MANKATO, Minn. – Ten former Minnesota State Men's Hockey players have been invited to National Hockey League training camps this week. They include Ryan Sandelin (Minnesota Wild), Connor Mackey (New York Rangers), Sam Morton (Calgary Flames), Wyatt Aamodt (Colorado Avalanche), Andrej Pavel (Colorado Avalanche), Teddy Blueger (Vancouver Canucks), Nathan Smith (Vancouver Canucks), Jake Livingstone (Nashville Predators) Akito Hirose (Vancouver Canucks), Brendan Furry (Philadelphia Flyers) and Dryden McKay (Los Angeles Kings).
 
Ryan Sandelin (Minnesota Wild)
Forward Ryan Sandelin played 123 games for the Mavericks from 2019-23 and amassed 43 goals, 33 assists, and 76 points. After appearing in five games for the Colorado Eagles (AHL) in 2022-23, he posted nine points in 38 games for Colorado the following season, along with six points in seven outings for the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL).

Connor Mackey (New York Rangers)
Defenseman Connor Mackey donned a Maverick sweater from 2017-20 and tallied 18 goals, 43 assists for 61 points in 118 games. A 2019-20 AHCA/CCM West Second Team All-American, he appeared in his first NHL game for the Calgary Flames in 2020-21. Splitting time between the Flames and Stockton Heat (AHL), he eventually skated in 20 games for the Arizona Coyotes and Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) in 2023-24. He made his debut for the New York Rangers last season, playing in one game.

Sam Morton (Calgary Flames)
Last year's Maverick team captain and center Sam Morton made a splash after signing a professional contract for the Calgary Flames organization. Since then, he posted seven points in 13 regular season games for the Calgary Wranglers (AHL), then added seven points in six playoff games, including three goals. In his final year at Minnesota State, Morton led the Mavericks with 24 goals and 34 points in 37 games and was named a Top-10 finalist for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award.
 
Wyatt Aamodt (Colorado Avalanche)
Another former Maverick captain, defenseman Wyatt Aamodt lettered from 2018-22 and completed his collegiate career with 10 goals, 19 assists in 123 games. Aamodt spent parts of three seasons playing for the Colorado Eagles (AHL) and had nine goals, 24 assists over the course of 105 games.
 
Andrej Pavel (Colorado Avalanche)
Pavel became the 22^nd former Maverick men's hockey player to make his National Hockey League debut when he skated for the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena against the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 7, 2023. Pavel played 10 games for the Colorado Eagles before his call-up and appeared in 61 games in the AHL in 2023-24. As a Maverick, he appeared in 94 games over three seasons as a left-shot forward.
 
Teddy Blueger (Vancouver Canucks)
Center Teddy Blueger made his National Hockey League debut in 2019 for the Tampa Bay Lightning after being selected in the second round of the 2012 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He joined Ryan Carter as former MSU players to have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup when he won with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2022-23. Last season, Blueger played 68 games for the Vancouver Canucks and recorded six goals, 22 assists and 28 points, then added two assists in 13 playoff contests. He is set to compete in his eighth NHL season.
 
Nathan Smith (Vancouver Canucks)
Forward Nathan Smith debuted for the Arizona Coyotes in 2022. Smith, a 2018 third-round pick by the Winnipeg Jets ranked second in the nation in scoring with Minnesota State in 2021-22, including 19 goals, 31 assists and 51 points. He also helped lead the Mavericks to an NCAA Division I National runner-up finish at the 2021-22 NCAA Frozen Four. The First-Team All-American spent time between Arizona and Tuscon (AHL) over the past two seasons and had 31 points in 60 games for the Roadrunners in 2023-24. He also played for Team USA in the 2022 Olympics and tallied 1-1—2 in four games.
 
Jake Livingstone (Nashville Predators)
Defensemen Jake Livingstone made his National Hockey League debut on April 6, 2023 playing for the Nashville Predators at home against the Carolina Hurricanes. Livingstone signed a free-agent contract with Nashville following his three-year career at Minnesota State and played five games in the NHL in 2022-23. During his time as a Maverick, Livingstone played on three MacNaughton Cup Championship teams and two Mason Cup championship teams. He skated in 68 games for the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) last season with two goals and 15 assists.
 
Dryden McKay (Los Angeles Kings)
Goaltender Dryden McKay won the Hobey Baker Award at Minnesota State and backstopped the Mavericks to the National Championship game in 2021-22. This off-season, the 26-year-old joined the Ontario Reign (AHL) after spending his first two professional seasons with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) and Newfoundland Growlers (ECHL). Last year, he suited up for 35 games with Newfoundland and compiled a .897 save percentage. He went 19-10-1 in 33 ECHL appearances and started in 12 Kelly Cup Playoff games where he went 8-3 with a 2.72 goals against average.

Akito Hirose (Vancouver Canucks)
Defenseman Akito Hirose played for the Mavericks from 2020-23 and amassed seven goals, 61 assists before making his NHL debut for the Vancouver Canucks in 2022-23. He has skated in 10 NHL entering this season and appeared in 33 games for the Abbostford Canucks (AHL) last winter, with two assists and six penalty minutes.

Brendan Furry (Philadelphia Flyers)
Furry played forward for the Mavericks from 2020-23 and appeared in 111 games with 27 goals, 58 assists to help MSU make an appearance in the Frozen Four. After finishing his collegiate career, he appeared in three games in 2022-23 for the LeHigh Valley Phantoms (AHL) and posted one goal and two assists in three regular season games. He also skated in three playoff contests. Last season, Furry appeared in 57 games for the Phantoms with six goals, 12 assists and 18 points in the regular season. He then added a pair of assists in six playoff games.