Who gets the nickname?

Hockey players, coaches and fans can't call each other by their real names. It's almost impossible. So when Minnesota State's latest commitment comes to Mankato in 2012, it will be interesting to hear what he's called. The Mavericks recently got a verbal from defenseman Jon Jutzi of the Powell River Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League.

Can he be called Jutz, which might sound an awful lot like Jutts, the moniker of MSU coach Troy Jutting? Or is it Jootz? Just a thought.

No matter what he's called — even if it's just Jon —the Mavericks appear to have a good one. Jutzi is a 6 foot 2, 195-pound defenseman from Ontario. He had six goals and 18 assists for the Kings last year, and in a recent press release, his coach said their are high expectations for him this coming year.

Here's what Jutzi said about his commitment to MSU:

“From the first time I talked to the coaching staff atMinnesotaState I just had a great feeling. I get along with the coaches really well and agree with their coaching philosophies. When I was down there I liked the campus, liked the rink and liked the town. When I walked around this campus I could see it as a place I would feel comfortable in for 4 years. The whole process can be a little overwhelming at certain times but a lot of it is going with your gut feeling.”

Interestingly, the recruiting of Jutzi continues the Mavericks return to Canada for player. The incoming freshman class will have defenseman Mat Knoll of the AJHL. But the 2012 freshmen will have Jutzi, as well as Brett Knowles and Bryce Gervais, all of the BCHL. The upcoming team will have just two Canadians: Knoll and goalie Evan Karambelas.