15 Minnesotans Selected in NHL Draft; Three Taken By Wild

The Wild selected two more centers on the second day of the  NHL Draft. With the 53rd overall pick, Minnesota selected 22-year-old Finlander Rasmus Kumpulainen. To round out the second round the Wild selected 18-year-old Riley Heidt. The Wild also grabbed a couple of local guys in the later rounds, drafting Hermantown native Aaron Pionsk in the fifth round. Pionk, who currently plays for UMD, was one of four Bulldogs drafted. The Wild also drafted Edina forward James Clark in the seventh round. The Minnesota natives sandwiched sixth-round pick Canadian defenseman Kalem Parker.

A pair of Warroad Warriors were drafted in the fourth round yesterday. Mr. Hockey winner Jayson Shaugabay was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was the 19th player taken in round four, 114th overall. His high school teammate, goalie Hampton Slukynsky, was selected by the LA Kings four picks later. Incoming Bemidji State freshman defenseman Eric Pohlkamp of Brainerd was a high fifth-round pick by the San Jose Sharks. Gopher defenseman Luke Middlestadt from Eden Prairie was the fifth player taken in the seventh round by the Montreal Canadiens.

In all, 15 Minnesota kids were drafted over the two-day draft:

Chicago Blackhawks: Oliver Moore, C, Mounds View

Minnesota Wild: Charlie Stramel, C,  Rosemount

New York Islanders: Danny Nelson, C, USA U-18 (NTDP), Maple Grove

Columbus Blue Jackets: William Whitelaw, RW, Youngstown (USHL), Rosemount

Arizona Coyotes: Tanner Ludtke, C, Lincoln (USHL), Elko

Tampa Bay Lightning: Jayson Shaugabay, RW, Warroad (HIGH-MN), Warroad

Los Angeles Kings: Hampton Slukynsky, G, Warroad (HIGH-MN), Warroad

Boston Bruins: Beckett Hendrickson, C, USA U-18 (NTDP), Minnetonka

San Jose Sharks:Eric Pohlkamp, D, Cedar Rapids (USHL), Brainerd

Minnesota Wild: Aaron Pionk, D, Waterloo (USHL), Hermantown

New Jersey Devils: Chase Cheslock, D, Rogers (HIGH-MN), Rogers

Arizona Coyotes: Carsen Musser, G, USA U-18 (NTDP), Sherburn

Tampa Bay Lightning: Jack Harvey, C, Chicago (USHL), Stacy

Montreal Canadiens: Luke Mittelstadt, D, Minnesota (BIG10), Eden Prairie

Minnesota Wild: James Clark, LW, Green Bay (USHL), Edina

Wolves’ Alexander-Walker To Become Unrestricted Free Agent

The Wolves will not extend a qualifying offer to Nickeil Alexander-Walker, according to USA Today’s Michael Scotto.

Alexander-Walker now becomes an unrestricted free agent after the Wolves reportedly declined to extend a 1-year/$7 million qualifying offer to the guard.

Minnesota acquired Alexander-Walker as part of the D’Angelo Russell trade in February.

In 23 regular season games with the Wolves, Alexander-Walker averaged 5.9 points, 1.4 assists, and 1.8 rebounds.

Alexander-Walker stepped up in the playoffs scoring 8.4 points per game and registering 1.4 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game.

Minnesota’s #2 HS Prospect Chooses Oklahoma over Gophers

Wyatt Gilmore, the No. 2-rated football recruit from Minnesota in the class of 2024, announced Wednesday night his commitment to the University of Oklahoma. 

Gilmore picked the Sooners over offers from other Power 5 programs including Minnesota, Miami, Oregon, Kansas State, Iowa, Nebraska, Purdue, and Wisconsin.

Gilmore, an edge rusher and tight end from Rogers High School, is a four-star recruit and ranks second in Minnesota’s graduating class of 2024 behind Gophers commit Koi Perich, who is a safety from Esko.

Twins begin three-game series in Baltimore

The Twins open the final series of their three-city road trip tonight in Baltimore. The Twins were swept out of Atlanta, only scoring a total of three runs in the three games. Pablo Lopez will start for Minnesota.