Reports: UMD’s Bender entering AHL, Anderson to ECHL

Alicia Tipcke

[anvplayer video=”5100488″ station=”998130″]

Reportedly UMD men’s hockey fifth years Koby Bender and Matt Anderson will be beginning professional careers.

According to the Duluth News Tribune Bender, a forward, will be signing with the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders, the affiliate to the NHL’s New York Islanders. During his five seasons at UMD the Cloquet native won two national titles, finishing his collegiate career with 22 goals and 36 assists.

Also with two national titles under his belt Anderson, a defenseman, will be signing with the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays. The Shakopee native will join them for their final five games of the 2021-2022 season. There he will skate under interim head coach and UMD alum Brenden Kotyk, and join former Bulldog goalie Hunter Shepard on the roster.

Anderson closed out his five seasons at UMD tallying three goals and 25 assists.