Dickinson’s Jaren Hugelen had a tough decision between hockey and baseball after high school.
The slugger and defenseman had opportunities for both, but his eyes have always been set on skating the ice after graduating from Dickinson High.
Last week, Hugelen signed with the University of Mary, making it official only about a month before the school year starts. Initially, he was looking to join a North American Hockey League team, a top tier for junior hockey, but didn't have any offers, he said. It came down to a choice between Mary and a lower junior league.
“I felt like Mary was a better choice." he said. "They are a good team. I have heard it is a good school and I have heard that the culture there is awesome to be a part of.”
As a senior at DHS, Hugelen played in 22 games for the Midgets with 18 goals, 16 assists for 34 points, and was an all-state selection.
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Mary was 29-11 last season, and were set to play in the American College Hockey Association DII National Championship tournament in March before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
While the team has had plenty of success the past two years, the program is only in its third season.
“It will be fun to help build them,” Hugelen said. “They are already a national power, but I want to help them get established more where every year, everyone knows that they will be a tough team to play.”
Hugelen loves the atmosphere of Bismarck and the campus, and the ability to be close to home was also a plus.
“The campus was nice, and it seems like its own little town where it is. Everybody there was really friendly,” he said. “There are tons of things to do, too, in Bismarck so I don’t think I’ll ever be bored.”
