BISMARCK, ND. – The Bismarck Bobcats announced multiple roster moves Friday morning, involving a trade with the Mallards and the addition of two players before the upcoming weekend against the Norsemen.
Bismarck acquired a 2027 NAHL third-round draft pick and future considerations from the Minnesota Mallards in exchange for forward Ben Likness.
Likness, a 2006-born skater, has suited up in 95 career NAHL games for both the Oklahoma Warriors and the Bobcats, posting five assists in 18 contests with Bismarck.
“We want to thank Ben for his time in BIsmarck in two different stints,” General Manager Niko Kapetanovic said. “Ben is a good hockey player who will do well for the Mallards. We wish Ben all the best and he should step into their lineup and make an immediate impact.”
With the departure of Likness, Bismarck has also added two new players to the roster: defenseman Melvin Nilsson and forward Luc Plante.
Nilsson joins the squad after spending last year with Linköping HC’s U20 Nationell and SHL teams, posting a goal and 11 points across the two leagues.
Standing a 6-foot-2, the let-handed defenseman brings physicality and mobility to one of the best blue lines in the NAHL this season, giving up just 18 goals through 11 contests.
Plante is no stranger to the NAHL, having played for Fairbanks in 2024-2025 with 40 points in 56 appearances.
The Northern Michigan commit then took his talents up north to the OHL’s Erie Otters, where he recorded five goals and 15 points in 68 career games before joining the Bobcats.
You can catch the new faces of your Bobcats later tonight and tomorrow night, as Bismarck takes on St. Cloud from the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex at 7 pm and 6:30 pm respectively. The games can be watched live on nahltv.com or listened to on SuperTalk 1270 and the SuperTalk 1270 mobile app.