LPH October 2024 by Let's Play Hockey

MAPLEWOOD, MN

APPLE VALLEY, MN

CHANHASSEN, MN

DELANO, MN

College Hockey’s breeding ground

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

We call it the State of Hockey for a reason. For many reasons actually.

But one of the major reasons is the amount of Division I college hockey players Minnesota produces.

According to College Hockey Inc., Minnesota has more than double Division I men’s hockey players in NCAA in 2024. The total is 249 compared to the second most coming out of Massachusetts with 117 and surprisingly New York finishing ahead of Michigan with 113.

American players come from 38 different states.

The top 10: Minnesota – 249 Massachusetts – 117

York – 113

– 111

– 70

So why is that? Why does our state produce so many high-level hockey players?

Well, we do it differently here. While other states have privatized their rinks and their teams and moved on to more of a AAA “travel” scenario that costs bundles, Minnesota has stuck to its roots and stayed true to association hockey led by dedicated volunteers and keeping it affordable.

We will get deeper into that in a later issue of Let’s Play Hockey. But make no mistake, Minnesota’s model is proven by

the number of DI college hockey players it produces.

In this issue we cover each Minnesota Division I team, both men and women, and look a little closer at what to expect this winter. We also list all of the Division I players from Minnesota on current NCAA rosters. We hope our research was thorough and we didn’t miss anybody, but we likely did, so if you see a name we didn’t include, please let us know at editor@letsplayhockey.com.

Just like the men, Minnesota-born women are leading the way in DI hockey. USCHO.com reported last year that Minnesota had 219 DI players compared to just 107 for Massachusetts. Again, more than double.

One trend we are seeing is more and more Canadian-born players playing NCAA DI hockey. And with the Canadian Hockey League lawsuit currently pending that could allow CHL players NCAA eligibility we may see more of an influx of Canadian-born players into the men’s game. What does that mean?

We don’t know yet, but my guess is it will diminish the number of Minnesota-born players playing DI hockey, unless DI hockey grows. The CHL has more than 60 teams and 1,200 players, so with a larger player pool, and now with NIL and the transfer portal, the front door just got a little wider.

We will cover that story as it happens. For now, let’s celebrate Minnesota not just being the State of Hockey, but the State of College Hockey.

2025 tournaments announced

St. Paul, MN – Minnesota Hockey announced the host sites for the 2025 MinnesotaHockey State and Region Tournaments.

The State Tournament host sites will be the New Ulm Civic Center in New Ulm (Bantam AA), Red BaronArena and Expo in Marshall (Bantam A), Plymouth Ice Arena in Plymouth (Bantam B & Peewee B), Cullen Hockey Center in Moorhead (Peewee AA & Peewee A), M Health Fairview Sports Center in Woodbury(12UA), Princeton

Ice Arena in Princeton (12UB), Doug Woog Arena in South St. Paul (15UA), St. Michael-Albertville Ice Arena in Albertville (15UB), Pagel Ice Arena in Minnetonka (19U) and Braemar Arena in Edina (Junior Gold A, Junior Gold B & Junior Gold 16U).

Minnesota Hockey’s Region Tournaments will feature 38 tournaments at 31 locations across Minnesota this season as teams look to qualify for State. The Junior Gold Hockey League playdowns, which determine Junior Gold

State participants, will take place at the National Sports Center Super Rink in Blaine (Junior Gold A, Junior Gold B & Junior Gold 16), and Rochester for the outstate Junior Gold B tournament.

NOTES: Every year, Minnesota Hockey’s Tournament Committee meets prior to the start of the new season to review the number of teams each District / Association(s) are declaring to play at what age groups and levels for the season.

2025 Minnesota Hockey

Bantam A

Peewee

Peewee A Moorhead

NHL rosters loaded with Minnesota talent

The 2024-25 NHL regular season began on Tuesday, October 8th, with the Seattle Kraken hosting the St. Louis Blues. The matchup features four (4) Minnesotans (Will Borgen - Moorhead, Justin Faulk - South St. Paul, Nick Leddy - Eden Prairie and Scott Perunovich - Hibbing-Chisholm).

Overall, there are forty-one (41) Minnesotans listed on active NHL rosters, with many more expected to play throughout the rest of the NHL regular and postseason (fifty-eight (58) Minnesotans played in NHL games in 2023-24, which led all states). Of the forty-one (41) active players on opening night, thirty-eight (38) of them played high school hockey in Minnesota, with 26 different high schools being represented (21 public and 5 private).

There are a total of 99 combined seasons of high school hockey played by the thirty-eight (38) players who played high school hockey. Of those thirty-eight (38) players, eighteen (18) of them played high school hockey through their senior year.

41 players from 26 high schools represented

New Wild dog is a rescue Rookie will join team as mascot for new season

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota Wild today announced it has adopted Rookie, a four-month-old Labrador Retriever mix rescue dog from Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue, on a one-year training contract. Rookie will be raised to become a future service dog and joins the Wild as part of the team’s Adopt-A-Dog Program presented by CUB. The program’s mission is to give a local hero a hero of their own.

This marks the seventh time the Wild has adopted a dog from Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue. Breezer, a Labrador Retriever, was the first team dog adopted during the 2019-20 season, Hobey, a Golden Retriever, was adopted for the 2020-21 season; Celly, a Shepherd/Catahoula/Labrador mix, was adopted for the 2021-22 season; Brooksy, a Labrador Retriever mix, was adopted for the 2022-23 season; Hatty and Dino, two Golden Retriever mixes, were adopted for the 2023-24 season. After their yearlong training with the Wild organization, the dogs are then trained with Soldier’s 6, a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Minnesota that provides honorably discharged veterans, police officers, and fire fighters with specially trained K-9s.

Minnesota Wild’s Senior Director of Community Relations and Hockey Partnerships, Wayne Petersen, and his wife, Vice President and General Manager of Xcel Energy Centerof Xcel Energy Center, Kelly McGrath, will foster Rookie and help facilitate basic obedience training until the summer of 2025. Following her tenure with the Wild, Rookie will pursue a career training with Soldier’s 6. At the conclusion of her specialized training, Rookie will be permanently placed with a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

as a “Battle Buddy” and will help guide them through the difficult days in life.

“My family and I are thrilled to be involved in the sixth season of the Adopt-A-Dog Program,” said Petersen. “These dogs have become a mainstay for both our fans and our employees each year. We’re excited for Rookie to not only touch the lives of those of us with the Wild, but to also make her impact with Soldier’s 6 and her Battle Buddy family upon graduation.”

Fans can follow Rookie’s journey with the Wild on Instagram and X and at wild.com/puppy.

Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue is a non-profit organization grounded in love, dedication, and determination. Coco’s Heart is dedicated to serving a variety of dogs needing rescue from a broad spectrum of unfortunate situations. Whether they are stuck in overcrowded shelters, strays from rural areas with little resources, injured with no place to turn, or trapped in puppy mills facing lives of misery. Coco’s Heart is determined to help and provide quality veterinary care to every dog welcomed. As a foster-based organization there are anywhere from 200-300 dogs in rescue at any given time. Coco’s Heart strives to provide all dogs with the love, veterinary care, and treatment that they deserve. Coco’s Heart is known for their dedication to the dogs needing a little extra care, often welcoming dogs who need extensive and specialized veterinary care. For more information about Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue, visit www. cocosheartdogrescue.org and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Soldier’s 6’s mission is to provide honorably discharged veterans, police officers, and fire fighters with specially trained K-9s.

FANDUEL SPORTS NETWORK IS NEW HOME FOR MINNESOTA WILD GAMES AND PROGRAMMING

FanDuel North to show 69 games

SMINNEAPOLIS – FanDuel Sports Network is the new television and streaming home for Minnesota Wild hockey. The network has rebranded from Bally Sports, effective today, and will continue to produce and broadcast all Wild games except those selected as national TV exclusives.

Channel numbers for FanDuel Sports Network North, FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin and FanDuel Sports Network Extra remain the same, and the Bally Sports app has transitioned into the FanDuel Sports Network app.

Viewers will see the new brand on Tuesday, Oct. 22 when the Wild visit the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. “Wild Live” pregame coverage begins at 5 p.m. CT, with puck drop set for 5:30 p.m. CT.

FanDuel Sports Network North continues to be widely available on cable, satellite and streaming providers throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. For Wild fans in the region, options

include Comcast Xfinity (now on the Ultimate TV package), Spectrum, Midco TV, XTREAM (powered by Mediacom), DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo. To locate a TV provider in your zip code that carries the network, go to GetMyHomeTeams.com.

All the network’s Wild games, and other programming will also stream on the FanDuel Sports Network app and at FanDuelSportsNetwork.com.

To access the streaming coverage, fans may continue to authenticate through their pay TV provider or subscribe directly to FanDuel Sports Net-

work. Monthly and annual subscriptions are available, plus the popular Season Pass option that takes fans throughout the 2024-25 Wild season and offers savings of up to 10%.

The Bally Sports app has become the FanDuel Sports Network app. Users who have automatic updates enabled will see the app transition; if not, they will be prompted to update their app. Login credentials remain the same, and subscriptions purchased through Bally Sports will remain active.

Play-by-play announcer Anthony LaPanta will continue to call the action with analysts Wes Walz,Ryan Carter

and Lou Nanne, along with Kevin Gorg reporting. Audra Martin hosts “Wild Live,” airing before and after every regular-season Wild game featuring analysis from Ben Clymer, Mark Parrish and Walz. About FanDuel Sports Network North

FanDuel Sports Network North – a Diamond Sports Group-owned regional sports network – presents more live, local sports programming than any other network or broadcast system in the market. Serving sports fans throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. For more information and content, visit www.fanduelsportsnetwork.com.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

The Minnesota Wild welcomed their new rescue dog Rookie, a 4-month-old Labrador Retriever mix, as a member of the team.

OFFICIALLY SPEAKING: Speeding it up

Use faceoff rules to keep game moving

by MARK LICHTENFELD

Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

Speeding up the game.

No one is against this. A good rhythm and tempo is great for players and spectators alike. Additionally, it keeps the rink on time and most importantly, it gets the referees home sooner.

Unfortunately, it’s the referees that consistently misapply the rules that USA hockey to keep the game flowing.

These rules are listed in the rulebook under faceoff procedures.

Okay, OS is not going to waste the reader’s time listing all or any of the USA Hockey faceoff rules. First, you readers don’t care. And of course, since USA Hockey does not require any rules-testing whatsoever to become a referee for the 2024-25 season, nearly all the officials themselves are ignorant of these faceoff procedures.

Just remember, the referee is not your waiter.

What does this mean?

It means that under the faceoff procedure rules, here is what is supposed to happen after a whistle to stop play:

1. The officials give both sides time to efficiently change lines.

2. After the lines are changed, or in the event no lines are changed, the official preparing to drop the puck signals the end of the line change procedure by blowing the whistle.

3. Upon hearing the whistle, the teams have 5 seconds to prepare for puck drop.

4. The puck is dropped.

Again, this is the faceoff procedure rule for USA Hockey. It’s intended to be quick and efficient, and should keep the game moving.

Instead, here is what happens in 98% of all USA Hockey games after a stoppage of play, particularly in the 2-ref system:

1. The official dropping the puck waits around at the face-off dot.

2. The opposing teams delay while getting their players on-sides.

3. The centers continue to look around and lollygag toward the dot, seeing what’s going on with their players similar to a quarterback reading a defense for the upcoming play.

Everyone is in favor of speeding up the game, and it’s largely up to officials correctly applying rules to keep the game moving.

4. The centers finally skate to the dot and place their sticks on the ice. (Never in the white part of the circle as the rules require, but this had been addressed in numerous other OS columns).

5. Once the centers are set, the referee blows the whistle, signifying the puck will eventually be dropped.

Okay, do any of you readers sense the problem? Under the USA Hockey rules, the official is in command of the line change and face-off procedures and lets the players know when the puck is about to be dropped.

But under the rules-ignorance scenarios demonstrated in 98% of all faceoffs, the referee acts akin to a restaurant waiter. He’s like a customer as he stands by the dot, waiting for the servers (centers) to come to him and let him know

they are ready to begin the face off.

As you can see, by failing to apply the USA Hockey face-off and line change procedures, the official adds about 5 -10 seconds per face-off to each game. Figure 30 face-offs for the average 14U game and suddenly, the ice slot is extended by approximately 4 minutes. Multiply this by 12 ice slots per day on the weekends and you are already running nearly 40 minutes late. This results in the rink scheduling games for lengthier slots, which of course gets passed on to the teams and parents in additional costs per player.

But when officials like OS blow

the whistles just a few seconds after a stoppage to let the teams know the puck will be dropped in 5 seconds, you get a completely better flow to the game. All because the rules are being enforced.

Trouble is, you can’t enforce the rules when no one seems to know the rulebook.

Questions, comments and feedback can be sent to editor@letsplayhockey.com, via Twitter @OSpeaking or through the Let’s Play Hockey Facebook page

Duluth will host 2027

Women’s Frozen Four

The NCAA announced Wednesday that the University of Minnesota Duluth has been named a host for the 2027 NCAA Division I Women’s Frozen Four at AMSOIL Arena. It’s the fifth time UMD has been selected to host the event, and it will mark the third time the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four will be held at AMSOIL after it was successfully hosted there in 2023.

The University of Wisconsin won the 2023 NCAA title at AMSOIL Arena and in 2012, the University of Minnesota skated off with the victory. UMD was also the host school for the NCAA Frozen Four in 2003 and 2008, and both events ended in NCAA titles for the Bulldogs. UMD clinched their

fourth NCAA women’s hockey title in program history by blanking the University of Wisconsin 4-0 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center in 2008. That season, UMD sported the nation’s best offense, averaging 4.26 goals a contest en route to winning a program-record of 34 triumphs. UMD made NCAA women’s hockey history in 2003 by defeating Harvard 4-3 in double overtime for its third straight NCAA title. The title game was at the DECC for the first time in program history and held in front of a then NCAA women’s hockey-record crowd of 5,167. The Bulldogs remain the only program to have won an NCAA title on their own ice and notably have done it twice.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Do marathon runners play hockey to train? Why not?

Instead let’s talk about “speed windows”

by SEAN SKAHAN Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

Many times while I am leaving the rink, I may see some young hockey teams doing their “dry land training” before their practice on the ice.

I may see something that I think is really good where the coach actually put in some thought into a progressive session with the focus on helping the players get better in a fun environment.

Unfortunately, and most of the time, I may see something that, in my opinion, isn’t beneficial at all for young hockey players.

What is the good and what is the bad?

To me, for a young player, they need to be having fun while working on the physical components that would help them become better athletes. Drills such as agilities, plyometrics, tag games, and speed drills that promote competitiveness and enjoyment should be what are most important.

What I don’t like to see are kids being told to take long runs around the block or the arena. Sometimes, and I still see

this at much higher levels, I may see young players riding stationary bikes at a steady state pace for a long period of time. Ask yourself, how many marathon runners play hockey to help them get prepare for marathons? Or, does Lance Armstrong play hockey to prepare for the Tour de France? It makes no sense and unfortunately, in a lot of situations, today’s training for hockey is done this way!

At a recent seminar that I attended, a speaker talked about an athlete’s “speed

window”. He was quoting a researcher who is the world’s expert on young athletes and the maturation process. What he said was that boys and girls have 2 windows of developing speed in their maturation. For boys, the windows are ages 7-9 and 13-16. For girls, their windows are between 6-8 and 11-13. Basically, what he was saying was that during this time, to take advantage of this opportunity, kids should be doing athletic movements as fast and hard as possible. In relating this to hockey, it could mean

sprinting and jumping while doing dryland training, while also skating fast and shooting the puck as hard as they can on the ice. Usually, when I see these youngsters on these long, slow runs or rides, guess how old they are? They are usually between 11 and 13. They are training to be slow during the optimal time for developing speed. It now makes even less sense to have these youngsters go out on these long distance runs or these long stationary bike rides to help them play in a game where speed is the most important factor. Some of the best quotes I have heard from some of the strength and conditioning coaches that I have learned from include “Train Slow, Be Slow” and “Want to run fast then you better be running fast”. (I think this would also apply to skating). Off-Ice training sessions and on-ice practices should always take this into consideration.

Sean Skahan

Sean is the owner of Skahan Sports Conditioning in Ham Lake, MN. He is the former Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Minnesota Wild and the Anaheim Ducks where helped them win the Stanley Cup. To contact Sean, please go to www. SkahanSports.com

Lockeroom Logic: a priceless journey

Time and energy put into coaching is worth it all

by DAN BAUER Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

Following an unwelcome sabbatical from coaching last winter, I thankfully returned to the ice and the bench with the Wisconsin Selects for their post-season run at a National Championship in March.

Sincere gratitude to Mike Cowan for giving me an opportunity when others would not.

It was a welcome and needed refrain from the frustration and anger I have been unable to escape. As Jimmy Buffet said, I felt “like a man just released from indenture.”

On my return I quickly confirmed what I already knew, I desperately missed coaching.

With another winter approaching I now understand why some in Wisconsin dread it.

They don’t coach hockey.

Without it, my winter was a conveyor belt of boredom and anguish.

During my involuntary respite I was fortunate to stay connected to the game and coaching. With my daughters coaching, Elizabeth at Augsburg College, Emily at CFM, my son Theran coaching my grandson’s mite team, former player Nick Freeman in Spooner and the former Storm coaches who shared my pain, I was able to feel involved. I loved every conversation I had with all of them.

As all my children step in and out of the coaching and teaching world, I can’t help but contemplate what is ahead for them. The climate is dramatically different than when I started over forty years ago.

We are a long way from Hoosiers’ coach Norman Dale’s famous “What I say when it comes to this basketballteam is the law. Absolutely and without discussion.”

It is a job that automatically comes with public criticism, long hours, insufficient pay and considerable family sacrifice.

If you coach for any length of time, you will face irate and irrational parents

that will invade your life like a disease. I have been called names, endured profanity filled tirades, falsely accused of atrocities, shunned and threatened all in the name of playing time.

You quickly learn that playing time is the gold standard and some parents will do anything, and I do mean anything, to get more of it for their child.

You will be a genius when you win and an idiot when you don’t, sometimes in the same season.

After coaching a player for four years, some parents won’t shake your hand and thank you, choosing instead to shun you for life because you didn’t play their child enough.

Players will break your heart by quitting. If you take interest in your players outside the season, some will accuse you of favoritism. If you don’t take interest, then you just don’t care about them as a person.

Parents have chastised me for taking notes during the game, quoting Bobby Knight and expecting players to earn their playing time.

Wherever you set the bar of expectations, some will see it as too high and others too low.

If you are “old-school” your methods are outdated, if you are young, you don’t have enough experience.

If you coach to win-at-all-costs you are simply wrong and if you believe in making the game fun, you will be judged as too soft. Your words, actions, practice plans, body language and every decision

will be analyzed and critiqued as if you were running for president.

I have been told structure and systems are worthless and so are small area games. In a setting that is heavily based upon a scoreboard and winning, you will often feel like you are in a no-win situation.

Sounds awful, but somehow it isn’t.

Here is the good news--despite that lengthy list, the coaching journey is still worth it. And it isn’t because of the moms who bake cookies or even the trophies you may be fortunate enough to collect. And it isn’t for the dads who buy you a beer and are your best friend until their kid isn’t on the powerplay.

It is worth it because all those pitfalls of coaching are caused by a small minority of the players and parents you deal with throughout your career.

Every job has its negatives, even your dream job. Ninety-five percent of this job is so fulfilling, rewarding and invigorating that for me those misguided few are an inconvenience and challenge I was willing to endure and embrace.

As wonderful as winning a WIAA state championship and then a USA Hockey National Championship were, it is the struggle, the climb and the perseverance through the tough times that gave me the most pride and satisfaction. The players and the teams have written and starred in the greatest stories of this journey.

The resiliency of my bantam team in Spooner that lost twenty-four games in a row and the ten eligible Rails who took the ice for my first WIAA varsity game in

1992. Watching the perseverance of players like Alex Nowak, Max Hoenisch, Angie Stroik and Shane Turner or the likes of Hailey Piskula, John Hedlund and Ingrid Peterson battle through the physical and emotional toll of significant injuries was inspiring. It was watching the grit and tenacity of Jack McGinnity, Gab du Vair, Adam Bever and Kaydence McGregor. The unselfishness of Anna Ryder and Ashley Zacho to put the team first and the patience and determination of Abby Dhein to the relentless work ethic of Jason Meyers, Josh Spiegel, Cierra Snyder and the Slagowski boys. The pride in the leadership qualities displayed by Markie Ash, Matt Tyree and Nick Freeman. From Shelby Tryba’s infectious attitude, to Tom Romportl’s toughness, to Erin Gruber’s heart, to the competitive fire of Chloe Lemke and Jamie Slattery, to the fluid stride of Matt Michlig, the uncanny scoring ability of Zach Comfort, the puck blocking appetite of Cadie Ash and AJ Mussfeldt and Mike Mansell’s hockey IQ, it has been an education in achievement through work ethic, perseverance and teamwork.

I dearly miss it.

This list is truly endless and so are the great memories I cherish, enough to fill a book.

Apologies to the players I have omitted, due to space only, from the hundreds of great young men and women I had the opportunity to coach. It is the players that make this job so special, and it is the relationships with them and the unpredictable journey of each season that I miss the most.

I will never be able to fool any of my kids that there isn’t a price you pay for entering the field of coaching or teaching. They have seen it and experienced it firsthand. I spent so much time away from family when my kids were growing up. There is no rewind button, it is time that slips away, and you never get it back.

Coaching has truly been a priceless journey, but it also steals priceless time from your family.

Finding coaches who are willing to do this for the long haul is becoming more and more difficult. It is a tale of two journeys, both priceless and both competing for our most valuable commodity—our time.

Would I do it all over again, knowing what I know now? I imagine I would, it’s been in my heart, right from the start.

Dan Bauer is a free-lance writer, retired teacher & coach in Wausau, WI. You can follow him on Facebook at Lockeroom Logic or contact him at drbauer13@ gmail.com

The Year of the Gopher?

How big will the Gophers be in a crowded Big Ten?

by T.R. HOLLER Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

In as much as our beloved game continues to grow and diversify, the 2024-25 NCAA men’s hockey national contenders will again provide seasonally familiar vibes. This will also hold true of the seven team BIG 10 conference. Many states outside the self-proclaimed ‘state of hockey’ can lay claim to our provincial title, especially when combined with their respective NHL success most notably Colorado, Michigan, and Massachusetts. So, this season more than any other, unless Goldy Gopher can exceed even the loftiest of expectations next spring, we must unceremoniously pass the ‘state of hockey’ torch.

Yes, it’s true rubes. Frankly, after a now 21-year hiatus, which is officially a ‘generation’, it remains ‘Ski-U-Meh’ on the ice sheet of stunted expectations.

Peering onto the national landscape we anticipate picking up right where we left off last April, at The Frozen Four, in St. Paul where Denver was crowned the NCAA men’s hockey national champion, their 10th title overall, finally catapulting the Pioneers over Michigan for the most NCAA D1 men’s hockey titles. Heading into the 2024-25 season, the Gophers are tied for fifth place all-time with, ironically enough, Boston College and Boston U with five titles, separated from lofty Denver by Michigan with nine, North Dakota with eight and…(Gasp!) Bucky Badger with six! Geez, say it isn’t so! Well, chop, chop Le Gophaire! Time to turn mere rankings into serious hardware – after all, it’s been a generation! Denver is atop the national polls again, with stoically cerebral head coach, David Carle and a reloaded roster led by Wild first-round draft pick, defenseman, Zeev Buium who consistently locks down opponents and provides special teams punch from the blue line. Of course, usual contenders, Boston University and Boston College, will provide fierce competition all season long with a balanced mix of returning and replenished rosters. Boston U carries serious disappointment off the ’24 Frozen Four so the Terriers have sharpened their teeth led by incoming frosh sensation, and former Gopher recruit, Cole Eiserman. These three teams should stand at the top of the national rankings while the top BIG 10 teams, fall just slightly below, into what we will call the ‘second tier’.

Beware the Ides of March as you can expect the state of Michigan will again make their claim to BIG 10 supremacy challenged by the Gopher who will just barely outpace Bucky Badger’s valiant efforts by their venerable AARP corps led by D-Daniel Laatsch, D-Ben Dexheimer and sneaky winger, F-Simon Tassy. Both Michigan teams have re-emerged as top recruiters the past two seasons with a plethora of top-ranked recruits and portal transfers. Ann Arbor’s Wolverines and Hwy 127 rival Sparty of Michigan State will exchange blows to see who restocked the shelves best. Michigan State head coach, Adam Nightengale, has a unique tri-fecta pipeline inclusive of Shattuck-St. Mary’s, the USNTDP and Michigan itself as both a home-stater and Spartan alum, all which makes for a linear recruiting path. Case in point, pulling ex-NTDP’ers via the portal, snagging local products Isaac Howard (UMD) and Charlie Stramel (Wisconsin) who are said to revere Nightengale. Both teams from the boxing glove are experienced, have multi-line depth and proven goaltenders with the edge going to the Spartans with phenom, and world junior regular, Trey Augustine. Michigan embodies all these attributes,

but the loss of recently emancipated F-Rutger McGroarty, whose Winnipeg Jets rights were traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, leaves the Wolverines without their most physical player and emotional team leader. As usual, the Wolverines will simply reload. However, this glaring McGroarty gap propels the Spartans past the Wolverines atop the conference both in the regular season and conference playoffs.

So, what about our beloved Gophers? Expectations and rankings will be debated all season long with the furor beginning in September with the first USCHO men’s hockey poll placing the Gopher sixth overall, just ahead of No. 7 Michigan, with Michigan State at No. 4 and North Dakotas at No. 5.

Not to be outdone, yours truly will further feed the armchair malcontents as I place the Gophers seventh nationally and third in the BIG 10 conference for our BIG 10 rankings.

Throughout the season the Gophers will fluctuate among No. 4 – No.8, no doubt. They should, if healthy, lock down a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tourney field of 16, proving legit. The presumed top line and trio of first-round draft picks in wings Jimmy Snuggerud and UConn transfer Matthew Wood centered by Oliver Moore will rack up points and erase the warm and fuzzy lore of Knies and Cooley. Wood brings a longer, heavier body to the top line at 6’4”/195 and the ability to shoot off either foot with balance and a deceptively quick release. The potential second line of Connor Kurth and Brody Lamb centered by Aaron Huglen will also have moments of dynamism and highlight reels of their own. This ‘24-‘25 Gopher top six? Arguably

the most talented in the country. However, we must remember these Gophers need to replace 103 points and a combined +43 not to mention veteran leadership in the departures of Jaxon Nelson, and top scorers Bryce Brodzinski, and most recently, Rhett Pitlick who is now a Maverick down Mankato way. Combine that with the loss of 3-year starting netminder, Justen Close and suddenly, cracks in the Gopher pre-season veneer become apparent fills that need to be repaired swiftly.

Oliver Moore is one of three first round NHL draft picks on the Gophers roster.

Diving deeper into the Gopher holes we see a labyrinth of intrigue; A third line might feature two newcomers in Erik Pahlsson and Brodie Ziemer centered by Jimmy Clark which has a world of potential, but is very young and not the typical veteran, heavy checking line that are textbook necessities for deep playoff success. Also, the vaunted Gopher topsix scoring talent must fully commit to a relentless two-way, three-zone attack where defensive commitment feeds the O-zone opportunities opposed to floaty, soft transitions created off the no-look trail pass. This paradigm shift needs urgent adoption as a permanent team identity to convert pesky weekend splits into sweeps which not only builds confidence but fuels a long-overdue killer instinct.

Which brings us to the Gopher D-corps. It is a near microcosm of the top-six offensive corps in talent, experience and respect but drops off a bit on the back end with a need for that third pair to mature quickly and grind opponents to a nub deep in the corners. The

vote to do just that is incoming freshman, Leo Gruba. If Gruba brings his two-way Fargo pedigree with him the Gophers will ascend late in the year with the best D-corps in the land. The top two D- pairs will be steady as ever in Koster/ Rinzel and Mittlestadt/Chesley, respectively.

Lastly, we pivot to the Gopher goalie situation which is the top concern in terms of regular season consistency and NCAA gauntlet success to the Frozen Four in St. Louis. Losing the agile Justen Close leaves an opportunity for the newbies to step up and protect the twine with leading contender/returnee Nathan Airey and incoming Penn State transfer, Liam Souliere, the smallish Canuck who is a veteran of 50 BIG 10 wins. Airey, at 6’3”/175 is a lithe, athletic, disciplined goalie so it will be interesting to see who wins the job and/or if Coach Motzko prefers a 50/50 split and Souliere’s starting experience. If the goalie question is answered by a starter locking down with nerves of steel this Gopher team will finish in the top five rankings nationally and battle it out in St. Louis as a No. 1 seed. However, if shaky goalie play is the norm, and the Gophers lack a gritty, sustained forecheck? We will see a third seed, Elite Eight NCAA finish preceded by a third-place finish in the BIG 10. The differential here is narrow, yet it flips just that easy.

The Airey sky is the limit for the Gopher so long as a spoiled acorn doesn’t satiate their winter hunger – so stay hungry and feed in the springtime youthful Gopher.

Will Goldy and the Golden Gophers get the brooms out a lot this winter? Is a deep and talented roster enough to get them back to the Frozen Four? Will their goaltending stand up in big games. So many questions, and so much hockey to play.

Can Gophers make a deep run?

Snuggerud returns to deep, talented roster

by DAIN SOLBERG

Let’s Play Hockey

Minneapolis, Minn.—The University of Minnesota Gophers Hockey team will look to bounce back from last season’s 6-3 loss to Boston University in the Sioux Falls Regional. Despite losing the likes of Charlie Strobel (Colorado College), Garrett Pinoniemi (Omaha) and Carl Fish (Providence College) to the transfer portal, The Golden Gophers will return a high-powered offense which includes leading scorer Jimmy Snuggerud and high-flying forward Oliver Moore. They will be joined by transfer and firstround draft pick Matthew Wood (University of Connecticut) to give the team three first-rounders. Mason Nevers (Edina, MN) also returns for a fifth season and solidified a solid forward group that includes Brody Lamb (Dodge County, MN), Aaron Huglen (Roseau, MN) and Jimmy Clark (Edina, MN). The Gophers are without the services of Rhett Pitlick, who transferred recently to Minnesota State-Mankato.

On the defensive side, the pair of Mike Koster and Sam Rinzel will return to the explosive D-Core with Ryan Chesley and are adding the likes of Leo Gruba (Hill-Murray/Fargo/USHL) and John Whipple (USNTDP) to give the Gophers a deep defensive unit.

Koster and Rinzel combined for 42 points bolstering the reputation of being two offensive defensemen. Whereas Cal Thomas also played a huge role on the Maroon and Gold’s back end last season where Thomas tallied nine total points.

Keys to success

Blueline depth

The U of M returns a veteran D-Core including Mike Koster, Cal Thomas, Chicago Blackhawks draft pick Sam Rinzel, Luke Mittelstadt, and Ryan Chesley. A season ago, the Gopher top-six combined for 80 points. Rinzel led all defensemen with 28 points which included an unassisted goal. Despite the returning cast, the Gophers welcome in Leo Gruba and John Whipple to the U of M’s backend. The two freshmen bring offense and speed to a D-core that has been greatly established just a season ago with a plethora of NHL draft picks.

Snuggy’s Return St Louis Blues draft pick Jimmy Snuggerud made the choice to continue his collegiate career in quest to making a national championship run to that exact city that drafted him St. Louis, Missouri. This storyline is all too familiar to the Gopher faithful with the departure of current Utah Hockey Club forward Logan Cooley who announced he was coming back for another season but then chose to sign an entry-level deal with the Arizona Coyotes prior to the 2022-2023 season. Snuggerud bolstered a team-high 21 goals a season ago and will look to use his big frame and explosive speed to light the lamp this season inside 3M at Mariucci.

Blueline depth

Powerplay Prowess

Special teams was a huge success for the Gophers a season ago. The power play was rated 14th in the NCAA whereas the penalty kill was 35th. The U of M scored 108 even strength goals sitting 10th in college hockey. Snuggerud led all Golden Gophers in power play tallies with six. The trio of Luke Mittelstadt, Mike Koster and Sam Rinzel will look to run the Gopher blueline when they are a man up. Gruba’s offensive skill set, especially his ability to fire the puck off the pass could force Bob Motzko to find a spot on one of the units for him.

Minnesota 2024-25 Men’s Hockey Roster

# NAME POS. HT. WT. YEAR HOMETOWN PREVIOUS TEAM

2 Sam Rinzel D 6’ 4” 175 So. Chanhassen, Minn. Waterloo (USHL)

3 John Whipple D 6’ 2” 195 Fr. Minnetonka, Minn. US NTDP U18

4 Mike Koster D 5’ 10” 190 Gr. Chaska, Minn. Tri-City (USHL)

7 Aaron Huglen F 6’ 0” 180 Sr. Roseau, Minn. Fargo (USHL)

9 August Falloon F 6’ 2” 205 Fr. St. Cloud, Minn. Tri-City (USHL)

10 Connor Kurth F 6’ 0” 210 Jr. Lindstrom, Minn. Dubuque (USHL) 11 Oliver Moore F 5’ 11” 180 So. Mounds View, Minn. US NTDP U18

14 Beckett Hendrickson F 6’ 2” 180 Fr. Minnetonka, Minn. Dubuque (USHL)

a resemblance of Luverne native Jaxon Nelson. Wood will bring a heavy shot and high net front presence. Chosen 15th overall in the 2023 draft, he led UCONN with 34 points as a freshman.

Transfer- Liam Souliere – Penn St. Souliere appeared in 84 games over four seasons for the Nittany Lions. Souliere registered a 2.72 goals against average and a .908 save percentage. Souliere spent his junior hockey days with the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies. Souliere led Penn State to a 15-18-3 record. He is no stranger to the ruthless crowd at 3M at Mariucci having started in both road games against the Maroon and Gold.

FR.- Beckett HendricksonDubuque (USHL)/ USNDPT Hendrickson split the 2023-24 season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints and USA Hockey’s National Development program recording 27 goals and 37 assists appearing in 59 games for both organizations. The Boston Bruins draft pick will follow his dad’s footsteps (Darby Hendrickson) who played for the Gophers in 1991-93. Hendrickson chose to take his talents from Minnetonka H.S. to the junior ranks. Hendrickson uses his speed and hands to find the back of the net… he is often compared to have the same style of play as current Gopher Forward Oliver Moore.

15 Max Rud D 6’ 3” 190 So. St. Cloud, Minn. Sioux Falls (USHL) 17 Brody Lamb F 6’ 1”

Jr. Byron, Minn. Green Bay (USHL)

18 Mason Nevers F 5’ 11” 175 Gr. Edina, Minn. Des Moines (USHL) 19 John Mittelstadt F 5’ 9” 175 Jr. Eden Prairie, Minn. Green Bay (USHL)

20 Luke Mittelstadt D 5’ 11” 175 Jr. Eden Prairie, Minn. Madison (USHL)

22 Cal Thomas D 6’ 1” 210 Jr. Maple Grove, Minn. Sioux Falls (USHL)

23 Jimmy Clark F 6’ 0” 170 So. Edina, Minn. Green Bay (USHL)

27 Nick Michel F 5’ 11” 180 Gr. Waconia, Minn. Saint John’s (NCAA)

29 Nathan Airey G 6’ 3” 175 So. Cochrane, Alberta Cranbrook (BCHL)

30 Zach Wiese G 5’ 10” 210 Jr. Owatonna, Minn. Rochester (NA3HL)

31 Liam Souliere G 5’ 11” 180 Gr. Montréal, Québec Penn State (NCAA)

33 Axel Begley D 6’ 2” 190 So. Mahtomedi, Minn. Wisconsin (NAHL)

35 Matt Bryant G 6’ 1” 170 Jr. La Crosse, Wis. Minnesota (ACHA)

55 Leo Gruba D 6’ 2” 205 Fr. Lake Elmo, Minn. Fargo (USHL)

71 Ryan Chesley D 6’ 1” 195 Jr. Mahtomedi, Minn. US NTDP U18

72 Erik Påhlsson F 6’ 1” 185 Fr. Landskrona, SwedenDubuque (USHL)

74 Brodie Ziemer F 5’ 11” 195 Fr. Chaska, Minn. US NTDP U18

81 Jimmy Snuggerud F 6’ 1” 185 Jr. Chaska, Minn. US NTDP U18

91 Matthew Wood F 6’ 4” 205 Jr. Nanaimo, BC UConn (NCAA) to injury. Nevers will bring strong veteran leadership and skill to the table as a pithyear player.

Goaltending

This will be a major question mark with the departure of graduate student and two-year starter Justen Close. Many fans thought this was sophomore Nathan Airey’s net until Penn State veteran Liam Souliere chose to enter the transfer portal and call the University of Minnesota home for another year of NCAA hockey. Airey appeared in a contest versus Robert Morris and two exhibition games against Bemidji State and the USNDTP game where he earned victories in all three outings. Souliere is no stranger to being the starting goalie, recording a .897 save percentage, 2067 saves, and a 39-39 overall record in a total of 85 starts in four years suiting up for the Nittany Lions.

Striking first

A season ago, the U of M had no problem getting the first goal in big games, but it was maintaining leads and finishing in the third period that became an issue. This was all too prevalent in their early season contest against Notre Dame where the “U” dropped a two-goal lead into a 4-2 loss. The same storyline happened in an important Saturday night game where the Gophers were hosting No. 16 Michigan, ending in a 6-5 overtime loss to a team that would advance to the Frozen Four but falter against the eventual runner-up Boston College. With more depth, especially on the blueline, the Gophers will look to put teams to bed early and often this season. (Nevers) Never Leaving Mason Nevers announced that he will return to the Maroon and Gold squad by way of NCAA fifth-year Eligibility. Last season, Nevers started the season with a setback in the Gophers victory over Bemidji State in an early season exhibition battle. Following the recovery from injury, he exploded offensively on a line with Rhett Pitlick and Oliver Moore recording 15 points in a total of 35 games after missing two of the first regular season games due

Airey is the Next Man up

The sophomore goaltender saw action in a series against Robert Morris and the exhibitions against USA Hockey and Bemidji State. Over the last year, Airey assumed the second-string role behind Justen Close. With the late arrival of Liam Souliere using his portal eligibility to transfer from Penn State to the State of Hockey, will Nathan Airey be tested by the Gopher coaching staff between the pipes this season. Goalie competition is a good thing so the Gophers should benefit whether the two tenders split time or one of them emerges as the clear starter.

Key Losses

Rhett Pitlick, forward, 19 goals –transferred to Minnesota State

Jaxon Nelson, forward (39 games, 19 goals, 12 assists, one game winning goal)

Bryce Brodzinski, forward (39 games, 14 goals, 22 assists, two game winning goals)

Justin Close, goaltender (38 games, 22-10 record, .924 save percentage, 2.18 GAA)

2023-24 Scoring Break-down

Jimmy Snuggerud- 21 goals

Jaxon Nelson- 19

Rhett Pitlick- 19 goals

Bryce Brodzinski- 14 goals

Brody Lamb- 12 goals

Oliver Moore- 9 goals

New Additions

Transfer- Matthew Wood-UCONN (Hockey East)

Wood spent the 2023-24 season with the University of Connecticut recording (16g,12a) for the Huskies who fell to No. 1 Boston College in the opening round of the Hockey East Conference Tournament. Wood comes to the Gophers with a big frame (6’3) and a lot of skill. When looking at his style of play fans will likely see

FR.- John Whipple- Shattuck St. Mary’s/ USNDTP Whipple spent last season with the United States Hockey U18 team. The Morristown, NJ native recorded 17 points and appeared in an exhibition match against the University of Minnesota. Whipple is an offensive defenseman who is not afraid to jump up into the rush. He will once again be a teammate with Beckett Hendrickson where they both starred for Minnetonka High School in the 2019-20 season.

FR.- August Falloon- Tri City (USHL)

Falloon spent three seasons at St. Cloud High School before taking the path of juniors to the Tri-City Storm where he has been a mainstay for the past four seasons. Falloon collected 46 points during his time in the junior ranks. Falloon flipped his commitment from Arizona State to join the 2024-25 Golden Gophers squad. Falloon is known as a power forward who has a high success rate of winning faceoffs.

FR. Brodie Ziemer- Shattuck St. Mary’s/USNDTP

Brodi Ziemer recorded 94 points during the past two seasons playing for the United States U18 NDTP team. Ziemer, a Chanhassen, MN native, spent his youth days with the Chanhassen Storm Youth Hockey Program where he took his talents to prep hockey starring for Shattuck- St Mary’s. Ziemer will play for his home state and join former high school competition as college teammates (John Whipple and Beckett Hendrickson).

FR. Erik Pahlsson- Dubuque (USHL)

Pahlsson originally harrowing from Landskrona, Sweden was teammates with newcomer Becket Hendrickson with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL. Pahlsson also split time late in the season to put on the yellow and blue for Team Sweden at the World Junior Championships. In 2023-24, Pahlsson tallied 28 goals and 44 assists appearing in 57 games. Pahlsson hails from Sweden and is doing very well transitioning to the American style of hockey after spending seasons in the United States Hockey League. Critics compare Pahlsson’s style of play to current NHL’er and Pittsburgh Penguin Erik Karlsson.

FR. Leo Gruba- Fargo (USHL) Gruba played his high school hockey for Hill Murray High School captaining his team to the Class 2A State Tournament in 2021 and winning the Reed Larson Award as the state’s top defenseman. Gruba spent three seasons with the Pioneers before most recently being a top-goal scorer for the USHL’s Fargo Force the past two seasons, recording 30 goals in a total of 120 games.

Non-Conference Schedule10/5- @St Cloud State 10/11- Air Force

10/12- UMass/Omaha

10/18- 10/19- Minnesota Duluth

10/25-10/26- St. Thomas

11/14-11/16- Bemidji State

11/29-11/30- Alaska

1/3-1/4- Mercyhurst

Jimmy Snuggerud came back for another year in an attempt to bring home a national championship for the Golden Gophers.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOPHER SPORTS/BRACE HEMMELGARN

Newcomers to play big role for Bulldogs

by DAIN SOLBERG Let’s Play Hockey

DULUTH, Minn.—The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs have had a storied tradition when playoff hockey begins. UMD has won two national championships inside Xcel Energy Center As of recent, Scott Sandelin’s squad has had trouble advancing to NCAA Regional play.

Last season the ‘Dogs recorded an overall record of 12-20-5 and an 8-142 record in National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) play with notable wins over Western Michigan and Omaha. UMD was led by Ben Steeves (Bedford, NH. /Sioux City/USHL) and Owen Gallatin (Hugo, Minn./Fargo/ USHL) who combined for 64 total points in 74 games. In net, Matthew Thiessen (Steinbach, MB. /Maine/ Hockey East) and Zach Stejskal (Cohasset, Minn./ Wilkes-Barre-Scranton/ NAHL) manned the crease.

Bulldogs look to turn bark into bite after a down season

In 2023-24, Thiessen backstopped the Bulldogs in 18 games where he made 500 saves, recording a 3.14 goals against average and a .904 save percentage. Stejskal made 20 starts for UMD, turning aside 513 shots and posting a .898 save percentage along with a 3.00 goals against average.

by DAIN SOLBERG

Going into the new campaign, the Maroon and Gold will lose eleven skaters to graduation, including the loss of UMD first-liner Cole Spicer (Grand Forks, N.D./ US National U18/ NDTP). The ‘Dogs top line a season ago was made up of Spicer, Blake Biondi (Hermantown, Minn./ Hermantown/ USHS) and Joey Pierce (Hermantown, Minn./ Lincoln/ USHL)

DULUTH, Minn.—The University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs have had a storied tradition when playoff hockey begins. Their teams seem to always be built to last later in the season. But recently, Scott Sandelin’s squad has had trouble advancing to NCAA Regional play.

Keys To Success for the Dog Pound

Tournament appearance where Moorhead fell in a quarterfinal matchup to the Andover Huskies by a score of 2-1.

FR.- Blake Bechen (Dubuque, Iowa/ Green Bay/ USHL)

Men’s College Preview: Minnesota-Duluth

Bechen has had an unconventional route when it comes to junior hockey. In 2022-23 he began the season with the Youngstown Phantoms where he suited up for 36 games recording four goals and eight assists. Bechen was traded to the Madison Capitols mid-season where he did not see any action, from there he was traded most recently to the Green Bay Gamblers where he recorded 22 goals and 25 assists, this was final junior stop before heading to the University of Minnesota Duluth this season to compete begin his NCAA Division I career in the North Star State.

Riley Bodnarchuk D 6-4 Jr. L Okotoks, Alberta Okotoks (AJHL)

20 Owen Gallatin D 5-8 Sr. L Hugo, Minn. Fargo (USHL)

21 Braden Fischer F 6-0 So. L Winnipeg, MB Virden (MJHL)

22 Joe Molenaar F 6-1 Gr. Minnetonka, Minn. St. Cloud State

23 Will Francis D 6-5 Sr. R St. Paul, Minn. Cedar Rapids (USHL)

24 Kyle Bettens F 6-3 Jr. R Winnipeg, MB Youngstown (USHL)

25 Callum Arnott F 6-0 Fr. King City, Ontario Penticton Vees

26 Anthony Menghini F 5-10 So. L Baxter, MN Fargo (USHL)

27 Zam Plante F 5-9 Fr. Hermantown, Minn. Fargo Force (USHL)

28 Aiden Dubinsky D 6-0 Jr. R Highland Park, IL. Tri-City (USHL)

30 Adam Gajan G 6-2 Fr. Poprad, Slovakia Green Bay Gramblers

FR.- Callum Arnott (King City, Ontario/ Penticton/ BCHL)

the Youngstown Phantoms where he suited up for 36 games recording four goals and eight assists. Bechen was traded to the Madison Capitols mid-season where he did not see any action, from there he was traded most recently to the Green Bay Gamblers where he recorded 22 goals and 25 assists, this was final junior stop before heading to the University of Minnesota Duluth this season to compete begin his NCAA Division I career in the North Star State.

FR.- Callum Arnott (King City, Ontario/ Penticton/ BCHL)

Arnott began his junior hockey career with the OJHL Oakville Blades where he posted three goals and 10 assists in ten contests before beginning a career in collegiate hockey with the PHC’s St. Andrew’s College where he recorded nine points. Arnott went back to juniors for the 2022-23 season where he spent two seasons with the British Columbia Hockey league’s (BCHL) Penticton Vees tallying 77 points and captaining the team in 202324.

FR.- Zam Plante (Hermantown/ Fargo/ USHL)

Solidify top line- Despite breaking up the top line due to the loss of Spicer and Biondi, the Bulldogs have returned Pierce and have brought in transfer Joe Molenaar from the NCHC’s St Cloud State University. Looking at the 2024-25 roster the top-line could consist of Pierce, Molenaar and sophomore Jack Smith (St. Cloud, Minn./Sioux Falls/ USHL). A year ago, James and Pierce combined for 17 points in 71 games.

Goaltending is a question mark-

Last season the ‘Dogs recorded an overall record of 12-20-5 and an 8-14-2 record in National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) play with notable wins over Western Michigan and Omaha. UMD was led by Ben Steeves (Bedford, NH. /Sioux City/USHL) and Owen Gallatin (Hugo, Minn./Fargo/ USHL) who combined for 64 total points in 74 games. In net, Matthew Thiessen (Steinbach, MB. /Maine/ Hockey East) and Zach Stejskal (Cohasset, Minn./ Wilkes-Barre-Scranton/ NAHL) manned the crease.

31 Zach Sandy G 6-0 Jr. R Fargo, ND Minot (NAHL)

33 Carter Loney F 5-10 Sr. R Columbus, OH Sioux City (USHL)

34 Matthew Perkins F 5-11 So. L Balgonie, SK Youngstown (USHL)

37 Klayton Knapp G 6-2 Fr. Waterville, Ohio Bismarck Bobcats

38 Luke Bast D 5-10 Sr. L Red Deer, Alberta North Dakota (NCHC)

39 Trevor Stachowiak F 6-2 Fr. Glencoe, Illinois Minot Minotauros

Arnott began his junior hockey career with the OJHL Oakville Blades where he posted three goals and 10 assists in 10 contests before beginning a career in collegiate hockey with the PHC’s St. Andrew’s College where he recorded nine points. Arnott went back to juniors for the 2022-23 season where he spent two seasons with the British Columbia Hockey League’s (BCHL) Penticton Vees tallying 77 points and captaining the team in 2023-24.

FR.- Zam Plante (Hermantown/ Fargo/ USHL)

Plante, a 2022 Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick, spent last season with the USHL’s Fargo Force tallying 26 goals and 45 assists. Before Fargo, Plante skated with the Chicago Steel recording 23 goals and 15 assists in 33 games. Plante played two seasons with Hermantown high school (53 goals, 72 assists) where he led the Hawks to a 2021 Class A State High School Hockey tournament appearance where Hermantown fell to Dodge County 7-3 in the quarterfinal matchup.

FR.- Adam Gajan (Poprad, Slovakia/ Green Bay/ USHL)

This season, UMD has lost the goaltender tandem of Stejskal and Thiessen who manned the crease for four years in front of the Amsoil Arena faithful. The ‘Dogs return Zach Sandy who has backed up the two starting netminders for the past three seasons, as well as bringing in Freshman Klayton Knapp (Waterville, Ohio. / Bismarck/ NAHL) and Adam Gajan (Poprad, Slovakia/ Green Bay/ USHL)

Homegrown talent-

On the 2024-25, roster the Northern Minnesota Pipeline continues as UMD brings in three Hermantown natives, in the “Plante brothers”, Max Plante (Hermantown, Minn./ USNDTP/ U18), Zam Plante (Hermantown, Minn./ Fargo/ USHL), Ty Hanson (Hermantown, Minn./ Sioux City/ USHL) and Aaron Pionk (Hermantown, Minn./ Waterloo/ USHL). The Dogs also bring in a familiar face from Hockeytown, USA in 2021 Mr. Hockey Finalist Jayson Shaugabay (Warroad, Minn./ Green Bay/ USHL).

Biondi has since entered the transfer portal and is at Notre Dame. Spicer also left the program and is in the USHL. Pierce is back and will be wearing an “A” on his sleeve as he looks to mentor a strong younger class coming in who hope to make an impact and turn last year’s down season around.

Keys To Success

Solidify top line

Veteran LeadershipUMD returns four seniors and one graduate transfer. The seniors include Captain Dominic James (Plymouth, Mi./ Lincoln/ USHL), Owen Gallatin (Hugo, Minn./ Fargo/ USHL), Will Francis (St. Paul, Minn./ Cedar Rapids/ USHL), Carter Loney (Columbus, OH. / Sioux City/ USHL) and transfer Joe Molenaar (Minnetonka, Minn./ St. Cloud State/ NCAA). The five combined for 18 goals and 30 assists a season ago in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

Key Losses to GraduationCole Spicer, forward (17 games, five goals, four assists, one game winning goal)

Darian Gotz, defenseman (37 games,

Despite breaking up the top line due to the loss of Spicer and Biondi, the Bulldogs have returned Pierce and have brought in transfer Joe Molenaar from the NCHC’s St Cloud State University. Looking at the 2024-25 roster the topline could consist of Pierce, Molenaar and sophomore Jack Smith (St. Cloud, Minn./Sioux Falls/ USHL). Chances are lines will be juggled early on as Sandelin looks for the right combinations, but he has a lot of skilled players to work with. Molenaar has had a successful career and should bring a wealth of game experience to the lineup.

Goaltending is a question mark

This season, UMD has lost the

zero goals, six assists, zero game winning goals)

Ben Steeves, forward (37 games, 24 goals, ten assists, six game winning goals)

Quinn Olson, forward (37 games, four goals, 17 assists, zero game winning goals)

Zam Plante (Hermantown, Minn./ Fargo/ USHL), Ty Hanson (Hermantown, Minn./ Sioux City/ USHL) and Aaron Pionk (Hermantown, Minn./ Waterloo/ USHL). The Dogs also bring in a familiar face from Hockeytown, USA in 2023 Mr. Hockey Jayson Shaugabay (Warroad, Minn./ Green Bay/ USHL).

Veteran Leadership

Luke Loheit, forward (36 games, 10 goals, 10 assists, zero game winning goals)

Kyler Kleven, forward (26 games, one goals, two assists, zero game winning goals)

Blake Biondi, forward (34 games, eight goals, eleven assists, one game winning goal)

Zach Stejskal, goaltender (20 games, 8-9-3, .898 save percentage, 3.14 GAA)

UMD returns four seniors and one graduate transfer. The seniors include captain Dominic James (Plymouth, Mi./ Lincoln/ USHL), Owen Gallatin (Hugo, Minn./ Fargo/ USHL), Will Francis (St. Paul, Minn./ Cedar Rapids/ USHL), Carter Loney (Columbus, OH. / Sioux City/ USHL) and transfer Joe Molenaar (Minnetonka, Minn./ St. Cloud State/ NCAA). The five combined for 18 goals and 30 assists a season ago in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

Matthew Thiessen, goaltender (18 games, 3-11-2, .904 save percentage, 3.00 GAA)

Key Losses to Graduation

Luke Johnson, forward (26 goals, one goal, two assists, zero game winning goals.)

Cole Spicer, forward (17 games, five goals, four assists, one game winning goal)

Darian Gotz, defenseman (37 games, zero goals, six assists, zero game winning goals)

2023-24 Scoring Breakdown

Ben Steeves- 24 goals

Luke Loheit- 10 goals

Ben Steeves, forward (37 games, 24 goals, 10 assists, six game winning goals)

Blake Biondi- eight goals

New Additions

TRANSFER- Joe Molenaar- St Cloud State (NCHC/NCAA)

Quinn Olson, forward (37 games, four goals, 17 assists, zero game winning goals)

Luke Loheit, forward (36 games, 10 goals, 10 assists, zero game winning goals)

FR.- Ty Hanson (Hermantown, Minn./Sioux City/ USHL)

Kyler Kleven, forward (26 games, one goals, two assists, zero game winning goals)

Blake Biondi, forward (34 games, eight goals, eleven assists, one game winning goal)

Zach Stejskal, goaltender (20 games, 8-9-3, .898 save percentage, 3.14 GAA)

Ty Hanson, a Hermantown native, spent last season manning the blueline for the Sioux City Musketeers where he recorded 10 goals and 37 assists in 117 games, this would earn him All-USHL Second Team honors. Before juniors, Hanson tallied 15 goals and 30 assists with the Hermantown Hawks as he led them to a 2022 Class A state title… was named to the All-tournament team.

Matthew Thiessen, goaltender (18 games, 3-11-2, .904 save percentage, 3.00 GAA)

Luke Johnson, forward (26 goals,

FR.- Adam Kleber (Chaska, Minn./ Lincoln/ USHL)

Kleber, a 2024 Buffalo Sabres draft pick, spent last season with the USHL’s Fargo Force tallying five goals and 21 assists, Kleber wore the stars and stripes at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and was selected to the 2023 World Jr. A Challenge teams. Kleber spent one season at Chaska high school where he tallied 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) in 28 total games for the Hawks.

FR.- Adam Kleber (Chaska, Minn./ Lincoln/ USHL)

Gajan, a 2023 Chicago Blackhawks draft pick, most recently played with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers where he manned the crease for 43 games in the USHL posting a record of 43-12, collecting a 3.35 GAA and .893 save percentage, Gajan spent one season with the NAHL’s Chippewa Steel (19-12 record, 2.57 GAA, solidified one shutout). In 2023-24, he earned a spot in net for team Slovakia at the U20 World Junior Championships where he put together a 36 save shutout against Team Switzerland.

FR.- Max Plante (Hermantown, Minn./ USNDTP)

Plante, who will be joined on the UMD roster by his older brother Zam, spent last season in Ann Arbor, MI. with the USA U18 National Development Program. Plante recorded two goals and seven assists in seven games. One of those goals took place in an exhibition game against the University of Minnesota at 3M at Mariucci on Jan. 1, 2024.

Kleber, a 2024 Buffalo Sabres draft pick, spent last season with the USHL’s Fargo Force tallying five goals and 21 assists. Kleber wore the stars and stripes at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and was selected to the 2023 World Jr. A Challenge teams. Kleber spent one season at Chaska high school where he tallied 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) in 28 total games for the Hawks.

FR.- Jayson Shaugabay (Warroad, Minn./ Green Bay/ USHL)

FR.- Max Plante (Hermantown, Minn./ USNDTP)

FR.- Jayson Shaugabay (Warroad, Minn./ Green Bay/ USHL)

Shaugabay, who was a 2023 Tampa Bay Lightning selection, spent the larger half of 2023-24 with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers posting 15 goals and 40 assists for 55 points. The 2023 Minnesota Mr. Hockey award winner led the Warroad Warriors to a Class A runner-up finish against Mahtomedi where he recorded 96 total points over 31 games his senior year. Over his four seasons wearing the Warrior Crest he broke the school record for both career points (304) and goals in a career (112).

FR.- Harper Bentz (Moorhead, Minn./ Fargo/USHL)

Bentz, spent two seasons with the Moorhead Spuds where he tallied 53 goals and 40 assists in 47 career games before joining the Fargo Force for both the 2223 and 23-24 seasons collecting 22 goals and 30 assists in 111 games in the United States Hockey League (USHL). Bentz led the Spud to a 2022 Class AA State

FR.- Harper Bentz (Moorhead, Minn./ Fargo/USHL)

Bentz, spent two seasons with the

FR.- Klayton Knapp (Waterville, Ohio. / Bismarck/ NAHL)

Knapp backstopped the Bismarck Bobcats in the NAHL to a 17-8-3 overall record, where he collected five shutouts in 28 games. Before Bismarck, Knapp spent a season with the Green Bay Gamblers and the Austin Bruins. In the North American Hockey League, he was named the Central Division Player of the Week three consecutive times.

FR.- Trevor Stachowiak (Glencoe, Illinois/ Minot/ NAHL)

FR.- Adam Gajan (Poprad, Slovakia/ Green Bay/ USHL) Gajan, a 2023 Chicago Blackhawks draft pick, most recently played with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers where he manned the crease for 43 games in the USHL posting a record of 43-12, collecting a 3.35 GAA and .893 save percentage. Gajan spent one season with the NAHL’s Chippewa Steel (1912 record, 2.57 GAA, solidified one shutout). In 2023-24, he earned a spot in net for team Slovakia at the U20 World Junior Championships where he put together a 36 save shutout against Team Switzerland.

Stachowiak, spent four seasons in the North American Hockey League with the Minot Minotauros where he captained the team during the 22-23 and 23-24 seasons. Stachowiak recorded 118 total points (36 goals, 82 assists) in 217 total games. Before the NAHL, he played two seasons in the HPHL with the Chicago Mission collecting 13 goals and 15 assists in 37 total contests.

FR.- Klayton Knapp (Waterville, Ohio. / Bismarck/ NAHL) Knapp backstopped the Bismarck Bobcats in the NAHL to a 17-8-3 overall record, where he collected five shutouts in 28 games. Before Bismarck, Knapp spent a season with the Green Bay Gamblers and the Austin Bruins. In the North American Hockey League, he was named the Central Division Player of the Week three consecutive times.

Non- Conference ScheduleOct 5 (exhibition)- Bemidji State Oct 6 (exhibition)- Manitoba Oct 11-12- @ UMASS- Lowell

Oct 18-19- Minnesota

Oct 25-16- Stonehill

Dec 31- @Bemidji State

Jan 3-4 – Alaska-Fairbanks

FR.- Trevor Stachowiak (Glencoe, Illinois/ Minot/ NAHL) Stachowiak, spent four seasons in the North American Hockey League with the Minot Minotauros where he captained the team during the 22-23 and 23-24 seasons. Stachowiak recorded 118 total points (36 goals, 82 assists) in 217 total games. Before the NAHL, he played two seasons in the HPHL with the Chicago Mission collecting 13 goals and 15 assists in 37 total contests. Non- Conference Schedule

Oct 5 (exhibition)- Bemidji State

Owen Gallatin is one of the veteran leaders on a team that will look to their newcomers to also contribute. PHOTO COURTESY OF UMD ATHLETICS

Huskies roster provides balance

Freshmen to give Huskies needed depth

by DAIN SOLBERG Let’s Play Hockey

St. Cloud, Minn.— The 2024-25 Husky squad guided by veteran head coach Brett Larson will have plenty of holes to fill with the graduation and/or trasnsfer of top-line forwards in Kyler Kupka (Camrose, AB./Camrose Kodiaks/AJHL), Zach Okabe (Fukuoka, JPN. /Grande Prairie Storm/AJHL), Joe Molenaar (Minnetonka, Minn./Cedar Rapids Roughriders/USHL) and veteran center Veeti Miettinen (Espoo, Fin./ Kiekko-Espo U20/SM-liiga). SCSU kept there NCAA tournament hopes alive when they advanced to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s (NCHC) 2024 Frozen Faceoff where the Huskies fell to the eventual national champion Denver Pioneers. SCSU will fill this void when they bring in three transfers and six high-flying freshmen to the 2025 roster.

On defense, offensive defensemen Dylan Anhorn (Calgary, AB./Union College/NCAA) led the back end alongside Minnesota Wild draft-pick Jack Peart (Grand Rapids, Minn./Fargo Force/USHL). The pair combined for 47 points a season ago. Coming into Anhorn’s spot in 2025 will the big heavy size of Thor Byfuglien (Roseau, Minn./ Chicago Steel/USHL) who is the cousin of former Winnipeg Jets D-man Dustin Byfuglien.

The Huskies finished 17-16-5 in 2023-24.

Keys to Success for St. Cloud Veteran Goaltending- SCSU returns netminder sophomore Goaltender Isak Posch (Umea, SWE/Minnesota Wilderness/NAHL) and adds a seasoned vet in Northern Michigan transfer Charlie Glockner (Minnetonka, Minn./Waterloo Blackhawks/USHL). A season ago, Posch made 14 starts for the Huskies in 2024 bolstering a .901 save percentage and a record of 5-6-2.

Hall of Youth

The Huskies welcome in a group of young talent. Barrett Hall (Seattle Kraken draft pick 2023) led the way as a freshman both on the second line and first power play unit alongside the Miettinen brothers. Hall provided 16 points (8g, 8a) which included two 4-point nights on Feb. 3, 2024, at Colorado College and on Nov. 24, 2023, when SCSU hosted the Michigan Wolverines at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. This season Hall will be joined by three freshmen forwards that include the likes of Andover native Gavin Thoreson (Andover Minn./Waterloo Blackhawks/ USHL).

Fresh Faces

St. Cloud State will bring in a rookie class of three forwards and two defensemen. The forward lines will include Dana Wallace (Boulder Co./Austin Bruins/NAHL), Austin Burnevik (Ham Lake, Minn./Madison Capitols/USHL) and Thoreson. On the back end, St. Louis Blues draft pick Colin Ralph (Maple Grove, Minn./Dubuque Fighting Saints/ USHL) and Byfuglien will be manning the blue line. In their junior careers both Ralph and Byfuglien combined for 35 total points.

Key Losses to Graduation

Dylan Anhorn, defensemen (34 games, six goals, 24 assists, two game winning goals)

Kyler Kupka, forward (34 games, 14 goals, 14 assists, zero game winning goals)

Zach Okabe, forward (34, ten goals, 13 assists, one game winning goals)

from last year.

Joe Molenaar, forward (31 games, eight goals, four assists, two game winning goals)

Veeti Miettinen, forward (33 games, 17 goals, 15 assists, one game winning goals)

Dominic Basse, goaltender (25 games, 12-10-2, .896 save percentage, 2.75 GAA)

2023-24 Scoring Breakdown

Veeti Miettinen- 17 goals

Kyler Kupka- 14 goals

Zach Okabe- 10 goals

New Additions:

Transfer- Charlie Glockner- Northern Michigan (CCHA)

Glockner is no stranger to the big stage after spending two seasons at the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s Northern Michigan Wildcats where he recorded a 3.26 GAA and a .885 SV percentage. Before NMU, Glockner won the 2018 Class AA Minnesota State High School Hockey Championship where he starred in net for the top-ranked Minnetonka Skippers a team that included former St. Cloud State Husky Joe Molenaar.

Transfer- Josh Zinger- Northern Michigan (CCHA)

Zinger like Glockner spent two seasons at NMU before choosing to take advantage of the transfer portal for his junior season. Zinger tallied 58 points (three goals, 17 assists) for the Wildcats a season ago and was named to the All-CCHA Second team while also earning CCHA All-Rookie team honors. Before NMU, Zinger played alongside Glockner with the USHL’s Waterloo Blackhawks. Zinger’s game is an offensive defenseman who is not afraid to jump up on the rush or make an impact on special teams.

Transfer- Daimon Gardner-Clarkson (ECAC)

The former Mr. Hockey Finalist and Warroad Warrior will look to find his stride after moving from the East Coast back to his home state. Gardner spent his freshman season with the Clarkson Golden Knights where he posted six points in 29 games.

Fr.- Colin Ralph- (Maple Grove, Minn./Dubuque/USHL)

Ralph played four seasons in Tier I with the Shattuck St. Mary’s U18 AAA team where he tallied 124 points. During his final season in AAA Ralph saw two contests where he suited up for the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints. Ralph is a two-way defenseman who is not afraid to back check and uses his size along the wall to out muscle his opponents in the D-Zone.

St. Cloud St. 2024-25 Men’s

(AJHL)

Dakota (NCAA)

L So. Espoo, Finland Fargo (USHL)

R Jr. East Northport, N.Y. Steinbach (MJHL) 21 Josh Luedtke D 5’ 9”

R Sr. Minnetonka, Minn. Des Moines (USHL) 23 Austin Burnevik

L Fr. Blaine, Minn. Madison (USHL) 25 Thor Byfuglien D 5’ 11”

(USHL)

(NAHL)

Fr. Jack Reimann (Ham Lake, Minn./ Des Moines Buccaneers/ USHL)

Reimann recorded 19 points in the Minnesota Elite League before spending three seasons in the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampede, Muskegon Lumberjacks and most recently the Des Moines Buccaneers. In the United States Hockey League, Reimann totaled 35 points. Reimann will be a power-forward for the Huskies where his biggest asset will be prevalent in the faceoff circle.

Fr.- Dana Wallace (Boulder Co./ Austin Bruins/NAHL)

Wallace will be familiar with playing alongside former Freshman Colin Ralph. Wallace and Ralph spent two seasons alongside each other at Shattuck St. Mary’s from the 2020-2021, Wallace combined for 34 points for the Sabre’s. After Tier I, he spent five seasons in junior hockey.

Fr.- Austin Burnevik (Ham Lake, Minn./Madison Capitols/USHL)-

Burnevik was a member of the USA NDTP U18 program in 2023 tallying 18 points in 72 total contests. Most recently, Burnevik played for the United States Hockey League’s (USHL) Madison Capitols where he tallied a league leading 71 points. Biggest strengths to NCAA Division I College Hockey will

be his explosiveness on the rush and strong elusiveness without the puck to create scoring chances.

Fr. – Thor Byfuglien (Roseau, Minn./Chicago Steel/USHL)Byfuglien, a Roseau native, spent three seasons with the United States Hockey League’s Chicago Steel where he tallied 35 total points. Byfuglien will be a player to watch with his heavy shot and size. Husky fans compare him to Fifth-Year Graduate senior Dylan Anhorn, who captained the 2024 SCSU team to a conference tournament berth.

Fr.- Gavyn Thoreson (Andover Minn./Waterloo Blackhawks/USHL)Thoreson led Andover High School to the 2021 Class AA State High School Hockey Tournament where the Huskies fell to a high-flying Cretin Derham Hall team in the third-place game. Thoreson tallied 74 total points his senior year. After High School, he took his talents to spend his junior years with the Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL.

Non-Conference Schedule:

Oct 5- Minnesota

Oct 6- St. Thomas

Oct 11/12- @ Bemidji State

Oct 18/19- @ Michigan

Oct 25/26- Augustana

Nov 1/2- Boston College

Dec 29- St. Thomas

PHOTO

JASON SORIA

Can the Mavs return to national prominence?

Strand begins second year with Mavs

by DAIN SOLBERG

MANKATO, Minn.— The Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks will begin their second season with Luke Strand at the helm of the coaching staff. This occurring after the departure of Mike Hastings to the Wisconsin Badgers two seasons ago. With a roster overhaul due to the transfer portal the Mavs will welcome in two defensemen, one forward and one goaltender.

Strand announced on July 3 that Goaltender Matthew Syverson (Apple Valley, Minn./Lindenwood/Independent), Defenseman Cade Alami (Bedford, N.Y./ Arizona State/NCHC), Ralfs Bergmanis (Liepaja, Latvia/Vermont/ Hockey East) and Forward Jacob Bonkowski (Richmond, British Columbia/ Coquitlam Express/BCHL) would be joining the ranks.

Alami and Ralfs combined for 14 points a season ago at ASU and Vermont. On the backend, Bonkowski recorded six points with the British Columbia Hockey League’s Coquitlam Express. Whereas in net, Syverson started five games for the Lindenwood Lions recording a .853 save percentage and 6.10 Goals Against Average.

Three Keys to Success

Year two under strand

MSU finished with a record of 1815-4 with Strand behind the Maverick Bench. . Strand spent the previous season coaching as an assistant coach at Ohio State University, under the direction of current head coach Steve Rohlik. The upcoming season will be Strand’s fourth season on a NCAA Division I hockey staff.

Adam Eisele is one of several players returning on this year’s Mavericks.

Stillwater Firepower

The Mavericks lost one of their top five scorers in Sam Morton a season ago due to graduation and the transfer portal. MSU welcomes in three transfers from top schools around the nation that will bring in a lot of offensive firepower. These transfers will be paired with the likes of Adam Eisele (Lake Elmo, Minn./Stillwater HS/Penticton/BCHL) and Evan Murr (Stillwater, Minn./Sioux Falls/USHL) who combined for 49 total points (14 goals, 35 assists).

Youth throughout lineup

The Mavs welcome in a new class of four freshman. The class includes Jacob Bonkowski (Tri City/USHL), Sam Rice (Madison/USHL), Tate Pritchard (Austin/NAHL), Luke Ashton (Vernon Vipers), and Eli Pulver (Powell River Kings)

Out of this recruiting class, Ashton led the group in scoring with 18 goals while playing junior hockey with the Langley Riverman in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). As far as total points Ashton combined for 18 goals and 18 assists.

Key Losses to Graduation

Sam Morton (37 games, 24 goals, 10 assists, one game winning goal)

Lucas Sowder (33 games, 13 goals, 14 assists, one game winning goal)

Jordan Steinmetz (32 games, two goals, eight assists, one game winning goal)

2023-24 Scoring Breakdown

Sam Morton- 24 goals

Lucas Sowder- 13 goals

Brian Carrabes- 10 goals

Adam Eisele- 8 goals

Evan Murr- 6 goals

New Additions

Minnesota State will be in their second season under the tutelage of new head coach Luke Strand.

Transfer- Cade Alami- Arizona State (NCHC)/ Boston College (Hockey East)

Transfer- Ralfs Bergmanis- Vermont (Hockey East)

Transfer- Matt Syverson- Lindenwood (Independent)

Transfer- Fin Williams- Notre Dame (BIG)

Transfer- Luigi Benincasa- Ferris State (WCHA)

Jacob Bonkowski- Tri City Storm (USHL)

Jacob Bonkowski spent five seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) with the Powell River Kings, Surrey Eagles, Salmon Arm Silverbacks and most recently with the Coquitlam Express where he posted three goals and three assists in 14 games.

Sam Rice- Madison Capitols (USHL)

Rice, a Prior Lake, Minn native, spent the past season in the USHL with the Madison Capitols where he recorded 19 points in 60 games. Prior to suiting up with Madison he spent two seasons with the Chippewa Steel. Before juniors, Rice’s Prior Lake Lakers qualified for the 2021 Minnesota State High School Hockey tournament where he earned all-conference honors as a freshman.

Luke Ashton- Vernon Vipers/ Langley Rivermen

Ashton, a 2024 sixth round selection of the Columbus Blue Jackets spent the bulk of last season skating with the Langley Rivermen after being acquired courtesy of the Vernon Vipers. In 53 games, Ashton recorded 18 goals and 18 assists where he tallied a goal in the Coastal West Division Playoffs (BCHL).

Eli Pulver- Powell River Kings

Pulver, a standup style Goaltender, spent last season backstopping the Salmon Arm Silverbacks where he was teammates with currently Maverick Jacob Bonkowski. Throughout the 202324 campaign Pulver posted a .924 save percentage accumulating a 23-12-2 record and a 2.23 goals against average, .924 save percentage to go 5-2-1 in the BCHL playoffs.

Non-Conference Schedule

Oct 5-6- @ Michigan

Oct 11-12- Merrimack College

Oct 18-19- North Dakota

Oct 25-26- Omaha

Feb 7-8- Augustana

Minnesota St. 2024-25 Men’s Hockey Roster

4 Brett Moravec So. F 5-10 173 L 2003 Airdrie, Alb. Penticton Vees (BCHA)

5 Mason Wheeler Jr. D 6-2

7 Luc Wilson Jr. F 5-10

8 Campbell Cichosz

D 6-1

9 Luigi Benincasa So. F 5-9

Rosemount, Minn. Tri-City (USHL)

L 2001 Duncan, B.C. Penticton (BCHL)

Albert Lea, MB Alaska (NAHL)

R 2002 Edmonton, Alberta Ferris State (CCHA) 10 Evan Murr So. D 6-0 183 R 2003 Stillwater, Minn. Sioux Falls (USHL) 11 Tyler Haskins

(NCHC)

12 Josh Groll

F 5-11

L 2001 San Diego, Calif. Michigan (Big 10) 13 Jordan Power Sr.

Minn. Penticton (BCHL)

16 Jacob Bonkowski Fr. F 6-1 179 L 2003 Richmond, B.C. Coquitlam (BCHL)

17 Luke Ashton Fr. D 6-6 239 L 2005 N Vancouver, B.C. Langley (BCHL)

18 Jakob Stender

19 Will Hillman

Alexandria, Minn. Fargo Force (USHL)

Blaine, Minn. Youngstown (USHL)

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MSU ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

Let’s Play Hockey

Bemidji State could surprise teams

Beavers able to reload after departures

by DAIN SOLBERG Let’s Play Hockey

BEMIDJI, Minn.— A season ago, Bemidji State Men’s hockey finished 20-16-2 record and a 15-7-2 Central Collegiate Hockey Conference (CCHA)record. This year will be Tom Serratore’s 24th season as the head BSU bench boss.

Last season’s group of Beavers had their season ended in a 2-1 home loss in the CCHA Mason Cup against Michigan Tech. Bemidji State’s lone goal came from Kasper Magnussen (Fredrikstad, Norway/J20 Nationell-Leksands/International Federation) with the assists being awarded to Austin Jouppi (Duluth, Minn./Bismarck/ NAHL) and Jackson Jutting (Savage, Minn./Colorado College/ NCAA).

The Beavers will lose seven seniors from last years squad including one to the transfer portal; this includes Gavin Enright (Farmington, Minn./ Green Bay/USHL), Jack Powell (Alexandria, Minn./Aberdeen/NAHL), Kyle Looft (Mankato, Minn./USHL/ Cedar Rapids), Carter Jones (Hillyard, Wash./Trail/BCHL), Eric Martin (Calgary, Alberta/Drumheller/AJHL), Jutting and Jouppi. Last year’s group of seniors combined for 32 goals and 77 assists in 176 games. Lleyton Roed led the team in points totaling 14 goals and 16 assists.

The goaltending tandem of Enright and Robbins played 39 games and totaled a combine record of 2016-2. The two collected a .891 save percentage and 2.83 goals against average. Enright used his last year of eligibility in the transfer portal and will be starting the 2024-25 season at St Cloud State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Conference (NCHC).

Keys to Success for the Beavers Fresh Faces in Net

The Beavers bring in two new goaltenders into the lineup to join sophomore Raythan Robbins (Anchorage, Alaska/Muskegon/USHL). Mattias Sholl (Hermosa Beach, Calif./ Youngstown/USHL) and Trent Wiemkem (Fargo, N.D./ Austin/NAHL) will travel north to backstop the crease in front of the rowdy Sanford Center student section.

Canadian Talent

The 2024-25 Bemidji State Beaver Men’s Hockey team boasts nine Canadian born players in the town that Paul Bunyan built. This group of “Beavs” includes Isa Parekh (Nobleton, Ontario), A.J. McCaulay (Bonnyville, Alberta), Alexi Sylvestre (Sainte-Martine, Quebec), Noah Quinn (Nelson, B.C.), Rhys Chiddenton (Campbellville, Ontario), Reilly Funk (Portage, Manitoba), Jake McLean (North Vancouver, B.C.), Ryan Henderson (Lethbridge, Alberta), Eric Martin (Calgary, Alberta).

Transfer Star power

Bemidji brings in three NCAA Division I transfers courtesy of the transfer portal. These include A.J. Macaulay (Bonnyville, Alberta/Alaska Fairbanks), Carter Randklev (Moorhead, Minn./Niagara) and Reilly Funk (Portage, Manitoba/Northern Michigan) Flammang Line

A season ago, the line of Adam Flammang, Jackson Jutting and Eric Martin led the way for the Beavers… will veteran leadership be consistent or will the Bemidji faithful see young-

The Beavers will look to light the lamp often this season.

er guys step up to light the lamp for the Green and White. Flammang, Jutting and Martin combined for 67 points in 103 contests (does not count early season exhibition matchups).

Key Losses to Graduation

Gavin Enright- (15 games, 3.18 GAA, .872 save percentage)

Kyle Looft- (32 games, six goals, 22 assists)

Carter Jones- (37 games, six goals, 18 assists, 3 game winning goals)

Eric Martin- (38 games, eight goals, 18 assists)

Jackson Jutting- (27 games, ten goals, 12 assists, 3 game winning goals)

Austin Jouppi- (37 games, two goals, 17 assists

2023-24 Scoring Breakdown

Lleyton Roed- 14 goals

Eric Pohlkamp- 11 goals

Jackson Jutting- 10 goals

Adam Flammang- 9 goals

Eric Martin- 8 goals

Kyle Looft- 6 goals

New Additions

Transfer- Carter Randklev- Niagara/Atlantic Hockey/NCAA

Transfer- Reilly Funk-Northern Michigan/CCHA/NCAA

FR.- Isa Parekh

Parekh pent four seasons in the Ontario Junior Hockey League where he tallied 29 points which included five goals and 24 assists. Parekh was ranked the sixth highest defensemen in points during the 2022-23 season with 30 points, described by scouts as a smooth skating defenseman with a good skill set from the blue line. His skating ability and vision allow him to make plays on the blue line and jump in the rush to be a second set of offense for his forwards on an odd man rush.

FR.- Alexi Sylvestre

Sylvestre played three seasons of juniors beginning in 2022. Sylvestre began his career with the Valleyfield Braves of the Quebec Junior Hockey League (QJHL) scoring four goals and tallying two assists in the playoffs. He was then shipped to the Flin Flon Bombers of the SJHL, where he ended up being a mainstay for the next two seasons. Sylvestre combined for 53 goals and 60 assists in a total of 111 games, this included 28 playoff games (14 goals, 16 assists). He is in the top North American Skaters NHL Prospects list. The 2024-25 season will be his first season of NCAA Division

Bemidji St. 2024-25 Men’s Hockey Roster

2 Tony Follmer D 6-3 191 Sr. L O’Fallon, Mo. USHL-Lincoln

4 Patrik Satosaari D 6-0 180 Jr. L Lahti, Finland U20 SM Sarja-Pelicans

5 Will Magnuson D 5-10 178 Sr. L Chaska, Minn. NAHL-Bismarck

6 Mitch Wolfe D 6-0 183 Jr. L Andover, Minn. USHL-Des Moines

7 Isa Parekh D 6-0 160 Fr. R Nobleton, Ontario BCHL-Nanaimo

8 Adam Flammang F 6-0 187 Jr. R St. Michael, Minn. USHL-Cedar Rapids

9 Carter Randklev F 5-9 163 Gr. L Moorhead, Minn. NCAA-Niagara

11 Eric Martin F 5-11 175 Gr. R Calgary, Alberta AJHL-Drumheller

12 A.J. Macaulay D 5-9 185 Jr. L Bonnyville, Alberta NCAA-AK Fairbanks 13 Donte Lawson F 5-11 170 Sr. L Taconite, Minn. NAHL-Minnesota

14 Alexi Sylvestre F 6-2 194 Fr. L Sainte-Martine, QB SJHL-Flin Flon Bombers

15 Jaksen Panzer F 5-10 170 Fr. L Grand Forks, N.D. USHL-Sioux Falls

16 Jere Vaisanen F 6-0 180 Sr. L Espoo, Finland NAHL-Amarillo

17 Noah Quinn F 6-1 173 So. R Nelson, B.C. BCHL-Cranbrook

18 Rhys Chiddenton F 6-0 184 So. L Campbellville, Ont. OJHL-Georgetown

19 Jackson Jutting F 5-11 186 Gr. L Savage, Minn. NCAA-Colorado College

20 Kirklan Irey F 5-11 182 Jr. L Bismarck, N.D. USHL-Sioux City

21 Vince Corcoran D 5-8 160 Jr. L Plainfield, Ill. NAHL-Wichita Falls

22 Austin Jouppi F 5-11 173 Gr. R Duluth, Minn. NAHL-Bismarck

23 Luke Roelofs D 6-2 192 Fr. L Mound, Minn. NAHL-Bismarck

25 Tory Lund F 5-10 185 Fr. L Sartell, Minn. NAHL-El Paso

26 Reilly Funk F 6-3 209 Jr. L Portage, Manitoba NCAA-No. Michigan

27 Jake McLean F 6-0 183 So. L N Vancouver, B.C. NAHL-Bismarck

28 Kasper Magnussen F 6-1 196 So. L Fredrikstad, Norway J20 Nationell-Leksands IF

29 Ryan Henderson D 6-2 170 Fr. R Lethbridge, Alberta AJHL-Drumheller

30 Mattias Sholl G 5-10 175 Sr. L Hermosa Beach, Calif. USHL-Youngstown

33 Trent Wiemken G 6-0 170 Fr. L Fargo, N.D. NAHL-Austin

35 Raythan Robbins G 5-11 187 So. L Anchorage, Alaska USHL-Muskegon

I Hockey in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).

FR.- Jaksen Panzer

A graduate of East Grand Forks H.S., Panzer spent his senior season with the North American Hockey League’s Minot Minotauros collecting five goals and 13 assists. Panzer was then claimed by the United States Hockey League’s (USHL) Sioux Falls Stampede where he spent the past three seasons. He combined for 34 goals and 41 assists in 128 games where he was named the assistant captain during his final season of junior before committing to play college hockey.

FR.- Tory Lund

A graduate from Sartell St-Stephen’s HS, Lund spent four seasons playing junior hockey. One season with the NA3HL’s Granite City Lumberjacks before spending three seasons in the North American Hockey League with the Minot Minotauros and El Paso Rhinos. With the Minotauros he tallied four goals and seven assists. During two seasons with El Paso, he totaled 57 points (20 goals, 37 assists).

FR- Luke Roelofs

A graduate from Holy Family Catholic, Roelofs spent four seasons

with the Bismarck Bobcats where he wore both the “A” and the “C”, through his first two seasons he combined for 29 points. During his last two juniors’ seasons Roelofs tallied nine goals and 32 assists. This included nine games in the NAHL playoffs where he recorded an assist.

FR.- Ryan Henderson Henderson played three seasons of junior hockey with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s (AJHL) Drumheller Dragons. Throughout those three seasons, Henderson tallied seven goals and 47 assists, in the Alberta Junior Hockey League Playoffs he totaled four goals and six assists in a total of 22 contests.

FR.- Trent Wiemkem Wiemkem, a graduate from Fargo Davies HS, backstopped the NAHL’s Austin Bruins for two seasons and played one game with the United States Hockey League’s Fargo Force, during three seasons he started 70 games recording a combined 39-19-4 regular season record, .945 save percentage, 1.41 goals against average. In 14 playoff games, Wiemkem totaled a 8-5-1 record with a 3.78 goals against average and a .854 save percentage.

List of Minnesota-born players on D1 NCAA men’s teams

Easton Young Augustana

Brady Ziemer Augustana

Hunter Bischoff Augustana

Joey DelGreco Augustana

Garett Drotts Augustana CCHA Grand Rapids Grand Rapids

Tyler Hennen Augustana CCHA Hallock Kittson Central

Payton Matsui Augustana CCHA Lakeville St Thomas

Luke Mobley Augustana CCHA St Louis Park St Louis Park

Quinn Rudrud Augustana CCHA Farmington Farmington

Will Svenddal Augustana CCHA Minneapolis Blake

Ben Troumbly Augustana CCHA Bovey Greenway

Christian Manz Augustana CCHA Blaine Shattuck

Will Magnuson Bemidji St CCHA Chaska Chaska

Luke Roelofs Bemidji St CCHA Minnetrista Holy Family

Mitch Wolfe Bemidji St CCHA Andover Andover

Adam Flammang Bemidji St CCHA St Michael STMA

Austin Jouppi Bemidji St CCHA Duluth Duluth East

Jackson Jutting Bemidji St CCHA Savage Prior Lake

Donte Lawson Bemidji St CCHA Taconite Greenway

Tory Lund Bemidji St CCHA Sartell Sartell

Carter Randklev Bemidji St CCHA Moorhead Moorhead

Conner Brown Ferris St CCHA Maplewood Gentry

Gavin Best Ferris St CCHA Richfield Blake School

Evan Bushy Lake Superior St CCHA Mankato Thief River Falls

Carter Batchelder Lake Superior St CCHA Savage Eden Prairie

Wilson Dahlheimer Lake Superior St CCHA Monticello Monticello

Luke Levandowski Lake Superior St CCHA Rosemount Rosemount

Nate Schweitzer Lake Superior St CCHA Champlin Benilde

Nick Williams Michigan Tech CCHA Edina Edina

Henry Bartle Michigan Tech CCHA Blaine Centennial

Trevor Kukkonen Michigan Tech CCHA Maple Grove Maple Grove

Campbell Cichosz Min St-Mankato CCHA Albert Lea Albert Lea

Jakob Stender Min

NCHC Orono Benilde

Ethan Dahlmeir

Will Francis UMD NCHC Shoreview Centennial

Owen Gallatin

Ty Hanson UMD NCHC Hermantown Hermantown

Adam Kieber

Joey Molenaar UMD NCHC Minnetonka Minnetonka

Zam Plante UMD NCHC Hermantown Hermantown

Max Plante UMD NCHC Hermantown Hermantown

Jayson Shaugabay UMD NCHC Warroad Warroad

Jack Smith

Joe Gramer

Tanner Ludke

Charlie Lurie

Tyler Rollwagen

Garrett Pinoniemi

Bennett Zmolek North

NCHC Minnetonka Shattuck

Tommies continue to work their way up

Tommies look to elevate program to elite level

by DAIN SOLBERG Let’s Play Hockey

St. Paul, Minn.– The University of St. Thomas men’s hockey program has made great strides since its inaugural season in 2021-22. Last season they defeated No. 8 St Cloud State University in an overtime thriller to open the year. A week later, the Tommies took the No. 2 ranked University of Minnesota Golden Gophers to overtime in front of a packed Xcel Energy Center, falling 6-5 courtesy of a Jimmy Snuggerud snipe.

This season, UST returns leading scorers Lucas Wahlin (Woodbury, Minn./Lincoln/USHL), Liam Malmquist (Edina, Minn./Wisconsin/ BIG) and Ryan O’Neil (Roseville, Minn./ St. Cloud/ NAHL), The three forwards combined for 29 goals and 54 assists in 108 games. In net, the Tommies return junior Jake Sibell (Isanti, Minn./Niagara/Atlantic Hockey) and sophomore Aaron Trotter (Victoria, B.C./ Prince George/ BCHL), UST sophomore netminder Max Prazma (Calgary, Alberta/ Calgary Canucks/AJHL) could also see the crease this season after backing up both Trotter and Sibell.

Trotter and Sibell split time in 202324 and recorded an overall goals against average (GAA) of 2.81 and a save percentage of .905. Prazma came to St. Paul courtesy of the Calgary Canucks who are a member of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. While in juniors, Prazma collected a 3.65 GAA and .899 save percentage.

Going into the 2024-25 campaign the Purple and White will lose five skaters which include James Marooney (Chaska, Minn./Ohio State/ BIG), Noah Prokop (Highlands Ranch, Colo./ Colorado College/ NCHC), Luke Manning (Stillwater, Minn./ Air Force/ Atlantic Hockey), Mack Byers (Long Lake, Minn./ Northern Michigan/ CCHA), Ryder Donovan (Duluth, Minn./ Wisconsin/ BIG).

Keys to Success Veteran Goaltending

Trotter and Sibell will both return to the crease this season. Sibell came to St Paul from Niagara University in the Atlantic Hockey Conference via the transfer portal. Trotter joined UST following a season with the Prince George Cougars who is a member of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).

Explosive Offense

A year ago, Cooper Gay (Hanover, Minn./Fargo/ USHL), Byers, and Wahlin anchored the forward core of the Tommies first line. The three recorded 71 points before Gay went down with a season ending injury late into his sophomore campaign. The likes of Luc Laylin (St. Michael, Minn./Prince George/ BCHL) stepped up recording 15 points in 37 games for UST.

Buy In Mentality

The University of St Thomas Hockey team under former Miami of Ohio Redhawk coach Rico Blasi sparked two mottos one being “The Brotherhood” and the other being known as “Fides In Fratrem”, originally in the Central Collegiate Hockey Conference (CCHA) the ‘Toms will join the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) beginning next season with new teams such as Arizona State.

Veteran Leadership, Playing through Adversity

The Purple will not have a freshman on the roster to begin the 2024-25 season. This season’s roster will include just seven sophomores, 10 juniors, and six seniors (two seniors being goalten-

The University of St. Thomas is making big strides in their quest to national relevance

Jake Braccini (Buffalo, MN) tries to outpace a Gopher defender.

ders). Gauer is the one senior that spent his first season of college hockey at NCAA Division I Alaska Anchorage before transferring to Bemidji State University of the Central Collegiate Hockey Conference (CCHA). Throughout his collegiate career, Gauer has racked up five goals and 20 assists in 108 games for all three institutions.

Key Losses to Graduation

Mack Byers, forward (31 games, 13 goals, eight assists, 1 game winning goal)

Ryder Donovan, forward (3 games, one goal, 1 game winning goal)

Noah Prokop, forward (27 games, three goals, five assists, two game winning goals)

Luke Manning, forward (37 games, seven goals, six assists)

James Marooney, defenseman (15 games, zero goals, five assists)

2023-24 Scoring Breakdown

Lucas Wahlin- 12 goals

Liam Malmquist- 10 goals

Ryan O’Neill- 7 goals

Non- Conference Schedule

Oct 5- Manitoba (Exhibition)

Oct 11-12- Vermont

Oct 25-26- @ Minnesota

Nov 1-2- Augustana

Dec 29- @ St Cloud State

Jan 3-4- @ Lindenwood

Quinton

Ethan

Jake

Ethan

Cooper

St. Thomas 2024-25 Men’s Hockey Roster

(NAHL)

Ontario Steinbach (MJHL)

Grove, Minn. Madison (USHL)

Minn. Muskegon (USHL)

Farmington, Minn. Bemidji State (CCHA)

St. Michael, Minn. Prince George (BCHL)

Wisconsin (B1G) Chase

(USHL)

PHOTO BY NICK WOSIKA/UST

ELITE LEAGUE PLAYS BIG ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT

In 22nd season, Elite League offers opportunity and expsoure for high school players

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

When the Upper Midwest High School Elite League ends, it will mark another year of serving the high school hockey player in a myriad of ways.

The league was founded by John Russo in 2002 and has since served as a developmental league for the top high school players in Minnesota, providing top-level competition, more games, and invaluable exposure to college, junior, and NHL scouts. In addition to Russo as founder, several other people have played key roles in the development of the Elite League including Jack Blatherwick, Bo Snuggerud, Ben Hankinson and Tom Ward, all who shared a common goal of providing increased opportunity for high school players.

“The Elite League provides an opportunity for top caliber high school players in the fall to play with and against other top players,” said Bo Snuggerud, one of three current directors who run the league along with Robin Lindquist and Mark Phillippi.

The league originally started as an Olympic Development Program with the objective of providing development opportunities for high school-aged players in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. Around this time is when many players started opting for junior hockey during their senior seasons rather than finishing out their careers with their high school teams.

The league consists of a 20-game fall season schedule and a three-game playoff. Each year the league scouts Minnesota high school hockey players, conducts extensive tryouts and consults with high school coaches to select the top 120 players to compete against each other for eight weeks followed by the annual IIT Showcase with international exposure.

One of the greatest benefits of the league is to give high school players an opportunity to play in more highly competitive games against high-caliber competition. With the junior hockey season beginning in September, junior hockey became an intriguing proposition for high school players with remaining eligibility to instead make the jump to juniors with hopes of speeding up their development

“My senior year was about the opportunity to play with my

buddies.

It was the best time. Those are friendships that last forever.”

and landing on a college hockey roster.

The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) rules allow players to play juniors before and after the high school season. The hope is that a strong Elite League schedule will encourage more of the top

-

Tom Gilbert, 2001 Bloomington Jefferson grad and 11-year NHL veteran

players in the state to stick with their high school programs instead of opting to play juniors.

“The high-quality Elite League venue further provides high school hockey players an alternative so that they don’t

feel pressured to leave their high school communities to go to junior hockey prematurely,” said Snuggerud. “It provides

Elite League Continued on Next Page

St. Thomas Academy goaltender Cody Niesen makes a save in recent Elite League action. The Elite League provides players with exposure to junior, college and professional scouts.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UMHSEL

Will Borgen is a Moorhead graduate who is now playing in the NHL with the Seatle Kraken. POTO COURTESY OF UMHSEL

“I felt that at that time it was best for my development. And I’ll never regret staying in high school and playing in the Elite League.”

Elite League

Continued from Previous Page

high school players an opportunity to play more games than just their high school season and against competition stronger than their typical high school schedule provides.”

The MSHSL allows for a 25-game regular season schedule during the winter season. All teams will play at least one playoff game with some teams playing up to six if they make the state tournament. Adding an Elite League schedule on top of that allows players to approach the 50game mark, which is comparable to playing a full season of junior hockey. The North American Hockey League (NAHL) plays a 59-game regular season schedule and the United States Hockey League (USHL) plays a 62-game schedule (not including playoffs). Players who play in the NAHL or USHL prior to and after the season can usually get another 15 games in, maybe more depending on playoffs.

The increased number of games at the junior hockey level is the carrot dangled in front of players who are looking to up their game by playing more games against tougher competition. There are stories of players who “leave early” that benefit from making the jump. But what is rarely talked about are the players who “leave too early.”

Jumping to a league full of 20-yearolds for a 16 or 17-year-old is a giant leap, and sometimes the bigger the leap, the bigger the fall.

“When one analyzes the data of landing on an active NHL roster or NCAA D1 scholarship correlating to benefit of ‘leaving early’ from the high school ranks a player’s bags would never be packed,” said T.R. Holler, a regional scout for Red Line Report. “Digest that barely 4 percent of registered high school players will achieve either status and 96 percent will compete at the high school level and move on to other options or academic pursuits post-graduation. However, the dream is alive and well and every player’s situation is unique.”

High School hockey in Minnesota is unique, its benefits spanning much wider than just development. Most kids grow up playing together from when they are six years old and stay together though their youth years leading into their high school careers. Along the way a bond is formed and playing through until the end with your buddies is an experience not lost on even those who could have easily made the jump to junior hockey.

“There was no way I was leaving,” said Ryan McDonagh, a graduate of Cretin-Derham Hall who has played a lengthy NHL career that includes a Stanley Cup with the Tamp Bay Lightning. “I wouldn’t trade that decision for anything. Being able to graduate and be home with my family for one more year was perfect for me.”

Tom Gilbert was a 2001 graduate of Bloomington Jefferson and went on to play 11 years in the NHL.

“My senior year was about the opportunity to play with my buddies,” he said. “It was the best time. Those are friendships that last forever.”

Too often aspiring players give that up for the sake of developing at a faster pace. But speeding up the process doesn’t always translate into a Division I tender or a professional contract. Sometimes it can even stall development, or set a player back because he is thrust into an uncomfortable situation for a teenager.

Playing juniors usually requires moving away from home and staying with a billet family. It requires distance learning and social circles can get quite small once a kid is removed from a high school setting.

“Maturity, travel comfortability, family structure are just some of the factors that are in play,” said Holler. “Personally, I would never advise to rush development. What good ever comes out of rushing anything in life? Most often, rushing will stunt a player’s progress. However, there are diamonds in the rough, those that succeed early and prove to be mature in mental and physical aspects on and off the ice that are

- Sammy Walker (Edina HS) former Mr. Hockey and current

Minnesota Wild

player

ready for next levels. It really depends on the individual.”

Currently the NHL is home to several Minnesota-born players who played their senior seasons at their respective high school, including Sammy Walker (Minnesota Wild/Edina HS), Casey Mittelstadt (Buffalo Sabres/Eden Prairie HS), and Riley Tufte.

Sammy Walker, a former Mr. Hockey winner, played in the Elite League and stayed in high school his senior season. He is now a member of the Minnesota Wild.

“I felt that at that time it was best for my development. And I’ll never regret staying in high school and playing in the Elite League,” he said.

Another important nugget of the Elite League is that it is heavily scouted, so players who choose to stay in high school have plenty of eyeballs on them. NCHC coaches were in St. Paul in early September for media day and part of their trip was to scout the Elite League for future Division I prospects.

“The league is widely known as the most scouted high school event in North America,” said Snuggerud.

Holler, who profiles and ranks NHL draft prospects for the Red Line Report, has been scouting the Elite league for the past nine years and said he has never been disappointed by the level of play or the amount of prospects he is able to watch leading into their draft year.

“Not only do the kids have an opportunity to compete versus top talent, but they also often play with their own high school teammates and, at the very least, with regional rivals battling longtime state rivals.” he said. “It’s a great tune-up prior their forthcoming season that illustrates their individual strengths and weaknesses.”

The numbers of Elite League alumni in the NHL speaks for itself. Whether the goal is to play junior hockey, college and ultimately professionally, the Elite League is an important step in the ladder of success for aspiring hockey players.

“In my nine years of viewership the Elite league has helped produce 96 NHL draftees with 12 players currently active on NHL/AHL rosters as the Elite League provides the highest regular attendance of NHL, NCAA, and Junior League scouts in a dedicated venue,” said Holler.

Noah Cates, who scored a memorable spin-o-rama overtime goal against Hill-Murray in 2016 to send his Stillwater team to the state tournament as a junior returned for his senior season with the Ponies in 2016-17. After his senior season he played 11 games with the Omaha Lancers. Prior to his senior season he played 21 games in the Elite League. Add that to

Sammy Walker, a former Mr. Hockey winner, played in the Elite League and stayed in high school his senior season. He is now a member of the Minnesota Wild. “I felt that at that time it was best for my development. And I’ll never regret staying in high school and playing in the Elite League,” he said. PHOTO COURTESY OF UMHSEL being enemies during the high school season, it was really a lot of fun.”

the 28 games he played in high school he played 60 games total in 2016-17.

In 2022-23 he played all 82 games with the Philadelphia Flyers.

“The Elite League is an awesome development league to try new things and work on your game against the best players in Minnesota,” Cates said.

Of course, not all players who play in the Elite League will play at the next level like Cates. Regardless, the league offers the opportunity for players to have fun while developing their skills for their upcoming high school season. The league also helps players develop relationships with other players from around the state.

“The Elite League was great,” said Will Borgen, a 2015 graduate of Moorhead and now a member of the Seattle Kraken. “Us northern teams, we really connected as players because we ended up staying in hotels together on the weekends. Making all these friendships with guys who end up

Part of the “development” of the Elite League is developing special memories and relationships.

“I had a blast in the Elite League and got to play with and against so many great players,” said former Edina star and Mr. Hockey Sammy Walker. “I felt that at that time it was best for my development. And I’ll never regret staying in high school and playing in the Elite League. We won the championship that year which made it so much better.”

The 2024 Elite league continues through October with league playoffs Oct 25-27 followed by the annual IIT Showcase Nov 1st-Nov 3rd at New Hope Ice Arena. Visit hselitehockey.com for more details.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UMHSEL Lewis Majkozak (Robbinsdale/Armstrong) of The Base breaks in on Map South goalie Grayson Hanggi (Hill-Murray HS) in recent action of the Upper Midwest High School Elite League.

Bulldogs look to get off the chain and make a run

Schuler welcomes back several key players

There’s a new boss in Duluth, even though it’s a familiar face. Laura Schuler has been a mainstay with the UMD women’s program for years, but now it is her turn to be in charge, leading a quality program that is coming off a 21win season and looking to make waves in the 2024-25 campaign.

Schuler welcomes back several key players along with bringing in a crop of youngsters to form this year’s squad after finishing 21-14-4, their last loss a 9-0 drubbing of eventual national champion Ohio State.

The Bulldogs relied heavily on keeping the puck out of the net last year, allowing just 66 goals, or 1.7 per game. But they only notched 89 tallies, a little over two goals per game, down significantly from their 2022-23 total of 125 (almost a goal a game).

They lose their top two scorers form a year ago in Reece Hunt and Mannon McMahon, who combined for 32 goals or 36 percent of the scoring.

Their top scorer returning is Clara Van Wieren, a product of Michigan who played prep hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary’s. Van Wieren is a fifth year senior who had 13 goals and 11 assists a year ago.

But nobody else scored more than seven goals last season, perhaps a sign of solid depth as 15 different players lit the lamp last year.

One of the hallmarks of UMD hockey is their ability to keep the biscuit out of their own basket. Leading the way is senior blueliner Hannah Baskin (Minnetonka, MN). Baskin not only netted five goals and added 13 assists, she was also a team-leading plus-22 on the ice. Fellow senior Brenna Fuhrman (Farmington, MN) skated in all 39 games last season and Nina Jobst-Smith (North Vancouver, BC) is a fifth-year senior who had 12 points and was a plus-4.

Other players shoring up the defensive zone are Ida Karlsson (Avesta, Sweden), Tova Henderson (Richmond, BC) and Devyn Millwater (Victoria, BC).

However, to win one must score goals and that could be an issue for the Bulldogs this season unless they get a boost from another year of experience from their underclassmen and their incoming freshmen.

Newcomers

Unlike most of the other Minnesota Division I schools, the Bulldogs have brought in several players form outside the State of Hockey to fill their roster. In fact, just seven rostered players were born in Minnesota.

One of those Minnesota-born players is former Ms. Hockey winner Olivia Mobley, a product of Breck High School who began her college career at Quinnipiac and then transferred to Ohio State last season and is now in her fifth year as a Bulldog. Mobley had nine goals and 17 assists for the national champion Buckeyes last season and should provide some valuable experience and offense for the Bulldogs.

Incoming freshmen include Caitlin Kraemer *Waterloo, Ont.), Kamdyn Davis (Beloit, WI), Reese Logan (Burlington, Ont.) and Zoey Krock (Pittsburgh, PA).

Goaltending

UMD’s goaltending was phenomenal last season and they look to do the same this year, but will have to without the services of Hailey MacLoed.

MacLoed played in 19 games last year and notched a .948 save percent-

The Bulldogs are under new leadership

five in the nation.

age, but she has since transferred to Ohio State. Eva Gascon (Mascouche, Quebec) split time with MacLoed last year and also put up good numbers with a .946 save percentage and 1.69 goals against average. She will likely get the brunt of the minutes as Tindra Holm (Skelleftea, Sweden), a transfer from Long island University, and Anna Byczek (Marquette, MI) compete for minutes.

Outlook

The Bulldogs are just three years removed from playing for a national championship.

Their roster is strong, they have a good new coach and they have early wins already over Ohio State.

They are definitely a team to watch this season, and one that could find themselves on the brink of another deep run the NCAA playoffs.

Minnesota-Duluth 2024-25 Women’s Hockey Roster

# FULL NAME POS HT YR HOMETOWN PREVIOUS TEAM

1 Ève Gascon G 5-8 So. Mascouche, Quebec Canada u-18

3 Mary Kate O’Brien F 5-4 R-Jr. Wilbraham, Mass. Selects Academy

6 Payton Holloway F 5-8 So. Tomah, Wis. Shattuck St. Mary’s

7 Grace Sadura F 5-7 So. Chanhassen Minn. Minnetonka H.S.

8 Danielle Burgen F 5-6 Jr. Lindstrom, Minn. USA U-18/Chisago Lakes H.S.

10 Hanna Baskin D 5-9 Sr. Excelsior, Minn. Minnetonka High School

11 Caitlin Kraemer F 5-9 Fr. Waterloo, Ontario Canada U-18/ Waterloo Ravens

12 Kamdyn Davis D 5-7 Fr. Beloit, Wis. Chicago Mission

14 Olivia Wallin F 5-7 Gr. Oakville, Ontario Penn State University

15 Olivia Mobley F 5-9 5th St. Louis Park, Minn. Ohio State

17 Reese Logan F 5-8 Fr. Burlington, Ontario Canada U-18/Etobicoke Jr.

18 Gabby Krause F 5-6 Sr. Andover, Minn. Andover High School

19 Tova Henderson D 5-8 Jr. Richmond, B. C. Canada U-18 / Delta Hockey

20 Brenna Fuhrman D 5-7 Sr. Farmington, Minn. USA U-18 / Farmington H. S.

21 Zoey Krock F 5-4 Fr. Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh Penguins Elite

22 Jenna Lawry F 5-11 Sr. Lindstrom, Minn. Chisago Lakes High School

24 Ida Karlsson D 5-9 So. Avesta, Sweden Sweden U-18 / Leksands IF

25 Clara Van Wieren F 5-10 Gr. Okemos, Mich USA U-18 / Shattuck St. Mary’s

26 Devyn Millwater D 5-7 R-Jr. Victoria, B.C. St. Cloud State University

28 Nina Jobst-Smith D 5-7 5th North Vancouver, BC Okanagan / Team Germany

30 Tindra Holm G 5-8 Sr. Skellefteå, Sweden Long Island University

31 Anna Byczek G 5-9 R-Fr. Marquette, Mich.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UMD ATHLETICS

and are a team to watch this season as one who could surprise and creep into the top

PHOTO COURTESY OF UMD ATHLETICS

Hannah Baskin comes back to lead a strong defensive unit that held opponents to less than two goals per game last season.

Fryklund looking to turn struggling program around

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN

Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

The Bemidji State Women’s Hockey team scored just 42 goals all of last season, a little more than one goal a game. In order for them to compete against the strong competition in the WCHA, the Beavers will have to address that issue first and foremost.

The team is under new leadership with the hiring of Amber Fryklund. Fryklund has been a part of the Beaver program for 10 seasons and five as an assistant. She takes over for Jim Scanlan who held the position for a decade before stepping down after last winter.

Fryklund welcomes back a good bulk of the 2023-24 roster and adds some important pieces, including transfer Isa Goettl form the University of Minnesota. Goettl was a high-scoring spark plug for Andover in high school and should add to the offense for the Beavers.

Bemidji State is also home to several former Warroad stars who have big game experience. Kate Johnson, Talya Hendrickson and Genevieve Hendrickson all return to this year’s squad with hopes of helping put more pucks in the net like they did as Lady Warriors.

Several freshmen also join the ranks to help bolster a class of new energy into the lineup.

The top returning scorer is Hailey Armstrong, who notched a team-leading nine goals last year. Armstrong is a sophomore who hails from British Columbia and will look to get into double-digit scoring in her sophomore campaign.

Scoring wasn’t the only issue for the Beavers last season as they allowed a whopping 181 goals, more than five per game. Shoring up the defensive zone play will be a priority for Fryklund who has eight defensemen on the roster, seven of them with at least a year of game experience. Makenna Deering (South St. Paul, MN) returns for her senior season and is joined by senior transfer Meredith Killian who has 102 game sunder her belt with Union. Kendra Fortin (Thunder Bay, Ont.) is also a senior and sophomores Olivia Dronen (Moorhead, MN) and Ana David (Minneapolis, MN) come back as sophomores after getting ample playing time as freshmen.

The Beavers finished with just four wins last season (4-30-2, so an improvement in the win column shouldn’t be difficult to achieve, but with a new coach at the helm it may

Under new coach, Beavers look to add scoring depth PHOTO COURTESY OF BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Amber Fryklund has spent 10 years with the program and five as an assistant coach. This will be her first season as head coach for the Beavers.

take a couple years for Fryklund to right the ship and steer it in the direction she chooses.

Newcomers

Fryklund welcomes nine newcomers to this year’s roster, including seven freshmen. In addition to Goettl, Heidi Strompf comes in as a 22-yearold from Germany. Strompf has put up some decent numbers in her time overseas and should help solidify the blue line for the Beavers. Julia Zielinska also comes in from Poland as another defenseman who could make an immediate impact.

Other additions include forwards Hannah Graves (Hermantown, MN), Avery Achterkirch (Rogers, MN), Morgan Smith (Manitoba), Autumn Cooper (Superior, WI) and Izy Fairchild (Hermantown, MN).

Goaltending

The Beavers should have good competition in goal with two strong incoming freshmen, a transfer and goaltender with who played more than half of the games a year ago.

Eva Filippova (Russia) started 20 games for the Beavers last season and posted a 4.31 goals against average and a .880 save percentage. She will compete for minutes with transfer Josie Bothun (Forest Lake, MN) who transfers in from Penn State where she played in 111 games and had a .920 save percentage and 1.85 GAA. Incoming freshmen are Jori Jones Award finalists Kaitlin Groess from Centen-

Bemidji St. 2024-25 Women’s Hockey Roster

Minn. Rogers HS

9 Isa Goettl F 5-1 R-Fr. L Andover, Minn. Minnesota

10 Raeley Carney F 5-7 Jr. R Wasilla, Alaska Alaska All Stars

11 Genevieve Hendrickson F 5-6 Sr. L Warroad, Minn. Franklin Pierce

13 Talya Hendrickson F 5-5 So. L Warroad, Minn. Warroad HS 14 Kate Johnson F 5-4 So. L Warroad, Minn. Warroad HS 15 Shelby Sandberg F 5-4 So. R Ham Lake, Minn. Blaine HS 16 Alyssa Watkins F 5-7 Sr. R Hermantown, Minn. Proctor-Hermantown

17 Heidi Strompf D 5-5 Jr. L Ingolstadt, Germany ZHK Sarisanka Presov 18 Riley Reeves D 5-8 So. R Woodbury, Minn. Gentry Academy

21 Morgan Smith F 5-8 Fr. L East St. Paul, Manitoba Balmoral Hall (JWHL)

22 Autumn Cooper F 5-7 Fr. R South Range, Wis. Superior HS

23 Julia Zielinska D 5-6 Fr. L Katowice, Poland Kiekko-Espoo

Minn. Proctor-Hermantown

Thunder Bay, Ont. Etobicoke Jr A

nial-Spring Lake Park and Lauren Mooney who played in Canada last year and in 31 games had a .929 save percentage and 1.85 GAA.

Outlook

Coming off a season where they won just four games, an improvement in the win column shouldn’t be tough

to achieve. With a strong slate of newcomers and some seasoned veterans and depth at the goaltending position, the Beavers could reach double digits, which would be a huge step in the right direction for the program.

Attention Hockey Parents!

Dickerman inherits roster of homegrown talent

New coach will have bulk of roster returning

by BRYAN ZOLLMAN Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

When Minnesota State-Mankato takes the ice this season they will do so with a heavy Minnesota presence.

All but one skater and one goaltender either were born in Minnesota or played high school hockey in Minnesota, giving the Mavericks a true State of Hockey presence on the ice.

The Mavericks enter the season under the tutelage of new bench boss Shari Dickerman after longtime coach John “Bah” Harrington announced his retirement. Dickerman has been with the program for several years so the transition should be smooth as she takes over the helm.

The Mavericks finished 13-25-0 last season, a win total they want to improve on this year.

They should be able to as they return a majority of their 2023-24 roster, including their top four scorers.

Former Eden Prairie star Sydney Langseth returns for her graduate season after leading the Mavericks with 15 goals and 17 assists in 38 games a season ago. Former Andover star Jamie Nelson will also return for her graduate season after leading the team with 20 goals and finishing with 30 points. Junior Whitney Tuttle (Rosemount, MN) returns after notching 10 goals and 16 assists and Taylor Otremba (Maple Grove, MN) returns after scoring eight goals and adding 14 assists.

With age and experience on their side, Langseth and Nelson should provide solid leadership both on and off the ice. Claire Vekich (Greenway, MN) will enter her senior season and second with the Mavericks after transferring in from Bemidji State last year. Other seniors include Alexis Paddington (Thunder Bay, Ont.), Jayden Siefert (Farmington, MN), MacKenzie Bourgerie (St. Michael, MN), Jessica Boland (Northfield, MN), and Madison Mashuga (Anoka, MN).

They will look for some younger teammates to take a step forward in their production with another year of experience under their belt, including Kamryn Van Batavia (Luverne, MN) who was a Ms. Hockey Finalists in 2023.

Defensively the team performed admirably by allowing just over three goals per game, but would like to see that number closer to two goals per game. JuilAnna Gazdik (Somerset, WI) and Janessa Gazdik (Somerset, WI) both logged a lot of minutes as freshmen and will look to play a bigger role this season. Junior Lilie Ramirez (South St. Paul, MN) played in all 38 games, and Kianna Roeske (Paynesville, MN) also played in all 38 games and finished the season with a plus-2 rating. Shelby Guttormson is a Moorhead native who played at Shattuck-St. Mary’s and will also bring some senior leadership to the blue line after appearing in all 38 games last season along with fellow senior Jayden Seifert (Farmington, MN) who played in 37 games a year ago.

Newcomers

The Mavericks only lost three players to graduation and bring in four newbies to fill the roster this season. Lauren Goldsworthy (Minnetonka, MN) comes in as a good-sized (5’8”) defenseman with strong offensive skills. She notched 14 goals and 29 assists as a senior at Tonka last year.

Audrey Garton comes in from the Academy of Holy Angels where she scored 21 goals. Bella Shipley was a Ms. Hockey semifinalist in 2024 out of Maple Grove where scored 29 goals and 29 assists as a senior.

Goaltending

The team also adds Jessie McPherson, a goaltender from Chatham Ontario to compete for minutes with Suzette Faucher (Middleton, WI) and Hailey Hanson (Blaine, MN). Hansen started 14 games for the Mavericks last season as a freshman and logged a 3.21 goals against average and a .885 save percentage. Hanson split duties three ways with Faucher and Lauren Barbro. Barbro has since graduated. Faucher started 13 games and posted a 3.34 GAA and .892 save percentage. McPherson comes in form the University of Vermont where she has played in 90 games and has a 5129-9 record and a 1.97 GAA and .916 save percentage.

Outlook

The Mavericks should improve on their win total with a strong group returning and three capable goaltenders. They will have to improve their offensive output and could do so if they improve their power play which converted on just 17 percent of opportunities last season. Dickerman is a well experienced and respected coach who already has a relationship with the players, so look for the Mavericks to potentially approach that 20-win total in 2024-25.

Minnesota St. 2024-25 Women’s Hockey Roster

# FULL NAME YR POS. HT. S/C HOMETOWN PREVIOUS TEAM

1 Avery Stilwell Jr. G 6-0 R Litchfield, Minn. Dassel-Cokato (USHS)

3 Sydney Langseth Gr. F 5-9 R Eden Prairie, Minn. Eden Prairie (USHS)

4 Lauren Goldsworthy Fr. D 5-8 L Minnetonka, Minn. Minnetonka (USHS)

6 Lilie Ramirez Jr. D 5-5 L So. St. Paul, Minn. So. St. Paul (USHS)

7 Whitney Tuttle Jr. F 5-5 L Rosemount, Minn. Rosemount (USHS)

8 Bella Shipley Fr. F 5-6 R Maple Grove, Minn. Maple Grove (USHS)

9 Kamryn Van Batavia So. F 6-1 L Luverne, Minn. Luverne (USHS)

10 Jamie Nelson Gr. F 5-8 L Andover, Minn. Andover (USHS)

11 Shelbi Guttormson Sr. D 5-9 R Moorhead, Minn. Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Prep)

12 Audrey Garton Fr. F 5-6 R Minneapolis, Minn. Holy Angels (USHS)

13 JuliAnna Gazdik So. D 5-7 L Somerset, Wis. Gentry Academy (USHS)

14 Alexis Paddington Sr. F 5-9 L Thunder Bay, Ont. Thunder Bay

15 Kianna Roeske Jr. D 5-5 R Paynesville, Minn. River Lakes (USHS)

17 Lauren Zawoyski So. F 5-10 R Edina, Minn. Edina (USHS)

18 Jayden Seifert Sr. D 5-8 R Farmington, Minn. Farmington (USHS)

20 MacKenzie Bourgerie Sr. F 5-6 L St. Michael, Minn. St. Cloud State

21 Jessica Boland Sr. F 5-3 L Northfield, Minn. Northfield (USHS)

22 Madison Mashuga Sr. F 5-5 L Anoka, Minn. Anoka (USHS)

24 Taylor Otremba Jr. F 5-5 L Lakeville, Minn. Lakeville South (USHS)

25 Claire Vekich Sr. F 5-9 R Coleraine, Minn. Bemidji State (WCHA)

26 Jenessa Gazdik So. D 5-7 R Somerset, Wis. Gentry Academy (USHS)

28 Ava Guillemette So. F 5-10 L Prior Lake, Minn. Prior Lake (USHS)

31 Suzette Faucher Sr. G 5-7 R Middleton, Wis. Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Prep)

33 Hailey Hansen So. G 5-4 R Blaine, Minn. Blaine (USHS)

91 Jessie McPherson

G 5-9 R Chatham, Ontario Cambridge Rivulettes

PHOTO COURTESY OF MSU ATHLETICS

Hailey Hansen started 14 games for the Mavericks and will look to compete for minutes again this season as the Mavericks have three goalies with ample NCAA experience

Gophers on the brink once again

Gophers look to add another title with loads of scoring back

Months removed from an exhausting four-overtime loss in the NCAA quarterfinals to Clarkson a year ago the University of Minnesota women’s hockey team is ready to embark on a new journey in 2024-25. That journey hopes to lead them to the national championship game.

The Gophers finished 27-10-2 a year ago, their most losses in six years and only the third time in Head Coach Brad Frost’s 17 seasons his team has lost double-digit games. But the team brings back almost all of their scoring from a year ago and are picked to finish third in this year’s pre-season coaches poll behind Wisconsin and Ohio State. That gives the Gophers something to prove as they return to the ice this fall.

The team is led by senior Abbey Murphy (Evergreen Park, IL) who led he team with 33 goals and 29 assists last season. She also finished a plus-34. Linemate Josefin Bouveng (Vassunda, Sweden) also returns after posting a 50-point season (19g, 31a) as a sophomore. Ella Huber, another product of Illinois, also enters her senior season after a productive junior campaign where she scored 18 goals and 42 points.

The hope is each of those high scorers will increase their output even more with another year under their belt.

Former Ms. Hockey winner Peyton Hemp returns for her senior season after an impressive junior campaign where she racked up 14 goals and 16 assists and skated in all 39 games. Other Minnesota products returning and looking to contribute are Ava Lindsey (Minnetonka), Madison Kaiser (Holy Family), Audrey Wethington (Blake), Maggie Nicholson (Minnetonka), Lauren O’Hara (Centennial), Allie Franco (Hill-Murray), and Emma Conner (Edina).

Newcomers

Head coach Brad Frost brings in a strong freshman class led by 2024 Ms. Hockey winner Ayla Puppe (Northfield). Puppe scored 110 points her senior season for Northfield, leading them to the state tournament. She is an exceptional skater with good hands, but will have to adjust to a more physical college game. Kendra Distad had a stellar career at Minnetonka and gives the Gophers a player who is strong on her edges and isn’t afraid to battle for pucks. Her game should translate well to college ice.

On the defensive end, Kate Kosobud (Moorhead, MN) comes in to help bolster the blue line. A Ms. Hockey finalist in 2024, Kosobud is a solid defender who can also apply pressure in the offensive zone. She is a headsy player on both ends of the ice. Carly Humphrey (Elk River, MN) also joins the blue line corps after a stellar career at Elk River/ Zimmerman and is a strong defender with some offensive upside. Outstate defensive recruits include Chloe Primerano of British Columbia. Primerano played for Team Canada’s U18 squad and in six games tallied eight goals and eight assists and should step in and provide the Gophers with solid scoring and playmaking skills from the blue line. She doesn’t turn 18 until January. Gracie Graham is another product of Canada and played for Team Canada’s U18 squad, scoring a goal and adding five assists in six games.

Goaltending

Former Lakeville North netminder Skylar Vetter split time with Lucy Morgan last season, starting 21 games. Morgan graduated, leaving the net open for Vetter who finished with a 2.26 goals

against average and .921 save percentage. Former Minnetonka goalie Sophia Johnson enters her junior year and will vie for playing time between the pipes, and Frost also brings in Hannah Clark, a native of Ontario, who has posted solid numbers for Canada in the World Juniors (.935 GAA).

Outlook

As always the Gophers will be a contender on the national stage. They are currently ranked No. 2 behind border rival Wisconsin. Staying healthy, getting quality goaltending, and seeing some players make big jumps from last season will go a long way in determining the Gophers success. They outscored opponents 135-80 last season and their special teams were outstanding. That should only get better with most players returning. Their top seven scorers return and combined for 105 goals and 150 assists last season. Expect the Gophers to score a lot of goals this season and make a deep run come playoff time. They should be right there at the end fighting for a national title, which would be their first since winning back to back in 2015 and 2016.

Minnesota 2024-25 Women’s Hockey Roster

# FULL NAME YR POS. S/C HEIGHT HOMETOWN HIGH SCHOOL

4 Audrey Wethington Gr. F R 5’ 7” Edina, Minn. Blake School

5 Kate Kosobud Fr. D R 5’ 8” Moorhead, Minn. Moorhead HS

6 Ayla Puppe Fr. F R 5’ 8” Northfield, Minn. Northfield HS

7 Nelli Laitinen Jr. D L 5’ 7” Lohja, Finland Haukilahti HS

8 Chloe Primerano Fr. D L 5’ 8” N. Vancouver, BC RINK-Kelowna

9 Ava Lindsay So. F R 5’ 6” Minnetonka, Minn. Minnetonka HS 11 Josefin Bouveng Jr. F L 5’ 9” Vassunda, Sweden Sjölins Gymnasium 13 Emma Kreisz So. F L 5’

Franco

Kendra Distad

5’ 7” Oakdale, Minn. Hill-Murray School

5’ 6” Burnsville, Minn. Minnetonka HS 18 Abbey Murphy

R 5’ 5” Evergreen Park, Ill. Mother McAuley

Edina, Minn. Edina HS

Minnetonka

PHOTO BY KEYA

PHOTO BY MATT

Tommies still young, but getting better

Tommies have the experience to improve

St. Paul – The University of St. Thomas hits the ice this season with a roster chock full of Minnesota players. In fact, 18 of the of the players on the roster either were born in Minnesota or played high school hockey in Minnesota.

That should bode well for this year and beyond.

The Tommies have been picked to finish sixth in the eight-team WCHA preseason poll.

Last season’s national runner-up Wisconsin is picked among league head coaches to win the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s 2024-25 regular season title. The top four teams in the poll qualified for the NCAA Tournament last year. St. Thomas finished last season in seventh place in the WCHA with a 4-23-1 record. Overall, the Tommies accumulated a 10-26-1 record in their third season in Division I, including the program’s first regulation win over a top-10 nationally ranked opponent.

Because the program is still relatively in its infancy, there is a large margin for growth, especially as the initial recruiting class of Head Coach Joel Johnson is now more mature and experienced.

“We have a lot of young girls coming in,” said 2023 Ms. Hockey winner Ella Boerger (Andover, MN). “We’re still a pretty young team, but I think we’re looking to make a big jump.”

Boerger led the Tommies with 24 points (11g, 13a) last season and will likely increase that output with a year of college hockey under her belt. Fellow 2023 graduate Rylee Bartz (Warroad, MN) also had a solid freshman campaign with 10 goals and 13 assists. But the scoring dropped off considerably after those two players and in order to be successful the Tommies will have to be more efficient in putting the puck in the net, and more players will have to chip in in the scoring column.

They were outscored 150-74 last season, a gap they would like to close this upcoming campaign. Being newcomers to a deep WCHA lineup of teams who are skating some players with more than four years of college experience has made it a tough road early on for the Tommies.

“Jumping from high school to college is a lot faster paced games and faster paced practices, but it’s been a lot of fun,” said Boerger.

Former Gentry Academy star Cara Sajevic echoed Boerger’s comments. There have been some growing pains making the jump from high school to college and going up against players who are older and more experienced.

“The game gets a lot more physical,” said Sajevic. “But overall it’s bene a good experience and I’ve learned a lot.”

Sajevic is one of several forwards returning who should help the Tommies put more pucks in the net in 2024-25.

One area the Tommies will look to improve upon is their special teams. Last season they scored just 14 power play goals in 112 chances.

Senior Lauren Stenslie (Maple Grove, MN) registered eight goals last season and will look to provide some much-needed offense in her senior season. Former Gopher Sadie Lindsey (Breck HS/Minnetonka, MN) transfers in with 65 games to her credit and should provide some offensive punch. Sajevic had a strong showing in the Celly League this summer and should also increase her offensive output now that she has a year of experience to work off of.

On defense, the Tommies welcome

back Nicole Vallario (Lugano, Switzerland) who finished third on the team in scoring with five goals and 10 assists.

Maddy Clough (Andover, MN) also returns for her senior season with experience. Rachel Golnitz (Forest Lake, MN) who transferred into St. Thomas last year after two seasons with Colgate, has more than 90 career games under her belt and will also provide much-needed experience on the blue line. Haley Maxwell (Edina, MN) returns for her junior year after playing in all 37 games last season.

Sophomore Ellah Hause (Hill-Murray/Forest Lake, MN) gives the Tommies a strong defender who can also push the puck up the ice and put the puck in the net, as evidenced by her five goals last season. With another year of experience she could emerge as a top threat and help bolster the power play.

Newcomers

Johnson had a strong recruiting class, bringing in several of the top high school players from Minnesota’s class of 2024. Ilsa Lindaman was a Ms. Hockey finalist who put up huge numbers at Duluth Marshall. Her strong skating ability and size (5’9’) should translate well to the college game. Chloe Boreen (Hill-Murray HS/Somerset WI) is a feisty and speedy forward who isn’t afraid to hammer away in front of the net, and Nora Sauer (Andover, MN) is another strong player who should be able to manage the physical nature of college hockey and provide some depth to the forward lines.

On defense Lauren Karl (Shattuck-St, Mary’s/Minnetonka) and Cailin Mumm (Andover MN) will help solidify a strong blue line while being able to process pucks on the breakout and jump into plays on the other end.

Goaltending

Fifth-year senior Calla Frank (White Bear Lake, MN) split time last year and is likely to be the go-to tender this season. Former Goalie of the Year (Jori Jones Award) winner Maggie Malecha (Northfield, MN) enters her third season after playing in eight games last year, and Dani Strom, a finalist for the Jori Jones Award last year with Maple Grove, comes in to compete for minutes as well giving the Tommies three solid netminders as they embark on the 202425 season.

Because the team is still relatively young, it may be another year of growing pains for the Tommies as they compete in the ever-tough WCHA that is home to powerhouses like Minnesota and Wisconsin. But look for this group to make strides this season. With a good coaching staff and a talented roster, it’s just a mater of time before the Tommies are in the upper echelon of the WCHA.

St. Thomas 2024-25 Women’s Hockey Roster

1 Dani Strom 5-6 G Fr. Dayton, Minn. / Maple Grove L

2 Maddy Clough

5-6 D So. Forest Lake, Minn. / Hill-Murray L 19 Rachel Golnitz 5-8 D Sr. Wyoming, Minn. / Forest Lake Senior R 20 Chloe Boreen 5-6 F Fr. Somerset, Wis. / Hill-Murray R 21 Alli Pahl 5-10 D Sr. Medicine Hat, Alberta / Kelowna R

Maddie Jurgensen 5-10 F Sr. Andover, Minn. / Andover L 24 Haley Maxwell 5-4 D Jr. Edina, Minn. / Edina R

26 Nicole Vallario 5-5 D Sr. Lugano, Switzerland / SPSE Tenero (SWZ) L 29 Ilsa Lindaman 5-9 F Fr. Duluth, Minn. / Marshall L

32 Calla Frank 5-6 G Gr. Hugo, Minn. / White Bear Lake Area R

33 Maggie Malecha 5-5 G Jr. Northfield, Minn. / Northfield

PHOTO SUBMITTED

The Tommies won four games in WCHA play last season, but with more experience look to increase that total in 2024-25.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Cara Sajevic is one of several forwards returning who should help the Tommies

more pucks in the net in 2024-25.

List of Minnesota-born players on D1 NCAA women’s teams

List of Minnesota-born players on NCAA teams

Name Conference College Hometown High School Previous

Olivia Grabianowski Atlantic Lindenwood Shakopee Shakopee N/A

Gretta Pioske Atlantic Lindenwood Mound Mo.Westonka N/A

Chloe Corbin Atlantic Lindenwood Maple Grove Maple Grove N/A

Brooke Pioske Atlantic Lindenwood Mound Mo. Westonka N/A

Anna Larose Atlantic Lindenwood Albertville St Michael N/A

Tristana Tatur Atlantic Mercyhurst Maple Grove Maple Grove Minnesota

Stella Retrum Atlantic Penn State Maple Grove Maple Grove N/A

Katelyn Roberts Atlantic Penn State Chanhassen Chaska N/A

Maddy Christian Atlantic Penn State Elk River Elk River N/A

Sam Broz ECAC Brown Bloomington Jefferson N/A

Abby Hancock ECAC Brown Maple Grove St Margarets N/A

Maddie Morgan ECAC Brown Edina Edina N/A

Gretchen Branton ECAC Clarkson Corcoran Wayzata N/A

Rory Guilday ECAC Cornell Chanhassen Chanhassen US U18

Lindzi Avar ECAC Cornell Chanhassen Chanhassen US U18

Gabbie Rud ECAC Cornell St. Cloud St Cloud Tech N/A

Delaney Flemming ECAC Cornell Lourdes/Shattuck Rochester Ohio State

Lily Delianedis ECAC Cornell Edina Blake School/N/A

Brynn Dulac ECAC Cornell Eden Prairie Eden Prairie Whitecaps

Kenzie Bachelor ECAC Dartmouth Shakopee Shakopee N/A

Ellie Morrison ECAC Dartmouth Hopkins Blake School N/A

Shae Messner ECAC Dartmouth Mound Holy Family N/A

Sydney Putrah ECAC Dartmouth Faribault Shattuck N/A

Olivia Paidosh ECAC Dartmouth Mound Holy Family N/A

Meredith Jensen ECAC Dartmouth Lakeville Lakeville No. N/A

Grace Zhan ECAC Dartmouth Maplewood/China Hill-Murray N/A

Kayley Crawford ECAC Harvard Shorewood Minnetonka N/A

Kate Kasica ECAC Harvard Minneapolis Blake School N/A

Emma Dornseif ECAC Princeton Oakdale Mahtomedi N/A

Jane Kuehl ECAC Princeton Minneapolis Elite League N/A

Grace Kuipers ECAC Princeton Eden Prairie Eden Prairie N/A

Uma Corniea ECAC Princeton Edina Edina N/A

Taylor Brueske ECAC Quinnipiac Moorhead Moorhead N/A

Sophie Urban ECAC Quinnipiac Plymouth Wayzata N/A

Hailey Jussila ECAC Quinnipiac Hermantown Hermantown N/A

Sophie Helgeson ECAC RPI Roseau Roseau Wisconsin

Danica Mark ECAC Union Duluth DuluthMarshall N/A

Maren Friday ECAC Union Duluth DuluthMarshall N/A

Maya Jones ECAC Union Eden Prairie St Margarets N/A

Avery Chesek ECAC Yale Apple Valley Eastview N/A

Liv Haag East BU Robbinsdale St Margarets N/A

Maggie Hanzel East BU Rochester Lourdes N/A

Maeve Kelly East BU Victoria Holy Family N/A

Sophie Robinson East UCONN Baxter Brainerd N/A

Jada Habisch East UCONN Buffalo Buffalo N/A

Taylor Porthan East UCONN Edina Edina N/A

Abby Garvin East Holy Cross Edina Edina St Thomas

Gracie Hanson East Maine Lakeville Lakeville No. Whitecaps

Lily Fetch East Maine Woodbury East Ridge Whitecaps

Dani Brunette East Maine Chisago Chisago LakesMinn-Duluth

Raegan Wurm East Maine Buffalo Buffalo Whitecaps

Addy Finn East UNH Stillwater Stillwater N/A

Sydney Leonard East UNH St Bonifacious Mound WestonkaGrey Sharks

Sedona Blair East UNH Eden Prairie Eden Praire Grey Sharks

Lily Hendrickson East Providence Edina Edina Whitecaps

Josie Lang East Providence Stillwater Stillwater N/A

Anna Podein East Vermont Minneapolis St Margarets N/A

Maddy Skelton East Vermont Isanti N.Wright Co. N/A

Josie Hemp East Vermont Chanhassen Minnetonka N/A

Ezra Olen East Vermont Owatonna Owatonna N/A

Alaina Tanski East Vermont Hermantown Stillwater Penguins Elite

Hailey Eikos East Vermont Brooklyn Park Brooklyn Park Park Center

Rachel Agerter NEWHA Assumption Eagan Gentry Academy N/A

Avalyn Mikkelson NEWHA Assumption Edina St Margarets N/A

Kiersten Browning NEWHA Assumption Rosemount Rosemount Post Univ

Lilly Hunst NEWHA Assumption Elko New Market Lakeville So. N/A

Justina Valentini NEWHA Assumption Minnetonka Holy Family N/A

Carissa Mudrak NEWHA Assumption Duluth Duluth Marshall St Michael's

Jadyn Weiser NEWHA Assumption Albertville N. Wright Co. N/A

Memphis Mertens NEWHA Frankin Pierce Roseau Roseau N/A

Grave Schuck NEWHA Frankin Pierce Bloomington Jefferson N/A

Kylie Huseth NEWHA Frankin Pierce Ramsey Elk River N/A

Mikayla Kelley NEWHA Frankin Pierce Eagan Eastview N/A

Lauren Maras NEWHA Frankin Pierce Alexandria Alexandria N/A

McKenzie Rich NEWHA Frankin Pierce Rochester Dodge Co. N/A

Ella Knewtson NEWHA LIU Excelsior Holy Family N/A

Sam Mathe NEWHA LIU Wayzata Wayzata N/A

Paige Vreeman NEWHA LIU Rogers Rogers N/A

Ryane Kearns NEWHA LIU Prior Lake Prior Lake N/A

Macy Peterson NEWHA Post Brainerd Brainerd N/A

Olivia LaRoche NEWHA Sacred Heart Minnetonka Minnetonka N/A

Campbell Hager NEWHA Sacred Heart Eagan Gentry Acad N/A

Ella Holm NEWHA Sacred Heart Moorhead Moorhead N/A

Sami Bowlby NEWHA Sacred Heart Savage Burnsville N/A

Grayson Limke NEWHA Sacred Heart Victoria Holy Family N/A

Paige McNeil NEWHA Sacred Heart Shakopee Shakopee N/A

Kate Helgeson NEWHA Sacred Heart Roseau Roseau Quinnipiac

Sydney Antonakis NEWHA Sacred Heart New Market Lakeville No. RPI

Carly Greene NEWHA Sacred Heart Minnetonka St Margarets N/A

Lauren Larson NEWHA Sacred Heart Dayton Rogers N/A

Bria Holm NEWHA Sacred Heart Moorhead Moorhead Maine

Alyssa Antonakis NEWHA Sacred Heart New Market Lakeville No. Northeastern

Mackenzie Moss NEWHA St Anselm Victoria Holy Family N/A

Tyra Turner NEWHA St Anselm Andover Andover N/A

Justyce Ohlgren NEWHA St Anselm Rogers Rogers Whitecaps

Taylor Koeppl NEWHA St Anselm Eden Prairie Holy Family N/A

Audrey Jackson NEWHA St Anselm Shoreview Gentry Acad N/A

Annika Lavender NEWHA St Michael's Plymouth Wayzata N/A

Ellie Newpower NEWHA St Michael's Lino Lakes Centennial N/A

Anna Jerylo NEWHA St Michael's Stillwater Gentry Acad N/A

Elisabeth Gerebi NEWHA St Michael's Victoria Chanhassen N/A

Lily Barrett NEWHA Stonehill Little Canada Cretin Derham Hall N/A

Lily Geist NEWHA Stonehill St Paul Cretin Derham Hall N/A

Kaitlin Groess WCHA Bemidji Ham Lake Centennial N/A

Makenna Deering WCHA Bemidji South St Paul South St Paul N/A

Olivia Dronen WCHA Bemidji Moorhead Moorhead N/A

Meredith Killian WCHA Bemidji St Paul St Paul United Union

Ana Davis WCHA Bemidji Minneapolis Minneapolis N/A

Hannah Graves WCHA Bemidji Hermantown Proctor N/A

Shelby Breiland WCHA Bemidji Red Lake Falls Thief River Falls N/A

Avery Achterkirch WCHA Bemidji Rogers Rogers N/A

Isa Goettl WCHA Bemidji Andover Andover Minnesota

Genevieve Hendrickson WCHA Bemidji Warroad Warroad Franklin Pierce

Talya Hendrickson WCHA Bemidji Warroad Warroad N/A

Kate Johnson WCHA Bemidji Warroad Warroad N/A

Shelby Sandberg WCHA Bemidji Ham Lake Blaine N/A

Alyssa Watkins WCHA Bemidji Hermantown Proctor-Hermantown N/A

Riley Reeves WCHA Bemidji Woodbury Gentry Academy N/A

Izzy Fairchild WCHA Bemidji Hermantown Proctor-Hermantown N/A

Josie Bothun WCHA Bemidji Wyoming Forest Lake Penn State

Audrey Wethington WCHA Minnesota Edina Blake School N/A

Katie Kosobud WCHA Minnesota Moorhead Moorhead N/A

Ayla Puppe WCHA Minnesota Northfield Northfield N/A

Ava Lindsay WCHA Minnesota Minnetonka Minnetonka N/A

Maggie Nicholson WCHA Minnesota Minnetonka Minnetonka N/A

Peyton Hemp WCHA Minnesota Andover Andover N/A

Allie Franco WCHA Minnesota Oakdale Hill Murray N/A

Kendra Distad WCHA Minnesota Burnsville Minnetonka N/A

Emma Conner WCHA Minnesota Edina Edina N/A

Lauren O'Hara WCHA Minnesota Blaine Centennial N/A

Elly Klepinger WCHA Minnesota Concoran Minnetonka N/A

Carly Humphrey WCHA Minnesota Elk River Elk River N/A

Madison Kaiser WCHA Minnesota Andover Holy Family N/A

Skylar Vetter WCHA Minnesota Lakeville Lakeville N/A

Sophia Johnson WCHA Minnesota Minnetonka Minnetonka N/A

Grace Sadura WCHA UMD Chanhassen Minnetonka N/A

Danielle Borgn WCHA UMD Lindstrom Chisago LakesN/A

Hanna Baskin WCHA UMD Excelsior Minnetonka N/A

Olivia Mobley WCHA UMD St Louis Park Breck Ohio State Gabby Krause WCHA UMD Andover Andover N/A

Brenna Fuhrman WCHA UMD Farmington Farmington U18 USA

Jenna Lawry WCHA UMD Lindstrom Chisago LakesN/A

Avery Stilwell WCHA Mankato Litchfield Litchfield N/A

Sydney Langseth WCHA Mankato Eden Prairie Eden Prairie N/A

Lauren Goldsworthy WCHA Mankato Minnetonka Minnetonka N/A

Lilie Ramirez WCHA Mankato South St Paul South St Paul N/A

Whitney Tuttle WCHA Mankato Rosemount Rosemount N/A

Bella Shipley WCHA Mankato Maple Grove Maple Grove N/A

Kamryn Van Batavia WCHA Mankato Luverne Luverne N/A

Jamie Nelson WCHA Mankato Andover Andover N/A

Shelbi Guttormson WCHA Mankato Moorhead Shattuck N/A

Audrey Garton WCHA Mankato Minneapolis Holy Angels N/A

Kianna Roeske WCHA Mankato Paynesville River Lakes N/A

Lauren Zawoyski WCHA Mankato Edina Edina N/A

Jayden Seifert WCHA Mankato Farmington Farmington N/A

Mackenzie Bourgerie WCHA Mankato St Michael St Michael St Cloud

Jessica Boland WCHA Mankato Northfield Northfield N/A

Madison Mashuga WCHA Mankato Anoka Anoka N/A

Taylor Otremba WCHA Mankato Lakeville Lakeville So. N/A

Claire Vekich WCHA Mankato Coleraine Greenway Bemidji St

Jenessa Gazdik WCHA Mankato VadnaisHeights Gentry Acad N/A

Ava Guillemette WCHA Mankato Prior Lake prior lake N/A

Hailey Hansen WCHA Mankato Blaine Blaine N/A

Genny Klein WCHA Ohio State Apple Valley Shattuck N/A

Emily Zumwinkle WCHA Ohio State Excelsior Breck N/A

Emma Peschel WCHA Ohio State Edina St Margarets N/A

Josie St Martin WCHA Ohio State Stillwater USA NDTP N/A

Grace McCoshen WCHA Ohio State Dundas Northfield N/A

Sloane Matthews WCHA Ohio State Plymouth Wayzata N/A

Breija Parent WCHA St Cloud Forest Lake Forest Lake St Thomas

Taylor Larson WCHA St Cloud Nisswa Brainerd N/A

Grace Wolfe WCHA St Cloud Owatonna Owatonna N/A

Ally Qualley WCHA St Cloud Brooklyn Park Breck N/A

Marie Moran WCHA St Cloud Lakeville Apple Valley N/A

Avery Farrell WCHA St Cloud Rogers Rogers N/A

Ella Anick WCHA St Cloud Hermantown Hermantown N/A

Myah Krueger WCHA St Cloud Stillwater Stillwater N/A

Grave DelMonico WCHA St Cloud Eagan Gentry Acad N/A

Dani Strom WCHA St Thomas Dayton Maple Grove N/A

Maddy Clough WCHA St Thomas Andover Andover N/A

Lauren Karl WCHA St Thomas Minnetonka Shattuck N/A

Cailin Mumm WCHA St Thomas Andover Andover N/A

Laine DeVries WCHA St Thomas Lindstrom Chisago LakesN/A

Cara Sajavic WCHA St Thomas Shoreview Gentry Acad N/A

Sadie Lindsay WCHA St Thomas Minnetonka Breck Minnesota

Nora Sauer WCHA St Thomas Andover Andover N/A

Maddie Brown WCHA St Thomas Andover Andover N/A

Ella Boerger WCHA St Thomas Andover Andover N/A

Lauren Stenslie WCHA St Thomas Maple Grove Maple Grove N/A

Eliah Hause WCHA St Thomas Forest Lake Hill Murray N/A

Rachel Golnitz WCHA St Thomas Wyoming Forest Lake N/A

Chloe Boreen WCHA St Thomas somerset Hill Murray N/A

Maddie Jurgenson WCHA St Thomas Andover Andover N/A

Haley Maxwell WCHA St Thomas Edina Edina N/A

Ilsa Lindaman WCHA St Thomas Duluth Marshall N/A

Calla Frank WCHA St Thomas Hugo White Bear N/A

Maggie Malecha WCHA St Thomas Northfield Northfield N/A

Rylee Bartz WCHA St Thomas Warroad Warroad N/A

Hannah Halverson WCHA Wisconsin Edina Edina N/A

Claire Enright WCHA Wisconsin Farmington Lakeville So. N/A

Grace Bickett WCHA Wisconsin Orono Orono N/A

Vivian Jungels WCHA Wisconsin Edina Edina N/A

Katie Kotslowski WCHA Wisconsin Warroad Warroad N/A

Quinn Kuntz WCHA Wisconsin Warroad Warroad Ohio State

Veteran Huskies should improve

St. Cloud State was like a lot of women’s hockey teams last season. They didn’t score a ton of goals and they didn’t give up very many either.

They were, for lack of a better word, pretty average, evidenced by their .500 record of 17-17-2.

They lose their top two point-getters from a year ago in Klara Hymlarova (8-16-24) and Katie Kaufman (6-16-22), but return top goal scorer Emma Gentry (Alpena, MI) (12-6-18) and a host of other veterans. With a seasoned lineup and the return of fifthyear goaltenders Sanni Ahola (Helsinki, Finland), and Jo Jo Chobak (Chicago, IL), the Huskies should improve on their 17-win total and compete to finish in the top half of the WCHA.

The Huskies will have six graduate students on the roster as well as five seniors. With only three freshmen, experience will be one of the major strengths of the 2024-25 squad.

Returning fifth-years are Ahola, goalie Jo Jo Chobak (Chicago, IL), and forwards, Ally Qualley (Breck HS), Avery Myers (Fargo, ND) and Gentry.

Seniors include defensemen Dayle Ross (Spring River, ALB), Taylor Larson (Nisswa, MN/Brainerd HS), Grace Wolfe (Owatonna, MN) and Ella Arnick (Hermantown, MN), and forward Abby Promersberger (Fargo, ND).

The team is coached by Brian Idalski who is in his third season behind the bench for the Huskies. He has been a head coach for 16 seasons and sports an impressive 295-193-51 (.595). His first two seasons his Huskie teams have finished 35-35-3.

Goaltending

Idalski split time with Ahola and Chobak last season and the pair combined for a 1.90 goals against average.

Freshman Emilia Kyrkko, also of Finland, joins the ranks this season as well.

The Huskies hope to celebrate more goals in 2024-25 with a veteran-led cast. Defense and

they look to improve on their 17 wins last year.

The goaltending should be some of the best in the conference and keep the Huskies in most games.

Newcomers

As stated, only three freshmen join this year’s roster.

Siiri Yrjolla, another Finland native, is a defenseman and Myah Krueger is a forward form Stillwater who join

Kyrkko as the three newbies. But the Huskies welcome Brieja Parent (Forest Lake, MN) as a transfer playing her fifth year after playing at St. Thomas.

Outlook

Idalski has been a winner and he has a veteran roster so things are looking up for the Huskies.

They may not put big numbers up

in the scoring column without any electrifying forwards, but with a strong group of veteran blueliners and good goaltending they should keep the puck out of the net as good as just about anyone. Expect a vast improvement on their 17 wins.

goaltending should be major strengths as

PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. CLOUD STATE ATHLETICS

Gopher great hanging up skates

Gigi Marvin announces retirement from hockey

MINNEAPOLIS - Gopher great, three-time Olympic medalist, and Boston Fleet forward Gigi Marvin announced her retirement from hockey on Monday.

The Warroad, Minn. native recently finished a run in the historic inaugural season of the PWHL, during which she and her PWHL Boston squad reached the Walter Cup Final. She played in all 24 regular season games, tallying 4 points (1g-3a). In 8 playoff games with Boston, she notched 3 additional assists.

Prior to the PWHL, Marvin played 13 years on the international stage with Team USA, which she represented in three Olympic Games, seven IIHF world championships, and nine Four Nations Cups. Marvin's incredibly decorated international resume includes a 2018 Olympic Gold Medal, two Olympic Silver Medals, five IIHF

Former Minnesota great Gigi Marvin is retiring after a long playing career with Team USA and

world championship titles, and 74 points (24g-50a) over 126 total games. She retired from the international stage in 2021.

Marvin played at the University of

Face-Off Classic to feature Minnesota, Bemidji St.

Two of Minnesota’s top college teams will square off in the annual U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Women’s Face-Off Classic, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 5 p.m. CST, at the Lakeville Hasse Arena in Lakeville, Minn.

The number two ranked University of Minnesota (4-0-0) will take on Bemidji State University (0-4-0) in the annual benefit game, which raises awareness for the museum located in Eveleth, Minn. The game also showcases women’s NCAA Division I college hockey to the fans, including young girls, who may aspire to play hockey.

“We are honored and thrilled to have two WCHA teams in the Women’s Hall of Fame game,” said Michelle McAteer, commissioner of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

“Lakeville is a passionate hockey community, fully committed to making this event a huge success.. The community has produced many women’s hockey players who have gone on to play college hockey, and I’m excited to see the stands full of people cheering on these two teams. The game features one of the most talented teams in the coun-

try, the Minnesota Gophers. They not only feature some of the best players in the league, but also players who will be contending for Olympic roster spots in 2026. The Gophers will be met by a determined squad from Bemidji State who will not be intimidated. The Beavers play a hard-working, disciplined style, and are eager to take advantage of every opportunity to move up the ranks.

It will be a fun competitive battle.”

Michelle Roberts, IceCats head coach of the Lakeville Hockey Association said, “We are thrilled to host this game in Lakeville and in our home arena. It highlights our commitment to growing the sport and offering female athletes the opportunity to dream big and achieve their athletic goals. This event offers a fantastic opportunity for our female athletic programs to shine, as we have been working hard to grow our community both on and off the ice.”

The teams will battle for the Hall of Fame Game Trophy which will be presented to the winning team by Buzz Schneider, 1980 Men’s Olympic Hockey Gold Medalist.

Gate proceeds will go to the Hen-

Minnesota from 2005-09 and racked up 196 points (87g-108a) in 152 career games. Her time with the Gophers saw her finish as a two-time top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award and take

drickson Foundation (www.hendricksonfoundation.com) whose mission is to grow the game of hockey by making it accessible to all people, despite any challenges they may be living with and creating a stronger and more inclusive State of Hockey.

“It is an honor to be the game’s charity recipient. We are proud to share this with the Lakeville community and everyone who will be packing the stands,” said Danny Hendrickson, executive director of the Hendrickson Foundation. “These proceeds will make a significant impact helping hockey programs in Minnesota for players with disabilities. This will help fund Special, Sled, Blind, Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Warrior Hockey. The game will also attract more players and families to play hockey with the ability to gain friendships and memories. Please help spread the word to future players that hockey is an option to all. Hockey changes lives.”

Additional ticket information and event details will be announced in coming weeks.

home WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year honors in 2008-09. She is also one of nine Gophers in program history to be named WCHA Rookie of the year (2006).

St. Clair resigns from Wilderness

Minnesota Wilderness head coach Colten St. Clair announced he is resigning his position with the squad effective immediately. St. Clair is moving on to pursue another coaching opportunity; details on his new job have not yet been announced.

In the meantime, the Wilderness have named assistant coach Evan Alexius as interim head coach, and director of player personnel Kevin Smalley as interim assistant coach. Alexius and Smalley will be the staff behind the bench for this weekend’s games in Springfield, IL, vs. the Springfield Jr. Blues. Both will hold their interim titles until a new head coach has been officially hired.

St. Clair, a native of Gilbert, AZ, was in his second season leading the Wilderness. He finishes his tenure in Cloquet with a 33-30-6 regular season record, and 1-3 playoff mark. St. Clair also helped secure NCAA Division 1 commitments for three players from the 2023-24 season: Ashton Dahms (Minnesota-Duluth), Ren Morque (Air Force Academy) and Gustavs Ozolins (Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute).

PHOTO BY UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

in the PWHL.

Wild signs goaltender Wallstedt to two-year contract extension

Minnesota netminder will

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed goaltender Jesper Wallstedt to a two-year, $4.4 million contract extension ($2.2 million average annual value) that begins in the 2025-26 season and goes through the 2026-27 season.

Wallstedt, 21 (11/14/02), made three starts for Minnesota during the 202324 season, posting a 2-1-0 record with a 3.01 goals-against average (GAA) and a .897 save percentage (SV%). The 6-foot-3, 214-pound native of Vasteras, Sweden, recorded his first career NHL shutout and win at Chicago on April 7, stopping all 24 shots faced in the 4-0 victory. He made his NHL debut at Dallas on Jan. 10, 2024. Wallstedt also went 22-19-6 with a 2.70 GAA, .910 SV%

Tickets on sale for Foundation Gala

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota Wild today announced the Minnesota Wild Foundation Gala to benefit the Minnesota Wild Foundation and Children’s Minnesota, will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center.

carry $2.2 AAV

and two shutouts in 45 games with the Iowa Wild during the 2023-24 American Hockey League (AHL) season. Wallstedt was twice named Howie’s Hockey Tape/AHL Player of the Week during the 2023-24 campaign, earning the honor for the week ending Nov. 5 after going 2-0-0 with a .950 SV% in two starts and again for the week ending Dec. 3 after going 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .965 SV% in two starts.

For his career, Wallstedt is 40-3412 with a 2.69 GAA, .909 SV% and three shutouts in 83 games played over two seasons with Iowa (2022-24). He ranked fourth among AHL rookie goaltenders with a 2.68 GAA, T-4th with 18 wins and fifth with a .908 SV% in the 2022-23 season. Wallstedt earned AHL goaltender of the Month honors in January of 2023 and represented Iowa at the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic.

Wallstedt has also represented Sweden in multiple international tournaments, including the 2022 (bronze medal), 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships and the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He also served as the third goaltender for Sweden at the 2024 IIHF World Championships. Wallstedt went 11-83 with a 2.23 GAA, a .907 SV% and two shutouts in 22 games with Lulea in 2020-21 and ranked fourth in the Swedish Elite League in GAA.

Originally selected by the Wild in the first round (20th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Wallstedt wears sweater No. 30 with Minnesota. The Wild will host the Columbus Blue Jackets for the regular-season opener this Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. CT on Bally Sports North and KFAN FM 100.3.

Ticket renewals for NCHC Frozen Faceoff

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) has announced fans may renew their tickets for the 2025 Frozen Faceoff starting today, Tuesday, September 24. For the final time, the NCHC Frozen Faceoff will take place at Xcel Energy Center on March 21-22, 2025, when the NCHC Tournament champion will be crowned.

Fans who purchased all-session ticket packages to the 2024 Frozen Faceoff have the first opportunity to renew their seats for the final NCHC neutral-site championship. Those fans will receive an email from Xcel Energy Center with instructions on how to renew their seats for the 2025 tournament. When renewing, fans will have the opportunity to request a change in seat location and purchase additional packages. Ticket renewals must be completed by Friday, November 1.

Fans who renew their Frozen Faceoff tickets by November 1 will secure the same, discounted pricing as last year. All-session ticket packages to the 2025 NCHC Frozen Faceoff will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, November 12, with general all-session ticket pricing for the 2025 event also remaining consistent with 2024 prices.

All-session ticket packages to the 2025 NCHC Frozen Faceoff include two tickets: one ticket to see both semifinals on Friday, March 21 and one ticket to see the championship game on Saturday, March 22. Like last season, the Minnesota Wild will play a home game on the afternoon of Championship Saturday. Renewing ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to the Minnesota Wild game against the Buffalo Sabres on March 22.

On Friday, March 21, the first Frozen Faceoff semifinal begins at 4 p.m. with the second game at 7:30 p.m. The following day, the Wild game starts at 1 p.m. with the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Championship at 7:30 p.m.

Frozen Faceoff at Xcel Energy Center start at $65 following the renewal period and can be purchased online at xcelenergycenter.com once they are on sale. For suite rental information, please email frozenfaceoff@xcelenergycenter.com or call 651-312-3485. A link to the Xcel Energy Center hockey seating chart can be found by clicking here.

Along with the three NCHC games and the Wild game at Xcel Energy Center, an NCHC Fan Fest will be held prior to Frozen Faceoff games each day. Other events, including the annual NCHC Fan Skate and NCHC Awards Celebration, will take place on the eve of the Frozen Faceoff on March 20.

The 2025 NCHC Tournament begins with best-of-three quarterfinal series on campus sites (March 14-16), with the four series winners advancing to the Frozen Faceoff. Beginning with the 2026 NCHC postseason, the Conference’s championship tournament will be conducted entirely on campus sites.

The NCHC officially drops the puck on the 2024-25 season on Friday, October 4 with a pair of non-conference games, including new member Arizona State. All nine NCHC teams are in action on Saturday, October 5, including four non-conference games and five exhibition contests.

This is the premier fundraising event for the Minnesota Wild Foundation and promises guests a unique opportunity to make lasting memories while mixing and mingling with the entire Wild roster. Guests will enjoy specialty cocktails, nibble fancy hors d’oeuvres and enjoy a wonderful dinner delivered by Wild celebrity waiters, and peruse an amazing silent auction filled with unique sports memorabilia and other exciting packages. Guests will also have a chance to snap photos and get autographs from their favorite Wild players.

Tickets for the gala are available now at wild.com/gala. Exclusive ticket upgrades are also available for this year’s event; the team is offering attendees unique options to attend small, pre-gala parties in some of the premium spaces at Xcel Energy Center with Wild celebrities. For more information on this year’s event, including pricing and package details, visit wild.com/gala.

The Wild Foundation Gala benefits the Minnesota Wild Foundation and its premier community partner, Children’s Minnesota. A portion of the funds raised will go to support Child & Family Services at Children’s Minnesota, which provides patient families access to things like child life specialists, music therapists and pet therapy that help kids through difficult medical procedures at no cost to families. This is in line with the mission of the Minnesota Wild Foundation to grow the game of hockey and support pediatric medical related causes. Since the first event in 2003, The Wild Foundation has raised nearly $3.5 million for charity with more than $2 million benefitting Children’s Minnesota. About Minn. Wild Foundation

The Minnesota Wild Foundation exists to support the game of hockey and improve the lives of families in the State of Hockey. With support from Wild players, fans and donors, the Minnesota Wild Foundation supports pediatric medical causes, serves as the largest non-member funding source for Minnesota Hockey, and provides fundraising opportunities for youth hockey associations across the state. Since its inception in 2009, the Wild Foundation has distributed $5.9 million in grants to hockey organizations and children’s medical related charities and has helped local charities raise over $7.5 million through its Split the Pot Raffle program. Together we create a Greater State of Hockey. For more information and to make a donation visit www.wild.com/foundation or contact us at mnwildfoundation@wild. com or 651-602-6000. Follow the Minnesota Wild Foundation on X, Facebook and Instagram. About Children’s Minnesota

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