To the surprise of many, the Minnesota Wild stayed within the state lines for their first pick of the 2023 NHL Draft and selected Rosemount’s Charlie Stramel with the 21st pick. The hulking center skated with the University of Wisconsin last year, putting up 5 goals and 7 assists in 33 games as a true freshman.
Stramel, who played youth hockey in the Rosemount Hockey Association and then furthered his hockey development at the National Team Development Program, gives the Wild a big presence up the middle for the future. Measuring in at 6’3 and weighing 220-pounds Stramel is built like a linebacker but possesses quick hands and a gladiator attitude on the ice.
While his 12 points last season did not pop off the stat page, Stramel played his freshman season as a young 18-year-old in the Big 10, something that is becoming rarer these days. He also played on a Badgers team that was in turmoil and simply was not very good, a difficult situation for a player trying to better his game.
The Wild struck when the stock was low, while the pick was a bit of a surprise, it could be a pleasant one when all is said and done.