Let's Play Hockey July/August 2026 by Let's Play Hockey

Volume LIV • Number 21 • Issue 1319

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July/August 2026

1 9 Years 6 72 ✯ 202

e om H g n i g Brin Team Minnesota wins Brick Invitational for first time in 37 years Story on pages 14-15

IN THIS ISSUE

Timing is Everything.................................................Page 4 Maddy Christian’s Path.............................................Page 5 Super Rink Staple Moving On..................................Page 6 Remembering David LaVaque..................................Page 7 Recapping the Frost..................................................Page 8 Minnesota’s Next Talent Wave..................................Page 11 Bahl Wins Officiating Award.....................................Page 19 Navigating College Hockey.......................................Page 20 Da Beauty League Bids Farewell...............................Page 22 From Minnesota to Euro Champion.........................Page 23 Are Coaches Becoming Endangered Species........Page 24

Feeling a Draft

12 Minnesotans chosen in 2026 NHL Draft ...Pages 16-17

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Timing is everything... But the hardest thing to teach

by MICHAEL SCHWARTZ

Let’s Play Hockey Contributor

When I was in second grade, I started taking piano lessons. I stayed with it until about fourth grade when I had to make a choice. Piano lessons were at the same time as hockey practice. Given that I’m not a concert pianist, it’s easy to see hockey won. I didn’t realize it at the time, but what I learned in piano lessons would eventually make me a better hockey player and coach. Years later I saw the movie August Rush. There’s a scene where the little boy hears rhythm in everything around him. Traffic, voices, wind. He hears how all the sounds start to connect and blend together. That scene stayed with me. Hockey players do something very similar. The really good players don’t just see the game. They feel the timing of it. And honestly, I think timing is one of the hardest things for coaches to understand. Most coaches can teach systems. We can draw zone exits on a board. We can teach positioning, routes, and responsibilities. But hockey is not really played on a whiteboard. The game is played in rhythm. One thing musicians understand is that fundamentals never go away. A concert pianist still practices scales. A guitar player still works on finger placement and rhythm. They don’t do it because they’ve forgotten how. They do it because fundamentals are what allow everything else to happen. Hockey is no different. If you walk into a rink early enough, you’ll often find the best players working on the same things young players are working on. Edgework. Puck touches. Passing. Shooting. The basics. The funny thing is, the better the player, the more likely they are to respect the fundamentals. Maybe that’s because fundamentals create confidence. Maybe they create con-

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Michael Schwartz is a USA Hockey Coach Developer, former NCAA Division III head hockey coach, and past AHCA Board member.

sistency. Or maybe they create timing. On the best teams, the players are like notes coming together to make a cohesive piece of music. One player pressures, another supports, another fills space. Good offensive teams attack in waves because players arrive at the right time. Defensively, the best teams don’t look rushed. Pressure and support seem to come together naturally. Everyone is connected. Then you watch struggling teams and everything feels off. One player attacks too early. One supports too late. A defenseman backs in too slowly. A winger leaves the zone too quickly. The whole rhythm breaks down and suddenly everyone is playing individually instead of together. We’ve all seen it. Sometimes you can feel it happening before the play even develops. I remember watching Hoosiers years ago and there’s a scene where Coach Dale talks about what he wants his basketball team to become: not just talented players, but five players functioning together. That always stuck with me because

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every great team I’ve been around felt that way. Not necessarily the most talented team. Just five players functioning together. Not perfect. Connected. Honestly, I’m not sure coaches always know how to teach that part. Rhythm is hard to diagram. Timing is more of a feeling than a system. Musicians understand this. A piano player can hit every correct note and still sound terrible if the timing is off. Hockey works the same way. A team can have talented players, good systems, and speed, but if the timing is missing, their play feels disconnected. Another thing musicians understand is that mistakes are part of performing. During concerts, musicians make mistakes all the time, but they don’t stop performing. They recover, play the next correct note, and keep going. Many in the audience never notice. Hockey players, at times, do the opposite. One turnover and suddenly their body language changes. Heads drop. Sticks slam. Players turn off for the next play. The initial mistake usually hurts less

than the reaction to it. Watch great players after mistakes sometime. They recover fast and get right back into rhythm. That matters. One more thing music teachers probably understand better than hockey coaches is that if learning becomes all drudgery, eventually people stop loving it. That one hits youth hockey pretty hard right now. The best coaches I’ve been around push players without making them hate coming to the rink. That’s not easy to do. But when players enjoy learning, they stay engaged longer, and they stay creative longer too. As coaches we can get so focused on systems and structure that we forget hockey is supposed to flow. The best hockey I’ve ever watched looks like music. Five players seeing the play, feeling the rhythm, and reacting together. Now, every coach has their own philosophy. Every team is different. What works for one coach may not work for another. I don’t pretend to have all the answers on how timing should be taught. What I do know is that after spending most of my life around hockey, I’ve become convinced that timing matters more than we often talk about. The best teams I’ve coached weren’t always the fastest teams or the most talented teams. They were the most connected teams. They seemed to move together. Think together. Support each other naturally. Almost like they were playing to the same rhythm. Mike Schwartz is a USA Hockey Coach Developer, former NCAA Division III head hockey coach, past AHCA Board member, and founder of Eastwood Financial. After more than 25 years behind the bench, he continues to study leadership, player development, and the role timing plays in hockey performance.

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Inside Minnesota Hockey www.minnesotahockey.org

Minnesota Hockey, an affiliate of USA Hockey, is the governing body of youth and amateur hockey in Minnesota and the premier developer of hockey players in the state. With over 67,000 registered players and coaches, it is the largest state governing body for amateur hockey in the United States.

Home Sweet Home: Maddy Christian’s Path from Elk River to the Frost Q-AND-A WITH MADDY CHRISTIAN, ELK RIVER NATIVE AND FROST 2026 DRAFT PICK Elk River native Maddy Christian is coming home. Selected by the Minnesota Frost in the third round of the PWHL Draft, the former Penn State standout shared her emotional reaction to being selected by her hometown team and her thoughts on the future of professional women’s hockey. Christian opens up about what it means to play in front of family and friends again and her journey to the professional ranks. Minnesota Hockey: With the PWHL, how exciting is it to have this option to become a professional hockey player? Maddy Christian: Yeah, it is awesome. I’ve said it a million times, I’m speechless because of how far this league has gotten and the ability for me to be able to be a part of this league is just mindblowing. I mean, it’s a dream come true as well. I am very, very thankful for everybody who got the league up and running and decided this was going to be a great idea because I know it is and I know it’s just going to take off in the future.

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Maddy Christian excelled at Elk River before playing college hockey at Penn State University. She now joins the Minnesota Frost in the PWHL. She plays for the Gophers. She’s on the Minnesota Hockey: What are some of the HP camps in St. Cloud with Cora. Olympic team.’ I mean, favorite memories playing youth/high And I’m still best friends with her until that was a huge one. And I school hockey in Elk River? this day. So, it’s cool to look back on and like the way she plays, too. just be able to go to these camps or just I think that was another Christian: I think it’s the people. play in Elk River with your best friends. big reason why I feel like I’m still best friends with Cora Coz and Christian she’s just a power forward. Kylie Huseth. They were part of the HP Continued on Page 24 Knows how to score all Programs, too. I remember going to one over the ice. And I kind of model my game after her a little bit. When I was an eighth grader, Madison Minnesota Hockey: Bizal, who played for the How did it feel in Detroit at Frost also, just got tradthe PWHL Draft when you ed to Vegas, she was this heard your name called as great D. She was so good the Minnesota Frost’s thirdin high school. And I was TRAIN YOUR Maddy Christian round pick? like ‘oh my gosh, I want to model my game afChristian: I had tears ter her and who she is as in my eyes. I got up and I was like, a person.’ Along with Kelsey King. I BRAIN LIKE ‘oh my gosh, I’m going home.’ Beplayed with Kinger for a couple years. cause that was the one team that I She played at Mankato (Minnesota State was like, ‘oh my goodness, how cool University) for four and then Ohio State would it be to go back home and play for her fifth year. And now she’s a menT E RO in front of all your friends and family tal skills coach. I think those three were who weren’t able to go watch me at my main big ones. college?’ It was mindblowing. Like I PURCHASE TODAY said, I had tears in my eyes hugging Minnesota Hockey: How would my dad and my boyfriend. I was like you describe your game and what you’ll ‘oh my gosh. This is crazy.’ bring to the ice for the Frost?

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Minnesota Hockey: Who are some of the women’s hockey players you looked up to when you were younger, and why are they your inspiration? I think you mentioned Dani Cameranesi on draft night? Christian: I did, yes. So, Dani Cameranesi was a big one because she worked out at the gym my mom had an office at. So, my mom’s a chiropractor. She owns iBackCheck Sport Therapy. And Dani worked out at Acceleration Northwest in Plymouth, and my mom had an office there, too. So, my mom got to know her pretty well. And then as I grew up, I was like ‘oh my gosh, Dani Cameranesi.

Christian: I’m all about speed. And I think speed up and down the ice along with having that deception is going to be huge in the PWHL. And I feel like I could bring that to the Frost. I was fortunate enough to have a great skills coach and a coach in college, Makenna Newkirk, and she taught me how to score and how to put myself in positions to get the puck. I’ve learned a lot. My hockey IQ has definitely grown. Especially since being in college and being in spots that nobody else thinks of. Or being in spots two steps ahead of everybody else to get the puck. So, I think that’s something I can bring to the Frost as well.

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Super Rink staple moving on

Pete Carlson managed Blaine complex for 29 years by BRYAN ZOLLMAN

Let’s Play Hockey Publisher

If you’ve been around hockey in Minnesota the past three decades, you have probably stepped foot inside the Super Rink in Blaine. And if you’ve stepped foot in the Super Rink, you’ve probably seen or met Pete Carlson. Carlson retired earlier this year from his time as manager of the Super Rink where he spent the past 29 years running the state’s largest hockey facility. LPH chatted with Carlson about his time at the Super Rink and his next venture, which happens to involve a certain sport played on ice. LPH: How did you land in this business and at the Super Rink? Carlson: My first hockey job was in 1988 as the Assistant High School Hockey Coach for Crosby-Ironton-Aitkin. That same year, Steve Jensen, owner of Heartland Hockey Camp, saw me coach and approached me to be a coach at the camp. I started working at Heartland Hockey Camp in Deerwood, Minn., for the next seven summers. While attending Winona State University (1998-91), I was the Assistant Hockey Coach at Winona High School and also worked at the Bud King Ice Arena. After college, I was the Head Hockey Coach at Annandale and worked at the Buffalo Civic Center. In 1994, we moved to Madison, Wis., and I was the first manager of the Eagles Nest Ice Rink in Verona, Wis. It was in 1997 that I opened Let’s Play Hockey and saw the two-page center spread about the Super Rink being built and needing a manager. I took a chance and applied. I was hired as the manager of the Super Rink at the National Sports Center and began in June 1997. LPH: Tell me about your hockey experience as a kid growing up in Minny. Carlson: Not everyone knows this, but I grew up in Eau Claire, Wis. I played youth hockey, skating on outdoor rinks. Hobbs Ice Rink was built in 1975 when I was eight. I remember always being by the Zamboni to help shovel off snow and water. Walley Ackervick was the manager, and he always let me help. Maybe that is why I was a better ice rink manager than a hockey player. I played three years of high school hockey at Eau Claire North. In 1996, I was asked to play at Brainerd Jr. College for the Red Raiders. Going to that school became the best decision of my life. LPH: You’ve been at the Super Rink since its inception, tell me about what that was like when it was built and opened to the public, and the excitement around it. Carlson: When I think back to that time, I remember thinking that four sheets under one roof was crazy. How are we going to fill all these sheets of ice 12 months per year? As the plan evolved…the staff was trained, the building was prepared, and customers were scheduled. Oddly enough, the Super Rink was like other buildings. Yes, we had to quadruple our efforts, but we approached it as the customer could only be on one rink. That one rink may be a single sheet or with multiple sheets, but ultimately, the customer can only be on one rink at a time. I truly feel that bringing the thought and planning process down to that is why we had so much success. LPH: What were your job duties at the beginning, and did they change over the years? Carlson: My job certainly changed

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Pete Carlson was a mainstay at the Super Rink in Blaine for 29 years. He has since retired from the Super Rink, but will stay in the hockey business, running operations at Heartland Hockey Camp in Deerwood, Minn.

“There is nothing better than creating a program and seeing kids sign up, participate, learn hockey skills, and then continue in that program year after year. Being at the Super Rink for 29 years, I was able to be part of exactly that with countless programs.”

- Pete Carlson

over the years, but the core duties remain the same: continue to fill the rinks with ice sales, offer great customer service, and provide a clean and well-maintained building. My job changed when we added four more sheets in 2006. I was working more closely with customers and creating more programs to keep the rinks sold. That also brought more customers and spectators to the building. The rink is showing its age a bit. We all know that. The good news is that there is a 30-million-dollar renovation coming to the Super Rink soon. I was really looking forward to leading that project and seeing the deserved upgrades to the building. LPH: What were some of the biggest challenges of being in charge of so many sheets of ice? Carlson: To put it in perspective, a busy single ice sheet will sell around 2,500 hours of ice per year. The Super Rink was tasked with selling 18,000 hours of ice per year. It took a team effort to make that happen year after year. It also meant we could not do it alone, so the NSC Ice Sports Programming Department was formed. This department basically created programs during the months that were not being requested by other customers. We worked closely with USA Hockey and Minnesota Hockey by registering our adult hockey league. We worked closely with US Figure Skating and the Ice Sports Industry (ISI) to build our figure skating department. We worked closely with the local youth hockey associations and high schools in our area. Finally, we had to work with and accept private hockey businesses that ran April through September. By being open to this combination of ice sports programming groups, the Super Rink succeeded

right away. I am proud to say that in the past 29 years, I have been part of over 400,000 hours of ice sales at the Super Rink. LPH: What were some of the significant changes you oversaw over the years? Carlson: The first thing is how good the girls’ game has become. This is, by far, the largest change. The next largest change is how off-season hockey is offered. There is now something for everyone. If you want to skate one week or 22 weeks, you can find a program, and I say this in a positive way. The rinks need different customers and different programs to help them fill all their ice sales needs for 12 months. LPH: Who are some other famous people you have met in your role there and what do you remember about those experiences? Does anybody stand out? Carlson: The most famous was meeting Herb Brooks. Herb was a board member of the MASC. When I found out Herb was going to be at the NSC, I always made it over to where he was going to be. I have met so many great people at the Super Rink, I can’t name them all. LPH: You must have a couple fun stories you can share with us? Carlson: In 1998, I was fortunate to be working on a new program called NSC Hockey Academy. The goal was to create one-week hockey schools for the summer of 1999. These programs would help us sell ice during the summer months. It was a challenging task because we had to sell four sheets of ice, not just one sheet, for those three months. The first meeting was with our NSC Ice Sports Team, Paul Erickson, Randy Peake, and Dave Druk. Just as we were getting started, the A-Team arrived. Herb Brooks, Larry Hendrickson, Ted Brill, and Marv Jordy. At that point, I knew I

was working at a very special place. It was something I will never forget. LPH: After 35 years, what will you miss the most? Carlson: Of course, the staff at the NSC and all the other rink staff around the country. It is a very close group of people. I have formed many friendships that I can only hope continue. But there is nothing better than creating a program and seeing kids sign up, participate, learn hockey skills, and then continue in that program year after year. Being at the Super Rink for 29 years, I was able to be part of exactly that with countless programs. LPH: Tell us what the next chapter is for you. Carlson: I am having a full circle moment. I will be working for a hockey company called 200×85. They recently purchased Heartland Hockey Camp, where I will be the Executive Director. Steve sadly passed away a few years ago. His wife, Sandy, has kept Heartland going, and this will be her last year at the camp. I am very excited to go back to Heartland and continue what Steve and Sandy have built. I am looking forward to having Heartland continue to be the best residency hockey camp in the country. LPH: Any additional comments? Carlson: I want to thank my mom and dad (Kathy and Dick) for their support in whatever I wanted to do. My wife, Jennifer, for our 33 years of marriage, and supporting me while I worked in this crazy business. My son Tait (29) and daughter Claire (27) for following me to the rink, to watch me work, meet a customer, start an event, play hockey, and allowing me to watch them grow up at the rink, and become great adults.

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Remembering David La Vaque

La Vaque was longtime HS hockey writer by LOREN NELSON Legacy Hockey

David La Vaque, longtime high school sports reporter for the Star Tribune and co-author of Tourney Time: Stories from the Minnesota Boys’ State Hockey Tournament, died Saturday of a severe neurodegenerative disease. “It is with heavy hearts that we announce that David has joined the Lord earlier this afternoon,” Michaela La Vaque, David’s daughter, wrote on his GoFundMe page Saturday. “We ask that you keep David in your prayers and we know that he is no longer suffering and in a beautiful place now.” La Vaque, 50, was diagnosed with Leukodystrophy in spring 2025, just weeks following the Minnesota State Boys’ High School Hockey Tournament. The disorder damages the brain and spinal cord and leads to patients losing their motor functions. La Vaque had been a resident at the Jones-Harrison Senior Living Center in Minneapolis since last fall and was living there at the time of his passing. A St. Paul native who attended Johnson High School, La Vaque learned to skate at St. Paul’s Oscar Johnson Arena and fondly remembered playing his first pickup game at Arlington Playground. He cited one of his inspirations for co-writing Tourney Time was watching the state tournament on his grandmother’s floor console television and later in-person at the St. Paul Civic Center. He took endless grief from friends for leaving perhaps the most famous game in state tournament history, the 1996 five-overtime marathon semifinal between Apple Valley and Duluth East, before the climactic finish. He made up for that faux pas by writing about the game in Tourney Time and revealing that one of the onice officials, upon returning home and trying to exit his car, discovered that his legs had cramped to an unusable state. The official had to crawl out of his car, through the garage and up to his bedroom. Although La Vaque didn’t play hockey in high school, he remained a regular at outdoor pickup games in his adult life. His love for the sport never waned. Fittingly, La Vaque assumed the role of lead high school hockey

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL KLAUDA

David La Vaque was the longtime lead high school hockey writer for the Star Tribune and co-authored the book ‘Tourney Time’ about the state boys’ hockey tournament. reporter for the Star Tribune starting in 2009. His passion for hockey was evident from the start. La Vaque could write about any topic at a dizzying level, but there was always a little extra twinkle in his eyes and a bit more magic in his prose when writing about hockey. “The story that I remember that represented David’s reporting ability the most was Jack Jablonski’s injury,” said Paul Klauda, La Vaque’s editor at the Star Tribune for a decade, about the paralyzing spinal cord injury suffered by Benilde-St. Margaret’s Jablonski on a check from behind. “It was the tail end of 2011 and there was all this fallout he covered … the change in penalties, the team going on to win the state tournament. He kind of owned that story. That was the first time I kind of saw his hockey expertise shine.” La Vaque built deep relationships with coaches, allowing him to report any story with authority. For many years, he assembled top coaches from around the Twin Cities in the Star Tribune offices to discuss players who belonged on his All-Metro teams. “He was the perfect combination of someone who really cared about the game, but he cared about the

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people in it, too,” Benilde-St. Margaret’s coach Ken Pauly said. “People just liked him. You were happy to see him, whether he was interviewing you or not or covering your team or not.” Pauly and Northern Lakes coach Tom Klein organized a “David La Vaque Night” in late January. La Vaque was honored for his outstanding career in sports journalism before a game between Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Bloomington Jefferson. Although his body movements and facial expressions had become limited, he stunningly smiled and waved to the crowd as he was rolled onto the ice. La Vaque attended the state boys’ hockey tournament one last time in March, and as Northern Lakes’ honorary captain, he received a standing ovation when he was wheeled into the team’s locker room. Outside the ice rinks and playing fields, La Vaque was a Bruce Springsteen fanatic and deeply inspired by the work of sportswriter and author Jeff Pearlman. He watched Top Gun: Maverick at least a dozen times when it came out in theaters. Meeting for “coffee” with La Vaque meant he was ordering a hot chocolate, and he was perfectly happy to buy your drink of choice, too.

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Above all, he loved his annual summer family trips to northern Minnesota, which weren’t so much vacations as sacred sojourns into the northwoods. Mentoring young sports journalists was another of La Vaque’s passions. He worked with countless young sports writers, offering advice and encouragement and, when asked, providing critiques of their work. “He didn’t just say, ‘Hey, if you need anything let me know,’” said Nick Kelly, the Alabama football and men’s basketball beat writer for AL.com who was a student at Lakeville North High School when he started corresponding with and shadowing La Vaque. “He really meant it. And not to just to me.” Kelly saved one of La Vaque’s initial texts, a response to Kelly’s request for mentorship. “Let me know if I could ever be of assistance to you,” La Vaque wrote. “Lord knows I have benefited from help along the way.” Added Kelly: “I think that was how he approached mentoring me and many others. He was all about paying

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Sucess, heartbreak, new beginning Frost take a look back at 25-26 season by ROBERT BRENT

Let’s Play Hockey Contributor

With the PWHL Awards in the rearview mirror and league expansion well underway, the 2025-26 season is officially in the books. The Minnesota Frost had a notable campaign, despite not ending the year as champions for the first time in the PWHL’s three-year history. Before the offseason fully gets underway, let’s review the year that was for the Minnesota Frost in 2025-26. Minnesota Frost Post Regular Season Success At a glance, this last regular season was a successful one for the Frost. Minnesota finished third in the standings with the best record the team has ever posted in the regular season. The team went 13-3-5-9 for 50 points with a plus-18 goal differential. The Frost’s primary weapon this season was a balanced offensive attack, led by a high-flying corps of scorers like Kelly Pannek and Taylor Heise. Of the league’s top ten scorers, five played for the Frost. Kelly Pannek led the way with 33 points, followed by Heise (30), Britta Curl-Salemme (29), Grace Zumwinkle (23) and Kendall Coyne Schofield (23). While many of the big-name players led the way, the Frost also got significant depth scoring from their blue line and further down in the lineup. Rookie defender Kendall Cooper notably scored 19 points with 17 assists. Fellow defender Mae Batherson also had a breakout season, improving her scoring total from three points in 202425 to 15 points in 2025-26. The Frost led the PWHL in scoring for the second-straight season, recording 91 goals in 30 games. The second-place team, the Montréal Victoire, scored 78. Minnesota’s offense led the way, but the team also got great contributions in goal. The team has rotated between Maddie Rooney and Nicole Hensley throughout their history, with both netminders taking turns in goal. Rooney and Hensley made a relatively even number of starts this season, with Rooney appearing in 16 games and Hensley in 13. Rooney bounced back from early-season struggles and ultimately played the most important games of the season. The Andover native went 9-5-2 for the Frost during the regular season, with a .921 save percentage. Postseason Run Ends in Heartbreak Despite a late-season skid that saw the Frost lose four straight games heading into the playoffs, the team clearly showed up for their postseason matchup. Though the Frost didn’t emerge victorious in the series, the team deserves credit for an incredible series against the eventual league champions. The series started with a bang in a 5-4 overtime victory for Minnesota. Taylor Heise, Grace Zumwinkle, Klára Hymlárová and Kelly Pannek all registered two points in that game, with late-season addition Jincy Roese scoring the game-winner. The next two games were much slower-paced, with the Montréal Victoire playing suffocating defense. The Victoire won a marathon triple-OT game 1-0 and took the lead in the series

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The Minnesota Frost posted their best regular season yet, saw Kelly Pannek make league history, and battled the eventual champions in a dramatic playoff series before expansion and the draft ushered in a new era for the franchise. after a 2-1 victory in game three. Minnesota bounced back to tie the series in the following game after a huge performance from defender Sidney Morin. Morin scored twice in the game to push her playoff total to four. The Montréal Victoire ultimately emerged victorious, winning game five 2-1. The elimination marked the first time the Frost had ever tasted a series defeat in the postseason. After the series, Taylor Heise spoke about how the loss affected the team. She hopes it will spur them on next season. “When you lose, it’s harder on you, and I think it can propel you forward better than a win. As much as we all want to win, I know that that’s all of our goals every single day, but I think it’s gonna propel everyone,” Heise said. “Feeling a loss like this is something you don’t just feel for a day, you don’t feel it for a week, you feel it for a very long time…That’s something we’re going to think about this summer when we’re all training.” Offseason Key Takeaways While the Frost’s season ended on the ice in mid-May, there have been several key developments for the team in the early days of summer. There has been time to celebrate the team’s accomplishments, along with some major upheaval in the Frost’s roster construction. Frost Recognized for History-Making Season One of the most exciting parts of the season for the Frost included several players reaching career milestones, breaking records, and earning award nominations. The most notable achievement came from Kelly Pannek, who broke the PWHL regular-season scoring record with 33 points. Pannek’s 33 points pushed her past the 50-point plateau, a milestone several Frost players reached in 2025-26. Pannek, Taylor Heise, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Grace Zumwinkle all recorded their 50th point. Pannek’s excellent season earned

her a spot as a nominee for two end-ofseason PWHL Awards. The versatile forward was nominated both for league MVP and forward of the year. Teammate Taylor Heise also earned a nomination nod for forward of the year. While Pannek did not earn the MVP award, she did reign as the 202526 forward of the year, a fitting end for a standout season. Third goaltender Marlène Boissonnault also earned the Intact Impact Award after being recognized across the season for their leadership, integrity, and commitment to their teammates. Expansion Process Leads to Key Departures For the second straight season, the PWHL is undergoing exciting expansion, with a host of new teams joining the league. While the new blood is sure to inject interesting matchups and storylines, it unfortunately means an expansion process that saw the existing teams lose several key players. That process was no different for Minnesota. This year, the Frost decided to protect Taylor Heise, Kelly Pannek, and Maddie Rooney in their phase-1 protection before re-signing, and to protect Grace Zumwinkle, Lee Stecklein, and Sidney Morin in their phase-3 protection. Minnesota Frost general manager Melissa Caruso spoke about the expansion process immediately after filing their phase-1 protection list. “We had some really difficult decisions to make heading into this process,” Caruso said. “At the same time, we had the unique opportunity to lock in two of the league’s top forwards, one who is also up for MVP, and an elite goaltender. At the end of the day, we’re happy with where we’re at.” With those players guaranteed to return, the team has already preserved much of its core. That being said, the Frost weren’t immune to losing key players. Britta Curl-Salemme signed with the new Detroit club early in the process and was later followed by vital departures on the blueline with Kendall Cooper and Mae Batherson both headed

to Las Vegas. Minnesota also saw the departure of goaltender Nicole Hensley, along with key depth players Katy Knoll and Abby Hustler. Minnesota Frost Begins Rebuild at PWHL Draft The Minnesota Frost recently began rebuilding their roster, starting with the PWHL Entry Draft. The team selected three forwards, two defenders, and a goaltender to bolster its depth. Minnesota spent its first-round pick on Sara Swiderski, an Ohio State blueliner from Langley, British Columbia. Swiderski registered a breakout season with the Buckeyes in 2025-26, improving her point total to 27 after putting up 12 points in the previous season. The Frost will hope for Swiderski to make an immediate impact on the blueline just as Kendall Cooper did after being Minnesota’s first-round pick in last year’s draft. It will be especially crucial for Swiderski to step in, given the departures on the Minnesota blueline. The Frost also drafted Viivi Vainikka (forward, 2nd round), Maddy Christian (forward, 3rd round), Tova Henderson (Defender, 4th round), Daria Gredzen (goalie, 5th round) and Lara Beecher (forward, 6th round). Melissa Caruso reflected on the team’s draft class after the conclusion of the event. “This year’s draft had an incredible pool of players, and we are excited about our picks and what they will bring to our team,” said Caruso. “Every selection was made intentionally with this consideration of not only this upcoming season but as we look to build for the future of the organization. We believe all our picks will fill a vital role in the team we are continuing to build upon throughout this offseason.” The draft is a key event for teams looking to rebuild their roster after expansion. It also marks the start of the offseason in earnest. Open free agency began June 19, where Minnesota can fill in any more holes with unsigned players.

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Frost nab six in entry draft

Picks include former Elk River star Maddy Christian The Minnesota Frost selected six in the 2026 PWHL Draft presented by Upper Deck, adding three forwards, two defenders, and one goaltender to the organization’s roster. These selections add depth to the team’s lineup ahead of the 2026-27 season, joining six players already under contract. “This year’s draft had an incredible pool of players, and we are excited about our picks and what they will bring to our team,” said Frost General Manager Melissa Caruso. “Every selection was made intentionally with this consideration of not only this upcoming

season but as we look to build for the future of the organization. We believe all our picks will fill a vital role in the team we are continuing to build upon throughout this offseason.” Minnesota 2026 PWHL Draft Picks: Round 1 — 9th Pick Overall, Sara Swiderski, Defender, Ohio State University, Langley, BC Round 2 — 21st Pick Overall – Viivi Vainikka, Forward, Brynas, Espoo, FIN Round 3 — 33rd Pick Overall – Maddy Christian, Forward, Penn State,

Elk River, MN Round 4 — 45th Pick Overall – Tova Henderson, Defender, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Richmond, BC Round 5 — 57th Pick Overall – Daria Gredzen, Goalie, Birusa Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, RUS Round 6 — 69th Pick Overall – Lara Beecher, Forward, Clarkson University, Buffalo, NY A total of 72 players were selected by the league’s 12 teams during the sixround process. Minnesota Frost is one of 12 teams in the Professional Women’s Hockey

League (PWHL), which was founded in 2023. The PWHL began its inaugural season in January 2024 and features the best women’s hockey players in the world. The PWHL has broken multiple attendance records and holds the worldwide record for a women’s hockey game. For the latest news and information on Minnesota Frost, visit minnesota.thepwhl.com or follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Follow the league on all social media platforms @thepwhlofficial.

Minnesota well-represented in PWHL Draft 10 from state taken in top 72

Five University of Wisconsin, two University of Minnesota, and two Ohio State University players were selected in first round of the PWHL Draft. The first round also included two Minnesotans. As expected, Wisconsin’s Caroline Harvey was selected No. 1 overall by the Vancouver Goldeneyes. Harvey, a defenseman, was also a member of the 2026 Olympic Gold Medal team. She led the nation in assists per game with 1.39, finishing with 18 goals and 46 assists in just 33 games. University of Minnesota star Abbey Murphy was selected No. 2 overall by the Seattle Torrent. Murphy was also a member of the Gold Medal team and reached the 40-goal mark last season for the Gophers in just 31 games. The No. 3 pick went to Las Vegas who chose Penn State’s Tessa Janecke. The Illinois native had 26 goals and 48 points in 31games for the Nittany Lions. She was also a member of Team USA. Wisconsin Badger Laila Edwards, also a member of Team USA, was chosen fourth overall by San Jose.

Player Emma Peschel Vivian Jungels Sloane Matthews Jamie Nelson Maddy Christian Katelyn Roberts Jane Kuehl Grace Wolfe Maeve Kelly Taylor Otremba

Round/Pick Pos 1st/7th D 1st/11th D 2nd/16th F 2nd/20th F 3rd/33rd F 4th/43rd F 4th/44th F 5th/55th D 6th/70th D 6th/72nd F

Minnesotans Taken in 2026 PWHL Draft

Hometown Edina Edina Wayzata Andover Elk River Chanhassen Edina Owatonna Victoria Lakeville

Edwards had 45 points in 28 games as a defenseman. Wisconsin’s leading scorer Lacey Eden (29-48-77) was chosen fifth overall by Las Vegas. Former Gopher defenseman Nelli Laitinen went sixth overall to Hamilton and was the top internationally born player to get drafted. Laitinen is from Lohja, Finland, and had 10 goals and 20 assists in 33 games last season, finishing with a +32 rating. The first Minnesota-born player to be drafted was Ohio State’s Emma Peschel, who went 7th overall to New York. A native of Edina, she attended Benilde-St. Margaret’s before going on to a fantastic career as a defenseman for the Buckeyes where she earned First -Team All-American honors this past winter. Peschel had 39 points in 34 games and was a +37 in her senior

High School team Benilde Edina Wayzata Andover Elk River Chaska Edina Owatonna Holy Family Lakeville South

Grad Year 2022 2022 2022 2020 2022 2022 2022 2021 2022 2022

HS Stats 95-38-46-84 101-45-111-156 120-103-80-183 98-72-115-187 123-99-57-156 112-71-69-140 99-32-30-62 114-18-57-75 120-13-60-73 121-89-92-181

season. She was a +118 for her career. Wisconsin’s Kirsten Simms was chosen with the eighth pick by the Toronto Sceptres. Simms had 26 goals and 59 points and was also a member of Team USA’s Gold Medal squad. Boston chose Cornell’s Grace Dwyer with the 10th overall pick. A native of Pennsylvania, she was the fifth defenseman taken in the first 10 picks. Another Minnesotan, Vivian Jungels, was chosen 11th overall by Ottawa. Jungels was a 2022 graduate of Edina and was the winner of the Ms. Hockey Award as the state’s top senior player. A defenseman at Wisconsin, she finished this season with 21 points and was a +58. PWHL Walter Cup Champion Montreal finished out the first round with the 12th overall choice, taking forward Petra Nieminen of Finland.

College Ohio State Wisconsin Ohio State Minnesota Penn State Penn State Princeton St. Cloud St. Boston Minnesota St.

College Stats 151-31-77-108 162-19-56-75 161-48-56-104 163-53-92-145 152-46-38-84 152-43-60-103 129-28-39-67 153-13-45-58 139-3-26-29 149-35-56-91

PWHL Team New York Sirens Ottawa Charge San Jose Toronto Sceptres Minnesota Frost New York Sirens Toronto Sceptre New York Sirens Boston Fleet Ottawa Charge

The draft went six rounds with 72 players chosen. Thirty-one of the players were Americans. Fifty-nine of the 72 players played college hockey in the NCAA, two played in USports in Canada and 11 played overseas. Penn State led the way for universities with seven players chosen. Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio State and Cornell each had five players drafted. UMD, Northeastern and Yale each had four. St. Cloud State and Minnesota State each had one player drafted. Ten players who played high school hockey in Minnesota were chosen, representing eight different schools. Edina led with three players. Other schools included Wayzata, Elk River/Zimmerman, Andover, Chaska/ Chanhassen, Owatonna, Holy Family, and Lakeville South.

10 July/August 2026

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Pannek rewrites record book

Frost forward sets PWHL records by ROBERT BRENT

Let’s Play Hockey Contributor

This PWHL season was full of milestones and noteworthy moments for the Minnesota Frost. Still, one achievement stands out as particularly notable: Alternate captain Kelly Pannek didn’t only have a career year, but had a season for the books. The record books, specifically. Pannek’s 33 points in 30 games stand as the highest single-season total in PWHL history. She led the league with 16 goals and added 17 assists, driving a Minnesota offense that finished first overall with 91 goals. The Plymouth, Minn., native has long been a notable player in the landscape of women’s hockey. It would be unfair to call a season of that magnitude unexpected. That being said, it wasn’t always guaranteed to happen in Minnesota. When the PWHL announced its expansion last season, teams were given only four protection spots to retain current players. The Frost spent those protection slots on Kendall Coyne Schofield, Lee Stecklein, Taylor Heise and Britta Curl-Salemme. Minnesota knew it was going to lose a valuable player in the expansion draft. They ultimately did, but fortunately, Pannek’s name wasn’t among those departing. Pannek’s scoring leap is only part of her value. Teammates point to her defensive play, leadership and attention to detail just as quickly. Those qualities have defined her long before the goals followed. Perhaps no player knows that better than Grace Zumwinkle. Zumwinkle, an Excelsior, Minn., native, has played with Pannek every year of the Frost’s

PHOTO COURTESY OF PWHL

Minnesota Frost forward Kelly Pannek scored a record 33 points in 30 games. existence. They also played together at the University of Minnesota and with Team USA during international events. Zumwinkle recently explained what makes Pannek such a special talent and presence in the locker room. “She’s such a vocal leader for us on and off the ice. I’ve played with her for so many years and she has hockey IQ like I’ve never seen before,” Zumwinkle said. “It’s nice to see her get

rewarded for the success she’s had.” Fellow Frost forward Taylor Heise agrees, stating that it’s been rewarding to see all the work Pannek puts in pay off. “All the work and dedication she put into her game was on show this year,” Heise said. “Everyone has taken her as this defensive specialist, but now she’s scoring a lot. It’s fun to be out there with her.”

While Pannek had a career year offensively, she also continued to be the two-way force that has defined her game for years. The versatile center won 59.6% of her faceoffs, blocked 33 shots and only spent six minutes in the penalty box. With Pannek’s scoring numbers rocketing from 11 points in 2024-25 to 33 in 2025-26, one may wonder how her approach changed. According to Pannek, it helped knowing that she would be busy this season, not only defending the Walter Cup Championship but also playing a key role for Team USA at the Olympic Games. “I put in a lot of work this offseason, knowing that there was a lot of hockey this season, trying to put myself in a position to play well for the Olympic team and the Frost,” Pannek said. “I’m always willing to do what it takes to help this team be successful, and I’m happy to be supporting in the offensive role as well.” That preparation paid off in the PWHL season and her international slate. Pannek captured Olympic gold for the second time and earned her third Olympic medal overall at the 2026 Olympic Games with Team USA. Pannek had a career season, but her year also sits among several notable performances from her teammates. Taylor Heise joined Pannek as the only other player to break the 30-point barrier in a season so far. Britta-Curl Salemme’s 18 assists are the most by any player in a PWHL season. Along with season accomplishments, several players also reached career milestones. Pannek, Taylor Heise, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Grace Zumwinkle all reached the 50-point career mark. Pannek says that it’s been exciting to be part of a team where so many players are celebrating successes. “That’s been the story of our season. A lot of us have had some really good years, and it helps when you’re playing together here.” Pannek said. “I think what’s exciting is for us to be able to be excited for each other to have this success.”

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Nash Roed

Beck Thoreson

Joey Cullen

MINNESOTA’S NEXT TALENT WAVE TSUNAMIS TOWARD 2026 HLINKA/GRETZKY CUP by T.R. HOLLER

Let’s Play Hockey Contributor

USA Hockey announced the 23-man roster for the 2026 U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team that will compete at the 2026 Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in Edmonton, Alberta, from Aug. 3-8, 2026. The squad is inclusive of 13 forwards, seven defensemen and three goaltenders, was selected following the Team USA Selection Camp at TRIA Rink in St. Paul, MN, the practice home of the Minnesota Wild, where yours truly caught the slate of weekend scrimmages, albeit mostly to escape the brutal heat wave. Players from an ever-expanding 10 states are represented on this year’s roster, but none prouder than the nine from Minnesota which is triple the amount of California’s three players. Yeah, that’s right – California provides the second most rostered players! Team representation breaks down as follows; Minnesota (9), California (3), Michigan (2), New York (2), Pennsylvania (2), Connecticut (1), Illinois (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1) and North Dakota (1). Noticeably absent is Massachusetts. The 2026 U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team looks to defend last year’s championship where Team USA finished the ‘25 tournament with a 3-1 record, defeating Sweden, 5-3, to capture its first title hardware since 2003 with only a scant three Minnesotans rostered. Again, this 2026 squad has three times as many ‘Sotans so we will see if we can make the country proud up in Edmonton, Alberta. No pressure or anything, boys - but gotta defend that title and represent! Twelve Minnesotans comprised a full one-third of the full tryout camp roster of 36 players with the final 2026 Hlinka/Gretzky nine rostered Minnesotans as follows; F - Gunnar Conboy (Lakeville North/Green Bay Gamblers), F - Brooks DeMars (Hugo/ Penticton), F - Nash Roed (WBL/NTDP), F - Ryland Rooney (Gentry Acad/Sx Falls), D - Rylan Hanson (Elk River), D - Beck Thoreson (Moorhead/NTDP), D - Becker Wenkus (Edina/Des Moines), G - Brandon Wright (Mahtomedi/Dubuque), and last, but most definitely not least is F – Joey Cullen (Moorhead/NTDP). One ancillary benefit is defenseman Becker Wenkus and forward Ryland Rooney can act as tour guides for the club as they are veterans of the Edmonton Mall being former Brick Invitational participants in their youth. Joey Cullen was intentionally mentioned last in the above list of ‘Sotans for a unique reason. Yes, it’s a team game, and in hockey, that fact always comes before individual stats/awards, etc., however, ‘JC’, fresh off his freshman state title run with Moorhead is a 2010-born, a full year younger than the majority of his teammates and competition. ‘JC’ is the very first underager to make a TEAM USA roster for the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup tournament. JC was a seamless fit and competed with deft attacks - processing the action at warp speed during the TRIA

Credit: Roster graphic courtesy of USA Hockey, Inc./teamusa.usahockey.com/hlinka

Folks, JC is an impressive talent and growing like a weed. One day soon, JC will be worth the price of any admission. weekend scrimmages registering a handful of assists off sublime setups. One can literally see the game slow down for JC as he patiently surveys and makes soft, yet high-velocity passes that lead his linemates in stride. All a year ahead of schedule. Folks, JC is an impressive talent and growing like a weed. One day soon, JC will be worth the price of any admission. Overall, the pace and speed of the TRIA weekend action was quick, the intra-squad competition steady. Each of the three scrimmages saw the pace increase into the critical third periods especially with extra puck battle efforts. Alas, the physical contact was kept at a minimum, especially regarding open ice transitions for obvious mitigating reasons. The last of the scrimmages held Sunday, July 27, during the blast furnace outside found the TRIA rink at a brisk 52-55° - which this soul found refreshing, but the players might have stiffened up a bit, playing it rather safe. The defensive efforts were outstanding especially from the Ents division of this teams’ trees of defensemen, Beck Thoreson at 6’4” and Trevor (Not) Shorter, who stands 6’7” even without his

OOFOS®. Perhaps the offensive standouts came down to centermen, Gunnar Conboy and Ty Bergeron who consistently guided zone entries, facilitated play and set up camp for net-front chances grinding away in all three games. Both displayed keen awareness, quick decision-making, and smart gap control in defensive transitions. As much as the dynamic second line for Team White looked crisp with F’s – Nash Roed, Joey Cullen, and Ryland Rooney, the success of Team USA at Hlinka will come down to the emerging goalie starter (yet to be named) but also, the 200-foot play of Conboy and Bergeron, to say the least. One surprise, for this scout anyway, was the fact that D – Whitaker Rewertz (Hibbing/Penticton) did not make the final ’26 USA Hlinka roster. All due respect to the defenders that made the final squad, but Rewertz had a solid camp, was committed to a 200-foot game, deployed an active stick, steered attackers to the walls, and activated into the O-zone for targeted attacks. Alas, he gave his best and perhaps they desired a bit more size on the blue line. Regardless, Rewertz is as solid

a competitor as you will find and is a joy to watch skate. So, the new crop of Minnesota faces are here, embarking on the international stage, these are the local stars in the MSHSL, the junior leagues of the WHL and USHL, and a few NTDP’ers. These Minnesota boys of ours are heading to the ’26 Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in Edmonton where we can remind Canada of the current USA dominance born out of both the men’s and women’s ’26 Olympic teams and set the tone for the World Juniors in late December. You can follow the team at teamusa. usahockey.com/hlinka, hlinkagretzkycup. ca and here’s to hoping the NHL Network picks up TV tourney coverage from TSN/ RDS out of Canada, eh? I mean what else is going on in early August? Go change the AC filter, pour some Summer Shandy in those chilled mugs and watch the boys get ‘er done! NOTES: • The U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team will play prelim games against Group B opponents Czechia, Finland, and Germany. • Group A consists of Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, and Slovakia

• Team USA will play a pre-tournament exhibition against Slovakia, Aug 1. • Team USA has captured two Hlinka Gretzky Cup championships in 2003 and 2025.

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e om H g Bringin

Team Minnesota wins Brick Invitational for first time in by BRYAN ZOLLMAN

Let’s Play Hockey Publisher

There are a lot of tournaments in Minnesota. And then there is The Tournament.That would be the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament. In Edmonton and throughout North American youth hockey there are a lot of tournaments. And then there is The Tournament. That would be The Brick. The Brick Invitational celebrated its 37th year this summer. In 30 of those 37 years Minnesota teams have competed but never won. Until now. Team Minnesota, comprised of 16 of the state’s best players born in 2016, defeated the Detroit Jr. Red Wings in the championship on Sunday, July 5. It was Minnesota’s first title in the tournament’s 37-year history. “We knew we had put together the group this year that could get it done. We started putting the pieces together two to three years ago, and felt like everything was in place from a roster, staff, commitment and development perspective”, said Team Minnesota Head Coach Billy Hengen. “We went to work with long practices, hill runs and video sessions. We just tried to keep our heads down til we crossed the finish line in Edmonton.” Team Minnesota opened the tournament with an 8-1 win over the Connecticut Junior Rangers. They followed up with a 7-0 win over Team Pennsylvania and then another lopsided victory over CCM Chicago 10-1. They then defeated Western Selects 7-2 before beating the British Columbia Jr. Canucks 3-1 to advance to the title game against the Detroit Jr. Red Wings. They carried the momentum that led them to outscoring their opponents 35-5 into the championship game where they staked themselves to an early 5-0 lead. After the Jr. Wings rallied for a pair of goals, Team Minnesota sealed the deal with a 7-2 win. Hengen, who was wearing shorts and sunglasses on the bench as part of their ongoing themes for each game, was doused with Gatorade after the final buzzer sounded. For Hengen, the championship was something he had strived to bring home to Minnesota for years. His first team was the 2003 (birth year) team with the likes of Jackson

Fans are on top of the action at The Brick.

Sutter Koper (34) and Kutter Stauss (24) celebrate after a goal in the title game against Detroit. Blake, Chaz and Cruz Lucius, and Jack Peart. Team Minnesota Roster After his initial experience at The Brick, he phoned Jaime Fran0 Owen Diskerud G sway, President of the Minnesota 1 Connor Wagner G Blades, the main feeder program for Team Minnesota. 8 Odin Okposo F “I told her if we ever go with 10 Crew VanLiere F a permanent Brick coach like a lot 11 Evan Tofte F of the organizations do, call me,” he said. “I’d love to go there every 18 Beau Reda F summer. And now I have been go19 Mathis Stenglein D ing back since the 2008 group. It’s been a blast.” 21 Jude Petersen F Hengen, 45, has lived a life 24 Kutter Stauss F full of hockey, both as a player and coach. As an offensive player, he at25 AJ Persby D tended high school at Holy Angels 34 Sutter Soper F finishing as their all-time leading scorer and playing in the 1999 AA 41 Colton Stewart F Boys HS State Tournament. 44 Sawyer Peterson D He then ventured to the Lin71 Sergiu Perzhu D coln Stars of the USHL winning two Anderson Cups, and finished 77 Tommy Keiser D his playing career at St. Cloud State 88 Finn Leeser D University as one of the school’s career assist leaders. Billy Hengen HC After SCSU he joined the Holy Ryan Ess AC Angels boys bench and was mentored to be a coach by Holy Angels Kyle Okposo AC late legendary coach, Greg Trebil. Judd Stauss AC In recent years as a Head Coach, Hengen won the Boys Class Joe Stewart AC A Minneosta High School State Kara Barbaro M Tournament and Girls Class AA Jaime Fransway P MN State Tournament with Gentry Academy. His latest winter coaching experience was as Assistant for St Cloud State Women’s hockey in 2023. But his hockey passion has been finding and then guiding the state’s top 10-year-olds to compete in The Brick. “I’ve coached in the boys state high school tournament and the girls,” said Hengen. “The Brick has always had my heart.” As a Minnesotan, the grandeur of the High School State hockey tournament combined with the electric section hockey games is unparalleled. According to thsoe who have experienced it, The Brick is the coolest and most unique youth hockey experience, and it’s not even close. “It’s just different,” said Joe Stewart, who’s son Colton led Team Minnesota in scoring and became the tournament’s all-time leading scorer. “The hockey is unbelievable. It’s kind of like the Little League World Series in baseball. It’s just unbelievable.” The mall itself creates a unique atmosphere. Fans watch from tiered floors and a large sunroof allows the sun

to creep in and cast a natural light along the ice. Hengen’s sunglasses weren’t worn just for looks. The sun has the capability of being in a coach’s eyes. Parents are on top of the action and are able to stand above the glass and reach down and give players high fives after a goal. “From a spectator’s standpoint it’s by far the coolest thing you can imagine,” said Cory Petersen, whose son Jude played on the team. “The play is going on and you’re leaning over the glass, communicating with the players, giving high fives. You feel like you’re part of the entertainment experience. It actually merges fans into the playing environment.” The tournament is also the first glimpse at some potential Division I and NHL talent. In it’s first 35 years of existence, 737 players who played in The Brick went on to be selected in the NHL Draft. Those players include Macklin Celebrini, Cole Caufield, Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Zack Werenski, and Matt Boldy. This year’s top pick, Gavin McKenna, was also a Brick player. It’s hard to say if any of this year’s Team Minnesota players will one day play in the NHL, but it’s likely. Many of the players play together throughout the previous summer in anticipation of playing for Team Minnesota. Some kids play multiple years in The Brick if they are good enough to play as a 9-year-old. But most players get one shot and must

There was a lot to smile about after Team Minnesota were crowned 2026 champions.

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n 37 years survive The Brick 30, which occurs in March after the initial list of players is narrowed down to the final 30. From that 30, 14 skaters are chosen along with two goalies. After the previous summer of many of them skating together, players venture to their hometown associations, but still participate in “Brick” practices over the winter, usually early on Saturday mornings. Come mid-March the top 30 compete for those final spots. “You have the big tryout to see who has stepped up and maybe see who has fallen off,” said Stewart. “You want the best 14 kids because it’s hard to win. You have to be firing on all cylinders.” Once the team is chosen, they play in four tournaments leading up to The Brick. This year’s squad played in Nashville and won, played in Pittsburgh and won, played in Chicago and won, and played in Minneapolis and lost in the semifinals. “There’s a lot of sacrifice,” said Petersen. “We’ve gotten on airplanes three times this summer. It’s fun. But it’s also a grind, and expensive.” Families typically spend up to 10 days in Edmonton, taking advantage not just of the great hockey, but the Edmonton area and being with other hockey families from around North America. Petersen recalled the semifinal game against British Columbia. It was July 4 so all of the parents were decked out in patriot attire and chanting U.S.A. before the game started. The team got to choose their pre-game music and chose Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen. One of the players, Evan Tofte, circled the ice with an American Flag while Springsteen blasted over the loud speakers. “That was one of the best experiences of our life,” said Petersen. Team Minnesota had a different theme for every game where parents dressed up and cheered on their boys. Themes included Spirit Day, White Out, Black Out, Western Day, and Hawaiian Day. “We took the Brick to a new level of fun,” said Hengen. “To me, it’s not always about business. I like to have fun.” Hengen said Team Minnesota started their themes and fitchecks with the 2009 group and that the tournament officials thank them every year. “They said before we got there it was a little too serious for 10-year olds,” Hengen said. “They said Minnesota brought the tournament an element of fun and excitement it hadnt previously had. That’s the best compliment we could have gotten.” Stewart said the atmosphere is “epic.” The two levels of the mall give fans a unique vantage point. Fans are literally on top of the players, giving those skating a unique experience as well. For the championship game there were more than 1,000 in attendance, standing five deep to try and get a glimpse of the action on the ice. “It’s a big commitment, but you see your kid in that atmosphere and that kind of excitement,” said Stewart. “When it’s game time there is nothing like it. For youth hockey it is

Cutline

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TEAM MINNESOTA/THE BRICK INVITATIONAL

Team Minnesota players celebrate after the final buzzer.

the pinnacle for a 10-year-old.” The Brick has been a big part of the Stewart family’s hockey experience. Colton is the third of four brothers and led the tournament in scoring with 14 goals and seven assists in just six games. He is now the all-time leading scorer in the tournament’s history. His two older brothers have excelled at hockey, playing at Shattuck-St. Mary’s. “He’s got older brothers who have shown him what it takes,” Joe said. “He puts a ton of time in at home. Shoots hundreds of pucks a day. He’s been power skating since he was two. I’ve never seen a kid his age work as hard as him. He’s obsessed with it.” Petersen said the Stewart family has played a big role in the team’s success with Joe helping set up the out-of-town tournaments so they could play against top competition before heading to Edmonton. Being Colton played on Team Minnesota at The Brick in 2025, Hengen decided to name him captain.” “We never put a C on a kids jersey before,” Hengen said. Petersen said going into this Brick, Colton had already earned a strong reputation in North American hockey as an amazing player. “We are glad everyone got to see that,” he said. “He’s incredibly humble and the hardest working kid on the team.” While Colton was the leader on and off the ice, it took a special group to finally bring a Brick title home to Minnesota. For the Petersens, Stewarts and all families involved, it was an incredibly special time. Not only was a tournament won, new friends were made and family experiences were had. Despite the commitment and costs, it was all worth it and then some once the final buzzer sounded. “Everybody sacrificed a lot,” said Petersen. “So to achieve the outcome they did makes it that much more special. It is truly one of the best family experiences we’ve had.” Upon returning home, the family was at a local grocery store when an older gentleman noticed The Brick logo on Jude’s hat and asked if he was on the team. He told Jude he was proud of him and his teammates for winning the title and representing Minnesota well. “When you hear things like that you start to feel emotional about the whole thing,” he said. Stewart said the coaching staff deserved a lot of the credit for The Brick title. The staff included former NHLer Kyle Okposo, who’s son Odin was on the team. “I couldn’t be more happy for Billy,” he said. “We’ve

Colton Stewart led all scorers with 14 goals and seven assists in six games. In his second year at The Brick, he is now the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.

Crew VanLiere skates around a Detroit player in the title game. gotten to be good friends. He is very passionate. Him and (assistant coach) Ryan Ess love the tourney and he’s been so close so many times. I was super excited for him to get the win. He’s a good guy and a great coach and has done a great job.” For Hengen, nothing made him happier than seeing the smiles on the face of the kids who put in the work and got the result they wanted. As for his coaching career, he said he’d love to one day be back behind the bench of a boys high school hockey team to make a run at the boys AA title, or coach Division I women’s hockey again. But his wife is currently pregnant with their fourth child, so those commitments will have to wait. The Brick, however? He’s always in. “For me, The Brick is going to be my jam for the next couple years,” he said. That’s a good thing. Because for the first time in the tournament’s history, Team Minnesota has a title to defend.

Finn Leeser unleashes a shot in the title game against the Detroit Jr. Wings.

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Minnesota again leads U.S. in draftees

Once again Minnesota led the way with the number of drafted players compared to other states around the U.S. A total of 53 players from the United States were drafted in Buffalo. There were seven rounds and 224 overall picks, except for the 63rd overall pick which was forfeited by the Vegas Knights for media violations. Minnesota had 12 players chosen by NHL teams, four more than any other state in the country. Michigan finished with eight picks and California finished with seven. Massachusetts and Pennsylvania each finished with five. In total, 16 states were represented in the draft, including Alaska, Texas, North Carolina and Idaho.

WYATT CULLEN

JAYDEN KURTZ

Wyatt Cullen was the top Minnesotan chosen and the lone first Moorhead – USNTDP round pick, going 10th overall to the Nashville Predators. Cullen is a Moorhead native and played at Moorhead through bantams before joining the USNTDP where he excelled for two seasons, thus being a top 10 pick. Cullen is the 10th Minnesotan to be chosen in the top 10, but the first to be the “10th” pick. He is the highest pick for a Minnesota player since Casey Mittelstadt was chosen 8th overall by Buffalo in 2017. Cullen is also the son of former Minnesota Wild player and 3-time Stanley Cup Champion Matt Cullen. The elder Cullen was a 2nd round pick and 35th overall in 1996 by Anaheim. Wyatt is committed to the University of Minnesota where his father was recently hired as the Director of Player Development.

Round 1 (10) Nashville

ZACH WOOTEN

Apple Valley/Eastview HS Green Bay (USHL)

Rogers – Rogers HS Two Minnesotans Round 2 were chosen (45) in Round 2. Jayden Kurtz’s Anaheim combination of size and skill was enough for Anaheim to nab him with the 45th overall pick. Kurtz had a 38-point season and was the top high school player taken in the draft. Kurtz is an excellent skater and a strong physical presence on the blue line. He also played with the Chicago Steel of the USHL and is committed to play at the University of Wisconsin.

K.J. SAUER

Round 4 (116) Winnipeg

Andover- Andover HS The fifth round saw Round 5 three Minnesota players drafted. Andover’s KJ (136) Sauer was the first off Philadelphia the board at No. 136 by Philadelphia. After an injury-plagued senior year, he returned for the team’s final 15 games and was a driving force in them earning a return trip to state. He had 25 points in those 15 games. His size and athleticism and strong hockey pedigree make him a solid prospect as a potential power forward. His father, Kent, was a Division I player and played professionally. His uncles Mike and Kurt both played in the NHL. KJ is still uncommitted as far as we know, but is slated to play in the Western Hockey League for the Edmonton Oil Kings next season.

Apple Valley native Zach Wooten was chosen in the fourth round (116th overall) after a breakout season with the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL last season. The 2024 Eastview grad scored 35 goals and had 62 points in 61 games. His size, 200-foot game, and as a bit of a late bloomer, his continued upward trend as a player was enough for Winnipeg to grab him in the fourth round. Wooten is headed to the University of Wisconsin, who is coming off a trip to the national title game.

BODE LAYLIN

St Michael – Tri City (USHL)

Defenseman Bode Laylin was Round 6 chosen in the sixth round by Calgary. (164) The 5’11” blueliner Calgary from St. Michael played last season at Tri City in the USHL and notched 38 points in 55 games, including 11 goals. Although undersized compared to most defenseman chosen, he is a highly skilled skater and a steady presence on the blueline. He was a Third-Team AllStar in the USHL this past season and will play next season for the Everett Silvertips in the WHL before heading to the University of St Thomas.

PARKER TROTTIER

Edina – USNTDP Round 6 (189) Montreal Edina native Parker Trottier was taken in the sixth round and 189th overall by Montreal. Trottier played at Shattuck-St. Mary’s before joing the USNTDP for his age 16 and 17 seasons. Last year he played 61 games with the U18s and scored 11 goals and added 16 assists. He is the grandson of NHL Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier. Parker is committed to the University of Notre Dame.

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VICTOR PLANTE

MIKEY BERCHILD

Round 2 (47) Detroit Red Wings

Round 4 (105) Carolina

Hermantown’s Victor Plante was selected two picks later at 47th overall by Detroit. Ironically, Victor’s older brother Max was also selected by the Red Wings with the 47th overall pick in 2024. Victor is the third Plante sibling to be drafted with Zam going in the 5th round of the 2022 draft to Pittsburgh. Their father, Derek, was an 8th round pick in 1989 and played 450 games in the NHL. Victor will join his brothers at Minnesota-Duluth.

Excelsior native Mikey Berchild was selected in the fourth round (105th overall) by Carolina. Berchild has been a natural goal scorer in his career at both Shattuck-St, Mary’s and with the USNTDP. Last season he notched 35 goals and the year prior scored 52. Carolina is coming off a Stanley Cup win with the help of another Minnesota player they took in the fourth round in 2021- Jackson Blake. Berchild is headed to Denver University.

Excelsior – USNTDP

Hermantown – USNTDP

HAWKE HUFF

Wayzata- Cedar Rapids (USHL) Next off the board in the fifth round Round 5 was former Wayzata (148) standout defenseman Seattle Hawke Huff. Like Wooten, Huff had a breakout season in the USHL where he was named a First-team All-Star. He notched 36 assists and was a solid +17 on the season. Like most D-man selected, he possesses size and strength at 6’3” and 200 pounds. Seattle took him with the 148th overall pick. Huff also played a stint in the NAHL with the Minnesota Wilderness and is committed to the University of St. Thomas.

BOBBY COWAN

Edina – Western Michigan

Round 7 (205) – NY Islanders Two players rounded out the draft in the seventh round. Edina native Bobby Cowan was chosen 205th overall by the New York Islanders. Cowan played last season at Western Michigan University and had 24 points in 39 games. He was a driving force for the Hornets on their 2024 state championship team. He played one season in the USHL, scoring 51 points in 57 games for the Madison Capitols.

TEDDY LECHNER

Bloomington – Acad. Holy Angels Round 5 (152) Colorado High school junior Teddy Lechner was next off the board at No. 152 by Colorado. Lechner finished his junior season at Academy of Holy Angels where he had seven goals and 31 assists in 23 games for the Stars. He also played three games with the U17s in the USNTDP and played 35 games with Muskegon in the USHL. It is unclear where he will play next season, but he is committed to Augustana.

JIMMY RIEBER

Woodbury – Waterloo (USHL) Round 7 (210) Anaheim Jimmy Rieber of Woodbury was selected with the 210th overall pick by Anaheim. Rieber is a bit of an unknown in Minnesota because he ventured to Chicago to play throughout his later youth hockey years. Rieber played 60 games last season with Waterloo in the USHL and is slated to return to the USHL for one more season. He is committed to Miami (Ohio).

18 July/August 2026

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Augsburg names Stepan as new coach Faribault-native recently led USHL team to division title

Zach Stepan, who has served as a hockey coach in junior hockey for the past decade, has been named the new head coach of the Augsburg University men’s ZACH STEPAN hockey team, the university has announced. Stepan will be the sixth head coach in the modern era (since 1959) of the Augsburg men’s hockey program. Most recently, Stepan has served as head coach and president of the Minnesota Wilderness, a team based in Cloquet, Minn., playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), the second tier of the American junior hockey system and one of the main development routes for players planning to play for NCAA Division III men’s hockey programs. “I am incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to join Augsburg Athletics and lead the men’s hockey program,” Stepan said. “Developing student-athletes holistically, building meaningful relationships, and creating a positive, competitive culture — align closely with my own philosophy as a coach and leader. Hockey provides an incredible platform to help young men grow not only as players, but as students, teammates, and future leaders.” Under Stepan, the Wilderness

finished 42-12-5 in the 2025-26 season, winning the NAHL’s Midwest Division and advancing to the league’s Robertson Cup championship game, where they lost 3-2 in overtime to the Maryland Black Bears. The Wilderness went 8-3 in its playoff run leading up to the Robertson Cup final, winning three series. In his first season with the Wilderness in 2024-25, the squad went 30-25-4, finishing fifth in the NAHL’s Midwest Division and just missing out on a spot in the league playoffs. The Wilderness outscored their opponents by a 249-148 margin in 2025-26 and by a 210-197 margin in 2024-25. “Throughout the search process, coach Stepan distinguished himself through his commitment to the holistic development of student-athletes, his relationship-centered approach, and his vision for building a positive and competitive program culture,” said Augsburg Athletic Director Amy Cooper. “I am confident that Zach will be an excellent addition to our department and will serve as a strong leader for our men’s hockey student-athletes. He brings a passion for developing young people both on and off the ice, and I look forward to welcoming him to Augsburg Athletics.” As head coach and president, Stepan led the Wilderness’ hockey operations, overseeing player development and roster and staff management, managing the team’s business operations, including sponsorships and community

partnerships, media relations, fundraising and camps. Prior to joining the Wilderness, Stepan served as an assistant coach in the 2023-24 season with the United States Hockey League’s (USHL) Des Moines (Iowa) Buccaneers, managing scouting, recruiting, forwards, power-play systems and video operations. The USHL is the top tier of American junior hockey, with its players often moving to NCAA Division I programs. He served as an assistant coach for the NAHL’s Aberdeen (S.D.) Wings in the 2021-22 season, and as head coach of the New Ulm (Minn.) Steel, a team in the Tier III North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) for two seasons (2019-21). The Steel finished 31-13-3 in the abbreviated 2019-20 season, which featured the most wins in team history and the longest winning streak (15 games) in team history. Stepan was an assistant coach for the NAHL’s Chippewa (Wis.) Steel in 2018-19. “I am excited to build strong relationships with our student-athletes, alumni, campus community, and supporters while fostering an environment that emphasizes accountability, growth, character, and competitive excellence. Together, we will work to create a program that represents Augsburg with pride both on the ice and in the classroom,” Stepan said. “I want to thank the administration and search committee for their trust and confidence. I am eager to get started and look forward to becoming part of the Augsburg community.” A native of Faribault, Minn., Stepan played Division I college hockey at Minnesota State University Mankato, where he scored 24 goals with 35 assists for 59 points in 136 career games (2013-17). He played one season of

junior hockey in 2012-13 for the Waterloo (Iowa) Black Hawks, scoring 32 goals with 46 assists for 78 points in 56 games. Stepan was a fourth-round draft choice of the NHL’s Nashville Predators in 2012, and played for the East Coast Hockey League’s Orlando (Fla.) Solar Bears, but his playing career ended due to injuries after just eight minor-league games. He played his high school hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, scoring 130 points (47 goals, 83 assists) in 100 career games over two varsity seasons, as the team won USA Hockey national titles both years. He also played on three USA Hockey international youth-level teams, part of gold-medal U17 (2010) and U19 (2012) teams, and a U20 squad in 2013. Stepan and his fiancée, Michaela, a registered nurse, said that they are excited to begin this new chapter with Augsburg University, alongside their two dogs, Cubby and Murphy. Family has always played a significant role in shaping Stepan’s passion for hockey and mentorship. His cousin, Derek Stepan, enjoyed a 13-year NHL career and now works for the Minnesota Wild, while his uncle, Brad Stepan, was drafted by the New York Rangers and now works as a player agent. Raised by a single mother who has dedicated her career to education, Stepan learned early the importance of investing in young people. The values of hockey, education, mentorship and helping others reach their full potential have long been central to his family, and he said that he is excited to continue that tradition, leading Augsburg’s student-athletes both on and off the ice.

Minnesota Wilderness hires new coach Sam Graham spent last season with Dubuque If the Minnesota Wilderness hope to repeat or improve upon its offensive production from 2025-26, they may have found just the man to guide them to it. Minnesota this week hired Sam Graham as its new head coach. Graham comes to the team after spending one season as an assistant coach with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL. Prior to that, he was on the coaching staff for the Anchorage Wolverines of the NAHL over the 2023-24 and 24-25 seasons. Last season, the Wilderness led the NAHL with 249 regular season goals (over 59 games) – which also set a new franchise record. With Dubuque, Graham oversaw the offense and power play, and it resulted in the Fighting Saints leading the USHL regular season in scoring with 271 goals (over 62 games) and power play efficiency at

27.8%. With Anchorage, Graham led the defense and penalty kill, and it resulted in the 23-24 team advancing to the Robertson Cup semi-finals and SAM GRAHAM the 24-25 team to the Midwest Division final. In particular, the 24-25 Wolverines finished with a 90% penalty kill rating that finished sixth in the NAHL and second in the Midwest Division. After spending his first season as an assistant coach, Anchorage promoted Graham to associate head coach in year 2. Wilderness general manager Brandon Ferns said those numbers are among the reasons Graham is an ideal fit to lead his team. “He’s had success with two elite organizations, and that has shaped him to be an impressive candidate, and he’ll be an impressive coach for us,” said Ferns. Graham will succeed Zachary Stepan, who coached the Wilderness for two seasons, culminating in the team progressing to the Robertson Cup Finals for the second time in team history in 2025-26. Stepan stepped down to accept the head coaching position at

Augsburg University. “His [Graham’s] demeanor is, in a lot of ways, similar to coach Stepan,” said Ferns. Ferns added that the 26-27 team will display similar qualities to the 25-26 squad and will be fun for fans to watch: “He wants to play a fast, skilled game and wants to be on the attack.” Graham said he is excited for the opportunity to lead the Wilderness and acknowledges he wants to build a team that plays with speed and skill. “We’ll play a USHL style that is creative and fast,” said Graham. Wilderness owner Barry Bohman echoed Ferns sentiments that Graham is the right man for the job. “The Wilderness program wants to give its players the best experience to grow, develop, and advance their hockey careers. Sam is the perfect fit to lead our team behind the bench,” said Bohman. “We’re really proud for Sam to have earned the opportunity to be the next head coach of the Wilderness,” said Dubuque head coach Evan Dixon. “His knowledge and experience at different levels of hockey paired with his strong ability to connect with players will serve him well in this new role. We will miss him, but we are excited to see him take on this next challenge. I’m personally grateful to have been part of his coaching journey and am confident

he is leaving Dubuque a better coach and person,” added Dixon. Graham also received an endorsement from the NHL level – Florida Panther assistant coach Jamie Kompon: “He’s a young quality coach that continues to work and wants to get better. He shows that he cares about his players and works with them on and off the ice. The bond he creates with his players is a crucial piece as to why the teams he has coached have been successful.” A native of Los Angeles, Calif., Graham began his coaching career at the triple A level on the staff of the Los Angeles Jr. Kings for three seasons. During his playing career, Graham was a forward and spent a year of junior hockey for Weyburn of the SJHL. In college, he skated two seasons in the NCAA with Wisconsin-Stevens Point before playing one campaign in the ACHA with California State – Long Beach. The 38-year-old Graham was among those evaluating players in July when the Wilderness held their main training camp. That camp ran July 1619 at Cottage Grove Arena in Cottage Grove, Minn. Graham’s hiring makes him the ninth coach in the Wilderness’ NAHL franchise history.

MARCH 12-13, 2027 St. Paul RiverCentre

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July/August 2026

Hockey passion leads Bahl to award

Michaela Bahl earns Official of the Year Award by ROBERT BRENT

Let’s Play Hockey Contributor

There are countless ways we recognize greatness in athletes in Minnesota High School Hockey. Awards like Mr. and Mrs. Hockey acknowledge athletes for the dedication and excellence that make the level of play so exciting. Still, there’s a whole infrastructure surrounding the league that allows the games to happen in a safe, professional environment, often getting far less recognition. Those unsung heroes include school administrators, coaches and, of course, referees and on-ice officials. Officials can earn the ire of zealous hockey parents or student sections, but they are a critical part of keeping the games safe and fair. Their hard work and dedication also deserve recognition. That honor comes in the way of the MSHSL Official of the Year Award. Referee and official Michaela Bahl, a St. Paul resident, recently earned that honor as the girls hockey official of the year. Bahl has been an official for several years and has been on the crew for collegiate and IIHF events. Still, she says the Official of the Year Award came as a surprise and a great honor. “It came as a huge surprise when I received a congratulatory email. I know how much hockey, especially high school hockey, means to the state of Minnesota,” Bahl said. “To be recognized in this way was quite mind-blowing and a tremendous honor.” The award comes after years of hard work and dedication for Bahl, who began her career as an official in 2016 in San Diego, Calif. She had been playing in a local adult league when some league officials suggested she attend an upcoming seminar. Bahl liked the idea of learning the game from a new angle and getting more ice time. She started refereeing camps in her local district before applying for regional high-performance and future camps.

Michaela Bahl officiates at the St. Thomas vs Ohio State matchup. That opportunity blossomed into a passion that followed her move to Minnesota. Bahl now officiates high school, NCAA hockey, IIHF events, and local showcases. In a given season, Michaela Bahl estimates that she works around 150 games. Bahl had the opportunity this season to referee several big events, including the Minnesota High School Girls’ State Tournament. With so many assignments, many fans and spectators don’t understand the work that goes into being an on-ice official while juggling other aspects of life. “The physical and mental toll can be a bit grueling. For the average referee, officiating is not our full-time job, and we spend the season going from work to skating numerous games per week, and on the weekends,” Bahl said. “We generally juggle multiple rulebooks, have to stay in good shape to

keep up at the level of the game that we are officiating… With that said, we absolutely love the game, being on the ice is the best seat in the house, and there is nowhere else that we’d rather be.” Between the arduous schedule and the criticism that can come with being a referee, honors like the MSHSL Official of the Year Award are especially important. Bahl mentions that positive reactions from players, coaches, parents, and fans go a long way, but being recognized for this award holds special significance. “Any positive recognition, whether from a coach or parent saying ‘great game’ after, or a player excited to see you because they like having you officiate their games, is the best feeling in a role where there tends to be more negativity and harsh judgment than good,” Bahl said. “This type of recognition is extra special because the people behind making the selection have shared

PHOTO BY ROBERT BRENT

experience and know exactly what the job entails. To be noticed in this light means so much to me!” While the recognition is a substantial honor, Bahl says the most rewarding part of the job is the bond she builds with other officials, whom she describes as family. Those relationships and the opportunity to be on the ice for exciting games are her favorite part of the role. The MSHSL award is a crucial milestone in Bahl’s career, but she still has many goals for her officiating career. She hopes to officiate PWHL games, the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four, the Minnesota Boys’ High School Hockey Tournament, and, ultimately, the Olympic Games. Bahl, and the other winners of the Official of the Year Award, were honored June 15 at Target Field.

Wild’s Guerin named General Manager of year SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The National Hockey League (NHL) announced Minnesota Wild Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin as the recipient of the 2025-26 Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. Minnesota ranked seventh in the NHL in points during the regular season and advanced to the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2015. Guerin acquired defenseman Quinn Hughes in a trade with Vancouver on Dec. 12 and added several veterans to the roster at the NHL Trade deadline including forwards Bobby Brink, Nick Foligno and Michael McCarron and defenseman Jeff Petry. The team also added forward Nico Sturm via free agency and acquired forward Vladimir Tarasenko in a trade with Detroit last summer. Guerin is entering his eighth season with the Minnesota Wild and fourth as President of Hockey Operations and General Manager. He was originally named the fourth General Manager of the Minnesota Wild on Aug. 21, 2019. Under his leadership, the Wild has qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in six out of seven seasons (2020-23, 2024-

26) and achieved consecutive 100-point seasons for the second time in franchise history (2021-23) while balancing challenging salary cap restraints. Guerin has also worked extensively as an executive on the international

level and served as General Manager of the United States Men’s National Team for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina, leading Team USA to its first Gold Medal finish since 1980, and at the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-

Off, where he guided Team USA to a Silver Medal. Chris MacFarland (Colorado) and Pat Verbeek (Anaheim) were also finalists for the 2025-26 Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award.

20 July/August 2026

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Navigating College Hockey

June 15 marked the start, not the end of college hockey journey by SADIE LUNDQUIST and JAYSON HAJDU College Hockey Inc.

June 15 has come and gone, and the prospect of playing college hockey should be an exciting one for aspiring young players. The time spent on campus, in an elite athletic environment, will help shape an individual’s future both on and off the ice. But the process can also be daunting for players. Only a fraction of the best high school athletes will move on to NCAA DI hockey. It’s also a challenging time for those who help inform an aspiring student-athlete’s decision-making, including parents, youth coaches, mentors and others. June 15 following a player’s sophomore year of high school is the first day Division I women’s hockey coaches can contact prospective student-athletes, and the date marks the start, not the end, of the recruiting journey. In fact, it is not until Aug. 1 that a player can take part in an official visit on campus. The core of the recruiting process does not happen in one day, one month, and it certainly does not end on June 15. College Hockey Inc. endeavored to reveal the answers to these questions – and more – when it surveyed the NCAA Division I women’s hockey player population prior to the 2025-26 season. The responses were instructive, revealing common themes for aspiring college hockey players who have gone through the recruiting process. Those themes included the average commitment age, the process itself, development paths that included playing boys hockey, multi-sport athletes, and more. Of the approximately 1,200 NCAA Division I women’s hockey players rostered for the 2025-26 season, roughly one-quarter (253) of those student-athletes responded to the survey and provided their insights to College Hockey Inc. More than 24 schools from all five Division I women’s conferences were represented by the respondents, including players from eight different countries. Respondents By Grade: Freshmen – 36%, Sophomores – 23%, Juniors – 23%, Seniors/Grad. Students – 18% Respondents by Position: Forwards – 51%, Defense – 35%, Goaltenders – 13% Yes, 55% of players received a recruiting call on June 15, but roughly 40% did not and still achieved their goal of playing Division I college hockey. If June 15 comes and goes without a call, remember that your recruiting journey is far from over. Focus on your own development, explore the opportunities in front of you, and know that one day does not define your future in the sport. The average age a girl will earn her NCAA Division I commitment is 17. To be more precise, 17.04 for skaters and 17.32 for goalies. There is no single path to playing NCAA Division I hockey. Narrowing in on the 55% of players who did receive a recruiting call on June 15, more than half ultimately committed to a different school than one of the programs that contacted them that day. Recruiting is a long process, and both the player and the program need time to determine whether there is a fit. Whether you received a call on June 15 or not, take the time to evaluate all the factors that matter when choosing a college. Academics, athletics, campus culture, school size, location, proximity to home and other opportuni-

ties all play an important role in finding the right fit for your future. Be your biggest advocate and show initiative – nearly 81% of players reported reaching out to schools during the recruiting process. If you’re going to reach out, do it intentionally. Take time to research the school and the program so you understand why it could be a good fit for you. Personalize your communication based on the coaches, the team, and specific reasons you resonate with the program, school, and campus. A common question from young athletes is whether they should focus solely on hockey. While there is no right or wrong answer, 72% of the players in this survey reported playing at least two sports throughout high school. If you love soccer, keep playing. If you love volleyball, keep playing. Many hockey players, such as Lee Stecklein and Kelly Pannek, attribute their success to being well-rounded through participation in multiple sports and activities. Perhaps one of the most difficult questions for young players and parents pursuing the college hockey dream is what will set an athlete up for the most success. That often leads to the question: should I play girls hockey? With the continued growth of the game, 81% of current college players reported playing on all-girls teams by age 14. While not every player around the world has equal access to girls hockey opportunities, the study shows that most college players who do have that option do compete on girl’s teams throughout their playing careers. Finally, more than 60% of players and parents reported having zero-to-basic knowledge of the recruiting process—and that’s okay. Recruiting can feel like a long, complicated journey where everyone else seems to know more than you do. In reality, the process is complex for everyone, and many of the players successfully navigating it are learning along the way. A lack of recruiting knowledge early on does not prevent athletes from reaching the next level of college hockey and the average commitment age is over 17 years old. While June 15 is an exciting milestone, it’s important to remember that it marks the beginning of the recruiting journey—not the end. Players often feel pressure to keep pace with peers who receive communication and offers early in the process. Yet nearly half of all Division I players do not receive a recruiting call on the first day coaches are permitted to make contact. Several players emphasized the importance of staying open-minded throughout the recruiting process and resisting the urge to compare their experiences to others. “Give every school a fair chance to show their interest,” said one freshman player. “You never know which school will be the perfect fit. This is your process, your future and, most importantly, your decision.” Another freshman acknowledged the anxieties but encouraged players to embrace the experience. “The best way to look at it is that this is only going to happen once in your lifetime so enjoy it and make the best of it,” she said. “Know that not everyone’s process is going to look the same and that’s okay. Don’t worry about what other people are doing or what they are getting. Focus on your own process because everything will end up working out.”

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July/August 2026

Let’s Play Hockey

College hockey enjoys record selections

More than 100 NCAA players hear names in ‘26 NHL Draft BUFFALO, N.Y. – In a historic weekend for college hockey, 109 current or committed NCAA Division I players were selected during the two-day 2026 NHL Draft at KeyBank Center, the most since the NHL went to its current seven-round draft format in 2005. It also represented the most NCAA selections since 1990, when 109 were chosen in the NHL’s then-12-round draft. Ninety of this year’s 109 picks came Saturday during rounds two through seven after a record 19 players had been chosen during Friday’s open-

ing round. An impressive 36 different NCAA schools had at least one player or recruit selected this weekend – up from 27 one year ago – led by Michigan State with nine. That tied Minnesota (2007) for the largest draft class ever by one school. Boston University, UMass, North Dakota and Penn State were next with eight selections each, while Boston College, Denver and Providence each had six. The 20 current or committed college players taken during Saturday’s fourth round were an all-time record, toppling the 19 chosen in Friday’s first

round: NCAA-Affiliated Picks by Round 1st round: 19 2nd round: 16 3rd round: 12 4th round: 20 5th round: 14 6th round: 13 7th round: 15 Also of note: The 2026 NCAA selections included 59 forwards, 40 defensemen and 10 goalies. The geographic breakdown of those players featured 51 from the United States, 39 from Canada, five from Russia, three from both Czechia and Finland, two from Latvia, and one each from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Norway, Slovakia and Sweden. Most of the NCAA-affiliated players drafted in 2026 will be incoming

freshmen during either the 2026-27 or 2027-28 seasons. However, 11 players who played college hockey last season were selected: Dartmouth D Cooper Cleaves (MTL), Western Michigan F Bobby Cowan (NYI), Boston College F Oscar Hemming (CBJ), Arizona State F Lincoln Kuehne (NYI), Boston University F Tynan Lawrence (STL), Penn State F Gavin McKenna (TOR), Miami F Ilia Morozov (BUF), UMass D Landon Nycz (STL), Providence G John Parsons (WPG), Michigan F Adam Valentini (UTA), and North Dakota D Keaton Verhoeff (SJS). Thirty-one of the NHL’s 32 franchises drafted at least one current or committed NCAA player. Anaheim and Vegas had the most with six each, followed by Colorado (five), San Jose (five), Seattle (five), Toronto (five) and Vancouver (five).

53 Americans taken by NHL clubs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – A total of 53 Americans were selected in the 2026 NHL Draft at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y., including 14 who played for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. The first round, which was held yesterday (June 26), saw five Americans selected. Chase Reid (Chesterfield, Mich.) was the first American off the board when the Seattle Kraken selected him 7th overall. Wyatt Cullen (Moorhead, Minn.) was the second American selected, and the first from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, when he was picked 10th overall by the Nashville Predators. JP Hurlbert (Allen, Texas) was the next American taken when the Detroit Red Wings picked him 23rd overall. The Calgary Flames took Jack Hextall (Rolling Meadows, Ill.) 30th overall, and one pick later Tommy Bleyl (Schenectady, N.Y.) went to Nashville with the 31st pick. Five Americans were taken in the second round. The Vancouver Canucks kicked off the second day of the Draft by selecting Brooks Rogowski (Brighton, Mich.) with the 33rd overall pick. Casey Mutryn (Norwell, Mass.) was taken 38th overall by the Seattle Kraken, followed by Jayden Kurtz(Rogers, Minn.), who went 45th overall to the Anaheim Ducks. The Detroit Red Wings took Victor Plante (Hermantown, Minn.) 47th overall, and Timofei Runtso (Marina del Rey, Calif.) was picked 57th overall by the Montreal Canadiens. Six Americans were selected in the third round and 10 were picked in round four. Round five saw seven Americans chosen, with nine taken in round six and 11 in the seventh to round out the draft. NOTES: A total of 23 American draft picks played the 2025-26 season in the USHL, America’s Tier I junior hockey league … American players drafted represent 16 different states, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington… Nine players who were full-time members of USA Hockey’s NTDP this season were selected.

Name Chase Reid Wyatt Cullen JP Hurlbert Jack Hextall Thomas Bleyl Brooks Rogowski Casey Mutryn Jayden Kurtz Victor Plante Timofei Runtso Luke Schairer Blake Zielinski Rian Chudzinski Benjamin Wilmott Cooper Cleaves Sean Burick Jonas Kemps Tyus Sparks Michael Berchild Landon Nycz Lincoln Kuehne Zach Wooten Justin Graf Evan Jardine Ryder Fetterolf Brady Knowling KJ Sauer Nick Bogas Cole Tuminaro Brian McFadden Luken Huff Teddy Lechner Cooper Soller Darian Anderson Bode Laylin Landon Hafele Brody Pepoy Luke Wilfley Jake Gustafson Caden Harvey Parker Trottier Matthew Minchak Myles Brosnan Noa Ta’amu Charlie Puglisi William Tomko Bobby Cowen Logan Stuart Jimmy Rieber Ryan Cameron Cullen McCrate John Parsons Quinn McKenzie

Round (Pick) 1 (7) 1 (10) 1 (23) 1 (30) 1 (31) 2 (33) 2 (38) 2 (45) 2 (47) 2 (57) 3 (75) 3 (80) 3 (82) 3 (92) 3 (93) 3 (95) 4 (98) 4 (101) 4 (105) 4 (107) 4 (109) 4 (116) 4 (118) 4 (121) 4 (125) 4 (127) 5 (136) 5 (139) 5 (140) 5 (144) 5 (148) 5 (152) 5 (154) 6 (163) 6 (164) 6 (167) 6 (169) 6 (172) 6 (174) 6 (180) 6 (189) 6 (191) 7 (196) 7 (199) 7 (202) 7 (204) 7 (205) 7 (208) 7 (210) 7 (212) 7 (216) 7 (220) 7 (222)

Americans Taken in 2026 NHL Draft

NHL Club Seattle Kraken Nashville Predators Detroit Red Wings Calgary Flames Nashville Predators Vancouver Canucks Seattle Kraken Anaheim Ducks Detroit Red Wings Montreal Canadiens St. Louis Blues Los Angeles Kings Anaheim Ducks Vegas Golden Knights Montreal Canadiens Vegas Golden Knights Florida Panthers Washington Capitals Carolina Hurricanes St. Louis Blues New York Islanders Winnipeg Jets Nashville Predators Columbus Blus Jackets Carolina Hurricanes San Jose Sharks Philadelphia Flyers St. Louis Blues Colorado Avalanche Washington Capitals Seattle Kraken Colorado Avalanche Tampa Bay Lightning New York Rangers Calgary Flames Winnipeg Jets Toronto Maple Leafs New Jersey Devils San Jose Sharks Edmonton Oilers Montreal Canadiens Vegas Golden Knights Detroit Red Wings Winnipeg Jets Nashville Predators Seattle Kraken New York Islanders Washington Capitals Anaheim Ducks Edmonton Oilers Boston Bruins Winnipeg Jets New Jersey Devils

Hometown Chesterfield, Mich. Moorehead, Minn. Allen, Texas Rolling Meadows, Ill. Schenectady, N.Y. Brighton, Mich. Norwell, Mass. Rogers, Minn. Hermantown, Minn. Marina del Rey, Calif. Charlotte, N.C. Berlin, N.J. Needham, Mass. Seattle, Wash. Riverside, Conn. San Clemente, Calif. Sebastopol, Calif. Meridian, Idaho Minnetonka, Minn. Detroit, Mich. Fargo, N.D. Apple Valley, Minn. Boston, Mass. Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Pittsburgh, Pa. Chicago, Ill. Andover, Minn. Royal Oak, Mich. South Beloit, Ill. Holbrook, Mass. Mazama, Wash. Bloomington, Minn. Los Angeles, Calif. Brighton, Mich. St. Michael, Minn. Fairbanks, Alaska Troy, Mich. Denver, Colo. San Jose, Calif. Beaver, Pa. Edina, Minn. Cranford, N.J. Winchester, Mass. San Diego, Calif. Lathan, N.Y. McMurray, Pa. Edina, Minn. Manhattan Beach, Calif. Woodbury, Minn. Berwyn, Pa. Adrian, Mich. Courtland, N.Y. Cranberry Township, Pa.

2025-26 Team (League) Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) USA Hockey National Team Development Program Kamloops Blazers (WHL) Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) Oshawa Generals (OHL) USA Hockey National Team Development Program Rogers High School (USHS) USA Hockey National Team Development Program Victoria Royals (WHL) USA Hockey National Team Development Program Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) Barrie Colts (OHL) Dartmouth College (ECAC Hockey) Penticton Vees (WHL) Chicago Steel (USHL) Spokane Chiefs (WHL) USA Hockey National Team Development Program University of Massachusetts (HEA) Arizona State University (NCHC) Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) Ottawa 67’s (OHL) USA Hockey National Team Development Program Andover High School (USHS) USA Hockey National Team Development Program Chicago Steel (USHL) Thayer Academy (USHS – Prep) Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) Academy of Holy Angels (USHS) Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) Flint Firebirds (OHL) Tri-City Storm (USHL) Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) Saginaw Spirit (OHL) Portland Winterhawks (WHL) Portland Winterhawks (WHL) Windsor Spitfires (OHL) USA Hockey National Team Development Program Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) Dexter Southfield School (USHS – Prep) Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) The Winchendon School (USHS – Prep) Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) Western Michigan University (NCHC) USA Hockey National Team Development Program Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) Fargo Force (USHL) Providence College (HEA) Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

MARCH 12-13, 2027 St. Paul RiverCentre

22 July/August 2026

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Wild go big in NHL Draft Minnesota grabs two big forwards, extra-large goalie

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Wild selected three players during the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft, hosted in Buffalo, N.Y. Minnesota selected two forwards and one goaltender, including one Swede, one Canadian and one Czech. The Wild began by selecting center Adam Andersson in the third round (No. 83 overall) after acquiring the selection from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a third-round selection (No. 89 overall) and a fifth-round selection (No. 153 overall) in the 2026 NHL Draft. Andersson, 17 (7/2/2008), recorded 17 points (3-14=17) in 30 games with Leksands IF of the Swedish Under-20 league last season. The 6-foot-4, 218-pound native of Stockholm also tallied four points (1-3=4) in seven games while helping Sweden win a gold medal at the 2026 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, ranking second among tournament skaters with 61 face offs won. “Adam is a big centerman with strong work ethic,” said Wild Director of European Scouting Ricard Persson.

“He is heavy and hard to play against. Relentless worker that understands the game both offensively and defensively.” Minnesota selected forward Kayden Lemire in the fourth round (No. 112 overall) after acquiring the selection from the Columbus Blue

Jackets in exchange for a fourth-round selection (No. 121 overall) and sixthround selection (No. 185 overall) in the 2026 NHL Draft. Lemire, 18 (1/27/08), tallied 29 points (9-20=29) in 68 games for the Prince George Cougars in the Western Hockey League (WHL) this season. The 6-foot-4, 187-pound native

of Edmonton, Alberta, also posted four points (1-3=4) in 12 games during the 2026 WHL playoffs. “Kayden is a big power forward that plays a heavy game,” said Wild Scout Patrick Baum. “He moves well and provides a good net front presence. Operates well below the dots and behind the net.” The Wild selected goaltender Filip Ruzicka in the fifth round (No. 137 overall). Ruzicka, 18 (3/24/08), played in 42 games for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL last season, compiling a 26-14-1 record, 3.19 goals-against average (GAA) and two shutouts while ranking T-7th in the WHL with a .906 save percentage (SV%). The 6-foot-8, 229-pound native of Trinec, Czechia, also started four games in the 2026 WHL playoffs for Brandon, recording a 2.47 GAA and .936 SV%. “Filip is an extra-large goalie with athletic abilities,” said Wild Goaltending Coach Frederic Chabot. “He has good hands for a guy that big and had a nice progression last season after taking over the #1 job in Brandon.”

Da Beauty League’s farewell season celebrates hockey, community and charity The beloved summer league returns for its farewell season, combining elite talent, family-friendly hockey and support for local charities.

by ROBERT BRENT

Let’s Play Hockey Contributor

Since 2015, Da Beauty League has featured a summer slate of hockey games featuring professional, junior and collegiate players. The most recent season kicked off last Wednesday, July 15th, once again emanating from Edina’s Braemar Arena. While Da Beauty League has been a staple of the Twin Cities community since its inception, the summer 2026 season will be its last. The high-end scrimmage league has always been a highlight of the summer hockey slate. The league features a fan and family-friendly atmosphere. The players, many of whom are local to Minnesota, sign autographs for young fans, the tickets are reasonable and the unique 4-on-4 format lends itself to creative plays. Da Beauty League has also gained popularity for the level of talent they bring in each year. NHL stars like Jake Guentzel, Brock Boeser, Dustin Byfuglien, Jimmy Snuggerud and Brock Nelson have all taken the ice at Braemar Arena. For the last few seasons, the league has also featured top talent in women’s hockey. The women’s rosters include PWHL players and star college athletes. The combination of talent and community-driven atmosphere allows fans and families to see current and future star talents sharpen their skills in a local and intimate environment. Despite its popularity, the league is a difficult project to keep up with. Between the massive amount of volunteers needed and the demanding schedule of professional athletes, the summer scrimmage league is no longer sustainable. Ben Hankinson, player agent and Da Beauty League co-founder, spoke to the Pioneer Press about the league’s closure at the end of the 2026 season. “It’s kind of bittersweet. It’s been a great run and we’re gonna miss it,” The league may be coming to a close, but fans still have time to take in some games in Edina. Every Wednesday from now until

PHOTO BY ROBERT BRENT/LET’S PLAY HOCKEY

Da Beauty League is in their final summer, providin g fans with the pleasure of watching some of the game’s best players perform. Above, former Wild player Freddy Gaudreau waves to fans during the season’s opening night. the finals on August 19th, a three-game slate will take place at Braemar Arena. Games kick off at 5:00pm. The three games each night include two contests in the men’s division and one in the women’s division. The first night of action featured several notable players taking the ice. Former Gopher Jimmy Snuggerud, along with former Minnesota Wild players Freddy Gaudreau and Travis Boyd, was among the most noteworthy. Snuggerud scored multiple goals

for team TRIA and was particularly popular with fans after a standout career in the maroon and gold. If the crowd was any indication, Da Beauty League will be missed by many. The stands of Braemar Arena were mostly full for the first week’s matchups. Strong ticket sales also support another great aspect of the league. Proceeds from attendance directly benefit crucial causes for local Minnesota Charities. This year, Da Beauty League is

partnering with several local charities. This year’s partners include the United Heroes League, the Hendrickson Foundation, the Herb Brooks Foundation and Shine a Ligh7. The first night is in the books, but fans still have several opportunities to celebrate a Minnesota staple in their final season. It’s well worth the time to see local stars in an intimate setting for a reasonable price while supporting great charities.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHLEY BLANCHARD, WMU PHOTOGRAPHY

Josh Passolt played high school hockey in Minnesota and went on to win an Extraliga Championship in Slovakia.

From Minnesota to Euro champion Passolt helped HK Nitra capture Slovakian Extraliga Championship by ROBERT BRENT

Let’s Play Hockey Contributor

Hockey culture can often treat success in the sport as a linear path. Young players compete in high school or junior leagues, go on to college or are drafted, and then play in one of the many North American professional leagues as they try to break through to the top level. While that is one way a player can succeed, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all path. There are several opportunities to carve out a successful future in hockey. For one local example, look no further than Josh Passolt, who recently won the Slovakian Extraliga Championship after deciding to leave North America to play in Europe. Passolt is a Hayward, Wis., native who began his career playing high school hockey in Minnesota with St. Louis Park and Maple Grove. After his high school days, the forward skated for the Western Michigan Broncos in the NCAA. While in Kalamazoo, Passolt was an alternate captain for his final two seasons and scored 108 points in 166 games. Passolt’s time with Western Michigan coincided with the early days of the team’s rise to national prominence. The Broncos went 15-19-2 during Passolt’s first season with the team. By the end of his tenure, they improved to 26-12-1. Passolt still looks at his time in Kalamazoo as formative for his career. “I cannot express enough how much I enjoyed my time at Western Michigan. I have so many great memories and friendships from my years in Kalamazoo,” Passolt said. “To see the level that Pat Ferschweiler and the staff have been able to take that program to makes me so proud to be a Bronco.” After his standout NCAA career, Passolt went pro and started his career with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. From 2021-22 through 2023-24, the Wisconsin-born forward appeared in some games with the AHL, but mostly got opportunities in the ECHL,

scoring 98 points in 136 games. After establishing himself as one of the ECHL’s top scorers, Passolt began exploring opportunities in Europe. He says the chance to climb professionally and compete at a higher level was key to the decision. “For me, the decision was about trying to play at the highest level possible, whether it be in North America or Europe. While I was able to get some time in the American League, which I enjoyed thoroughly, the opportunity to stick there didn’t happen,” Passolt said. “If I wanted to continue to play while being able to maintain the lifestyle my wife and I enjoy living, then seeking opportunity in European leagues was the way to do it.” Passolt found that opportunity, first with Pioneers Vorarlberg of the ICEHL in Austria. The forward was immediately effective, scoring 45 points in 47 games with the team during the 202425 season. Passolt finished that season with HK Nitra in the Slovakian League. He also made an immediate impact in a deep postseason run. Passolt led the Slovakian League playoffs with 10 goals and 19 points in 20 games. Unfortunately, the team’s run ended in the championship, where they lost to HC Košice. Despite the loss, Passolt’s immediate success in the European ranks highlighted his ability to be an impact player. The forward says a good mind-

set and quickly taking to his time in the region has been key to making the transition successful. “The transition overseas has actually been a lot easier than I anticipated. I think if you have the right mindset and patience, you can adapt rather quickly,” Passolt said. “The people are very patient and understanding. Undeniably, the language barrier can be difficult at times, but in our two years over here, we have found it very manageable.” Of course, the culture isn’t the only way European hockey differs from its North American counterpart. Due to differing playstyles and ice sizes, the game looks a little different overall. In a conversation, Passolt outlined some key differences a spectator would notice in European hockey. “The biggest difference between North American and European style is the idea of puck possession. In Europe, you rarely see dump-ins due to the larger size of the ice surface. They encourage puck possession and carrying the puck into the zone,” Passolt said. “There’s also a lot more controlled breakouts because of this. Another way the game differs is how offense is created. Teams will skate around the perimeter and set up their attacks versus trying to score off the rush.” Passolt clearly doesn’t mind the differences in play, as he went on to another standout season with HK Nitra in 2025-26. Passolt scored 41 points in 54 regular-season games before once again

starring in the playoffs. In the 2025-26 postseason run, he put up 14 points in 19 games. Passolt says that raising his game for playoff runs is something he takes pride in as a competitor. “Absolutely, I do. The playoffs are the highest level of competition in our game and bring out the best in me. The energy, intensity, and pressure are on another level, and it truly is the best time of the season.” Passolt’s strong play was a key to HK Nitra capturing the Slovakian Extraliga Championship. The playoff run was a rollercoaster, including defeating HC Slovan Bratislava in the finals. HK Nitra fell behind 3-1 in the series but stormed back to tie the series with victories in game five and six. Game seven went to overtime with a 3-3 deadlock before HK Nitra scored the game-winning goal to win the championship. Passolt was on the ice when Tomáš Chrenko scored the championship-winning tally. “This is my first championship at any level, and being able to win in overtime of game seven is such a shocking and incredible rush of emotions. I was on the ice for the game-winning goal and watched the puck go right by me into the net,” Passolt said. “You almost don’t believe what just happened, and that you’re a champion. It’s truly incredible and hard to describe. The memories I have of celebrating on the ice and in the locker room are ones that I will never forget.“ For Passolt, the championship victory was another example of how the choice to play professional hockey in Europe paid off. While the title is an immense achievement, Passolt says he’s still focused on achieving even greater things. “The drive to play in the best leagues is what pushes me today. Realistically, I believe getting to the top European Leagues is what that would look like.” Whether it’s being back with HK Nitra or somewhere else, Passolt’s next move is sure to be one that further exemplifies the success a player can have when taking a risk.

24 July/August 2026

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Are coaches endangered? Have we swung to far in the other direction?

by DAN BAUER

Let’s Play Hockey Contributor

Why do we always need to swing the pendulum so far in one direction? Why do we always think there must be a better way and continue to take a wrecking ball to the “old school” methods that served us so well? Before you rudely cut me off and interrupt me like I am a conservative panelist on CNN, or a liberal on Fox News, let me explain. I am not suggesting we return to the days of Woody Hayes grabbing a player by the facemask or Bobby Knight tossing chairs across the gymnasium. I am not advocating for a return to team hazing initiations, denying water during the heat of summer workout or berating players publicly. That is simply swinging the pendulum too far back in the opposite direction. I am simply imploring that we allow coaches to coach and not cuddle up to the popular methods of gentile parenting. This style of raising children hasn’t aged well and the fruits of it are soft and entitled young adults who are completely unprepared for life’s impending challenges. Coaching heads continue to roll from the vindictive parental guillotine that won’t hold their own kids accountable but has no issues with slandering and berating coaches. From high school down into the jungle of youth sports, coaches who are doing their job are being pushed out or voluntarily stepping away from the toxicity of these Jekyll and Hyde parents. Mirroring a current cultural theme, it is the minority that are making the most noise. I will maintain that most parents understand the role of coaches and the job we expect them to do. They do not always agree with everything but have the intelligence and restraint to allow their kids to be coached. For those parents, I will continue to beat this drum, that your restraint should be shelved when it comes time to support your coach. Manipulating words and their meaning, another new and annoying fad, seems to be trying to redefine coaching. If a coach can’t sit a player for a shift when they repeatedly make the same mistake that has been pointed out

to them, without emotionally crippling the player and igniting a parent firestorm, then you don’t need a coach, you need a cheerleader who will jump up and down regardless of the situation. When a player crosses the line and argues with an official, or throws a fit because of a call, and the coach can’t calmly reprimand the player without a hostile response from the player and the parents, then you don’t need a coach, you need a fun-loving babysitter who doesn’t really want to discipline anybody. If the shift totals and ice time minutes don’t meet the player and the parent’s expectations, and the body language response is pouting or anger and the coach gets a call, email or text from the parents, then you don’t need a coach, you need a kindergarten teacher to make sure everything is fair. Don’t sign your kids up for a sport if neither of you are capable of handling criticism or coping with adversity or failure. Good kids, that are coachable, are a product of good parenting and, well, you can figure out the other half of that statement. If you want your player to learn anything from this experience, you will need to learn to get in the back seat, close your mouth and let your athlete drive. This is after all their journey, not yours. Soft parenting is based on warmth and comfort. Athletics is full of cold, hard truths, conflict, competition, structure and challenging yourself to escape your warm comfort zone. If you as a

parent are incapable of pushing your child and holding them accountable, that is your choice, but expecting a coach to do the same is ridiculous. If you make life for your kids a never-ending rainbow of delight, without rules or expectations and without trial and failure, life on their own will be a thunderstorm of challenges they are unprepared to handle. Life will soak them, because you didn’t allow them to create their own umbrella. Athletics guided by competent coaches who are allowed to coach your kids, and not just be a hall monitor or overprotective expectant mother, will provide an experience that prepares them for the inevitable hardships life brings. They will learn that nothing great comes without hard work and that attitude, perseverance and decision making will determine who they ultimately become and what they can accomplish. Wisconsin’s current high school coaches body count is at an even dozen. That calculates into the same 11% reduction you can get at Menards. And that number will likely grow before next Nov. 9. I know of at least one other coach that survived an unwarranted parent ambush. Admittedly, I do not know the circumstances in every one of these changes, but I know quite a bit about many of them. Often these dismissals are about playing time or a lack of wins, but no administrator will ever openly admit the latter. Or they run out the same tired clichés like, we need a

change in direction or a new voice. Good coaches all bring the same voice because there is no secret sauce to success. They just package it differently. Ice time will still be earned, discipline required, effort and compete rewarded, decisions assessed and selfishness intolerable. I have had coaches tell me that their administration personnel never made it out to a game, but they magically have the data to support making a change. Some are given a pink slip without warning, no in season communication of a problem, no meetings, just a gentle push out the door. That is administrative incompetence and dismissal of the wrong person. Parent and player surveys are a popular evaluation tool used today, but instead of being used as discretional feedback for improvement, their comments are viewed as gospel and lead to the execution of good coaches. When it comes to evaluating coaches, we have lost our way – we have forgotten what their job really encompasses. I can safely say that no competent coach will ever make every player and parent happy throughout an entire season. The unrealistic expectations that exist today make that impossible. There will always be parents who want the coach gone – every season. I will never defend unethical, toxic coaches that have no business blowing a whistle. I will, however, defend honest, competent, passionate, character-building coaches who are just doing their job until my last breath. It’s that important to me. That takes us up to date where coaching turnover is at an all-time high. Programs continue to cater to those disgruntled parents and believe that the next coach will be different. That revolving door of coaches is the quicksand that sinks programs into mediocrity and puts good coaches on the shelf. We have created a shortage of officials because of similar behaviors, and if we don’t reverse this trend soon, coaches will become the modern-day dinosaurs. Dan Bauer is a freelance writer, retired teacher and hockey coach in Wausau, Wis. You can contact him at drbauer13@gmail.com

Christian continued from Page 5_____________________________________________ And you are having fun. The main goal of hockey is just to have fun. Growing up in Elk River I would go to the rink every single day, skate with my best friends and play the game that I love. And I mean, HP programs are the same way. You go in, and I was fortunate enough to have people, or my best friends who were also good enough to make the program, so I’d go with them and then we’d go meet other people. So, the amount of people I’ve met at HP Programs is cool. It’s really cool to have a connection with everybody. Minnesota Hockey: 10 Minnesotans were selected in the PWHL Draft. Michigan, Massachusetts and Connecticut were in second place with three draftees each. What does that say about Minnesota’s community hockey model? Christian: Wow, it says so much. It’s the State of Hockey. It’s right there in the name. I feel as if people who grow up here know that it’s bigger than yourself. It’s a community and you get to know people. There’s a lot of great hockey players here, but it also helps having a great atmosphere to help push you to the

“The main goal of hockey is just to have fun. Growing up in Elk River I would go to the rink every single day, skate with my best friends and play the game that I love.”

next level. And I feel like that is what Minnesota is all about is community and having people come back to Minnesota and help grow the youth programs and get them to the next level. People want to see the younger generation succeed. I can’t speak for other states, but Minnesota has it everywhere because everybody wants everybody to succeed. So, I think that’s kind of a benefit of it. Minnesota Hockey: Along with that, there’s the community owned rinks throughout the entire state. Christian: Correct. That’s the other thing, we have a lot of resources. And resources help. You have a rink in everybody’s backyard. I mean, I drove five minutes to the rink every morning. And I can’t say girls in other states are doing

the same thing. So that’s another benefit of it. But yeah, it helps to have a lot of resources and a lot of coaches help you. Minnesota Hockey: What’s it like having a community like Elk River support your rink and the renovations to it as well? Christian: It was so cool. We did renovations when I was a freshman/ sophomore. The people want to have this community center. It’s a rink, but it’s a community center for the older generation. My mom’s office is there too. You have Two Brothers Hockey in there, which is this huge training program in Elk River, they train all the hockey players and other sports as well. So, I think that was huge for the growth of Elk River. And people can get better

- Maddy Christian

just in their backyard. Minnesota Hockey: What are some of the other favorite Minnesota barns you like to play in? Christian: Ooo, you know what? When I think of HP I think of Heritage (Essentia Duluth Heritage Center). I think Heritage is so cool. Up in Duluth, it’s got this old vibe feel to it. That’s a fun one. That’s a great question. I would say… I’ve got to think about this. Andover is a fun one to play in only because we’re rivals – and I hate losing in that rink, I mean Blaine, the Super Rink, I grew up there. Fogerty’s a fun one. I had so many Elite League games there, HP games and that’s the place to go. It’s a place of a lot of memories, and I think that’s why it’s one of my favorites. I

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July/August 2026

League aims to move West Arizona, California, Nevada tipped as potential landing spots for new clubs

In continuance of the National Hockey League (NHL) and USA Hockey’s expanded collaboration supporting advancement of the Tier I junior hockey development pathway in the United States, the United States Hockey League (USHL) and a group of stakeholders have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish member clubs in Arizona, California, and Nevada. “This expansion is about more than adding teams. It is about expanding opportunity,” said USHL President and Commissioner, Glenn Hefferan. “Together with the NHL and USA Hockey, we have committed ourselves to creating the world’s premier environment for player development. Bringing the USHL to the western United States allows more players and families to access that experience while further strengthening a pathway that prepares young athletes for success in hockey, in the classroom, and in life.” The USHL’s western expansion will continue to provide exposure and access to its development path. Twenty-one players on the 2026 U.S. Olympic men’s hockey gold-medal-winning team played in the USHL, including

California native Auston Matthews (NTDP/Toronto Maple Leafs), Jake Guentzel (Sioux City Musketeers/ Omaha/Tampa Bay Lightning), and Jaccob Slavin (Chicago Steel/Colorado College/Carolina Hurricanes). Other notable USHL alumni in the NHL include Arizona natives Matthew Knies (Tri-City Storm/Minnesota/Toronto Maple Leafs) and Josh Doan (Chicago Steel/Arizona State/Buffalo Sabres), as well as California native Devin Cooley (Muskegon Lumberjacks/Denver/Calgary Flames). “We couldn’t be more excited about the expansion into the West of the USHL. This has been a group effort by multiple parties all with the shared goal of combining our influence to ultimately grow the game of hockey,” said Los Angeles Kings President, Luc Robitaille. “I want to commend Tom Garrity and Ben Robert for their vision and perseverance as well as thank our NHL team partners in Anaheim and San Jose. Similar to the success we saw with American Hockey League (AHL) expansion almost a decade ago, this will create a whole new competitive layer to the western region that will allow junior level players to develop and compete

closer to home.” Comprised of sixteen member clubs across Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, the USHL is the only Tier-I junior hockey league in the United States. The Madison Capitols were the last expansion team, joining the League in 2014. “The continued growth and evolution of the USHL is exciting for the future of our game,” said Pat Kelleher, Executive Director of USA Hockey. “Working collaboratively with our many stakeholders, we believe creating additional opportunities for young players to develop and compete through an expanded footprint will benefit athletes, communities, and the sport as a whole.” “We are grateful for the leadership and support of Los Angeles Kings President Luc Robitaille, whose vision and commitment to growing the game helped make this opportunity possible,” said Hefferan. “We also want to recognize Tom Garrity and Ben Robert for their persistence, dedication, and belief in what this expansion can mean for young players and the future of hockey in the West. We are thrilled to welcome new communities into the USHL family

and excited about what this means for the future of our sport.” The United States Hockey League (USHL) and its 16 teams are committed to being the world’s leading junior hockey league. This season, more than 50% of NCAA Division I men’s hockey players and nearly 25% of NHL players have USHL experience. The USHL has developed more than 285 direct NHL Draft picks since 2020, and nine of the last 10 Hobey Baker Award winners, including Macklin Celebrini (Chicago Steel). Elevated through the recently announced Declaration of Excellence with the NHL and USA Hockey, the league’s player-first approach, including a 2:1 practice-to-game ratio and a schedule with 90% of games played on weekends, provides its players with the optimal environment for athletic and personal growth, creating pathways for the next generation of stars like Auston Matthews (NTDP), Kyle Connor (Youngstown Phantoms), Jeremy Swayman (Sioux Falls Stampede), and Johnny Gaudreau (Dubuque Fighting Saints).

Hall of Famers among new owner groups Robitaille, Sakic, Selänne part of league’s westward expnasion

Backed by Hockey Hall of Famers Luc Robitaille, Joe Sakic, and Teemu Selänne, the United States Hockey League (USHL) has announced the six West Coast markets targeted to launch teams by the 2027-28 season, along with the accompanying partners committed to expanding access to the Tier-I American development path. “We are excited to have received tremendous interest from potential owners upon announcing our plans to expand to the West Coast,” said Glenn Hefferan, USHL President and Commissioner. “Expanding to that part of the country is essential to our role in serving the NHL, NCAA, and USA Hockey, which is to develop elite hockey players by providing them with the resources to be the best versions of themselves, on and off the ice. We are thankful to Luc Robitaille, Tom Garrity, Ben Robert, the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks for their support of a process that will provide more opportunities for players in the U.S.” Before serving as President of the Kings and helping lead the USHL’s West Coast expansion, Robitaille played 19 years in the NHL, primarily with Los Angeles, and was an eighttime NHL All-Star. Sakic played his entire 20-year NHL career with the Avalanche organization as a 12-time NHL All-Star and two-time Stanley Cup champion. Since retiring, he has worked in Colorado’s front office, where he won another Cup and currently serves as the team’s President of Hockey Operations and General Manager. Selänne played 21 seasons in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets, Ducks, Sharks and Avalanche. He won a Stanley Cup with the Ducks and was a 10-time NHL All-Star. Teemu’s son, Eetu, played two seasons for the Madison Capitols from 2015-17 before an NCAA career.

“Not only will this expansion increase accessibility and visibility for kids on the West Coast, but it will also expand the opportunity for those looking to play NCAA and professional hockey across the U.S.,” said Selänne. “As a former USHL parent, I understand the value the League provides its players and am excited to be part of demonstrating how its approach to safety, education, and on-ice development is optimized for players to progress at their own pace.” Incoming owners are scheduled to meet with League personnel in July to determine the necessary items for a 2027-28 launch, including venues, leases, and team branding. “Taking the USHL west will help the growth of hockey and competition at all levels, from youth through professional. Junior hockey represents a critical juncture in a young player’s development,” said Sakic. “The League’s model, which mirrors college hockey’s practice-to-game ratio and balance of games on the weekends, creates an atmosphere where players are preparing for the next step in their personal and professional careers, often in the NCAA, and where scouts can watch prospects’ development over a longer timeline. We are excited for the next steps that will draw the USHL closer to the western states by 2027.” The USHL’s western expansion will continue to provide access and exposure to its development path that has recently resulted in international success. “We couldn’t be more excited about the expansion into the West of the USHL. This has been a collaborative effort between an influential group of partners all sharing the same vision of growing the game of hockey,” said Robitaille. “Each of these new markets has stepped up and is committed to the overall vision. Ultimately, this

Round Pick 1 10 1 11 1 20 1 30 2 38 2 42 2 45 2 47 2 58 3 71 3 75 3 80 3 93 3 96 4 98 4 105 4 107 4 109 4 115 4 116 4 118 4 121 4 127 5 129 5 139 5 140 5 148 5 152 5 154 6 164 6 167 6 170 6 189 7 204 7 205 7 208 7 210 7 211 7 212 7 216 7 220 7 221 7 224

USHL Players Taken in NHL Draft

Player NHL Team Wyatt Cullen Nashville Predators Tynan Lawrence* St. Louis Blues Ilia Morosov* Buffalo Sabres Jack Hextall Calgary Flames Casey Mutryn Seattle Kraken Tobias Trejbal Calgary Flames Jayden Kurtz Anaheim Ducks Victor Plante Detroit Red Wings Rudolfs Berzkalns Edmonton Oilers Samuel Hrenak^ Winnipeg Jets Luke Schairer St. Louis Blues Blake Zielinski Los Angeles Kings Cooper Cleaves* Montreal Canadiens Adam Valentini* Utah Mammoth Jonas Kemps Florida Panthers Mikey Berchild Carolina Hurricanes Landon Nycz* St. Louis Blues Lincoln Kuehne* New York Islanders Carl Axelsson Utah Mammoth Zach Wooten Winnipeg Jets Justin Graf Nashville Predators Evan Jardine Col Blue Jackets Brady Knowling San Jose Sharks Connor Davis Vancouver Canucks Nick Bogas St. Louis Blues Cole Tuminaro Colorado Avalanche Hawke Huff Seattle Kraken Teddy Lecnher Colorado Avalanche Cooper Soller TB Lightning Bode Laylin Calgary Flames Landon Hafele Winnipeg Jets Leo Henriquez Boston Bruins Parker Trottier Montreal Canadiens Will Tomko Seattle Kraken Bobby Cowan* New York Islanders Logan Stuart Washington Capitals Jimmy Rieber Anaheim Ducks Artem Prima Utah Mammoth Ryan Cameron Edmonton Oilers Cullen McCrate Boston Bruins Jack Parsons* Winnipeg Jets Jean-Samuel Daigneault Montreal Canadien Tyler Deakos Montreal Canadiens

will contribute huge benefits to Tier-I players and will only enhance the aspirations of players everywhere.” Comprised of sixteen member clubs across Illinois, Iowa, Michigan,

2025-26 Team NTDP Boston University Miami Youngstown Phantoms NTDP Youngstown Phantoms Chicago Steel NTDP Muskegon Lumberjacks Fargo Force NTDP Des Moines Buccaneers Dartmouth Michigan Chicago Steel NTDP UMass Arizona State Muskegon Lumberjacks Green Bay Gamblers Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Youngstown Phantoms NTDP Cedar Rapids RoughRiders NTDP Chicago Steel Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Muskegon Lumberjacks Sioux Falls Stampede Tri-City Storm Green Bay Gamblers Green Bay Gamblers NTDP Sioux City Musketeers Western Michigan NTDP Waterloo Black Hawks Omaha Lancers Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Fargo Force Providence Muskegon Lumberjacks Waterloo Black Hawks

League USHL East NCHC USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL ECAC Big Ten USHL USHL East NCHC USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL NCHC USHL USHL USHL USHL USHL East USHL USHL

Pos F F F F F G F F F G D F D F D F D D G F F F G F D D D D F D F G F F F F D F G D G D F

Country USA CAN RUS USA USA USA USA USA LAT SVK USA USA USA CAN USA USA USA USA SWE USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA SVK USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA CAN CAN

Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, the USHL is the only Tier-I junior league in the United States. Madison was the last team to join the League in 2014.

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