Mankato, Minn. ---   Head coach Mike Hastings has announced that eight 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 Dylan Abbott (Wasilla, Alaska/Green Bay (USHL)),  Steve Bellini (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont./Tri-City (USHL)) and Bennett Zmolek (Rochester, Minn./Youngstown (USHL)), along with forwards Yusaku Ando (Tomakomai, Japan/Youngstown (USHL)), Will Hillman (Blaine, Minn./Youngstown (USHL)), Brenden Olson (Eau Claire, Wis./Eau Claire, Wis./Sioux City, (USHL)), and Luc Wilson (Duncan, B.C./Penticton (BCHL) and goaltender Andrew Miller (Boulder, Colo./Fargo (USHL)).

"Our entire staff is excited about this class of incoming freshmen," said Hastings, who is beginning his ninth season as head coach of the Mavericks. "We are welcoming a group of young men that will improve our team at every position and the depth of leadership and talent is evident.  We look forward to watching them continue their development in the outstanding junior programs they represent today."

Biographies of the eight student-athletes are listed below.

Dylan Abbott, D, 6-0, 181, Wasilla, Alaska/Green Bay (USHL)
Wasilla (Alaska) High School product is in his first year with Green Bay of the United States Hockey League...Played two seasons with Fairbanks of the North American League where he had four goals and 44 assists for 48 points in 83 regular-season games over the course of two years with the Ice Dogs. Named to NAHL Top Prospects game in 2019 and 2020....NAHLAll-Midwest Division Team 2020 and Midwest Defenseman of the Year 2020...Had 0-6--6 in 10 GP in 2018-19 NAHL playoffs as Fairbanks advanced to the Robertson Cup championship round.
 
Yusaku Ando, F, 5-7, 150, Tomakomai, Japan/Youngstown (USHL)
In second season with Youngstown (USHL) where he had 8-17--25 in 40 GP in 2019-20...Helped Japan win title at 2020 IIHF U20 D2A tournament (3-5--8 in 5 GP)...Appeared on this year's NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Players to Watch List as a C prospect.

Steven Bellini, D, 5-10, 174, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont./Tri-City (USHL)
In first year with Tri-City of the USHL after spending the 2019-20 campaign with Coquitlam of the BCHL...Had 8-30--38 in 46 games and was named team's Top Defenseman with the Express in 2019-20...Played 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns with hometown Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League where he registered 10-65-75 in 107 games played... NOJHL Best Defensemen Award in 2018-19

Will Hillman, F, 6-1, 190, Blaine, Minn./Youngstown (USHL)
In first season with Youngstown of the USHL after spending 2019-20 with Bismarck (NAHL)...Registered 20-23--43 in 52 GP with the Bobcats in 2019-20...Named to NAHL Top Prospects game in 2020...NAHL All-Rookie First Team in 2020..Captained Blaine (Minn.) High School in 2018-19 and posted 13-15--28 in 23 GP with the Bengals, including 2-3--5 in five playoff games in helping lead Blaine to third-place finish at the state tournament.

Andrew Miller, G, 5-11, 183, Boulder, Colo./Fargo (USHL)
In first season with Fargo (USHL)...Went 22-7-4 with 2.29 goals against average and .912 save percentage with Bismarck (NAHL) in 2019-20...Was named to 2019-20 NAHL All-Central Division Team, Central Division Goaltender of the Year and NAHL Al-Rookie Team...Product of Rocky Mountain Roughrider AAA program.

Brenden Olson, F, 6-0, 185, Eau Claire, Wis./Sioux City (USHL)
Serving as an alternate captain with Sioux City (USHL) in 2020-21...Had 10-5--15 in 47 games with Sioux Falls (USHL) in 2019-20 where he was an alternate captain for the Stampede...Had 22-19--41 in 24 GP with Eau Claire (Wis.) Memorial High School in 2017-18.

Luc Wilson, F, 5-8, 168, Duncan, B.C./Penticton (BCHL)
In first season with Penticton (BCHL)... CJHL Prospects Event Team West in 2020...Had 19-34--53 in 55 GP with Cowichan (BCHL) in 2019-20 and led the Caps in points and finished second in goals...Over the course of his three seasons in Cowichan he had 75 points in 110 GP.

Bennett Zmolek, D, 6-2, 183, Rochester, Minn./Youngstown (USHL)
Spending 2020-21 campaign with Youngstown (USHL) after playing with Cedar Rapids (USHL) in 2018-19 and 2019-20...Had 4-5--9 in 41 GP with Cedar Rapids in 2019-20...Captained Rochester (Minn.) Century HS in 2018-19 where he had 7-24--31 in 23 GP...Younger brother of current Maverick senior defenseman Riese Zmolek.
 

2021-22 Minnesota State Men's Hockey Recruits
Player	Pos	Ht	Wt	S/C	Hometown/Current Team (League)
Dylan Abbott	D	6-0	181	L	Wasilla, Alaska/Green Bay (USHL)
Yusaku Ando	F	5-7	150	R	Tomakomai, Japan/Youngstown (USHL)
Steven Bellini	D	5-10	174	R	Sault Ste. Marie, Ont/Tri-City (USHL)
Will Hillman	F	6-1	190	L	Blaine, Minn./Youngstown (USHL)
Andrew Miller	G	5-11	183	L	Boulder, Colo./Fargo (USHL)
Brenden Olson	F	6-0	185	L	Eau Claire, Wis./Sioux City (USHL)
Luc Wilson	F	5-8	168	L	Duncan, B.C./Penticton (BCHL)
Bennett Zmolek	D	6-2	183	R	Rochester, Minn./Youngstown (USHL)

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

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