s got really good habits and details. I thought his pace of play really improved. He was playing fast. He was a reliable two-way guy with high-end offensive instincts. To have him healthy and playing at his best will be a huge factor for our team.”
Roster Update
All 26 players on UND’s roster are now in Grand Forks for summer training, with goaltender Jan Spunar the last to arrive after spending two extra weeks in his native Czechia. Spunar is unable to return home in August like most of his teammates.
Four UND players are currently participating in the World Junior Summer Showcase in Windsor, Ontario. Forwards Cole Reschny and defensemen Keaton Verhoeff and Carson Carels are representing Team Canada, all having been part of Canada’s bronze-medal team last winter. UND freshman forward Cooper Simpson is with Team USA, as is 2027 forward commit Carter Sanderson.
Originally reported by willistonherald.