S8 E8: We Answer Your Burning Questions

S8 E8: We Answer Your Burning Questions

Author: Duluth News Tribune November 6, 2025 Duration: 1:02:36

You had questions — a lot of them — and the "Insiders" who cover the Minnesota Duluth men's and women's hockey teams have answers. Some of them may actually be good answers.

The radio voice of Bulldogs hockey, Bruce Ciskie, joined News Tribune college hockey reporter Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider of My 9 Sports on the Bulldog Insider Podcast this week to break down the start of the 2025-26 season for the men and women. The "Bulldog Insiders" resubmitted their ballots for the preseason NCHC poll and they answered questions that were sent in by podcast listeners and viewers on this week's episode.

Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producer 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 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…
S8 E9: Ty Hanson Is Leading From Blue Line [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:46
UMD sophomore defenseman Ty Hanson is one of the top scoring defensemen in the NCAA, and an alternate captain of a No. 3-ranked Bulldogs team that's having a blast to start the 2025-26 season. Bulldog Insider is co-hoste…
S8 E7: Scandinavian Rivals Become Teammates at UMD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:40
Finland's Krista Parkkonen and Sweden's Thea Johansson transferred to Minnesota Duluth not only to improve themselves as hockey players, but their national team programs ahead of the 2026 Olympics. Bulldog Insider is co-…
S8 E6: Zam Plante Takes On Hockey, Hunting, His Family [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:40
UMD's Zam Plante joins the Bulldog Insider Podcast to talk hockey, hunting and the competitive nature of his family. The Hermantown native also answers the questions submitted by you and his family. Bulldog Insider is co…
S8 E5: Eve Gascon Balances Olympic Dreams and UMD Hockey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:11
UMD junior goaltender Eve Gascon is juggling more than just pucks in the crease this season, backstopping the Bulldogs while trying to make the 2026 Canadian Olympic women's hockey team. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by M…
S8 E4: Arnott & Shaugabay Strike Lightning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:45
UMD sophomore wingers Callum Arnott and Jayson Shaugabay return to the podcast to break down Tampa Bay Lighting development camp, the Bulldogs' trip to Alaska and this season's living arrangements. Bulldog Insider is co-…
S8 E2: TikTok Tips from UMD's Most Viral Captain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:53
Bulldogs captain Mary Kate O'Brien is kind of a big deal on the ice and off it, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a college hockey players on TikTok. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Sch…
S8 E1: Inside the 2025-26 UMD Hockey Season: Preview & Predictions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:39
The Bulldog Insider Podcast is back for Season 8. The 'Insiders' Matt, Zach and Bruce preview the upcoming 2025-26 UMD men's and women's hockey seasons, and answer questions submitted by listeners. Bulldog Insider is co-…
S7 E24: Answering Your Questions About the 2024-25 Season and Beyond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:23
The 'Insiders' answer your questions about the 2024-25 season and the future of the UMD men's and women's hockey programs in Part II of the two-part Season 7 finale of the Bulldog Insider Podcast. Bulldog Insider is co-h…