MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State men's hockey head coach Luke Strand announced two student-athletes, Rylan Bonkowski and Easton Hewson have penned a National Letter of Intent to join the Mavericks. Both helped their junior hockey teams win league championships this month.
 
The Mavericks are up to 12 future players set to join the club over the next two years.
 
Rylan Bonkowski | 5-11 | Right-shot Defenseman | Richmond, British Columbia | Surrey Eagles (BCHL) | 2006 Birth Year
 
Bonkowski is from Richmond, British Columbia and will head to Tri-City in the USHL in the fall. Earlier this week, he helped the Surrey Eagles win the BCHL Fred Page Cup with a playoff championship. The Eagles finished off the Penticton Vees 3-1 in Game 6 of the finals on May 26, the team's first championship since 2013.
 
With the Fred Page Cup in hand, the Eagles are now set to compete in the Rocky Mountain Challenge in Brooks, Alberta. This event will feature the best Junior A teams from different regions, providing another platform for Bonkowski to showcase his skills.
 
Bonkowski had an outstanding season with the Eagles and was a Top Prospect during the BCHL All-Star weekend.
 
In 54 games this season, he scored four goals with 18 assists for 22 points and 10 penalty minutes. In the playoffs, Bonkowski played 23 games and scored one goal with 11 assists, along with six penalty minutes.
 
Bonkowski began with the Eagles in 2021-22 and at the age of 16, appeared in one regular season game and two playoff games. In 2022-23, he scored four goals and tallied eight assists in 42 games, then posted two playoff points in 12 games. Prior to Surrey, he played for the Burnaby Winter Club U18 and U15 Prep clubs.
 
"Rylan continues his development trend to becoming a NCAA and beyond highly touted defenseman," said head coach Luke Strand. "His blend of defending ability combined with offensive attributes of high-end skating and puck skills make a valuable future Maverick."
 
Easton Hewson | 6-4 | Left shot Defenseman | Edmonton, Alberta | Calgary Canucks (AJHL) | 2005 Birth Year
 
From the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Easton Hewson penned his National Letter of Intent to join the Mavericks in 2025.
 
He was ranked #183 on NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking for 2024 NHL Draft. The 2024 NHL Draft will take place June 28-29 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hewson was recently drafted in USHL Phase 2 draft – 1^st round #12 to Sioux City.
 
Described by Calgary Canucks GM/head coach Brad Moran as a "stabilizing force on the blue line," Hewson helped his team to its tenth AJHL's Centennial Cup this season and posted two goals and nine assists in 15 postseason contests.
 
During the regular season, Hewson played 54 games and recorded six goals and 23 assists for 29 points, along with 88 penalty minutes. In his first season (2022-23), he appeared in 41 games and totaled five assists for five points and 47 penalty minutes. He also added a pair of assists in five playoff games.
 
Prior to his time with the Canucks, Hewson was a member of the CAC Canadians U18 AAA squad in 2021-22, where he totaled 11 points in 38 games.
 
"Easton has a balance of size, skating and responsible play that is topped off with offensive ability," Strand said. "His endless potential is what drove us to wanting to make him a Maverick. His play translates to the modern-day NHL defenseman."

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
Easton Hewson	6-4/210	Defenseman	Edmonton, Alberta	Calgary Canucks/Sioux City Musketeers
Rylan Bonkowski	5-11/160	Defenseman	Richmond, British Columbia	Surrey Eagles/Tri-City Storm