Mankato, Minn. ---   Head coach Mike Hastings has announced that seven student-athletes have signed NCAA Letters of Intent to attend Minnesota State University and play hockey for the Mavericks.

Committing to Minnesota State during the early signing period are defensemen Colby Bukes (Littleton, Colo./Muskegon (USHL)) and Tony Malinowkski (Clarkston, Mich./Des Moines (USHL)), goaltender Jaxson Stauber (Plymouth, Minn./Sioux Falls (USHL)) and forwards Cade Borchardt (Burnsville, Minn./Sioux Falls (USHL)), Ryan Sandelin (Hermantown, Minn./Penticton (BCHL)), Nathan Smith (Hudson, Fla./Cedar Rapids (USHL)) and Lucas Sowder (Trinity, Fla./Wenatchee (BCHL)).

"We've very pleased with the commitments we have with this recruiting class," said Hastings, currently in his seventh season as head coach of the Mavericks. "With four forwards, two defensemen and a goaltender, this class brings talent and depth. What stands out about this group is its strong leadership qualities. We really look forward to having them be a part of our program."

Biographies of the seven student-athletes are listed below.

Cade Borchardt, F, 5-10, 186, Burnsville, Minn./Sioux Falls (USHL)
Serving as an alternate captain with Sioux Falls of the United States Hockey League this year where he has three goals and six assists for nine points in 13 games...Had 14-28--42 in 59 games with Madison (USHL) in 2017-18...Spent the 2016-17 campaign with Brookings of the North American Hockey League (23-30---53 in 59 GP)...Burnsville (Minn.) High School product had 19-25--44 in 25 games 2015-16.

Colby Bukes, D, 5-11, 192, Littleton, Colo./Muskegon (USHL)
In third season with Muskegon of the USHL where he is serving as captain this year and has 1-11--12 in 14 games... Had 4-24--28 in 59 games with the Lumberjacks in 2017-18...Product of the Colorado Thunderbirds AAA system.

Tony Malinowski, D, 6-3, 210, Clarkston, Mich./Des Moines (USHL)
In second year with Des Moines of the USHL where he has 1-3--4 in 12 games played this year...Had 1-7--8 in 40 games with the Buccaneers in 2017-18...Product of the Oakland (Mich.) Jr. Grizzlies AAA organization.

Ryan Sandelin, F, 6-0, 185, Hermantown, Minn./Penticton (BCHL)
In second season with Penticton of the British Columbia Hockey League where he is serving as an alternate captain and has 14 goals and 7 assists for 21 points in 22 games this year...Helped lead Hermantown (Minn.) High School to two straight Minnesota State High School League Class A titles and was a finalist for Minnesota's Mr. Hockey Award after registering 36 goals and 43 assists in 31 games in 2016-17...Son of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey coach Scott Sandelin.

Nathan Smith, F, 6-0, 180, Hudson, Fla./Cedar Rapids (USHL)
Selected in the third round (91st overall) by Winnipeg in 2018 National Hockey League entry draft...In second season with Cedar Rapids of the USHL where he currently leads the RoughRiders in scoring with two goals and 12 assists for 14 points in 14 games...Had 17-30--47 in 51 games with first season with Cedar Rapids in 2017-18...Product of Tampa (Fla.) Scorpions midget AAA program...Two-time International Silver Stick midget AAA all-star (2015-16 and 2016-17)...Tallied 41-45--86 in 15 games at Mitchell High School (Fla.) in 2016-17.

Lucas Sowder, F, 5-11, 170, Trinity, Fla./Wenatchee (BCHL)
In second season with Wenatchee of the BCHL where he is serving as captain and leads the Wild in scoring with eight goals and 17 assists for 25 points in 23 games...Was an alternate captain with the Wild in 2017-18 and posted 22-38--60 in 48 games in helping lead Wenatchee to the Doyle Cup as BCHL champions...Product of Mitchell High School (Fla.) where he had 54-68--122 in 17 games in 2015-16.

Jaxson Stauber, G, 6-3, 180, Plymouth, Minn./Sioux Falls (USHL)
In second season with Sioux Falls of the USHL where he owns a 3-3-0 won-loss record this year, along with a .883 save percentage and a 3.01 goals against average...Went 8-6-2 with a .900 save percentage and a 3.09 goals against average in 22 games with the Stampede in 2017-18...Product of Holy Family (Minn.) High School program and Victory Honda U18 organization...Son of former National Hockey League goaltender Robb Stauber.

2019-20 Minnesota State Men's Hockey Recruiting Class

Player	Pos	Ht	Wt	S/C	DOB	Hometown/Current Team (League)
Cade Borchardt	F	5-10	186	R	07.06.1998	Burnsville, Minn./Sioux Falls (USHL)
Colby Bukes	D	5-11	192	R	02.01.1999	Littleton, Colo./Muskegon (USHL)
Tony Malinowski	D	6-3	210	L	10.15.1999	Clarkston, Mich./Des Moines (USHL)
Ryan Sandelin	F	6-0	185	R	01.03.1999	Hermantown, Minn./Penticton (BCHL)
Nathan Smith	F	6-0	180	L	10.18.1998	Hudson, Fla./Cedar Rapids (USHL)
Lucas Sowder	F	5-11	170	L	11.15.1998	Trinity, Fla./Wenatchee (BCHL)
Jaxson Stauber	G	6-3	180	L	04.27.1999	Plymouth, Minn./Sioux Falls (USHL)

All signings are contingent upon admission to Minnesota State and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Clearinghouse.