A former Ely youth and high school hockey player has been named captain of the hockey team at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Joey Pierce, who graduated from Hermantown but started his high school hockey career in Ely, will lead the Bulldogs during the 2025-26 campaign, which starts next month. Pierce has just one goal in 97 games at UMD, and 12 career assists. Pierce, who attended Ely schools through eighth grade and was part of the Timberwolves’ high school team in 2016-17. Redshirt senior Kyler Kovich, junior defenseman Aaron Pionk and sophomore defenseman Ty Hanson and sophomore wing Max Plante will wear an ‘A’ as alternate captains at UMD in 2025-26.