Sports Notebook, Sunday

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Bulldogs men's hockey incoming players (all USHL players)

Ashton Dahms, F, Tri-City Storm – A 6-foot-1, 179-pound 20-year-old lefty from Lakeville, Minn. Formerly with the Minnesota Wilderness of the NAHL and has two years of USHL experience. Has 10 goals in 44 games for the Storm.

Daniel Shlaine, F, Lincoln Stars – A 19-year-old, dynamic scorer from Moska, Russia, with 23 goals and 53 points in 57 games in his rookie season in the USHL. A prized product of the Shattuck St. Mary's program in Faribault, Minn. Ranked 156th by NHL Central Scouting (NA skaters).

Jacob Toll, D, Muskegon Lumberjacks – A 6-foot-3, 170-pound left-handed 20-year-old defensive defenseman with three years of USHL experience.

Ryan Zaremba, F, Fargo Force – A 5-foot-9, 179-pound left-hander, only 18, from Canada. Has 13 goals in 56 games in his first season in the USHL.

Take a Bow

Pionk's next contract will be most lucrative

Neal Pionk, currently in the final year of a four-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets ($5.875 million AAV), will likely fetch between $7.5 million and $8 million annually in a long-term contract with the Jets or with another team this summer.

How 'bout them Hunters

Duluth Denfeld, runner-up to Grand Rapids in Class 3A, Section 7 high school baseball a year ago, will be a team to watch again this season. The Hunters (14-11 last season), who open April 1 against Hermantown at Wade Stadium, are led by pitcher Vinny Udd and shortstop Nolan Harju. The Hawks feature catcher-pitcher River Freeman.

Hawks off to strong start in boys track

The 2025 Hermantown boys track has increased its numbers over last year's team by about 10 athletes this spring.

"We are very underclassmen heavy with only a handful of seniors, 11 juniors, but have 17 sophomores on the roster," said Hawks coach Tyler Homstad. "Our senior class is led by Zach Warner (distance), Evan Senst (throwing) and Adian Adamski (throwing and sprinting), and we hope to gain some points from handyman Tyler Breitkreutz who I have seen do pretty much every event in the last three years I have been coaching. 

"Our junior class is very talented and diverse. Tanner Homstad was our top points earner last year and will be expected to be competitive in the jumps, sprints and relays. Rounding out that class are Landon Burg (sprinting, jumping and relays), Zach Wunner (hurdles and throws), Grant Johnson (sprints and relays), Corban Peterson (sprints and relays) and Henry Sherwood (throws).  From the sophomore group, Cooper Lucarelli has emerged as one of the top distance runners in the area. We also expect Blake Amundson (throwing and sprinting), Owen Simonson (sprints and jumps), Matt Strukel (mid-distance), and newcomer to the track world Martin Sleen (sprints, jumps and relays) to earn us some points at the LSC Conference meet along with other big meets."

The Hawks participated in an 11-team indoor meet at St. Scholastica on Saturday.

"Half of our team was on spring break, but we felt really good about what we got out of those that were there," said Homstad. "Martin Sleen was probably the most impressive athlete at the meet as he placed 4th in the 55 dash, 2nd in the high jump, and anchored the winning 4x200 relay. Martin is loaded with raw talent and speed and we are just happy that he is giving track a try this year. 

"Tanner Homstad placed 5th in the 55 dash, 4th in the high jump, 5th in the long jump, and ran the lead leg in the 4x200 relay. Zach Wunner placed 2nd in the 55M hurdles. Corban Peterson placed 8th in the 55 dash and ran a leg on the 4x200 relay, and Grant Johnson rounded out the 4x200 relay team. The bottom line is that we have some high expectations this year and should be competitive in every meet that we attend. It's still early and we have a long way to go, but it should be a fun and exciting season."