New recruits

NAHL photo

It may be national signing day for football today, but the MSU coaches are hitting the recruiting trail hard right now. 

Earlier this week, goaltender Aaron Nelson (another Nelson?!?!?) of the NAHL's Bismarck Bobcats announced that he had committed to Minnesota State for next season. The Bismarck, N.D., native visited campus on Sunday.

Nelson leads the NAHL in wins (25), games played (39) and minute. He is sixth in the league with a .920 save percentage. He is in his third season with the Bobcats. Last season he had a .931 save percentage and a 1.88 goals-against average, winning 27 games.

He'll fill the vacancy left by goalie Evan Karambelas, who will graduate after this season.

The Mavericks also have a goaltending commitment from Jason Pawloski of the USHL's Indiana Ice. Pawloski is just 18, won't turn 19 until December, and in his first year in the USHL (he played in Austin of the NAHL last year). The guess here is he'll come in in 2015 or later.

Last week, meanwhile, the MSU received a commitment for 2015 from Charlie Gerard, who plays for the Ohio Blue Jackets AAA U18 midget team. The high-scoring forward (32 goals, 29 assists in 44 games) was drafted by Cedar Rapids of the USHL last spring. He visited Mankato a few weeks ago, during the Ferris State series.

How are MSU's recruits for next season doing?

In Sioux Falls, Zeb Knutson ranks in a tie for 11th in the USHL in scoring with 21 goals and 16 assists for 37 points in 36 games. He's also +12. His teammate, C.J. Franklin is tied for 15th in the league with 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points in 36 games. He is +6. Knutson ranks second in the USHL in shots on goal with 166, a number that has to make Mike Hastings happy.

In Penticton, Brad McClure ranks second in the BCHL in scoring with 35 goals and 30 assists for 65 points in 48 games.