New Ulm finished 15-12 last season, falling 8-2 to Luverne in the Section 3A Playoffs Semifinal. The program graduates just four seniors, and remarkably, New Ulm’s top two scorers from last season both return, joined by a true freshman who already posted 29 points. Add in a fully returning goaltending tandem, and New Ulm enters 2026-27 in one of the strongest positions of any team in Section 3A.
Players Lost to Graduation
New Ulm graduates four seniors, and only one was a significant point producer.
Brody Nordby (F) was the team’s No. 3 scorer, posting 10 goals and 24 assists for 34 points in 27 games, with a power-play goal, 5 power-play assists and a game-winner.
Melvin Sellner (F) adds 5 goals and 15 assists for 20 points, with a power-play assist and a game-winner.
Kayden Klein (D) contributes 2 goals and 11 assists for 13 points, with a power-play goal, while Jack Windschitl (D) rounds out the departing class without recorded points last season.
New Ulm does not lose a goaltender to graduation — the program’s entire goaltending tandem returns into next season.
Returning Players for 2026-27
This is an outstanding position for New Ulm heading into 2026-27. The team’s top two scorers both return, a true freshman emerged as one of the most productive players on the roster, and the full goaltending tandem is back as well.
Top Returning Scorers
Hunter Larson (F), a senior next season, returns as New Ulm’s leading returning scorer and was the team’s actual leading scorer overall last season, posting 27 goals and 28 assists for 55 points in 27 games, with 2 power-play goals and 4 power-play assists.
Carson Uecker (F), also a senior next season, was the team’s No. 2 scorer, finishing with 26 goals and 18 assists for 44 points, adding a power-play goal, 3 power-play assists and 4 game-winners. Larson and Uecker combined for 99 points — one of the most productive returning duos anywhere in Section 3A.
Jaxon Saenz (F), a sophomore next season, may be the most exciting name on this list. As a true freshman, Saenz posted 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points, with a power-play goal, 2 power-play assists, a short-handed goal and 3 game-winners — an excellent debut season.
Bodey Hagberg (F), a junior next season, adds 9 goals and 12 assists for 21 points, with a power-play goal, a power-play assist and a short-handed goal.
Mason Buegler (D), a senior next season, posted 5 goals and 13 assists for 18 points, with a power-play goal, 2 power-play assists and 2 game-winners.
Carsten Haala (F), a junior next season, contributes 11 goals and 6 assists for 17 points with 2 power-play goals.
Bobby Rewitzer (D), a sophomore next season, returns after a 16-point season (4 goals, 12 assists) as a true freshman, with a power-play goal and a short-handed assist.
Returning Defense Core
Mason Buegler’s 18-point season leads a deep, returning blue line that also includes Josh Forstner (14 points), Trevan Thordson (13 points) and Bobby Rewitzer (16 points as a true freshman). With Kayden Klein the only departing defenseman of note, this group returns largely intact and should be one of the more productive defenses in the section.
Goaltending Situation
New Ulm returns its full goaltending tandem from last season. Blaine Arneson (G), a senior next season, posted a 6-10 record with a 3.26 GAA, a .898 save percentage and 3 shutouts in 19 appearances. Colton Anderson (G), also a senior next season, was excellent in a smaller share of starts, going 9-2 with a 2.10 GAA, a .905 save percentage and 2 shutouts in 15 appearances. With both goaltenders back, New Ulm enters 2026-27 with real stability and depth in net.
Players to Watch
Hunter Larson and Carson Uecker give New Ulm one of the best returning 1-2 scoring punches in all of Section 3A, having combined for 99 points last season. Jaxon Saenz’s freshman season was one of the best debuts in the section, and he’s positioned for multiple more years of growth. With both goaltenders returning, New Ulm has fewer questions heading into next season than almost any other team in the section.
Key Players to Replace
New Ulm’s offseason priorities are relatively modest given the scale of returning talent:
- Brody Nordby’s 34-point season and playmaking ability
- Melvin Sellner’s secondary scoring
- Kayden Klein’s power-play scoring from the blue line
2026-27 Outlook
New Ulm is positioned as one of the favorites in Section 3A heading into 2026-27. Hunter Larson and Carson Uecker return as one of the most productive scoring duos in the section, Jaxon Saenz’s freshman breakout adds a third dynamic scoring threat, and a deep defense led by Mason Buegler returns largely intact. With both Blaine Arneson and Colton Anderson back in net, New Ulm has the full package — proven offense, depth on defense, and goaltending stability — to make a real push for a section title in 2026-27.
Statistics reflect the 2025-26 regular season and Section 3A playoffs as provided. Have something for us? Our email is always open, ftphockey@gmail.com
