CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston hockey program is set to open the 2022-23 ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association) Division II season Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15 at the Crookston Sports Center. The Golden Eagles will take on the University of Jamestown at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday.

Minnesota Crookston is in their third season back on the ice as an ACHA Division II team. The Golden Eagles are in their third season under Head Coach Steve Johnson. The Golden Eagles went 15-10-2 (7-3-2 WCCHA). UMN Crookston is in their second season as a member of the WCCHA (Western Collegiate Club Hockey Association).

Minnesota Crookston vs. Jamestown
Friday, October 10 – 7 p.m.
Crookston Sports Center
Live Stats - MAR 7 UMC 0 0:00 3rd Period (goldeneaglesports.com)
Live Video - University of Minnesota Crookston on the NSIC Network
Saturday, October 11- 2 p.m.
Crookston Sports Center
Live Stats - MAR 7 UMC 0 0:00 3rd Period (goldeneaglesports.com)
Live Video - University of Minnesota Crookston on the NSIC Network

Goalies
Minnesota Crookston has an experienced group returning to the fray in between the pipes for the 2021-22 season. Braden Schmitz (So., G, Devils Lake, N.D.) saw the most time last season, playing over 675 minutes, with a 3.82 goals against average. Jared Aamold (So., G, Breckenridge, Minn.) returns after playing 544 minutes as a freshman. Aamold led the team with a 3.63 goals against average. Jake Sumner (Jr., G, Alta Loma, Calif.) is back for his third season. He played 255 minutes last season, with a 4.47 goals against average.

Defensemen
The Golden Eagles are anchored by Casey Kallock (Sr., D, Alvarado, Minn.), who has been a team leader since day one for Minnesota Crookston. Kallock was a 2020-21 ACHA Division II All-American Second Team recipient and a 2021-22 ACHA Division II Central Region All-Athletic Third Team honoree. He tallied 13 goals and 21 assists for the Golden Eagles last season.
Gunner Ferrier (Jr., D, Baudette, Minn.) returns for his third season with the program. Ferrier notched four goals and five assists as a sophomore. Sam Baxter (So., D, Grafton, N.D.) returns after tallying two goals and five assists as a freshman. Parker Sunderland (So., D, Bagley, Minn.) is back as well.

Jake Huska (Jr., D, Snow Lake, Manitoba) is a big add in back for UMN Crookston. Huska played the second part of last season for the Atlanta Capitals of the NA3HL notching three goals and 18 assists. He previously played 2.5 years at Williston State College. In the fall of 2021, Huska notched four goals and 20 assists in 19 games for the Tetons.

Griffen Sonstegard (Fr., Baudette, Minn.) joins Minnesota Crookston after a prep career at Lake of the Woods H.S. During the 2019-20 season, Sonstegard had four goals and six assists.

Forwards
Minnesota Crookston has an experienced group of forwards returning. Nine players have previous experience for the Golden Eagles.

The Golden Eagles are guided by Tyler Zahradka (Jr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.), back for his third season with UMN Crookston. Zahradka led the team with 26 goals and added 10 helpers for the Golden Eagles. He had six power-play goals as a sophomore. Logan Syrup (So., F, Park River, N.D.) returns after notching 12 goals and 22 assists as a freshman for the Golden Eagles. He tallied four power-play goals for UMN Crookston. Jackson Fuller (So., F, Minneapolis, Minn.) adds to the fray, back after notching six goals and 20 assists as a freshman. Tristan Morneault (Jr., F, Dieppe, New Brunswick) returns for his third season for the Golden Eagles. He put in seven goals and assisted on 18 last season. Dylan Borseth (Sr., F, Williston, N.D.) returns after tallying seven goals and 11 assists in 2021-22. Dylan Neubauer (So., F, Thompson, N.D.) is back after picking up four goals and five assists as a freshman. Mitchell Coleman (So., F, Hatton, N.D.) returns after tallying a goal and four assists. Austin Ryba (Jr., F, Grand Forks, N.D.) is back for his third season after scoring a goal and dishing out two assists as a sophomore. Zach Larson (R-So., Grand Forks, N.D.) returns after having to miss the 2021-22 season. Larson tallied seven goals and four assists as a freshman during the 2020-21 season.

The Golden Eagles have several new bodies joining the fray this season. Landon Syrup (Fr., F, Park River, N.D.) joins his brother on the team after notching three goals and two assists for Grafton/Park River H.S. as a senior. Connor Thoennes (Fr., F, Coleraine, Minn.) joins the team after scoring three goals as a senior for Greenway H.S. Garrett Formhals (R-Fr., F, Stewartville, Minn.) played for the Badlands Sabres of the NA3HL during the 2021-22 season. He appeared in 30 games, but did not score a point.

Jamestown Preview
The Jamestown Division II team comes in with a 2-1-1 record. The Jimmies are in their first season as a member of the WCCHA. They have two wins over St. Cloud State. They lost 6-1 and tied St. Thomas 4-4 a week ago.

Gunnar Gibbs leads the Jimmies with three goals and three assists. Joshua Hoffman comes in with two goals and two assists. Justin King enters the weekend with two goals and an assist. Zane Macdonald comes in with a goal, and two assists. Christian Jarmusz comes in with two goals for the Jimmies.

Jordan Lott and Samuel Potter have split time in between the pipes for Jamestown. Lott has allowed two goals and has 22 saves. Potter comes in with four goals against and 18 saves.