Michael Emerson reunites with UND as Merrimack's run reaches NCAA tournament
· Yahoo Sports
Mar. 25—SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — When Merrimack junior forward Michael Emerson learned he would play his former team in the NCAA tournament, it didn't evoke particularly strong emotions.
Visit newssport.cv for more information.
It was just another moment in a chaotic few weeks for the one-time UND player.
"It's more just excitement about being in the tournament," Emerson said. "Obviously, there's a little connection with North Dakota, but it's more (part) of the full whirlwind."
Emerson was a member of the Fighting Hawks' 2023 freshman class. He left the program in January 2024 after playing in six games and recording zero points. He returned to his junior team, the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League.
Emerson arrived at Merrimack the following season. Now, he's a member of a Warrior team that has already etched itself into program history.
Eighth-seeded Merrimack beat third-seeded UConn 2-1 in the Hockey East championship on March 21 to cap off a stunning run and secure the program's first-ever Hockey East tournament title.
The Warriors became the first No. 8 seed and lowest seed ever to win the Hockey East tournament. They beat No. 1 Providence and No. 2 UMass en route to the championship.
"I think we're just playing for one another at the end of the day," Emerson said. "We just want to see every guy succeed. And I think we've really come together these past couple of weeks, just playing for each other and doing whatever we can to win. Everybody's doing their job. ... It's pretty cool to put our names in history."
Emerson has four goals and five assists in 36 games this season. He had six goals and six assists in 32 games last year.
"I think it's been good just trying to work on the little things in my game," Emerson said. "Playing harder away from pucks and just trying to be a physical force, being a little bit of a bigger guy. ... Just trying to win my shifts and playing hard."
When the red-hot Warriors take on the Hawks in the NCAA tournament regional semifinals, Emerson will be reunited with a few familiar faces.
Dane Jackson was an associate head coach while Emerson was at UND. Two of the seven Class of 2023 recruits are still on the team: Abram Wiebe and Jake Livanavage.
Though Emerson's time as a Hawk was short, the connections he made still stick out, especially with the fellow freshmen.
He still keeps in touch with players like Jayden Perron (who is now at Michigan), Nate Benoit (who is now at Long Island University) and Livanavage.
"Our freshman class was really close," Emerson said. "I still keep in touch with a lot of those guys now. I think just that and the relationships I built (stick out)."
Emerson, Livanavage and Perron were teammates at the Chicago Steel before their time as Hawks.
Emerson also roomed with Livanavage in the dorms.
"I've known him for a while now," Emerson said. "We still talk and everything like that. He's been one of my good buddies for a while now, so we always just keep in touch."
Merrimack will open the NCAA tournament against No. 2 UND at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.
"They have a lot of skill up front, and they just play a hard and physical game and make it tough on their opponents," Emerson said. "We've just got to be ready to go."