Mankato, Minn. --- Head coach Troy Jutting has announced that four student-athletes have signed NCAA Letters of Intent to attend Minnesota State University.
Committing to MSU are forwards Max Gaede (Woodbury, Minn./Sioux City (USHL)) and Jean-Paul Lafontaine (Oxford, Mich./Green Bay (USHL)), along with defensemen Zach Palmquist (South St. Paul, Minn./Waterloo (USHL)) and Brett Stern (Lino Lakes, Minn./Green Bay (USHL)).
Max Gaede, Forward, 6-2, 191, Woodbury, Minn./Sioux City (USHL)
Selected in the third round, 88th overall, by San Jose in the 2010 National Hockey League Draft...Currently a member of Team USA playing in World Junior A Classic in Penticton, British Columbia... Has played parts of two seasons with Sioux City of the United States Hockey League. Has eight points on four goals and four assists with the Musketeers in 2010-11. Woodbury High School product has one goal and one assist for two points in 11 games in 2009-10.
Jean-Paul Lafontaine, Forward, 5-10, 172, Oxford, Mich./Green Bay (USHL)
Playmaking center currently leads Green Bay forwards in plus-minus...Currently has 1-5--6 in 11 games with the Gamblers...Nephew of former NHL forward Pat Lafontaine (NYI, BUF, NYR, 1983-1998), is a Shattuck-St. Mary’s product where he helped lead the Sabres to a USA Hockey midget AAA championship in 2009.
Zach Palmquist, Defense, 5-11, 175, South St. Paul, Minn./Waterloo (USHL)
A three-year veteran of the United States Hockey League...Ranked second in the USHL amongst rookie defensemen in 2009-10 scoring with 9-27--36 in 53 games played...Assistant captain with Waterloo this year, he was a First Team all-state pick in 2009...A three-time All-Classic Suburban team selection, he was team captain for both the hockey and golf teams as a senior at South St. Paul High School...Finalist for state of Minnesota Mr. Hockey award as top high school player in the state.
Brett Stern, Defense, 6-3, 185, Lino Lakes, Minn./Green Bay (USHL)
A defensive defenseman who was a three-year letterwinner at Centennial High School...Played in Minnesota Elite League as a junior and senior, he tallied 10-17--27 in 27 games as a high school senior...Currently in second season with Green Bay of the USHL where he has 0-2--2 and is +2 in five games.
