A wave of elite talent is reshaping the Minnesota Gophers men’s hockey roster for the coming years, as several of the nation’s most coveted prospects have formally pledged their futures to the university program.
The Rising Stars
Nash Roed, a 16‑year‑old forward from White Bear Lake, announced his commitment to the Gophers after a standout season in which he posted 47 points in 28 games and earned third‑overall ranking among American peers by Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald. Roed will join the program in the 2028‑29 season following his stint with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Michigan.
Joey Cullen, another 16‑year‑old forward from Moorhead, is expected to follow suit, while defenseman Drew Daley from western New York has been in dialogue with the Gophers but has yet to finalize his college decision.
Legacy and Leadership
Henry Meier, a 16‑year‑old forward from Shattuck St. Mary’s and grandson of Minnesota legend Neal Broten, committed to the Gophers after a 64‑point season in 54 games. He will begin major‑junior play with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League next year. Meier’s older brother Nolan recently played under Gophers coach Brett Larson at St. Cloud State, and White Bear Lake coach Chris Anderson has highlighted both brothers’ leadership and offensive output.
The additions come as former Gophers goalie Justen Close transitions to an assistant coaching role with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL, bringing fresh perspective to the development pipeline. Together, the new commitments signal a strategic push to blend home‑grown talent with proven coaching leadership, positioning the Gophers for sustained competitiveness in the coming seasons.