The first half of the season has tested the Dordt University hockey team's endurance, depth, and chemistry and the Defenders have continued to succeed. Now ranked No. 11 nationally and holding one of the top records in ACHA Division III, Dordt has found success behind the steady leadership of its veterans and the immediate impact of a freshman class that's pushing the entire roster forward.

Full Defender Discussions Episode

Head coach Tyler Morgan admits the early months have been a grind. Dordt hasn't had a free weekend in over two months, with few breaks. But the pace has helped the team develop its rhythm and identity shaped by balance, competition, and growth.

"We have seven freshmen, and our biggest concern early was just getting them comfortable and finding their spots in the lineup," Morgan said. "By our third game, they'd all found their roles—and not just as depth guys, but in meaningful spots. All seven are making our team better every day."

The newcomers have blended seamlessly with a solid group of returning sophomores and upperclassmen, helping Dordt maintain its momentum from last year's national tournament run. Offensively, the Defenders have spread the scoring load across multiple lines. Sophomores Rylan Veenstra, Mason Speckels, and Reuben Horneman are leading the team in goals, while freshmen Tegan Doelman and Nick Espenson are on pace for 20-goal seasons of their own.

"It's been fun to watch everyone step up," Morgan said. "We've got guys on different lines producing, and that makes us hard to defend. We try to let our players be creative—to trust their instincts—and that's showing up in our offense."

That freedom has created a brand of hockey that's fast, confident, and unpredictable. Dordt's scoring depth has been a strength, but the team's defensive growth has provided balance.

A pair of freshman defensemen, Tyler Welsh from Marshall, Minnesota, and Preston Waage from Forest Lake, Minnesota, have emerged as key contributors well ahead of schedule. Both began the season on the third pairing but quickly earned top-line minutes, joining veterans Zach Espenson and Andrew Benson to form a reliable rotation on the back end.

"They've been incredible," Morgan said. "By our second weekend, it was clear they were ready for big minutes. They play with poise beyond their age, fit our culture perfectly, and remind me of when Zach and Andrew came in as freshmen and changed the way we played defensively."

Sophomores Mike Torlina and Chris Janssen have also taken major steps forward, giving Dordt six defensemen capable of logging heavy minutes against any opponent.

Behind them, the Defenders have the rare luxury of two reliable goaltenders. Isaiah Van Noord and Tim Nanson have split time evenly this season, allowing Dordt to stay fresh through heavy travel and back-to-back game weekends.

"It's a huge advantage," Morgan said. "We can rotate goalies and not lose a beat. They make me look like a good coach—they keep us in games no matter who we play."

That consistency has allowed Dordt to manage a grueling schedule that includes late-night faceoffs and quick turnarounds.

On Friday nights at the Vernon Ice Arena, the crowd energy has become something special with a  blend of campus excitement and community pride.

"It's incredible," Morgan said. "You look across the rink and see people packed in—students, families, and a ton of little kids in their youth hockey jerseys. Our players do a great job connecting with the kids, and that's made hockey something people in Sioux Center really care about."

For many Dordt students, Defender hockey is their first live hockey experience, and the unique environment has made the sport a point of pride. Morgan said he tells players and recruits that something special is happening at Dordt, and hockey has become a vessel for it. "I remind our players and I tell kids we're recruiting that God is doing something special on our campus," he said. "He's using hockey as a vessel for that on Friday nights. It's fun to be part of something that's bigger than just wins and losses."

With a top-15 national ranking and an 15-1 record midway through the season, Dordt is poised for another postseason run. The focus now turns to finishing the semester strong before a challenging January and February stretch that will shape playoff positioning.

"We want to be playing our best hockey in March," Morgan said. "This group is deep, they love competing, and they're pushing each other to get better every day. That's a great place to be halfway through the season."