Minnesota River finished 10-13-3 last season, falling 2-1 to New Ulm in the Section 3A Playoffs Quarterfinal. The program graduates its top two scorers and starting goaltender, but three of its next three leading scorers all return, giving Minnesota River a deep, experienced core to build around heading into 2026-27.
Players Lost to Graduation
Minnesota River graduates nine seniors, and the losses include the engine of last season’s offense.
Riley Kamm (F) led the team by a wide margin, posting 18 goals and 30 assists for 48 points in 26 games, with 3 power-play goals, 6 power-play assists, 3 short-handed goals and a game-winner.
Eian O’Keefe (F) was the team’s No. 2 scorer, finishing with 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points, adding 2 power-play goals, a power-play assist and 4 game-winners. Kamm and O’Keefe combined for 74 points.
Levi Wachal (D) contributes 6 goals and 3 assists for 9 points, with 2 power-play goals and a power-play assist, while Riley Tish (F) adds 1 goal and 6 assists for 7 points with a power-play assist.
David Draheim (D) posted 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points, Jack Miller (F) added 3 goals and 2 assists for 5 points with a power-play goal, and Bryce Meyer (F) contributed 3 assists with a power-play assist. Justin Pexa (D) rounds out the departing class with an assist.
In net, Anders LeDell (G) graduates after posting a 3-6-2 record with a 2.78 GAA and a .888 save percentage in 12 appearances.
Returning Players for 2026-27
With Kamm and O’Keefe both departing, Minnesota River’s offense turns to a deep group of returning juniors who were already producing right behind them last season.
Top Returning Scorers
Nate Tews (D), a senior next season, returns as Minnesota River’s leading returning scorer, posting 2 goals and 20 assists for 22 points in 26 games — third on the entire team last season, with 2 power-play goals and 8 power-play assists.
Maxwell Hollerich (F), also a senior next season, adds 6 goals and 15 assists for 21 points, with 2 power-play goals and 3 power-play assists.
Cole Haggenmiller (F), a junior next season, posted 7 goals and 13 assists for 20 points, with 3 power-play goals and a power-play assist, plus a game-winner.
Corbin Guggisberg (D), a senior next season, returns after a 17-point season (3 goals, 14 assists) with 2 power-play assists.
Ben Smykalski (F) and Tyson Fredrickson (D), both seniors next season, each finished with 13-point seasons. Smykalski added a power-play assist and a short-handed assist, while Fredrickson posted 3 power-play assists.
Ethan Moreau (F) and Carter Hunt (F), both seniors next season, each contributed 12-point seasons. Moreau added a power-play goal and a power-play assist, while Hunt chipped in 2 game-winners.
Returning Defense Core
This is a real strength for Minnesota River heading into 2026-27. Nate Tews’s 22-point season, Corbin Guggisberg’s 17-point season and Tyson Fredrickson’s 13-point season give the program three legitimately productive returning defensemen. Even with Levi Wachal and David Draheim graduating, this blue line should remain a significant asset.
Goaltending Situation
With Anders LeDell graduating, Connor Messer (G), a senior next season, is positioned to take over as the primary option. Messer carried the larger share of starts last season, posting a 5-7-1 record with a 2.85 GAA, a .882 save percentage and a shutout in 17 appearances — numbers very close to LeDell’s. Tiago Hettig (G), also a senior next season, posted a perfect record with a 1.000 save percentage and 2 shutouts in a small sample of appearances. With Messer’s experience and Hettig’s strong limited showing, Minnesota River has real options in net heading into next season.
Players to Watch
Nate Tews and Corbin Guggisberg give Minnesota River one of the more productive returning defensive pairs anywhere in Section 3A, having combined for 39 points last season. Maxwell Hollerich and Cole Haggenmiller provide proven scoring depth up front. Connor Messer’s experience as the primary backup last season should make for a smooth transition into the starting role.
Key Players to Replace
Minnesota River’s offseason priorities center on:
- Riley Kamm’s 48-point season and elite playmaking
- Eian O’Keefe’s 26-point season and finishing ability
- Anders LeDell’s workload in net
2026-27 Outlook
Minnesota River loses its top two scorers, but the program returns three of its next three leading point producers in Nate Tews, Maxwell Hollerich and Cole Haggenmiller, along with a deep, experienced defense corps. Connor Messer’s near-identical numbers to the departing senior goaltender suggest the transition in net should be a smooth one. With this much returning depth across both forward and defense positions, Minnesota River has real pieces to build a more competitive season in Section 3A.
Statistics reflect the 2025-26 regular season and Section 3A playoffs as provided.
