Sioux Falls 18U defenseman Mutschelknaus signs NAHL tender
November 21, 2017
The Sioux Falls Jr. Stampede of the NAPHL are pleased to announce that 18U defenseman Nate Mutschelknaus has signed an NAHL tender agreement with the Minnesota Wilderness of the NAHL’s Central Division.
Mutschelknaus, 17, is a founding member for the Jr. Stampede, who are in their first season of membership in the NAPHL. He began playing with the team four years ago at the 14U level. So far the team is off to a great start through three events as the 18U Jr. Stampede sit in 1st place in the NAPHL’s 18U Division with a 10-1 record.
Mutschelknaus (6’0/180) has been a big part of the success, with effective production from the blueline. In 13 NAPHL games this season, the native of Brandon, South Dakota, has seven points (2 goals, 5 assists). His most productive NAPHL event of the season came a few weeks ago in Troy, Michigan when he had four points in five games played.
Last season, Mutschelknaus played for the Sioux Falls Jr. Stampede 16U team, where he recorded 52 points in 51 games. He was an integral member of the 16U team that made their first ever appearance at the National Tournament. He also took part in the USA Hockey Select 17 festival this past summer.
He is one of two players from the Jr. Stampede 18U team (John Jaworski) that has signed an NAHL tender so far this season.
A tender is a contract, of sorts, a player signs announcing his intentions to play for that particular NAHL team and that NAHL team only. Once a player signs a tender with an NAHL team, his playing rights belong to that team within the NAHL and he may not be recruited by any other NAHL team. Each team is granted ten (10) tenders, which include two (2) tenders exclusively used on players from the NAPHL - plus or minus any trades - which became active on Nov. 1. Tendered players are not eligible for the NAHL draft, which will be held on June 5, 2018.
