Familiar voices, final season: UND hockey broadcast teams set for 2026-27

The University of North Dakota announced Monday its broadcast plans for the upcoming season, confirming the return of its familiar radio and television crews. The biggest storyline comes on the radio side, where longtime broadcaster Tim Hennessy will begin his 47th and final season calling Fighting Hawks hockey, adding to his legacy with the program.

Hennessy will handle all UND home games and select postseason contests. Darrin Looker will call the team's road games, while Mike LaMoine returns as the color analyst. Games will be available across the Fighting Hawks Radio Network and the iHeartRadio app.

Hennessy's final season brings added significance to what would normally be a regular broadcast announcement. Over nearly five decades, his voice has become closely associated with UND hockey, providing the call for generations of fans.

Midco Sports will again carry all of UND's home games, along with the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game against Michigan State on Oct. 31 in Austin, Texas.

Alex Heinert returns as play-by-play announcer, with Jim Scanlan as analyst. Taylor Budge will handle pregame, intermission and postgame duties. Erik Fabian, Monique Lamoureux-Morando, Dean Barsness and Brett Hextall are also part of the television coverage.

The Grand Forks Herald previously reported that Midco Sports would bring back the same crew for the 2026-27 season, providing continuity for viewers following UND throughout the year.

UND's official announcement also outlined streaming arrangements through NCHC.tv, with some road games appearing on other networks.

The Fighting Hawks open their exhibition schedule Oct. 3 against Augustana at Ralph Engelstad Arena, followed by a game against Manitoba on Oct. 4.

The 2026-27 season, in that sense, will be both a continuation of the familiar and the beginning of the end for one of the defining voices in UND hockey broadcasting, in what is expected to be a big year for the program.