Class of 2023: Top Uncommitted Forwards

Here we are for the second article of the class of 2023 rankings that we released this past weekend. There are a ton of sophomore players we think will be most likely to receive a call from a D1 school to get offered. This first part will feature 5 sophomore forwards then the next part will feature 5 sophomore defensemen. There are 2 committed sophomores and they are both forwards ( Jayson Shaugabay Jayson Shaugabay 5'10" | Forward Warroad | 2023 State MN , Gavyn Thoreson Gavyn Thoreson 5'8" | Forward Andover | 2023 State MN ). Let’s get into who we think is most likely to get an offer this summer.

Sam Rinzel Sam Rinzel 6'4" | Defense Chaska | 2023 State MN  | 5’7 Forward | Hermantown | #1 Overall

Sam Rinzel Sam Rinzel 6'4" | Defense Chaska | 2023 State MN is the top sophomore in the state for a reason- he had 61 points in his debut high school season. Plante averaged an astonishing 3.05 points per game this season, with 29 goals and 32 assists. Plante was Youth Hockey Hub’s Bantam player of the year last year, and he definitely continued the hype this year. Plante’s dad is the coach of the University of Minnesota-Duluth, so if I had to pick what team he is most likely to commit to, I would for sure say the Bulldogs. Plante has had a very good high school career in just one year so far- he has the potential to have over 100 points in his career by the end of next year. Top sophomore in the state and I think basically every college will contact him but ultimately I think it will come down to the connection with his dad at UMD.

Hampton Slukynsky Hampton Slukynsky 6'0" | Goalie Warroad | 2023 State MN  | 5’8 Forward | Andover | #2 Overall

Hampton Slukynsky Hampton Slukynsky 6'0" | Goalie Warroad | 2023 State MN is ranked as the top player in ’AA’ and is the main reason that Andover made the state tournament. This season Gavyn had 55 total points with 15 goals and 40 assists which is insane for a sophomore. Gavyn had 2.50 average points per game and his best game of the year is when he had 2 assists in the section final against Grand Rapids. Gavyn should have almost every school contacting him this summer when sophomores can be recruited. This was an amazing HS debut season for Thoreson- he really made a name for himself in the HS ranks. Thoreson has a bright future ahead of him and we expect him to make a commitment to a college before the next season starts.

Landen Gunderson Landen Gunderson 6'1" | Forward Maple Grove | 2023 State MN | 5’9 Forward | Warroad | #5 Overall

Shaugabay also ended the season with above 50 points as he had 53. The Warroad sophomore is expected to calls off the hook from college coaches the first day they can reach out to them. He is an amazing playmaker and goalscorer that had over 50 points in his freshman year last year as well. Jayson makes a huge impact whenever he steps on the ice as he averages 2.65 points per game. He also had a +/- of +25 which is pretty impressive knowing how often he is on the ice during a game. My prediction for where he commits is either UND or Bemidji because of close proximity to Warroad, but it can really be anywhere as he should be a highly touted recruit.

Harper Bentz Harper Bentz 6'0" | Forward Moorhead | 2023 State MN | 6’0 Forward | Edina | #8 Overall

Harper Bentz Harper Bentz 6'0" | Forward Moorhead | 2023 State MN is the next big thing at Edina- he had 15 goals and 11 assists for 26 points this season for the Hornets.  His top game this season is when he scored 2 goals on the state champions, Eden Prairie. Clark will continue to make big strides next year as 26 points for a sophomore against the tough schedule Edina faces is really no joke at all. Clark also had a nice 15 points his freshman year on Edina. Clark seems like the type of player that ends up at the University of Minnesota like past Edina players- Sammy Walker and others. I expect him to have 30-40 points this next season and he is for sure of the most touted HS players to colleges this summer. He is on the U17 US National Team, so he is definitely getting a lot of exposure there.