An integral part of the University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey first NCAA Frozen Four runs, Mark Odnokon, passed away Sunday from a brief battle of cancer. He was 63 years old.


Odnokon, a two-year captain, played for the Bulldogs from 1982-1986. In 164 games as a Bulldog, Odnokon recorded 119 points on 39 goals and 80 assists -- which still ranks as the 41st most career points in program history. The lone team captain as a senior for the 1985-86 season, Odnokon was also an alternate captain as a junior for the 1984-85 season, and was a member of UMD's back-to-back Western Collegiate Hockey Association title teams in 1983-84 and 1984-85. He was also a member of the NCAA Tournament teams in 1983, 1984 and 1985, and notably a part of the four-overtime national championship game -- the game that arguably but Bulldog hockey on the map -- that UMD finished national runner-up.

Prior to coming to UMD, Odnokon, a native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, played for the Prince Albert Raiders and helped lead the team to multiple Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League titles and Centennial Cup championships. He later played with the Salt Lake City Golden Eagles before returning to Saskatchewan and became the Melfort Mustangs first head coach. He helped build the foundation for the team's first championship in the 1991-92 season before moving on to the Raiders in the WHL. He continued to mentor young athletes working as a scout for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

The co-owner, developer and instructor of NorSask Hockey Development camp for over 20 years, Odnokon was also integral in bringing back the PJHL Timberjaks to Prince Albert and a teacher in Shellbrook and Carlton Comprehensive High School.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the Art Hauser Centre, 690 Gary Anderson Way, Prince Albert, SK. For those unable to attend, a livestream link will be provided here once it is available. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com.