This weekend the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) men’s hockey team will pay Arizona State University (ASU) a visit for the first time, also marking their first conference meeting. The Sun Devils just officially joined the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) this season.

Arizona will be flying high after sweeping number one ranked Denver November 22-23, meaning the Bulldogs will have their work cut out for them.

“I think a key save here or there, tighten up defensively. Good getting Max (Plante) back, he brings offense to our team, certainly missed him. We need some other guys to hopefully pick up some of that slack. And hopefully as we move forward here, we get some continuity and consistency to some lines,” head coach Scott Sandelin said.

While the Bulldogs prep for ASU, one of their own is turning national heads. Freshman Adam Kleber has landed on the preliminary roster for the U.S. Junior National Team. He’s one of 10 defensemen who will head to Plymouth, Michigan December 16-17 to fight for a spot on the final roster.

“I got a lot of memories of just watching that over Christmas. So I think like every kid growing up, they just wanted to play for that team. So, I mean, it’s always been a goal of mine. I’m just hopefully I can put myself in the best spot to make that team,” Kleber said.

The final 25-man team will compete in the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025, in Ottawa, Ontario.

Kleber and UMD (5-8) trek to Tempe, AZ to battle the Sun Devils (6-7-1) this Friday at 8 p.m., then Saturday at 6 p.m. at Mullett Arena. The Bulldogs are 2-0 all-time against ASU, sweeping them in Duluth Oct. 1-2, 2022.