Maple Leafs pick Hudson Malinoski to transfer to UND

Apr. 19—GRAND FORKS — Hudson Malinoski has already scored a goal for UND.

In the 2024 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game, UND forward Dylan James centered a pass that Malinoski, a Providence center, tried to break up, but accidentally put into his own empty net to seal a 5-2 Fighting Hawks victory.

Malinoski will be more apt to celebrate the next one he scores in Ralph Engelstad Arena.

The 6-foot-2 forward from Saskatoon, Sask., is transferring from Providence to UND.

Malinoski gave a verbal commitment to UND on Sunday after an on-campus visit.

"It's a pretty well-known college hockey school around the world," Malinoski said. "Obviously, when I decided to go into the portal, I wanted to go somewhere that wins and has a good culture. I think this is exactly the place I was looking for."

Malinoski, a fifth-round Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick, played three seasons for the Friars, scoring 31 goals and tallying 56 points in 106 games. He had back-to-back 11-goal seasons as a sophomore and junior.

He opened his sophomore season in The Ralph, playing in the Hall of Fame Game. Malinoski scored one of Providence's two goals before inadvertently putting one in his own empty net. He was named Providence's player of the game.

"You get pretty pumped to play in a building that's fully sold out," Malinoski said. "It was pretty cool to play in a building with that many really passionate fans."

Malinoski's addition helps UND on several fronts.

He's a goal scorer with notable release. He finished second, first and third on Providence in goals during his three seasons. He had a hat trick against Vermont in February.

He adds to UND's center depth, too. Malinoski has gradually improved his faceoff numbers throughout college. He was at just 44.1% as a freshman. That number jumped to 53.8% as a sophomore and 54.5% as a junior.

"That was something I really tried to work on in the three years I was there," he said. "I got substantially better — even this year. It was something I wanted to get better at — starting with the puck and to be of use in different areas on the ice."

He also adds to UND's senior class.

The Fighting Hawks entered the offseason with just one junior returning — forward Anthony Menghini. They got a little bit older by adding senior transfers Kasper Magnussen from Bemidji State and Malinoski.

"I just want to come to a program and win," Malinoski said. "They've got a good amount of new guys coming in together, but they're putting together a good group."

Malinoski has some familiarity with the roster.

He played two seasons with UND forward Josh Zakreski in the Saskatoon Blazers AAA program. Cole Reschny joined that program the year after Malinoski and Zakreski left for the Western Hockey League.