Hockey | 10/7/2025 11:39:00 AM

Crookston, Minn. - The Golden Eagles will open their season this Friday at 7 p.m. as they host the Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons. This will be the first meeting between the two programs, which bodes well for the Golden Eagles as they went 5-0-1 in such games during the 2024-25 campaign.

The Golden Eagles finished last year with a 22-8-2 record and an overtime loss in the final game at Regionals, they will be looking for their first Nationals appearance in 2026. The Golden Eagles had 176 goals for and 71 goals against for a +105 goal differential. The Dragons come into this weekend following a season where they only played eight games, finishing with a record of 6-1-0-1, with that last one being a tie. The Dragons had 25 goals for and 10 goals against for a +15 goal differential

The Golden Eagle Player to Watch this weekend is new addition Braden Van de Kraats (So., D/F, Medicine Hat, Alberta) who will wear 29. Van de Kraats played the 2024-25 season at Williston State College, where he notched 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points in just 27 games. Prior to that, he played his 2023-24 season as the captain of the Vegreville Vipers of the CAJHL where he scored 29 goals and 82 assists for 111 points in 40 games. Van de Kraats will be a fantastic addition to the team this season and will play all over the ice. 

Puck drop on Friday will take place at 7 p.m. at the Crookston Sports Center. Saturday's puck drop will be at 1 p.m. at the Crookston Sports Center to get the season started. The Golden Eagles have high hopes this year, and will look to start off on the right foot this weekend.