Jun. 8—GRAND FORKS — Two members of UND’s incoming freshman class put together impressive outings at the NHL Combine this weekend in Buffalo, N.Y.
Forward Cole Reschny and defenseman Sam Laurila each topped a fitness event at the NHL Combine, which featured the top 90 prospects for this month’s 2025 NHL Draft.
Reschny tied for the best aerobic fitness/VO2 max test. His numbers matched prospect Anton Frondell.
Laurila had the best anaerobic fitness/mean power output numbers.
Reschny, who is coming to UND from the Victoria Royals in the Western Hockey League, is expected to be picked in the late first or early second round.
Reschny interviewed with NHL teams and media in Buffalo. His interview session largely focused on his decision to play for UND.
“I have a lot of confidence in my abilities for what I’m going to do there,” Reschny told FloHockey’s Chris Peters. “I’m extremely happy I made that decision. I can’t wait to get started. It’s a lot of fun.”
Reschny was asked about going to UND with Keaton Verhoeff, his Victoria teammate last season. Verhoeff, a defenseman, is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.
“Getting to play with a player like that, and be around him, is very special,” Reschny said. “Not only the player he is, the person he is, how he carries himself, how mature he is. He’s a beast. The way he plays is unreal. I think he’s going to be a high pick next year.
“You saw him in our league this year. He was a 16-year-old, but he looked like a 19-year-old with the way he was poised with the puck, his patience, his offensive ability, how he played defense. He’s an all-around player. Him coming along will be sweet.”
Reschny said they were not a package deal.
“We’re two different people, two different players,” he said. “But it’s pretty sweet we get to go there together and I think we’re going to live together, too.”
Laurila, a Moorhead product who is coming to UND from the Fargo Force in the United States Hockey League, is expected to go in the third or fourth round.
Laurila was passed over in the NHL Draft last year — his first year of eligibility. But after an outstanding season in Fargo, he has shot up draft boards.
This is the second year in a row a UND incoming freshman has posted impressive numbers at the NHL Combine.
A year ago, UND’s E.J. Emery set the horizontal jump record at 123 inches. That was broken this weekend by Michigan freshman Will Horcoff, who jumped 124.8 inches.
Emery will soon be teammates with Reschny and Laurila.
“Going to North Dakota, I feel that’s the right decision,” Reschny said. “It gives my body, my mind, the right time to develop, and work on that side of my game. It’s going to be a big focus of mine.”