MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State men's hockey announced three student-athletes have penned a National Letter of Intent to join the Mavericks in 2024-25. They include Luke Ashton, Eli Pulver and Fin Williams.
 
All signings and transfers are contingent upon admission to MSU and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center.
 
Luke Ashton | 6-6, 231 | Left-shot Defenseman | North Vancouver, British Columbia | Langley Rivermen | 2005 Birth Year
 
Ashton was ranked No. 123 in the NHL Central Scouting final ranking of North American skaters for the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft on Monday. In his first season with the Langley Rivermen (British Columbia Hockey League) in 2023-24, he played 53 games and posted 18 goals, 18 assists and 36 points with 18 penalty minutes.
 
He also skated in four playoff games and recorded one goal. Ashton played for the Vernon Vipers (BCHL) for two seasons prior to Langley and totaled 81 games, two goals and seven assists, along with 25 penalty minutes. In 2022-23, he tallied one goal and three assists in 10 playoff games.
 
Prior to making the jump to the BCHL, Ashton spent three seasons with the Burnaby Winter Club.
 
Coach Strand on Ashton: "Luke comes to our program after a successful and experienced junior career. His size, offensive awareness and ability to defend will help his transition to Minnesota State. We are excited for all of the steps that Ash will take."
 
Fin Williams | 6-1, 185 | Right-shot Forward | North Vancouver, British Columbia | Waterloo Black Hawks | 2003 Birth Year
 
Finlay (Fin) Williams, currently a member of the Waterloo Black Hawks (United States Hockey League) makes his return to college hockey as a member of the Mavericks. This season, Williams played 10 games in Waterloo and posted one goal, three assists and four points. He also skated in four games for the Chicago Steel (USHL) and had one assist.
 
Prior to the USHL, Williams appeared in 22 games in 2022-23 for University of Notre Dame, scoring one goal with one assist and six penalty minutes.
 
He also played two seasons in Penticton (BCHL). In his final season, he scored 12 goals and added 25 assists for 37 points for the Vees, including two game winners. Williams served as a team captain both years in Penticton and averaged an impressive 1.37 points per game, good for 10^th best in the league. In three BCHL seasons (Penticton Vees and Prince George Spruce Kings), Williams skated in 86 regular season games and scored 28 goals with 58 assists for 86 points.
 
Coach Strand on Williams: "Fin is an exciting addition to our program. His experiences and ability as a player, leader, and competitor give us a very mature addition to the roster. He has experienced some injury setbacks over the last couple of seasons. We are hoping that coming here, we'll get him right back on track."
 
Eli Pulver | 6-1, 165 | Left-catch Goaltender | Vancouver, British Columbia | Salmon Arm Silverbacks | 2003 Birth Year
 
Pulver joins Minnesota State from the British Columbia Hockey League, where he appeared in 38 games in goal for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks this season. Pulver amassed a 2.30 goals against average and a .924 save percentage for a 23-12-2 record. In the playoffs, Pulver recorded a 2.23 goals against average and .924 save percentage to help his team go 5-2-1.
 
Prior to Salmon Arm, Pulver played two seasons for the Surrey Eagles (BCHL). In 2021-22, he made 21 appearances and held a 2.80 GAA and .909 save percentage. The following year, he improved to a 2.29 GAA to go with a .930 save percentage over 35 games played.
 
Pulver began his BCHL career with a pair of games in 2019-20 for the Powell River Kings.
 
"Eli has had a very successful junior hockey experience. His outstanding campaign in the 23–24 season will contribute to his ability to come in and compete for starts. We are excited to add a young goaltender of his caliber."
 
Strand previously announced the addition of six recruits on NLI Signing Day on November 28, 2023 as well as the addition of transfer Luigi Benincasa on April 23. Minnesota State men's hockey finished the 2023-24 season with an 18-15-4 overall record and made an appearance in the CCHA Semifinals in March.

Minnesota State Men's Hockey Signings since Nov 28, 2023

Name	Ht/Wt	Position	Hometown/High School	Junior Team/s
Evan Sundar	5-9/160	Forward	Spruce Grove, Alberta/Spruce Grove	St. Albert Raiders
Liam Hupka	6-3/185	Defenseman	Minneapolis, Minn./Minnetonka	Sioux City Musketeers
Sam Rice	5-8/165	Forward	Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake	Chippewa Steel/Madison Capitols
Reid Morich	6-1/195	Forward	Scottsdale, Ariz./North Catholic	Waterloo Black Hawks
Jack Kernan	6-2/185	Center	Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove	Des Moines Buccaneers
Tate Pritchard	6-2/190	Forward	Savage, Minn./Lakeville South	Sioux City Musketeers/Austin Bruins
Luke Ashton	6-6/231	Defenseman	North Vancouver, British Columbia	Langley Rivermen/Vernon Vipers
Fin Williams	6-1/185	Forward	North Vancouver, British Columbia	Waterloo Black Hawks/Chicago Steel/Notre Dame/Penticton Vees/Prince George Spruce Kings
Eli Pulver	6-1/165	Goaltender	Vancouver, British Columbia	Salmon Arm Silverbacks/Surrey Eagles/Powell River Kings
Luigi Benincasa	5-7/159	Forward	Edmonton, Alberta	Ferris State/Spruce Grove Saints