The University of Minnesota Duluth and men's hockey head coach Scott Sandelin have agreed to a contract extension that will keep Sandelin behind the Bulldog bench through the 2029-30 season. Sandelin most recently signed a contract extension in June of 2022.
"I would like to thank UMD Athletic Director Forrest Karr and UMD Chancellor Charles Nies for their trust in me and continued support of our men's hockey program," said Sandelin. "I'm really excited to continue working with my great staff and players. We feel we have a very special group that is motivated to continue building on the proud tradition of Bulldog hockey on and off the ice."
Sandelin concluded his program-record 26th season with the Bulldogs this past March by directing UMD to its 12th NCAA tournament appearance under his leadership. The team posted an overall record of 24-15-1 in 2025-26, made a postseason run to the NCAA Regional Final and were runners-up in the NCHC Frozen Faceoff postseason tournament.
"Scott is one of the most respected coaches in college hockey," said Karr. "He is dedicated and detail-oriented, with a proven track record of helping student-athletes develop and reach their potential. We are looking forward to the continued excellence of UMD men's hockey under Scott's guidance."
During his tenure, Sandelin has guided UMD to three NCAA titles (2011, 2018, 2019), 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, advanced to six NCAA Frozen Fours, claimed four conference playoff titles (three NCHC, one WCHA), and put together 14 winning regular seasons, including 13 20-plus win campaigns.
The Bulldogs have gone 493-423-105 under Sandelin's watch, making him the winningest coach in program history. Sandelin also boasts a .729 winning percentage on a 24-10 record in the NCAA Tournament – the second highest among all active NCAA Division I head coaches.
Sandelin has had a hand in developing four Hobey Baker Memorial Award winners, including 2026 winner Max Plante, along with Jack Connolly (2012), Junior Lessard (2024), and Scott Perunovich (2020), and 14 NCAA DI All-Americans (including two, three-time picks). In addition, 37 of Sandelin's players have skated in the National Hockey League and three have taken part in the Winter Olympics (USA: Justin Faulk, 2014; Noah Cates, 2022; Canada: Mason Raymond, 2018).
Under Sandelin, the Bulldogs have also been as good in the classroom as they are on the ice. The UMD men's hockey program earned a 3.52 grade point average in Fall 2025 and a 3.51 grade point average in Spring 2026, and five players earned AHCA Krampade All-American Scholars (Blake Bechen, Luke Bibby, Riley Bodnarchuk, Zam Plante, and Grayden Siepmann). Hobey Baker winner Max Plante was also named a CSC Academic All-American this month – one of five CSC Academic All-American under Sandelin's tenure. Notably, every returning player from last season was named to the 2025-2026 NCHC Honor Roll -- and 24 players in all earned a spots on the team. UMD also had 17 honorees given NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete recognition – 10 players picked up the accolade for a second-straight season.
