Minnesota State recruit Hunter Warner, a defenseman from Eden Prairie earlier this month opted to sign with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League. Due to join the Mavericks in 2015, he opted for the major junior route instead of college hockey.
Minnesota State doesn't have a lot of experience losing players to the major junior level. Most notably, Tyler Pitlick left MSU in 2010, after his freshman year, to play for the Medicine Hat Tigers. Warner hadn't signed with MSU but had been verbally committed since 2012 following his sophomore season at Eden Prairie.
Warner, a 6-2, 205-pound D-man, had two goals, 10 assists and 125 penalty minutes for the USHL's Fargo Force last season.
The 19-year-old went undrafted in the NHL's June draft but was then invited as a free agent to the Minnesota Wild's development camp. Word is he had a very good camp. Perhaps that played into his decision to go to Prince Albert.
The Raiders' rookie camp begins this week.
