University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Hockey Signing Central
11/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) -- Head coach Don Lucia and the Gopher Hockey program have announced the signings of six new prospects during the 2016-17 season including recent additions Mathew Robson and Sam Huff.
The duo joins four Minnesota prospects who signed with the Gophers earlier this year -- Casey Mittelstadt, Brannon McManus, Nate Knoepke and Scott Reedy.
Mathew Robson | Goalie | Toronto, Ontario
JUNIORS
Currently competing with the Penticton Vees in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) Fred Page Cup Finals • BCHL First Team All-Star (2017) • led the BCHL in regular-season wins (35), shutouts (six) and minutes (2,910) while finishing second in the league in goals against average (1.94) and save percentage (.930) • continues a Penticton pipeline to Minnesota that includes Jack Ramsey, Mike Reilly, Connor Reilly and Ryan Reilly • previously played with the Toronto Patriots and the Lindsay Muskies in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).
PERSONAL
Born on March 26, 1996 • native of Toronto, Ontario.
Sam Huff | Forward | Maple Grove, Minn.
HIGH SCHOOL/JUNIORS
Currently skating with the Minot Minotauros in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) Robertson Cup Playoffs • prepped at Maple Grove HIgh School and capped his high school career with a state tournament appeareance in 2017 • Associate Press All-State Third Team (2017) • recorded 146 career points (52 goals, 94 assists) in 100 high school games and served as team captain as a senior • his 42 regular-season assists in 2016-17 ranked fifth in the state • recorded a 10-point game (two goals, eight assists) as a senior in 2016-17.
PERSONAL
Born on September 11, 1998 • native of Maple Grove, Minn. • ranked 131st among North American skaters in the 2017 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings.
Casey Mittelstadt | Forward | Eden Prairie, Minn.
HIGH SCHOOL/JUNIORS
Split the 2016-17 season between Green Bay in the USHL and Eden Prairie High School • closed out his prep career at Eden Prairie by leading the Eagles to the state tournament for the fourth-straight season • the 2017 Mr. Hockey Award recipient • repeated as the Associated Press Player of the Year and a First Team All-State honoree as well as the USA Today All-USA Boys Hockey Player of the Year and a First Team selection (2016, 2017) • two-time MSHSL all-state honoree (2016, 2017) • served as captain at Eden Prairie • competed at the 2016 USA Hockey/CCM All-American Prospects Game in Philadelphia and was named the event's MVP • helped the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team claim a bronze medal at the 2016 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship in Grand Forks, N.D. • continues the Eden Prairie pipeline to Minnesota that includes Stanley Cup champion Nick Leddy, Kyle Rau, Nick Seeler and Mitch Rogge.
PERSONAL
Born on Nov. 22, 1998 • native of Eden Prairie, Minn. • ranked third among North American skaters in the 2017 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings.
Brannon McManus | Forward | Newport Beach, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL/JUNIORS
Currently competing with the Chicago Steel in the USHL Clark Cup Playoffs • spent the last two seasons in the USHL with the Omaha Lancers and the Chicago Steel • named to the 2015-16 USHL All-Rookie Second Team • finished fourth in USHL rookie scoring with 39 points (17 goals, 22 assists) in 58 games during the 2015-16 season • helped the U.S. Under-18 Select Team to a runner-up finish at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in Breclav, Czech Republic • competed at the 2016 USA Hockey/CCM All-American Prospects Game in Philadelphia • previously played at Shattuck-St. Mary's and helped the program win the 2014 Toyota/USA Hockey Tier I Youth National Championship -- SSM's first national Bantam title • played with fellow Gophers signee Scott Reedy at Shattuck-St. Mary's.
PERSONAL
Born on July 5, 1999 • native of Newport Beach, Calif. • only the second California native to play at Minnesota in the modern era after goaltender John Blue (San Jose, Calif.) from 1984-87 • ranked 191st among North American skaters in the 2017 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings.
Nate Knoepke | Defense | Farmington, Minn.
HIGH SCHOOL/JUNIORS
Currently competing with the U.S. National Under-18 Team at the 2017 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship • now in his second season with the U.S. National Team Development Program • current teammate with fellow Gophers signee Scott Reedy • competed at the 2016 USA Hockey/CCM All-American Prospects Game in Philadelphia • previously skated at Lakeville South High School.
PERSONAL
Born on April 8, 1999 • native of Farmington, Minn. • ranked 79th among North American skaters in the 2017 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings.
Scott Reedy | Forward | Prior Lake, Minn.
HIGH SCHOOL/JUNIORS
Currently competing with the U.S. National Under-18 Team at the 2017 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship • now in his second season with the U.S. National Team Development Program • current teammate with fellow Gophers signee Nate Knoepke • competed at the 2016 USA Hockey/CCM All-American Prospects Game in Philadelphia • previously played at Shattuck-St. Mary's and helped the program win the 2014 Toyota/USA Hockey Tier I Youth National Championship -- SSM's first national Bantam title • played with fellow Gophers signee Brannon McManus at Shattuck-St. Mary's.
PERSONAL
Born on April 4, 1999 • native of Prior Lake, Minn. • ranked 40th among North American skaters in the 2017 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings.
-Pride on Ice-
