It’s Hockey Season! Here’s 11 Former St. Cloud State Huskies Playing In The NHL

The NHL Season officially kicked off last night. While the Minnesota Wild don't play their first game until Thursday, that hasn't stopped hockey fans from celebrating the return of their favorite game. Since St. Cloud is home to a D-1 hockey program, here are 11 former Huskies who are playing in the NHL this season.

Ryan Poehling 2016-2019

Poehling, after being drafted by Montreal with the 25th pick of the 2019 draft he has played with Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and in June, Ryan and a few picks were traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Trevor Zegras.

Charlie Lindgren 2013-2016

Charlie Lindgren played for St. Cloud State from 2013-2016 and was undrafted by an NHL team, but signed as a free agent with the Montreal Canadiens. Lindgren went from Montreal to St. Louis, and he now plays in our Nation's Capital, where he just signed a 3-year extension with the Capitals.

Jonny Brodzinski 2012-2015

Jonny Brodzinski played for St. Cloud State University from 2012-2015. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 2013, but didn't sign a contract with the team until 2015. He made his NHL debut in 2017 and then went to San Jose in 2019. In October of 2020, Brodzinski went to the New York Rangers, and most recently signed a two-year extension with the club in 2024.

Dennis Cholowski 2016-2017

Dennis Cholowski played for St. Cloud State University from 2016-2017. He was drafted by the Red Wings 20th overall in the 2016 draft. Cholowski made his NHL debut in 2018 and has moved around the league a bit. From Detroit, he went to Seattle in the expansion draft in 2021, and then later that year was claimed by the Capitals on waivers. In 2022, he signed with the Islanders, and most recently, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils for Adam Beckman in March.

Nic Dowd 2010-2014

Nic Dowd played for St. Cloud State University from 2010-2014, but was drafted by the LA Kings in the 2009 Entry Draft in the 7th Round. Dowd made his NHL debut with the Kings in 2016. He was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 2017. He signed with the Capitals in 2018, where he has remained. He just signed a two-year, $6 million contract extension in April 2025 to remain with the team.

Blake Lizotte 2018-2019

Blake Lizotte played for St. Cloud State University from 2018-2019. He signed an entry deal with the LA Kings in 2019, making his debut in the Kings season finale. In 2024 Lizotte signed a 2 year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he is currently playing.

Nick Jensen 2010-2013

Nick Jensen played for St. Cloud State University from 2010-2013. He was drafted 150th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2009 Entry Draft. He signed with the Red Wings in 2013 and in 2019 he was traded to the Washington Capitals. In 2024 the Capitals traded Jensen, along with a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL entry draft, to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Jakob Chychrun.

Mikey Eyssimont 2015-2018

Mikey Eyssimont played for the Huskies from 2015-2018. He was drafted by the Kings in the 2016 entry draft, and signed with them in 2018. In 2021 he signed with the Winnipeg Jets, and then in the spring of 2025 he was traded to the Seattle Kraken. He just signed a to a two-year, $2.9 million contract with the Bruins in July.

Nick Perbix 2018-2022

Nick Perbix played for St. Cloud State University from 2018-2022. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning and signed with them in 2022. He made his NHL debut in October fo 2022. Perbix just signed in July,  as a free agent, a contract with the Nashville Predators.

Will Borgen 2015-2018

Will Borgen played for St. Cloud State University from 2015-2018. He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2015, and signed with them in 2018. He made his NHL debut in 2019. Borgen was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 expansion draft. In 2024 Borgen was traden by the Kraken to the New York Rangers.

Jack Ahcan 2016-2020

Jack Ahcan played for St. Cloud State University from 2016-2020. When the 2020 college hockey season was cut short due to the pandemic, Ahcan signed with the Boston Bruins. Ahcan made his NHL debut in March of 2021. He signed a two year deal with the Colorado Avalanche in 2023.