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
S2 E11: Division I hockey players don't get snow days [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:51
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S2 E10: Chirping with UMD defenseman Scott Perunovich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:35
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S2 E9: Former Bulldog Emma Stauber joins the family coaching business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:27
She won the NWHL Isobel Cup last season with the Minnesota Whitecaps and now she is back at her alma mater coaching the next generation of female hockey players. Fresh off her first victory as Proctor Hermantown head coa…
S2 E8: Get to know Manitoba with UMD's 'Prairie Dogs' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:49
We tapped into the Alberta market last year with Parker Mackay's hometown of Irma. Now it's time to see what southern Manitoba has to offer. This week we are joined by the trio that was dubbed "The Prairie Dogs" over the…
S2 E7: On winning with junior defenseman Dylan Samberg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:21
The UMD men's hockey team has won back-to-back titles, but Bulldogs junior defenseman Dylan Samberg's winning streak extends beyond that. The Hermantown native and Winnipeg Jets prospect joins us on the podcast this week…
S2 E6: Housemate meeting with Nick Wolff and Louie Roehl [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:58
We all have our college roommate stories. Some good. Some bad. Joining us on the podcast this week to share their roommate tales are a couple UMD hockey defensemen, and roommates, Nick Wolff and Louie Roehl. We talk a li…
S2 E5: Will travel to watch Dogs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:36
As the UMD men's hockey team heads to Madison for its first road game of the season, we are joined by three of the most well-traveled Bulldog fans to talk about what it takes to follow their favorite team around the coun…
S2 E4: Proving the doubters wrong with UMD goalie Hunter Shepard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:57
UMD senior goaltender, co-captain and Cohasset native Hunter Shepard helps us preview the 2019-20 season with a little game of Over/Under as the Bulldogs go for a third consecutive national title. Shepard shares what it'…