Yooper Scoop: Wildcat Season Review & Commitment Update

The Wildcats finished out their 2025-26 season getting swept by Minnesota State a few weeks ago, finishing their season with a 3-29-2 record. Last year’s team finished with a 5-27-2 record, making this season’s team statistically worse than last season’s team. Before everyone starts freaking out and demanding “Fire Shyiak,” it’s only year two and the first true year of the Wildcat rebuild. The freshman class this year showed what they can do, especially in the second half of the season from guys like Tobias Pitka (2nd on team in PTS), Peter Cisar (5th in PTS), Mathew Ward (T-6th in PTS). And of course, there was Oliver Auyeung-Ashton. The Wildcats were 63rd nationally in goals scored this season, scoring only 56 goals on the year; however were ranked 60th according to the NPI scale. The ‘Cats were rated 56th nationally in power-play percentage and penalty kill percentage.

The Wildcats’ freshman class this upcoming season will be very offense-heavy, with only two confirmed defenseman and no goaltenders arriving on campus this fall. While there’s a handful of players committed to NMU that can’t be announced yet, I see the coaching staff being active in the portal for defenseman this offseason. While I don’t currently have a full freshman class for you guys, I’ll share a few players who Wildcat fans should be excited for next season. Here’s a current look at the Wildcats commitments and how they’re doing in their respective leagues.

Stats updated 3-24-26 05′ Forward Coster Dunn, Seattle (WHL)

Starting is the newest Wildcat commit, Coster Dunn. Dunn, an Edmonton native, is a transition-driven, high-volume shooting center who excels at carrying the puck and creating his own chances with strong defensive takeaways, per Ryan Sikes of PuckPreps. Dunn has 55 points this season in 62 games, wearing the assistant captain patch, and has a career 143 points in the WHL with Seattle. I expect Dunn to have an immediate impact on the Wildcats this fall.

06′ Defenseman Avery Laliberte, Waterloo (USHL)

Next up is Waterloo defenseman Avery Laliberte. Laliberte, a Manitoba native, is a transition-heavy defenseman with high-quality shot-blocking abilities. I personally see Laliberte being a huge asset to the Wildcats next year on the penalty kill and defense in general. In 57 games with Waterloo this season, Laliberte has nine points on three goals and six assists, and was invited to the Winnipeg Jets development camp this past summer. Laliberte will arrive on campus this fall.

06′ Forward Owen Warnick, Victoria (BCHL)

Lastly, we have Victoria forward Owen Warnick. Warnick, who hails from Winnipeg, has had a high-quality rookie season in the BCHL, racking up 42 points in 50 games played and only going to the penalty box three times. Warnick will look to add his offensive abilities to this struggling Wildcat offense this fall and should hopefully have an immediate impact on the roster. Warnick is teammates in Victoria with NMU commit and brother of former Wildcat forward Caiden Gault, Reece Gault.

While it has been a long two seasons being a Wildcat fan, I truly think that this season and next season will be a night-and-day difference. I don’t have any word on the size of next year’s freshman class, but I have been told that there are commitments for next season that cannot be announced yet, so stay tuned for another recruit update in the near future. We’re just about three weeks away from the transfer portal opening. To stay updated on Wildcat departures/arrivals, follow me on Xwitter or check out our friend Jared Rubado’s CCHA Transfer Portal Tracker.

Evan Gerry

Evan was a student at Northern Michigan, studying Hospitality Management & Tourism before leaving school in 2022. Born and raised in Marquette, he has been a life long Wildcat fan and bleeds Green and Gold, he also co-founded CCHA Watch with former Misfits Dylan Diaz and Andrew Wozniak and he runs NMU Hockey Fan Page/Updates on Instagram and Facebook. During his free time, Evan spends his free time playing World of Chel with THG’s Matt Cavender, Dylan Diaz and MTU superfan Lil Techa.

Yooper Scoop: Wildcat Season Review & Commitment Update

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