In one year, Jack Kernan goes from uncommitted to key contributor in UND's Frozen Four run
· Yahoo Sports
Apr. 2—GRAND FORKS — Jack Kernan did not have a college commitment a year ago.
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A lot can change in a year, though.
The Fighting Hawks' freshman forward scored two goals in last Saturday's 5-0 NCAA regional final win over Quinnipiac. Kernan will take part in the program's first Frozen Four since 2016 next week.
"It's always awesome to have a pretty impactful game, especially a game like that," Kernan said. "So hopefully I'll keep that momentum rolling. It was a pretty surreal moment to do that in front of family, friends and then all the fans. ... Still can't believe I'm even in this position, especially now going to the Frozen Four with such a great team. It was a wild ride, and I'm just thankful this is where it ended. It's been awesome. My time here has been amazing, and I wouldn't want it any different."
Kernan originally committed to Minnesota State in 2023, but re-opened his recruiting in 2025. It didn't take long for him to connect with the Hawks and their newly minted coaching staff, led by Dane Jackson.
Kernan committed on April 18, 2025. He was one of the first additions in an offseason defined by the coaching staff's on-the-fly rebuild.
UND's facilities, coaching staff and fan base all factored into the decision. But when asked why he became a Hawk, Kernan was quick to single out general manager Bryn Chyzyk.
Chyzyk was the general manager of the Waterloo Black Hawks in the United States Hockey League from 2021-25 before Jackson brought him to Grand Forks.
UND associate head coach Matt Smaby was Waterloo's head coach for the same timeframe.
Kernan, who played for the Des Moines Buccaneers from 2023-25, competed against the Black Hawks eight times last season.
"I think a lot of that has to do with Chyz," Kernan said. "But mostly it was just such a great place. The fans are amazing. Kind of just go back to the beginning, just the facilities, the coaching staff had a (vision). I really respect Jackson, and especially Smaby when they brought him in, playing against him and Waterloo a bunch. It just felt like the place to be."
Kernan scored a team-high 52 points for the Des Moines Buccaneers in the 2024-25 season. Still, the transition to college hockey wasn't easy.
Kernan had five points in his first 15 games.
"I think I've just gotten much smarter with the puck, being able to create more," Kernan said. "The staff gives you everything you need. You just have to do it yourself. All the resources here are amazing, but I think I've been able to get bigger, stronger, smarter with decision making and it's just overall been really good growth."
Kernan's development is showing up on the ice. He has four goals and nine points in his last seven games.
"You see his shot in practice, and it amazes you every day," sophomore defenseman E.J. Emery said. "He's one of those players that can show up in big moments, and he loves the spotlight. He loves showing up for his team. So it's nice to see him get those two goals."
Kernan has 11 goals and 21 points on the season.
"Jack had a bit of a start that was probably a little bit inconsistent," Jackson said. "But as the season's gone on, he's just played better and better, and he's been such a strong player. He skates so well. He's got a really strong stick. I think he's got good sense, but he plays fast, he plays hard, and he plays direct. And I think at this time of year in playoff hockey, those are effective attributes.
Kernan has played center and wing on the third and fourth lines this year, filling in wherever he's needed.
Kernan centered the third line in UND's first two NCAA tournament games with
freshman forward Ollie Josephson out due to injury
. Sophomore Cody Croal and senior Tyler Young played on the wings.
"That whole line was playing with that direct assertiveness," Jackson said. "They were just getting pucks ahead and getting on the forecheck and getting to the net, so they had a real mindset of how they were going to play. And seems like Jack's kind of had that in his game as well."
Kernan's line scored three goals in the regional final against Quinnipiac. Kernan and Croal were named to the NCAA Sioux Falls Regional all-tournament team.
"I think we have just really good chemistry," Kernan said. "Cody and Young, we're also close off the ice, especially those two. And I think we are all prototypes of our game. We're big, fast, strong power forwards that know our role in that third line, and kind of keep it simple and do things we need to do, and then as the game goes along, the space will open up with just how big and fast we are."