I am very excited to announce the 2016-17 recruiting class. I feel that we had a great year on the recruiting trail and that we have made our team better with this class. I have to start with thanking Cory Thorson, assistant coach, for all of his hard work and time putting this class together.
When we go out recruiting and ask about players, we ask about three important things. We call them our three C’s: Character, Coachability and Competitiveness. We want players that are good people that want to get better and have that innate sense of competitiveness that you can’t coach.
We went into the season knowing that we were going to have a huge class to fill. Our top priority was to find a goalie to replace Saxton Soley. After that, we knew that we were going to have to replace three forwards and two defensemen that played significant minutes throughout the season. We also wanted to increase our size and toughness in this class. Finally, as mentioned earlier, we always look for character in all of our recruits and this was especially important since we are graduating three of our captains from last year.
With all that said, here are the new players for the 2017-18 season:
Goaltender:
Andrew Lindgren
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
MN High School Team: Eagan High School (2011-14)
Last Team Played On: Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL)
Andrew is an athletic goalie that played two full seasons in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He has played in big games throughout his hockey career, having played in the state tournament with Eagan High School (2013-14) and in the MN Elite League (Team Southeast). Andrew comes from a great hockey family with his older brother Charlie having played for St. Cloud State and now with the Montreal Canadiens (NHL), and his younger brother Ryan set to play for University of Minnesota next season and has been drafted by the Boston Bruins (NAHL). Andrew is a huge pick up for us and we can’t wait to see him in a Johnnie sweater competing for the starting spot between the pipes.
Defensemen:
Adam Orn
Hometown: Anoka, MN
MN High School Team: Anoka High School (2011-14)
Last Team Played On: North Iowa Bulls (NA3HL)
Adam has all three characteristics mentioned at the start of this blog. He has a tone of character and was really well-liked by all of his teammates and coaches. He was the captain of both his high school team and for the North Iowa Bulls this past year. His team won the 2015-16 NA3HL championship and won the regular season with a record of 42-2-3. He will bring a winning attitude and leadership characteristics to this team.
Austin Hingtgen
Hometown: Williston, ND
High School Team: Lake Forest Academy (2012-14)
Last Team Played On: Neepawa Natives (Manitoba Junior Hockey League - MJHL)
Austin is a big strong defensemen that has played at a lot of levels. He played at a great prep school outside of Chicago, played for Wichita Falls in the NAHL, and finally for the Neepawa Natives in the MJHL last season. Austin will bring toughness and competitiveness to our defensive corps.
Kyle Wagner
Hometown: St. Francis, MN
MN High School Team: St. Francis High School (2010-14)
Last Team Played On: MN Magicians (NAHL)
Kyle is an offensive defenseman partly because he was a forward prior to this past season. He transitioned into an offensive defensemen this past season for the Minnesota Magicians in the NAHL and flourished, putting up 19 points in 43 games in the NAHL. He has a big shot and can play all roles as a defenseman. He is still learning the position, but has a huge ceiling as to what he can accomplish with more work and time on the blue line. Kyle also played in the top prospects game in the NAHL, representing some of the top talent in the league.
Cole Souto
Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA
Midget AAA Team: LA Junior Kings (2012-14)
Last Team Played On: Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL)
Cole was our last addition to the recruiting class partly because he was still playing in May for his junior team in the NAHL Robertson Cup. We are very excited about Cole, as he was one of the top defensemen and a captain for one of the best teams in the NAHL (Bismarck Bobcats). He plays the game with an edge and is an all-around defensemen. His coaches could not say enough about his character and his work ethic. He brings all of the C’s that we are looking for in Character, Coachability and Competitiveness.
Forwards:
Matt Perry
Hometown: Lakeville, MN
MN High School Team: St. Thomas Academy (2010-13)
Last Team Played On: Air Force Academy (NCAA D1)
Junior Hockey Team: Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL)
Matt is a Division I transfer that I had been recruiting since high school. He has played on winning teams all his life, having played for St. Thomas Academy (MHSL) and the Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL). Last year, he was given the opportunity to play at the Air Force Academy at the NCAA Division I level. The situation didn’t work out and we are very fortunate to have him choose SJU for his new university. Matt will be a big centermen for us and has the ability to match up against top lines.
Evan Okeley
Hometown: Carmel, IN
Midget AAA Team: Indiana Jr Ice (2011-13)
Last Team Played On: Air Force Academy (NCAA D1)
Junior Hockey Team: Wichita Falls (NAHL)
You may notice Evan’s home town as it is identical to 2015-16 freshman Joe Chitwood. Evan and Joe were childhood friends and their relationship is a large reason for Evan choosing SJU. Evan played in 24 games last season for the Air Force Academy, but the lifestyle didn’t suit him and he decided to take another path. Evan is a big power-forward with a very large competitive side. Evan is going to bring us toughness and physicality. He is also ultra-competitive and has said that he is coming to SJU to win a national championship!
Brady Heppner
Hometown: Crookston, MN
MN High School Team: Crookston High School (2010-14)
Last Team Played On: MN Magicians (NAHL)
Brady is a bulldog on the ice and plays the game full throttle at all times. Brady played two seasons in the MN Elite League for Team Great Plains. Brady finished this past season playing for the Minnesota Magicians (NAHL) and was third on the team in scoring with 38 points. Brady plays the game with a lot of energy and creates a lot of chances with his work ethic. Brady is also a great penalty killer and will be able to help in all situations.
This rounds out the class of 2016-17 and once again we can’t say how excited we are to add them to this program. We ended the season last year playing really good hockey and with these additions, I expect that to continue.
