North Dakota
Jaksen Panzer released from commitment to North Dakota, flips to Bemidji State
BEMIDJI — Jaksen Panzer wants to play college hockey close to home.
No school is closer than North Dakota, the institution he was previously committed to since April 2, 2019. Panzer, a Grand Forks, N.D., native, grew up at Ralph Engelstad Arena watching the Fighting Hawks in his backyard. It’s the program his father, Jeff, and uncle, Jay, played for, winning national championships in 2000 and 1997, respectively.
Panzer committed to North Dakota in eighth grade and was one of the youngest UND commits in program history.
Now, he’s set to play for Bemidji State. Panzer expressed his desire to decommit from UND, and North Dakota released him from his National Letter of Intent earlier this week. Panzer announced his new commitment on Instagram Thursday afternoon.
“It was nothing bad between me or North Dakota,” Panzer said. “I kind of wanted to look for something new, maybe get a different opportunity or a better opportunity. That’s where I stood. I informed UND of that, and they were very understanding of me. They worked very well with me, my family and my advisor to get that done as soon as possible.”
Panzer is in his second full season with the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound forward has 15 goals and 17 assists in 53 games. He had 13 goals and 15 assists in his first full season and three goals and eight assists for the Stampede in 18 games following his junior season at East Grand Forks High School.
“The USHL, I’d say, is one of the hardest leagues to play in,” Panzer said. “My first year wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. I battled through a couple of months throughout the season where I was struggling. It’s helped me mature as a player and as a person. You have to get through those times mentally and physically.”
Panzer plans to attend Bemidji State next year, an opportunity he likely wouldn’t have had at North Dakota, according to Fighting Hawks beat writer Brad Schlossman on Twitter.
“When I was thinking about room (to play) next year, there were some other schools I also had in mind,” Panzer said. “Bemidji offered me what I liked and what I was looking for. It was a pretty easy decision.”
Wanting to stay relatively local, Panzer committed to play for the Beavers 110 miles from his hometown.
“I’ve always kind of wanted to be close to home to play college hockey,” Panzer said. “Even when I was committed to UND, Bemidji State was always in the back of my head. I’ve always thought it was a really good school. I’ve always heard stuff about the coaches, especially Tom Serratore. When they gave me a call, it was pretty easy to tell them, ‘I’m in.’
“I’ll be able to have my parents at pretty much every home game. Whether it’s my parents, my grandparents, my aunt and uncle, I’ll have somebody I’m pretty close with at every home game. That’s important to me, and it made the decision pretty easy when Bemidji gave me the call.”
Nick Nelson / Grand Forks Herald
Panzer noted the importance of East Grand Forks head coach Tyler Palmiscno and his guidance throughout the recruiting process.
“I have to give him a lot of credit,” Panzer said. “He did absolutely everything for me and gave me everything I needed. Most guys don’t get second chances to (choose) a different school, and he’s helped me a lot. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t know if I’d get another chance like I did.”
Panzer is eager to finish the rest of his USHL stint with a clear vision of his future. He’s even more excited to build on a MacNaughton Cup-winning season for the Beavers starting in the fall of 2024.
“I want to get better every year,” Panzer said. “I want to be better as a sophomore than I was as a freshman, then continue that chain. I want to come in and help the team win. I don’t care if I score or get a point, I just want to win. (BSU) has had a lot of success this year, and I want to help keep that going.”
The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.
Long Beach State hosted North Dakota State on March 10 where they suffered a 5-2 loss. Freshman Nina Sepulveda had two hits in the loss. Long Beach State will resume Big West play this weekend when they travel to UC Riverside for a three-game series starting Friday, March 13.
GRAND FORKS — Four area athletes were selected to the North Dakota Division A all-state girls basketball team, which was released by the North Dakota High School Coaches Association on Tuesday.
The North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association will release all-state teams later this month.
Thompson’s Addison Sage led the way as a first team all-state pick, as well as receiving the division’s Outstanding Senior Athlete honor. Her coach, Jason Brend, was the Coach of the Year.
All-state second team choices from the area are Devils Lake junior Tylie Brodina, Four Winds-Minnewaukan sophomore Suri Gourd and Thompson senior Kya Hurst.
Sage, a 5-foot-6 guard, averaged 22.3 points per game, 3.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.2 steals per game. Sage has more than 1,900 career points and holds the Tommies’ all-time scoring record.
Brodina, a 5-8 guard, averaged 18.8 points and 2.6 steals per game. She shot 82 percent from the foul line and 32 percent from 3-point range.
Hurst, a 5-6 forward, averaged 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. She added 3.7 steals and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 39.5 percent from 3-point range. Hurst has scored more than 1,600 points and grabbed more than 840 rebounds in her career.
Gourd, a 5-8 guard, averaged 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 4.4 steals per game. Gourd has more than 1,600 career points in her career with two more seasons to play.
Gourd led Four Winds-Minnewaukan from a 5-17 record last season to a 16-8 mark this year.
Funeral Mass for Annabelle Weber, 95, of Dickinson will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Queen of Peace Church with Msgr. Thomas Richter celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, with Rosary and Vigil service taking place at 6:00 PM. Annabelle passed away Friday, March 6, 2026 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Annabelle S. Weber was born on December 8, 1930, in Killdeer, North Dakota, to Frank and Eva (Kowis) Schmalz. She grew up in Killdeer and graduated from Killdeer High School in 1947. At the age of 17, Annabelle began working at Zimbrich’s Department Store in Killdeer. She later moved to Dickinson, where she worked at S&L in retail sales and spent many years at Kessel’s Bridal Shop. While working at the Esquire Steak House, she met Gerald Weber, the love of her life. The couple was united in marriage on November 1, 1954, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson, where they made their home and built their life together. Annabelle was a woman who loved staying busy and caring for her family and home. She enjoyed hunting and fishing, along with hobbies such as crafts, sewing, and gardening. She was well known for keeping an immaculate home and took great pride in caring for those around her. Faith was an important part of her life. She joined the Catholic Daughters in 1957 and was active in church circles, often helping with funeral dinners and parish gatherings. Annabelle’s greatest joy was her family. Annabelle is survived by her sons, Greg (Barbara) Weber of Grand Forks, Russ (Rhonda) Weber of Dickinson; daughter, Sharon (Tony) Allen of Andover, MN; nine grandchildren, Christi (Ryan), Tiffani (Tim), Shane (Kayla), Tonya (Adam), Samantha (Scott), Kevin, Tracey (Analisa), Stacie, Tyler; 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Eva Schmalz; husband, Gerald Weber; siblings, William (Evelyn) Schmalz, Elaine (John) Buresh, and Vernon (Dolores) Schmalz; and daughter-in-law, Coleen Weber (Krance). Remembrances and condolences can be shared at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.
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