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Minnesota State 2025-26 Season: Get To Know 'Em

Well... wasn’t too worried, but we dodged having another head coach poached (I’m even less worried about St. Cloud).

Great win over the Tommies—love that they’re leaving the conference without a trophy. Now onto the tourney. Brutal regional, but cautiously optimistic. Obviously, it starts with getting another great game out of Tracy
 
Disappointing to drop one to Western again, but the silver lining is that Denver looks like an absolute buzzsaw again, so a trip to Vegas probably wasn’t in the cards. Now we get to hate watch everyone else who was here or was supposed to come here go for a title.

Sad to see Tracy, Wheeler, and Cichosz leave. They didn’t have the NCAA success of some other groups, but they deserve a ton of credit for keeping the program together during a time of chaos.

This is the best class of freshmen coming in a long time—hopefully they all make it to campus. As of now, defense and goaltending will be the biggest question marks. Hopefully, they’re able to add an experienced defenseman or two from the portal. Raiden LeGall has posted great numbers in the WHL, so hopefully he’s able to carry that over, hit the ground running as a freshman, and become our next stellar goalie who somehow never wins the Richter Award.
 
We had a good stretch of luck going from Dryden McKay to Alex Tracy, with a brief stint of Keenan Rancier (who was terrible). I am interested to see if Beckford will get the start or if they will go with someone new.
 
Murr all but officially Gophers bound. Wasn't really expecting him back, but kind of surprised he didn't find a pro deal. I'm ok with the losses, so far. Couple solid options out there that could help retool the defense, nab a veteran forward and you're in a good spot.
 
Mavs pick up:
Lassi Lehti (G), Alaska-Fairbanks, he had 25 games played with 2.49 GAA and .919 SV%
Sam Court (D), Arizona State, 6pts in 31 games
Will Skahan (D), Boston College, 1pt in 31 games.
 
Transfer from St Cloud State- Daimon Gardner. He had 2 goals and 2 assists in 26 games. He is 6’5”, so between him and Will Skahan we will have the Gage Towers reincarnated.
 
Aiden Grossklaus de-commits from Mankato and goes to St Thomas.

*sigh*

Just the future of the portal, 0 loyalty. He previously announced his commitment in 2023.

Whole situation reeks of the Tate Pritchard and Jack Kernan decommitments last summer.
 
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jwheeler001 said:
Aiden Grossklaus de-commits from Mankato and goes to St Thomas.

*sigh*

Just the future of the portal, 0 loyalty. He previously announced his commitment in 2023.

Whole situation reeks of the Tate Pritchard and Jack Kernan decommitments last summer.
Click to expand...

With the portal pickups plus the freshmen coming in, wondering if the staff wanted him to play another year of junior and the new NCAA age rule made him want to start next season. It's unfortuante, but kind of the nature of the beast right now. Getting Kraft and Kappell to campus is the bigger deal.
 
Luke Strand extended through the 2032-2033 season.

msumavericks.com

Strand, Mavericks Agree on Contract Extension - Minnesota State University - Mankato Athletics

MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State Director of Athletics Kevin Buisman has announced that the University has extended the contract of men's hockey coach, Luke Strand,
msumavericks.com msumavericks.com

In his first 3 years he posted a 68-30-14 record. Those numbers are comparable to Mike Hasting's first three years at Mankato where he went 79-36-7.

The current contract was for $340,000 annually. No details have been released on what the salary looks like going forward.
 
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Unfortunate to lose Ward, seemed like a great guy, but assuming it's not coming out of left field internally. Good opportunity to maybe bring in someone on the younger side of their career.
 
jwheeler001 said:
Chad Kolarik has been hired as the new associate head coach.
Click to expand...
I don't know much about him or heard about him until his hiring. Based on his experience and bio, I am not surprised. It just shows what kind of players Strand is bringing into the program. It's worlds apart from the Hastings/Knott philosophy, that's for sure.
 
Goodbye Tommies. Good luck being cannon fodder in the NCHC.

"As part of the NCHC’s 10-team scheduling model, the Tommies and St. Cloud State have been deemed travel partners and will play each other in two series (four games) every season, including facing off on the final weekend of the regular season."

nchchockey.com

St. Thomas Officially Becomes Member of the NCHC Today

With the addition of the Tommies, the National is now a 10-team conference
nchchockey.com nchchockey.com
 
jwheeler001 said:
Goodbye Tommies. Good luck being cannon fodder in the NCHC.

"As part of the NCHC’s 10-team scheduling model, the Tommies and St. Cloud State have been deemed travel partners and will play each other in two series (four games) every season, including facing off on the final weekend of the regular season."

nchchockey.com

St. Thomas Officially Becomes Member of the NCHC Today

With the addition of the Tommies, the National is now a 10-team conference
nchchockey.com nchchockey.com
Click to expand...
Don't let the door hit ya..
 
The 'Kwik Trip 5 Game Pack' info was released today, and honestly I am a little disappointed.

Here is the link they have been sharing to past ticket purchasers.

Event Registration - Minnesota State University, Mankato

secure2.mnsu.edu secure2.mnsu.edu

This year its $140 and you get access to 5 games, in addition to a $10 food/beverage voucher per game. That averages out to $28 per game. Last year tickets were about $17 per individual game, so you are basically paying full-price for a ticket and the voucher.

This package is $20 more expensive than last year ($120 in 2025, and $110 in 2024, $110 in 2023), and doesn't include the first game of the season (historically it has). The first game included isnt until October 31 against Lake State. That means not included are: week 1 against Wisconsin, and week 3 against St Thomas.

They announced the Wisconsin and Minnesota games as 'premium' and with a flat $40 per game. If they included one of those games I think the value is there. Otherwise I think I am going to be selective with the games I go to.

On top of that, you don't get to pick your seats. Last year they put me in the visitor section multiple times.

Just seems like a cash grab.
 
Mike McMahon posted an article with information on the injunction which occurred last Friday. He does a good job at explaining it, but basically players who started their freshmen year in 2022 would have only had 4 seasons to play, compared to their counterparts who either received received COVID waivers or will be eligible as part of the new 5 in 5 rule.

The players who are eligible to return for a 5th year cant have signed professional deals. This brings the number of eligible athletes to 27 and includes Minnesota State forward, Jack Smith. Smith had 22 points in 40 games last season. Notably, Smith was born in July 2002, and McMahon said that the the NCAA may opt to include players born in August 2002 and later.

The injunction is currently being appealed, but they hope to have a final decision by August 5th.
 
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