The group includes two forwards, two defensemen and a goaltender, all currently playing junior in the USHL.
They are forwards Julian Napravnik and Nathan Smith, defensemen Wyatt Aamodt and Andy Carrol and goaltender Dryden McKay.
“That group has a wealth of junior experience,” coach Mike Hastings said, “and we expect them to come in and contribute immediately. … They have a
mix of abilities, different guys bringing different things to the table. ...
“We recruit for specific needs, and I think they will fill some specific needs. Anytime you can improve your overall skill level, you try to do that. I think this group does that.”
“We recruit for specific needs, and I think they will fill some specific needs. Anytime you can improve your overall skill level, you try to do that. I think this group does that.”
Napravnik is a native of Germany currently with the Des Moines Buccanners where he had 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points last season. He has also played on German national teams at various international events.
Smith, from Hudson, Florida, is in his first season with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and is second on the team with nine points in nine games.
Aamodt, a Hermantown native playing for the Chicago Steel was the 2016 Reed Larson Award winner as Minnesota's top high school defenseman. He helped lead the Hawks to a state championship in 2016. He had 19 points in 53 games last season for the Steel.
Carroll, a Northfield native currently with the Green Bay Gamblers had 40 points in 55 games for Aberdeen of the NAHL last season. In 2015-16, he had 56 points in 58 games for the Sioux Falls Stampede's U18 team coached by former Maverick Rylan Galiardi. His dad, Todd Carroll, was the first MSU women's hockey coach.
McKay, a Downers Grove, Illinois, native in his second season with the Madison Capitols was the USHL's goalie of the week on Oct. 29 after stopping 49 of 50 shots in win over Waterloo. In 39 games las season, he was 18-17-3 with a .917 SV% and a 2.47 GAA.
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