Bulldog Insider

Finland's Krista Parkkonen and Sweden's Thea Johansson transferred to Minnesota Duluth not only to improve themselves as hockey players, but their national team programs ahead of the 2026 Olympics.

Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

0:00 Intro

1:22 Transferring to UMD

11:51 Winter Olympics 2026

24:02 Edmund Fitzgerald: 50 Years Below

26:07 Finland vs Sweden

44:41 Rapid Fire Questions

UMD's Zam Plante joins the Bulldog Insider Podcast to talk hockey, hunting and the competitive nature of his family. The Hermantown native also answers the questions submitted by you and his family.

Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

0:00 Intro

1:10 Responding to grievances

15:50 Zam's forward line

18:31 Plante family

22:01 Edmund Fitzgerald: 50 Years Below

24:07 Team nicknames

29:13 Listener submitted questions

37:34 Rapid fire questions

UMD junior goaltender Eve Gascon is juggling more than just pucks in the crease this season, backstopping the Bulldogs while trying to make the 2026 Canadian Olympic women's hockey team.

Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

0:00 Intro 1:21 Olympics 2026 Possibilities 19:36 Edmund Fitzgerald: 50 Years Below 21:38 Canadian Goaltending Room 25:01 UMD Goaltending Room 31:07 Rapid Fire Questions

UMD sophomore wingers Callum Arnott and Jayson Shaugabay return to the podcast to break down Tampa Bay Lighting development camp, the Bulldogs' trip to Alaska and this season's living arrangements.

Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

0:00 Intro

0:31 Alaska Trip & Future Travel

8:09 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Development Camp

15:33 Edmund Fitzgerald: 50 Years Below

17:26 Arnott's Knowledge of High School Hockey

18:26 Roommates & Teammates

25:36 The Strong Bond of the Bulldogs Team

29:39 Listener Submitted Questions

There has been a wave of retirements by veteran college hockey coaches in recent years. Is Bulldogs coach Scott Sandelin anywhere close to joining in? What still drives him entering Season 26 at UMD?

Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

0:00 Intro

0:51 Feelings Going Into Season 26

1:39 Scott Sandelin's Thoughts on Retirement

21:30 "Edmund Fitzgerald: 50 Years Below" Promo

23:32 Listener Submitted Questions

44:12 Conclusion

Bulldogs captain Mary Kate O'Brien is kind of a big deal on the ice and off it, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a college hockey players on TikTok.

Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

0:00 Intro

2:25 Benefits of a lengthy road trip to start the season?

6:01 Rookie Idol

8:56 Rookie standouts

10:29 Transfers from rival teams

13:12 Which transfer has been the biggest surprise to join the Bulldogs?

16:39 "Edmund Fitzgerald: 50 Years Below" preview

18:50 MK's TikTok Journey

31:49 How to make a good TikTok

38:07 Conclusion

The Bulldog Insider Podcast is back for Season 8. The 'Insiders' Matt, Zach and Bruce preview the upcoming 2025-26 UMD men's and women's hockey seasons, and answer questions submitted by listeners.

Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

0:00 Intro

3:14 Why will this season be different?

9:16 Potential Impact of 2026 Olympics

18:08 Will a UMD transfer lead in goals again?

22:45 Who will be the MVP on the women's team?

25:07 "Edmund Fitzgerald: 50 Years Below" preview

27:39 Who will make a bigger impact: freshman or transfers?

30:56 Who is the most intriguing freshman?

34:48 Which of the transfers is the most intriguing?

40:25 NCHC Preseason Poll: Where did UMD end up?

51:46 Listener submitted questions

1:05:00 Conclusion & TV Schedule

Season 8 of Bulldog Insider begins with episode 1 premiering Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. In the premiere episode, co-hosts Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider are joined by KDAL's Bruce Ciskie to talk about their thoughts heading into the 2025-26' UMD men and women's hockey season.

You'll be able to catch new episodes almost every Thursday throughout the UMD hockey season.

Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcast.

The 'Insiders' answer your questions about the 2024-25 season and the future of the UMD men's and women's hockey programs in Part II of the two-part Season 7 finale of the Bulldog Insider Podcast.

Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.

Duluth's UMD hockey "Insiders" evaluate the 2024-25 Bulldogs men's and women's hockey seasons, and look ahead to 2025-26, in Part I of the two-part Season 7 finale of the Bulldog Insider Podcast.

Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.