With the recent news that Brandon Mickelson and Tyden Bergeson will return to Moorhead High School for the 2025–26 season, one question naturally comes up….
Will Zac Zimmerman be coming back as well?
At this point, it’s likely that Zimmerman has already made his decision to stay with the Fargo Force in the USHL,…. and to be clear, this isn’t a plea for him to return. Instead, it’s more of a reflection for players who may find themselves in similar situations down the road.
I’ve never believed there’s a one-size-fits-all path for player development. Every individual’s journey is unique,… every family dynamic is different, and every player has their own outlook on what’s best for their hockey career. It’s a personal decision, and it should remain that way.
That said, there’s a common belief among young players that the “fast track” of development — jumping to juniors as soon as possible — is the only way to stay ahead of their peers. If there were clear, consistent data proving that path to be superior, I’d be the first to agree. But there isn’t.
Some argue that this is a “big year” for Zimmerman because it’s his draft year and he needs to prove he can handle junior hockey. The truth is, every year is a big year for a player with aspirations beyond high school. Scouts already know Zimmerman’s game…. his skillset, skating, and tendencies are well-documented. A few months of high school hockey won’t change their evaluation. What they’re watching for now is continued development in the technical details and the growth of his overall maturity as a player.
From a developmental standpoint, there’s a strong case to be made for Zimmerman spending his junior season back in Moorhead. A full year in the USHL is already waiting for him next season. Returning to high school for one more run wouldn’t be a step back, it would be a chance to lead. After last year’s state championship, this season would offer a new kind of challenge: to be the leader, to mentor younger players, to show ownership of a team that has championship DNA. Scouts notice that kind of presence just as much as point totals, maybe more.
Of course, Zimmerman could just as easily continue his journey with Fargo this season and keep building toward the next level. Either route is a good one,…that’s the beauty of his position. Having multiple programs that want you, having choices in your development, is something to be savored.
As Matthew Brodrick said in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off:
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Zac Zimmerman is fortunate to have multiple doors open. No matter which one he walks through, the hockey world will be watching.
