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 E16: Gajan Let His Play Make His Case for 2026 Olympics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:01
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S8 E15: Freshmen Anderson, Bibby Made Blind Commitments to UMD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:20
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S8 E14: Your Questions About Ireland, Second Half Answered [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:13
KDAL's Bruce Ciskie, Zach Schneider of My 9 Sports and the News Tribune's Matt Wellens answer your questions about the Bulldogs in Ireland, Saturdays and Max Plante's chances of winning the Hobey. Bulldog Insider is co-h…
BONUS: What Limits Should NCAA Have on Pro Athletes? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:57
Should athletes who have played in professional leagues be allowed to play in the NCAA? While recording season 8 episode 8 of the Bulldog Insider podcast, Bruce Ciskie, Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider discussed how the N…
S8 E13: Max Plante Ready for Final Run with USA at World Juniors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:55
After winning gold in 2025 in Ottawa, Hermantown native and UMD wing Max Plante is after another gold medal at the 2026 World Junior Championship in Minnesota with his longtime USA Hockey teammates. Bulldog Insider is co…
S8 E12: Kleber Previews 2026 World Juniors in Minnesota [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:30
Team USA's big man on the blue line, UMD defenseman Adam Kleber, previews the upcoming 2026 World Junior Championship that is coming to Duluth, Minneapolis and St. Paul in December and January. Bulldog Insider is co-host…
S8 E11: Kraemer Chases Olympic Dreams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:35
The No. 5-ranked Minnesota Duluth women's hockey program has one more WCHA series scheduled this weekend at Bemidji State before it begins a three-week holiday break. But not everyone is getting a break from hockey. Bull…
Bonus Questions w/ Sandelin, Arnott, Shaugabay, Zam Plante and Hanson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:50
This special episode includes the bonus segments recorded during the breaks of episodes 3, 4, 6 and 9 with UMD men's hockey head coach Scott Sandelin, and players Callum Arnott, Jayson Shaugabay, Zam Plante and Ty Hanson…
S8 E10: First Texan Bulldog - Villanueva's Unlikely Goaltending Origin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:48
Sophia Villanueva is the first Bulldog — men or women — to call Texas home. However, Texas is just one of the plethora of places the Minnesota Duluth freshman goaltender has called home in her young life. Villanueva's fa…