S8 E23: Ashley Messier makes an impact

S8 E23: Ashley Messier makes an impact

Author: Duluth News Tribune March 12, 2026 Duration: 33:42

The season is not done for Ashley Messier and the UMD womens hockey team! They earned a sixth-consecutive NCAA tournament berth. Messier, a Graduate Student defenseman from Wilcox, Saskatchewan, Canada, joined the Bulldogs after five years at Cornell. If you're wondering about her last name, she is indeed related to NHL legend Mark Messier, who is a cousin of her father Joby, also a former NHL player.

In this episode, Messier joins Bulldog Insider co-host Matt Wellens via Zoom, discussing her background in hockey, why she transferred to UMD, being reunited with Bishop Kearney Selects teammate Mary Kate O'Brien, making the 2026 NCAA Tournament, and much more.

The Bulldogs were able to hang on to the last at-large bid to the 11-team tournament last week, finishing No. 10 in the NCAA Percentage Index Ratings — the system used to select and seed the NCAA men's and women's hockey tournaments. The week began with five Cinderellas from outside the top 10 of the NPI still alive in conference tournaments. One by one, they fell throughout the week, improving UMD's chances each day.

UMD (20-14-3) now has a chance to bounce back from a disappointing WCHA tournament by playing Yale (25-9) in a "battle of the Bulldogs" at 5 p.m. CDT Thursday at the OSU Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio, with the winner getting the top seeded Ohio State Buckeyes (34-4) at 5 p.m. Saturday. The winner advances to the 2026 NCAA Women's Frozen Four at Penn State.

It's a special double dog week for the Bulldog Insider podcast with another episode scheduled for Friday featuring freshman defenseman Grayden Siepmann of the UMD mens team. They'll face North Dakota on the road on Saturday at 6:07 PM in an NCHC semifinal showdown. As Wellens writes, the Bulldogs are considered a lock to make the 16-team NCAA Tournament.

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

 

Every week, the rhythms and rivalries of college hockey get a deep, local dive on Bulldog Insider. This isn't just a broadcast from a newsroom; it's a conversation straight from the heart of Bulldog country, brought to you by the Duluth News Tribune. Hosts Matt Wellens, a seasoned reporter, and Zach Schneider, a My9 sports commentator, bring their distinct perspectives to the microphone, creating a dynamic that feels like listening in on a knowledgeable debate between friends. The real texture of the show comes from the voices you hear alongside them-current University of Minnesota Duluth players sharing the view from the locker room, coaches breaking down strategy beyond the post-game quotes, and alumni connecting today's team to its storied legacy. You'll get more than just scores and highlights. This podcast digs into the stories behind the season: the developing strategies, the personal journeys of athletes, and the pivotal moments that define a program. It’s essential listening for anyone who lives and breathes UMD hockey, offering an insider's access that goes far beyond the standard game recap. Tune in weekly for the analysis, the interviews, and the passion that only a community deeply invested in its team can provide.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 228

Bulldog Insider
Podcast Episodes
S8 E27: Season finale and Q&A with the insiders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:20
The memorable run for the University of Minnesota Duluth mens hockey team ended this past Sunday with a 4-3 loss to the No. 1 overall seed, Michigan, in an NCAA regional final at MVP Arena in Albany, New York. The Bulldo…
S8 E26: Awards to the max with Max Plante [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:30
Minnesota Duluth sophomore forward Max Plante has been hearing 'congratulations' a lot lately, but he isn't always sure what for. Sure, he has been collecting awards and honors left and right the past couple weeks and la…
S8 E25: Shattuck, Russia and NCHC playoffs with Daniel Shlaine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:51
At 2 p.m. on Sunday, the University of Minnesota Duluth mens hockey team will hear their name called during the 2026 NCAA tournament selection show on ESPNU for the first time since winning their last Frozen Faceoff titl…
S8 E24: Grayden Siepmann and the Bulldogs are cooking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:43
The second part of a "double dog week" is here for the Bulldog Insider podcast with another episode, this one featuring freshman defenseman Grayden Siepmann of the UMD mens team. The native of Langley, British Columbia,…
S8 E22: Bulldog Bracketology with Matt and Zach [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:45
The NCHC playoffs begin this week and regardless of the outcome of their quarterfinal series, the UMD mens hockey team appears to have secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The UMD womens team fell in their best-of-thre…
S8 E20: Senior blueliners Pierce, Bodnarchuk reflect on UMD journeys [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:10
They're both defensemen, both in their fourth seasons in Bulldog Country and it has been a memorable ride for both Joey Pierce and Riley Bodnarchuk. Pierce, a Hermantown graduate, didn't have to travel far from home for…
S8 E19: Derek Plante: Bulldogs Player, Coach, and Now Dad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:28
Derek Plante has worn many hats at UMD. He's played hockey for the Bulldogs, coached the Bulldogs and now when he's not scouting in the NHL, the 1993 Hobey Baker finalist a Bulldog Dad. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Ma…
S8 E18: Red Wings Let Brady Cleveland Make His Own Life Decisions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:25
Bulldogs defenseman and Detroit Red Wings prospect Brady Cleveland is a two-time transfer, who took a long and winding road to finally reach the college team he wanted to play for as a kid. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted b…
S8 E17: Bechen, Bentz Jumped at Chance to Be Bulldogs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:02
When Minnesota Duluth associate head coach Adam Krause came calling, wingers Blake Bechen and Harper Bentz answered to join their junior hockey teammates on a growing 2024-25 rookie class at UMD. Bulldog Insider is co-ho…