GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Being a college athlete is never a perfect road, and there are always bumps along the way.
 
From battling for playing time to adjusting to life away from home, balancing athletics and academics, or even personal issues, adversity is part of the gig.
 
Ben Strinden knows that all too well. The Fargo, North Dakota native had hoped for a better start to his college career. Even while playing for his dream school at the University of North Dakota.
 
However, Strinden’s biggest piece of adversity came away from the rink last summer.
 
Strinden’s father, Tom, was diagnosed with brain cancer in February of 2024. After a 17-month battle with Glioblastoma, Tom passed away on July 13, 2025. He was 63.
 
Ben and his fiancé, Anna, his mother, Michelle, and three siblings – Jacob, Joseph and Sarah – turned to their faith and each other to mourn, remember and prepare for life without Tom.
 
“He was really an inspiration to me and I think to a lot of people,” Ben said of his father. “He was always just a hard-working and honest man, and he kind of showed me how I should live, and we always had such a close relationship.
 
“He sacrificed so much for me and my family, especially in my hockey career, and he was always such a light and a supportive person. He really cared about me and the people around him, and to watch him go through all of that with such courage and joy, it was incredible.”
 
Once Tom received his diagnosis and the cancer began to worsen, Ben and Anna made numerous trips down I-29 to visit.
 
The close proximity to Grand Forks proved to be a blessing in disguise, especially as Ben balanced being a college athlete. And while Ben fought for a bigger role on the team, his dad was enduring a much bigger fight.
 
The two would talk about life, hockey and everything in between, and simply enjoy the time at each other’s side – creating memories Ben will cherish forever.
 
“There was some talk out there and people asked me if I would ever transfer to find a better opportunity after the way my first couple years went, but I always believed I was here for a reason and God wanted me to stay, and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for,” Strinden said. “My first couple years here (at UND) I didn’t have a ton of success and that was hard, but you see what (my dad’s) going through and it gives you a perspective, and you want to be there for him.
 
“He was always there for me and obviously I couldn’t see him as much as I wanted to, but (Anna) and I still went down there whenever we could and being so close and being able to share that time with him and our family was truly special.”
 
Tom played collegiate hockey at Concordia College and had been a lifelong UND fan. Tom’s father, Earl Strinden, served over three decades as Executive Vice President of North Dakota’s alumni association, and hockey season tickets have been a fixture in both Tom and Michelle’s families.
 
In addition to supporting and watching North Dakota, hockey itself has always been a major part of the family’s fabric.
 

The Strinden boys were in skates as soon as they could walk and spent countless hours on the outdoor rink. Some of Ben’s favorite childhood memories still revolve around attending games at Ralph Engelstad Arena and spending his Friday nights alongside his father wearing green.
 
“UND blood runs very deep in our family,” said Ben’s mother, Michelle, who spent 29 years married to Tom and is currently the state of North Dakota’s Lieutenant Governor. “It’s been incredibly bittersweet with Tom passing last summer, so for him not to see Ben’s success this year, it’s tough. Because this was all of our dream for Ben.
 
“For me as a mom, it’s been so fun seeing Ben have a good time and enjoy this season, and I know Tom’s passing put a lot on his shoulders and took a lot out of him. But he handled it all so well and leaned on the people around him, and I’m just so proud of him. We know Tom’s watching, but we wish he could’ve been here first-hand.”
 
Not only has Strinden handled the process well, but the senior has been rewarded with a breakout season, as he has been one of the Fighting Hawks’ top performers in 2025-26.
 
Strinden has racked up a team-leading 33 points in 34 regular-season games, which ranks 10th in the NCHC. He’s also lit the lamp 15 times this year, which is third on UND’s roster. In his first three years combined in Grand Forks, Strinden managed a total of 16 goals and 34 points.
 
With his offensive outburst, Strinden helped North Dakota (25-8-1) finish atop the NCHC at 17-6-1 in conference play, as the Fighting Hawks lifted their seventh Penrose Cup last weekend. Strinden finished the regular season with five points in his last three games.
 
But it’s not just the offense that Strinden has contributed to the team. He’s also been a popular teammate all season long.
 
“Ben’s a real high-character guy,” said first-year UND head coach Dane Jackson. “He’s a leader on our team and he’s taken a huge step with his poise and play-making, and his offensive production.
 
“He’s always been a guy that’s been a character guy and a glue guy, and he plays extremely hard and skates well. But this year he’s taken a step to play in our top six and be a guy that we count on when on the power play and in critical situations.”
 
Jackson added that Strinden “works so hard” and he’s “earned everything he’s getting” this year.
 
Strinden has spent this season wearing an ‘A’ on his chest too, demonstrating the leadership, work ethic and caring traits that he learned from his parents at a young age. They’ve helped mold the type of player he is, too, and he’s wanted to make his dad proud.
 
He’s done that and more, and he’s certainly enjoying quite the senior send-off.
 
“This has been a year where everything has come together perfectly and it’s been a ton of fun, and there’s also a little sense of renewal for me,” Strinden said. “Honestly, the last three years were pretty hard at times, but I’ve just stuck with it and kept my head down. So to have both the team and individual success we’ve had this season, it’s been really special.”

 

“After Tom’s diagnosis and treatments, it was such a difficult year for the whole family, and this has been something to bring us together and really look forward to every weekend,” Michelle added. “Our entire family has been blessed with a strong support network over the years and we’ve been fortunate to have Ben so close for college.
 
“The UND hockey program has such a long and storied history, and for us to be a small part of it, it’s special.”
 
While the end of his college career will be bittersweet, Strinden is hoping for a deep tournament run and is excited for what the future holds. 
 
The UND assistant captain is a 2022 seventh-round draft pick of the Nashville Predators and hopes to carve out a professional career once he’s done in Grand Forks.
 
It’s been a journey a young Fargo kid could’ve never imagined, and one he won’t take for granted. And although Tom may no longer be watching from the stands, he’s certainly there in spirit.
 
“It’s been a dream come true playing here and I’m so grateful for everything and all the support this season,” Strinden said. “It hasn’t always been perfect, but that’s made this last year sweeter. Lots of perseverance and to have a season like this after what we went through, it means everything for me and my family, and that’s who I do it for.”
 
Strinden and the Fighting Hawks open the NCHC postseason this weekend in Grand Forks, as third-ranked North Dakota hosts Omaha for a best-of-three NCHC Quarterfinal series.
 
Friday’s game is set for a 7:07 p.m. CT faceoff, followed by a 6:07 p.m. CT start on Saturday. Sunday’s if-necessary game three would also start at 6:07 p.m. CT and the entire series will be available on NCHC.tv.