Will Zellers Named NCHC Forward of the Week
The University of North Dakota player earned his first league forward honor after a weekend sweep of Bemidji State.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Hockey
Live Poll
Does your community's engagement rise when local university athletes earn significant league-wide honors?
University of North Dakota forward Will Zellers has been named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Forward of the Week. This recognition follows a weekend series against Bemidji State where Zellers recorded six total points.
Why it matters
The honor highlights the significant offensive contributions Zellers made during the weekend, as he was involved in six of his team's seven goals across the series sweep.
Zellers tallied two goals and four assists during the series, including a career-high three assists in a 3-2 victory. He further contributed with two power play goals in a 4-3 win.
The players
Will Zellers
He is a forward for the University of North Dakota who hails from Maple Grove, Minn.
National Collegiate Hockey Conference
It is an athletic conference that competes at the NCAA Division I level in men's ice hockey.
University of North Dakota
This is a public research university located in Grand Forks that fields prominent NCAA hockey teams.
The details
Zellers' performance was pivotal to the North Dakota sweep, as he recorded at least one point in six of the seven goals the team scored over the two-day period. This marks the second weekly honor of his career and his first time receiving the Forward of the Week distinction.
Timeline
October 9-10, 2026: North Dakota swept Bemidji State.
October 13, 2026: Zellers named NCHC Forward of the Week.
October 16, 2026: North Dakota hosts Bentley at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Season Trajectory
The conference honor underscores Zellers' emerging role in North Dakota's offensive rotation during the early stretch of the season. As the team maintains its national ranking, this performance helps solidify their momentum ahead of upcoming conference matchups.
Zellers' high involvement in team scoring suggests he will continue to be a primary contributor for North Dakota's power play units. This productivity makes him a key player to track in the team's upcoming non-conference home game against Bentley.
The takeaway
Zellers' performance highlights the impact of early-season roster cohesion during high-stakes series sweeps. Players aiming for similar honors should prioritize consistent goal involvement throughout multi-game sets.
What happens next
North Dakota is scheduled to host Bentley at Ralph Engelstad Arena on October 16, 2026.
Further reading
For more local college sports coverage, visit the Hockey section.
Live Poll
Does your community's engagement rise when local university athletes earn significant league-wide honors?
