LOS ANGELES – Five future skaters for the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team were selected Saturday during day two of the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Entry Draft from Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. After adding the five picks in 2025, the Golden Gophers increased their all-time number of draft picks to 248, the most of any college hockey team.

Jacob Rombach was the first Gopher off the board, going No. 35 overall to the Nashville Predators in the second round. One round later, two more Gophers heard their names called – Mace’o Phillips at No. 80 overall to the Calgary Flames and Mason Moe at No. 90 overall to the New Jersey Devils. LJ Mooney followed in the fourth round at No. 113 to the Montreal Canadiens. Jacob Kvasnicka was the final Maroon and Gold selection at No. 202 overall in the seventh round to the New York Islanders.

Rombach played two full seasons with the Lincoln Stars in the USHL from 2023-25, appearing in 116 games. He posted 18 points during the 2024-25 campaign and finished third on the team with a plus-29 rating, while notching a pair of four-game point streaks. Rombach also competed in the 2025 Chipotle All-American Game and previously tallied nine points in 59 games during his rookie USHL season. The Blaine, Minn., native helped Team USA win gold at the 2024 World Junior A Challenge, recording a goal and an assist, and added two points at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He previously played high school hockey for Spring Lake Park/Coon Rapids, where he recorded 19 points in 26 games as a sophomore. 

Phillips played with the USNTDP for two years between 2023-25, suiting up for 60 games with the U18s in 2024–25 and recorded six points from the blue line. Known for his physical style of play, the Wayzata, Minn., native led the team in penalty minutes both seasons, including 103 in his second year. He also competed in the 2025 Chipotle All-American Game and netted goals against the Fargo Force and Muskegon Lumberjacks during his U18 campaign. On the international stage, Phillips helped Team USA to a bronze medal at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship and earned gold at the 2024 U17 Five Nations Tournament. Prior to joining the NTDP, he played prep hockey at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, where he posted 21 points in 27 games as a sophomore, including a hat trick and four-point performance at Champlin Park.

Moe played parts of two seasons with the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL, totaling 63 games and finishing fifth in team scoring with 43 points (17 goals, 26 assists) during the 2024-25 campaign. He recorded 12 power-play points, highlighting his offensive impact from the forward position. The native of Eden Prairie, Minn., also skated in six games with the U.S. National Team Development Program U18s, scoring three goals, and participated in the 2025 Chipotle All-American Game. Moe helped Team USA capture gold at the 2024 World Junior A Challenge and tallied four points at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Before joining the USHL, Moe starred at Eden Prairie High School, leading the team in scoring as a sophomore with 40 points in 27 games. 

Mooney spent two years (2023-25) with the USNTDP, appearing in 112 games and showcasing his offensive prowess with 51 points in 51 games for the U18 team in 2024-25. A product of West Mifflin, Pa., he ranked fifth in scoring and recorded 14 multi-point performances, including five games with three points. Internationally, Mooney helped Team USA earn a bronze medal at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, where he tallied 11 points in seven games and was named Player of the Game in the opener against Czechia. He also won gold at the 2024 U17 Five Nations Tournament and silver at the 2024 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship. Before joining the NTDP, Mooney developed through the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite AAA program from 2020 to 2023.

Kvasnicka spent two seasons with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program from 2023-25,posting 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in 66 games with the U18s during his second campaign. He ranked sixth on the team in scoring and tallied eight multi-point performances, including a five-point outing against Czechia. The Wayzata, Minn., product represented Team USA at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, contributing five points in seven games, and earlier earned Player of the Game honors with a hat trick during a five-point performance at the 2023 World U17 Hockey Challenge. Prior to his NTDP tenure, he led Wayzata High School in scoring as a freshman with 45 points in 28 games, helping the Trojans reach the Section 6AA title game.

The Gophers begin the 2025-26 campaign on home ice at 3M Arena at Mariucci when they welcome former WCHA foe Michigan Tech for a series Oct. 3-4. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased HERE.

Minnesota Draft Notes

*At least one Gopher has been drafted in 51 of the last 52 NHL Entry Drafts dating back to 1974 with 2001 being the only exception. Minnesota’s 27-consecutive drafts with a selection between 1974-2000 are an NCAA record, while it is currently on a 24-year streak.

*After seeing five players selected, Minnesota now has three or more draft picks in 11 of the last 12 drafts. 

*Moe is the 12th all-time Gopher selected by the Devils and first since 2009 when New Jersey picked Seth Helgeson (114th overall) in the fourth round. The 12 draftees are sixth-most of any NHL organization.

*Rombach is the 33rd Gopher to be selected in the second round and first since Ryan Chesley in 2022 (37th overall; Washington Capitals)

*Phillips is the first Gopher selected by the Calgary Flames since Kris Chucko was selected 24th overall in 2004.

*Erik Johnson remains the highest draft pick in Minnesota history, going No. 1 overall in 2006, as one of 26 all-time first-round selections.

Click here for more information about Minnesota’s eligible prospects: 2025 Gopher Hockey NHL Entry Draft Guide

STANDISH, Maine – Fueled by a talented and deep roster and a breakout sophomore campaign from Remijo Wani, the Saint Joseph’s College men’s basketball team delivered its most successful season in over two decades in 2024–25. Under fourth-year head coach Tyler Ackley, the Monks captured their first GNAC Championship since 2008, returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 16 years, and posted a 24–5 overall record—the program’s highest win total since 1999. Behind a core of award-winning contributors and an 18-game winning streak, Saint Joseph’s emerged as one of the top teams in New England Division III, blending milestone individual performances with a long-awaited championship breakthrough.

REGULAR SEASON:

Saint Joseph’s opened the 2024–25 campaign with a 2–2 mark after splitting contests in the Wheaton College and WPI Ted Coughlin Memorial Tournaments. The Monks quickly found their rhythm, posting convincing wins over in-state rivals Husson (109–76), UMaine-Farmington (118–78), and Southern Maine (98–86) to improve to 5–2. The victories secured both the Alumni Cup and Costello Cup, respectively.

St. Joe’s suffered its lone GNAC loss on December 7th at the University of Saint Joseph before bouncing back with a 97–78 rout of Endicott and closing the calendar year with a tough road setback at Bates on December 30th.

The Monks started 2025 with a bang, winning the Middlebury College Invitational behind impressive victories over SUNY Cortland (83–69) and host Middlebury (93–82). Those wins sparked an 18-game winning streak—the second-longest in program history behind the 1999 team’s 23-game run.

As of the end of the season, Saint Joseph’s shares the longest active home winning streak in NCAA DIII Men’s Basketball (18 games) with Keene State. The Monks have not lost at the Harold Alfond Center since January 13, 2024 (vs. Albertus Magnus).

POSTSEASON:

Finishing the regular season with a 21–4 overall record and a 13–1 GNAC mark, the Monks earned the top seed in the conference tournament. They cruised through the playoffs with a 115–85 quarterfinal win over Mitchell and an 85–71 semifinal victory over Albertus Magnus, advancing to the GNAC Championship for the second-consecutive season and fourth time since joining the conference in 2007. Facing #2 Lasell in the title game, Saint Joseph’s battled through eight ties and nine lead changes before pulling away in the second half to claim its second GNAC title and first since 2008.

Remijo Wani was named GNAC Tournament MVP after averaging 27.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 56.9% (29-51) from the field, 46.2% (12-26) from beyond the arc, and 92.3% (12-13) from the line during the three-game championship run.

The Monks faced #15 Redlands University (CA) in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament and suffered a season-ending 89–79 setback to the eventual Elite 8 qualifiers, who fell to national runner-up NYU.

NOTEWORTHY INDIVIDUALS:

Following the season, Saint Joseph’s players earned a slew of postseason honors. Sophomore guard Remijo Wani became the program’s first All-American since 2001–02 and collected numerous accolades, including NABC All-District First Team, D3hoops.com All-Region First Team, GNAC Player of the Year, MMBCWA Player of the Year, and First Team All-Conference and All-State honors. Wani led the GNAC in points per 40 minutes (25.9), ranked second in total points (530), field goals made (201), and free throw percentage (88.6%), and placed top 10 in several other categories, including three-pointers made (5th, 67), points per game (6th, 18.3), steals (6th, 49), field goal percentage (9th, 50.6%), and assists (9th, 87).

Freshman guard Silvano Ismail emerged as one of the most impactful rookies in program history, earning GNAC Rookie of the Year, MMBCWA Rookie of the Year, Second Team All-Conference, and 17 total GNAC and MMBCWA weekly awards. He ranked third in the conference in assists (119) and field goal percentage (56.4%), fourth in three-point percentage (42.6%), sixth in steals (50), and eighth in points (445). Ismail also landed in the top 10 in free throws made (100), field goals made (158), and offensive rebounds (55).

Ismail’s first-year totals rank first all-time among SJC freshmen in assists (119) and assists per game (4.4), third in free throws made (100) and free throw percentage (.781), fourth in total points (445) and three-point percentage (.426), and fifth in field goal percentage (.564), rebounds (182), rebounds per game (6.7), steals (50), points per game (16.5), and steals per game (1.9).

Ismail also became the fifth player in program history – and first since 2019 – to register a triple-double when he delivered 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in a victory over Mitchell College on February 26th, 2025.

Junior forward Wani Donato became the first player in program history to earn GNAC Defensive Player of the Year and was also named to the MMBCWA All-Defensive Team. He averaged 14.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game while ranking fifth in the GNAC in field goal percentage (55.0%).

Junior guard John Paul Frazier earned Second Team All-GNAC honors after leading the league in three-pointers made (97) and ranking fifth in three-point percentage (41.4%), eighth in points (434), and 13th in field goals made (148). He reached two major milestones in 2025: netting his 200th career three-pointer in a win over Elms on January 25th and becoming the 45th player in team history—and just the 14th junior—to score 1,000 career points, doing so in his 71st career game during a win at Emmanuel on February 12th.

Senior guard Julian Llopiz wrapped up his collegiate career averaging 11.1 points per game and ranking third on the team with 53 made three-pointers. Despite having never started a game prior, he reached the 1,000-point milestone with a 24-point outburst in just 16 minutes against Norwich on February 18th. Llopiz also finishes among the program’s all-time leaders in career three-pointers made (197).

Finally, fourth-year Head Coach Tyler Ackley was named the 2025 GNAC and MMBCWA Coach of the Year after leading the Monks to their most successful season since 1999. Since taking the helm prior to the 2021–22 campaign, Ackley has orchestrated an impressive program turnaround. Saint Joseph’s improved from a 9–18 mark in his first season to 15–12 with a GNAC Tournament win in 2022–23, followed by an 18–10 record and a GNAC runner-up finish in 2023–24, culminating in a 24–5 season and a conference championship in 2024–25.

RECORDS & MILESTONES:

Team Season Record: most three-point field goals attempted (896)

SJC Single-Season Record: Remijo Wani – free-throw percentage record, .897 (61-68)

Remijo Wani: 300 field goals made (320), 100 three-pointers made (101), 800 points (838), 300 rebounds (320), 150 assists (150)

Wani Donato: 300 field goals made (333), 700 points (799), 400 rebounds (427)

John Paul Frazier: 1,000 points (1,094), 200 three-pointers made (239), 300 rebounds (309), 100 assists (113)

Julian Llopiz: 1000 points (1,032), 300 field goals made (346)

Teagan Hynes: 200 field goals made (201), 500 points (559), 300 rebounds (209), 250 assists (286)

NCAA RANKINGS:

Team: The Monks ranked second in NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball in assists per game (22.6), fourth in rebound margin (+11.2), fifth in scoring offense (91.4) and rebounds per game (44.72), and seventh in both defensive rebounds per game (30.28) and scoring margin (+15.6). They also placed ninth in field goal percentage (48.4%) and three-pointers per game (11.1), 10th in three-point attempts per game (30.9), 14th in winning percentage (82.8%), and 18th in offensive rebounds per game (14.45).

Individual: John Paul Frazier ranked fifth in NCAA DIII in three-pointers made (94), eighth in three-point attempts (227), 12th in three-pointers per game (3.24), and 22nd in three-point percentage (41.4%)

This article is part of a series of stories stemming from a lengthy interview with Colorado College coach Kris Mayotte in mid-June.

Over the past week, Colorado College hockey has revealed several players on its incoming class for the 2025-2026 season. 

Earlier this month, Tigers coach Kris Mayotte called the incoming group the “best class we’ve had since I’ve gotten here.”

To recap the announcements, CC officially welcomed forwards Merril Steenari, Connor Hvidston, Tomas and Mateo Mrsic, Brayden Schuurman, Ryan Alexander, Wilson Björck, Brandon Lisowsky, as well as defensemen Seth Constance and Colton Roberts, and goaltender Jackson Unger.

The full list of incoming Tigers has not officially been revealed as the process is ongoing. That’s due in part to a change to college hockey this season, which allows players from the Canadian Hockey League to be eligible for the NCAA. 

On Nov. 7, the NCAA Division-I Council voted that players who skated in one of the Canadian Hockey League’s three leagues — the Western Hockey League, the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, and the Ontario Hockey League — could play in the NCAA this upcoming season, provided they were not compensated beyond necessary expenses before college. 

Previously, CHL players were considered professional and could not skate for NCAA teams.

According to Mayotte, the inclusion of CHL players beginning in November has extended the recruiting season. 

“We basically built this class, the majority of it, starting in March,” he said. 

CC has taken full advantage of the change, bringing in a bevy of skaters from the WHL. 

As previously reported, CC welcomed Tomas Mrsic June 19, the leading scorer for the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders a season ago. Hvidston earned 56 points on 19 goals and 37 assists for the Calgary Hitmen, also in the WHL. Lisowsky was a top-10 goal scorer in the league, playing for the Saskatoon Blades and the Victoria Royals last season. He earned a total of 74 points on 40 goals and 34 assists. Roberts played for the Vancouver Giants, earning 36 points on six goals and 30 assists. Schuurman played for the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Seattle Thunderbirds. He recorded 38 points on 13 goals and 25 assists. Finally, Unger comes to CC by way of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, where he posted a .909 save percentage. He was also at Moose Jaw where he had a .887 save percentage. 

In recruiting these new players, Mayotte reaffirmed his commitment to bringing in talent whose values align with the Tigers’ program. 

“We know there’s a whole new crop of players available to college hockey, but we wanted to make sure and be really intentional that we weren’t simply chasing a points total,” he said. “You still need to make sure you’re recruiting the right people and the right players and the right guys for your locker room.”

Mayotte credited assistant John Lidgett with spearheading the team’s recruiting efforts in this unique offseason, saying his knowledge of Western Canada, the coaches, agents, and families therein, has been crucial to the creation of this incoming class and making sure that the new Tigers have character as well as talent. 

The team hopes for great contributions from the newcomers outside the WHL as well. Björck’s arrival was first reported in April . He was the second-highest scorer in Sweden’s J20 Nationell league with 67 points on 28 goals and 39 assists.

Steenari played in the United States Hockey League last season, earning 41 points on 29 goals and 12 assists for the Fargo Force. 

Alexander and Constance are the team’s additions from the transfer portal. Constance, a rising sophomore, played for Northeastern University last season. Alexander comes to CC from National Collegiate Hockey Conference foe Arizona State where the rising senior earned eight points on three goals and five assists.

Björck selected by Vancouver, adds to several NHL picks skating for Tigers 

Wilson Björck was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the fifth round of the 2025 NHL draft on Saturday. 

Here’s a list of CC Tigers who will have an NHL Logo next to their name on game days:

Returners

Klavs Veinbergs (Tampa Bay, 2022, seventh round)

Owen Beckner (Ottawa, 2023, seventh round)

Fisher Scott (Detroit, 2024, seventh round)

Newcomers 

Tomas Mrsic (St. Louis, 2024, fourth round)

Connor Hvidston (Anaheim, 2022, fifth round)

Wilson Björck (Vancouver, 2025, fifth round)

Brandon Lisowsky (Toronto, 2022, seventh round)

Colton Roberts (San Jose, 2024, fifth round)