Another Varsity Hockey Program Is Coming To North Dakota

North Dakota High School hockey is about to add another program to its schools that offer varsity hockey.

There have been rumors about Watford City making the jump from club to varsity hockey for some time now. One of North Dakota's newest high schools, Minot North, will no doubt be adding a varsity hockey program in the near future.

As it turns out, neither one of those schools will be making the jump next season starting in 2025-2026.

According to an article on InForum, the high school that will be adding varsity hockey in North Dakota is Fargo Shanely.

This was announced this past Friday during the North Dakota State Hockey Tournament in Grand Forks. Shanley has decided to dissolve their partnership and co-op with Fargo South, and going forward, they will represent the Deacons on the ice. Fargo South-Shanley won a state title together back in 2023.

Instead, the Fargo Shanley boys' hockey will form a new co-op with Fargo Oak Grove, Moorhead Park Christian, and Capstone Classical Academy next season.

The North Dakota High School Activities Association is expected to confirm the move in early April.

This will not be the first time that Fargo Shanley offered a varsity boys' hockey team representing the Deacons. According to former Bismarck High Hockey coach Mike Peluso, Fargo Shanley also had a varsity team in the '70s and a good part of the '80s.

Always good to see high school hockey growing in North Dakota. Look for Minot North to be the next school moving up to varsity.