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Rather than focus exclusively on the Minnesota Wild’s top prospects, we’re taking a look at the best players from across the State of Hockey every week.
From high school to the pros, check out our recap of all the week’s events in Minnesota hockey, as we check in with college players, prep standouts and State of Hockey alums.
Let’s take a look at this week’s three-star selection, along with other notes, in the latest edition of the State of Hockey Tracker.
FIRST STAR
Jordan Greenway, F, Boston University (Hockey East)
First, the good news: Greenway scored in his Olympic debut, batting a rebound past Slovenian goaltender Gasper Kroselj midway through the second period to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead. Greenway, 20, looked solid against a roster full of grown men, causing havoc in front of the net, as someone who is 6-foot-6, 230 lbs is wont to do. The Boston University star and Wild prospect is the first African-American ever to play for Team USA at the Olympics. All of that is very, very good. Now, the bad news: the Americans lost 3-2 in overtime. To Slovenia. Slovenia, a nation that, back when it unexpectedly knocked off Austria in Sochi, had just seven indoor hockey rinks nationwide and fewer than 150 senior-level players.
SECOND STAR
Nick Seeler, D, Minnesota Wild
A Gophers alum, Seeler made his NHL debut Tuesday, joining the Wild in St. Paul for a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers. It went about as well as can be expected: Seeler logged nearly 11 minutes of ice time, fired off one shot on goal and was on the ice for a score during the Wild's three-goal barrage in the first period. The 23rd Gophers alum to suit up in the NHL this season, Seeler spent one season at the University of Minnesota after transferring from Nebraska-Omaha.
THIRD STAR
David Hrenak, G, St. Cloud State (NCHC)
The Huskies are in a dogfight with Denver for the top spot in the NCHC with just three weeks to go in the regular season, and now have a three-point lead after sweeping Miami over the weekend. Hrenak has made just 14 appearances this season, but if that lead holds, he should probably be among the first to touch the Penrose Cup. The freshman goalie made 30 saves Saturday for his third career shutout, including 13 saves in the third period. Hrenak also stopped a pently shot in the third, while helping the Huskies kill off all four Miami power plays.
AROUND THE RINK
-- Wild prospect Kirill Kaprizov scored in the Olympics Athletes from Russia's loss to Slovakia.
-- Dmitry Sokolov (Wild, 7th round, 2016) had a hat trick in the Barrie Colts' 4-3 win over the Flint Firebirds on Saturday, then had a goal and an assist in an 8-5 win Wednesday. He's tied for third in the OHL with 35 goals in 50 games.
-- Defenseman Jacob Golden (Wild, 5th round, 2016) had his first career multi-point game Friday in the London Knights' 4-1 win over the Erie Otters.
-- The 10 finalists for the Minnesota Minute Men Mr. Hockey award were announced Thursday: Ben Almquist (Holy Family), George Grannis (Duluth Marshall), Demetrios Koumontzis (Edina), Luke LaMaster (Duluth East), Luke Loheit (Minnetonka), Lucas McGregor (Centennial), Carter Randklev (Moorhead), Colin Schmidt (Wayzata), Sammy Walker (Edina) and Garrett Worth (Duluth East).
-- Ben Garrity (Rosemount) and Atticus Kelly (St. Thomas Academy) are this year’s finalists for the Frank Brimsek Award, given to the state's top goaltender.
