Backchecking: Minnesota Hockey News & Notes
It’s been another busy week in the State of Hockey, and there’s plenty to catch up on, from college commitments to international tournaments, and even a few “what could have been” moments. Let’s get to it.
College Commitments
We’ll start with St. Paul’s own Luke Hause, who’s headed to Long Island University. Hause grinded his way through three full seasons in the NAHL with the Kenai River Brown Bears, wearing the “C” last year and racking up 28 points in 46 games while locking things down defensively. He’s a former US Select 15 invite and a Hill-Murray alum, and anyone who’s seen him knows he’s got a shutdown game built for the college level.
Then there’s Reese Shaw, a Coon Rapids native and former Gentry Academy standout, who’s off to Lake Superior State. The 2005-born forward had 15 points in 56 games with Des Moines in the USHL last season, showing off a dependable two-way game. LSSU’s getting a player who can be trusted in any situation.
Big Week for the Gophers, as they received commitments from Wyatt Cullen, Brooks Cullen, and Luca Jarvis
Trade Alert
Speaking of Luca Jarvis, the recent Gophers commit is on the move. The Stillwater native is heading to Tri-City in a trade that sends Minnesota Hockey Life Player of the Year Cooper Simpson to Youngstown. That’s a blockbuster swap involving two elite Minnesota talents who could both be NHL Draft picks down the line.
U17 Four Nations
Four Minnesotans….Brooks Demars, Gunnar Conboy, Becker Wenkus, and Ryland Rooney, pulled on the USA sweater at the U17 Four Nations Tournament in Plymouth, Michigan. The boys went 3–1, with their only loss coming in the championship game against Czechia, 5–3.
Hlinka Gretzky Cup
Here’s a head-scratcher: Minnesota’s only has three players to the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup…..Luke Puchner, Kaenan Smith, and Aidan Hesse. That’s it. With the depth of ‘08 talent in this state, I would have liked to see more.
WHL Movement
Keep an eye on Phoenix Cahill. He split last season between Cretin-Derham Hall and the Watertown Shamrocks (NAHL), and word is he’s heading to the WHL’s Prince George Cougars this year.
Bantam Elite League Leaders
Over in the Bantam Elite League, Jonny Girard (Woodbury) and Connor Kerfeld are tied at the top with 19 points apiece. Girard’s normally a defenseman but has been running wild up front this summer. Kerfeld’s been doing his thing, picking up right where he left off with Centennial Bantam AA last season.
What Could Have Been
And lastly……bittersweet seeing Joey Cullen’s Honeybaked jersey. Selfishly, it would’ve been a blast to watch him tear it up in Minnesota high school hockey.
Another week, another reminder that Minnesota’s hockey scene never stops moving.