Mark Senden And Gavin Hain Are Returning To UND For A Fifth Season

     The COVID-19 pandemic cut short the 2019-20 college hockey season. That has resulted in forwards Mark Senden and Gavin Hain having a fifth year of eligibility due to their lost ice time.

     This past season Senden served as the team captain, while also racking up a career-high 17 points in 34 games. He earned the NCHC Sportsmanship Award for his leadership both on-and-off the ice. In March Senden was also named a finalist for the Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award, given annually to the Division I player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, competitiveness, intelligence, and work ethic.

     Senden has been a leader for UND over the past four seasons playing in 131 games, while only committing 30 minor penalties. He is also one of the active plus/minus leaders in the country with a +32.

     Senden has been successful winning championships at all levels he’s played in as his team's captain. In high school at Wayzata he led the Trojans to a Minnesota Class AA state championship. While with the Fargo Force he helped the team secure its first Clark Cup (USHL Champion) in franchise history. Now with North Dakota they have won an unprecedented third straight Penrose Cup as the NCHC’s regular season champion. With one year of college hockey remaining, Senden is chasing the elusive NCAA national championship.

     “I am so excited to get the chance to play for UND one more year,” said Senden. “This team is my family and Grand Forks has become my home. I can’t wait to get to play at the Ralph in front of the best fans in college hockey for another year. I can’t wait to get to work and keep adding to the tradition.” 

     A lower-body injury limited Hain to only 18 games in the 2021-22 season. In limited ice time, he was still able to rack up nine total points on six goals and three assists. Before his injury, Hain scored in four straight series helping North Dakota pick up wins against Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota, St. Cloud State, and Colorado College. Hain also served as an assistant captain for the Fighting Hawks this past season.

     Hain is ready to get back to work after the announcement of his return saying, “Pumped and honored to play another year for North Dakota. Can’t wait to play in front of the best fans again and capture that ninth banner!”