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BHS: Last Month in Recruiting

By Peter Odney , 10/01/21, 7:30AM CDT

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Five Minnesota products verbally commit to Division I programs, including a headliner heading to Dinkytown.

Sam Jacobs
Hometown: Maple Grove
2021-2022 Team: Minnesota Magicians (NAHL)
College commitment: Air Force 

Jacobs spent three seasons with the Maple Grove varsity, culminating in a senior season with 30 goals and 54 points for the Crimson, who reached the Class AA State Tournament semifinals before falling to eventual champion Eden Prairie in overtime. 

Now with the Minnesota Magicians of the North American Hockey League, Jacobs has recorded two goals and nine points in eight games. His nine total points tie him for the team’s lead with Lucas Kanta and Gavin Best, and are tied for third overall in the NAHL. 

Jacobs won’t have much trouble finding a familiar face in Colorado Springs. The Air Force roster features nine Minnesotans for the 2021-2022 season, and Coleraine native Frank Serratore helms the Falcons. 


Sam Jacobs has nine points in eight games so far for the NAHL's Minnesota Magicians.

Luc Laylin
Hometown: St. Michael 
2021-2022 Team: Lincoln (USHL)
College commitment: University of St. Thomas 

Laylin racked up 23 goals and 44 points in 58 NAHL games last season with the Minnesota Magicians, helping the Richfield-based organization reach the final four of the Robertson Cup Playoffs. 

A two-time captain and four-year contributor for the Knights of St. Michael-Albertville, Laylin helped the Knights to a sixth-place finish in the 2018 Class AA State Tournament as a sophomore. 

The Phase II selection of the Lincoln Stars participated in last week’s USHL Fall Classic as a member of the team’s active roster.

Laylin is slated to join the Tommies for the 2022-2023 season, according to RinkNet.  


Luc Laylin's play last season helped the Minnesota Magicians to the final four of the Robertson Cup Playoffs.

Joe Gramer
Hometown: Moorhead
2021-2022 Team: Moorhead High School 
College commitment: Nebraska Omaha

The younger brother of Northern Michigan commit and current Fargo Force defender Luke Gramer, Joe is one of several 2005-born Moorhead players that should receive heavy interest from Division I programs as they enter their junior season. 

Gramer tallied 15 assists and 17 points in his first high school season last year, helping the Spuds to a 13-8-1 record and appearing at the Class AA State Tournament. The USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers selected him in the fourth round of the USHL’s May Phase I Draft, and he'll likely spend time there before jumping to the Mavericks. 

There are seven Minnesota-born players on the Nebraska Omaha roster, including senior defenseman Jason Smallidge and graduate student forward Nate Knoepke. 


Joe Gramer tallied a pair of goals and 17 total points as thew Spuds made their (almost) annual trek to St. Paul for the Class AA State Tournament last season.

Jimmy Clark 
Hometown: Edina 
2021-2022 Team: Sioux City (USHL), Edina High School 
College commitment: University of Minnesota 

One of the most highly sought-after recruits in the country in his class, Clark becomes the latest Edina product to swap green-and-gold for goal-and-maroon when he makes the transition from prep to college. 

After tallying 15 goals and 26 points last season to lead the Hornets in scoring as a sophomore, Clark appeared in 10 games with the National Team Development Program’s Under-17 team. Clark recorded two assists in his time with the NTDP. 

He has played in two games for Sioux City of the USHL so far this season, collecting an assist in the Musketeers’ 5-2 win over Muskegon on Sept. 26.  

Current Hornets on the Minnesota roster for the 2021-2022 season include seniors Ben Brinkman and Sammy Walker, plus sophomore Mason Nevers. 


With his verbal commitment, Jimmy Clark becomes the next Edina product to pledge allegiance to the Golden Gophers.

Jakob Stender
Hometown: Alexandria 
2021-2022 Team: Fargo (USHL)
College commitment: Minnesota State 

Stender helped Alexandria to the Class A state championship game as a sophomore, then opted to transfer to Northstar Christian Academy, also located in Alexandria, for his junior and senior years.

After two seasons with the NCA Under-18 squad, Stender played a key role for the NAHL’s Aberdeen Wings during the 2020-2021 season. Stender recorded four goals and 26 points as the Wings advanced to the Robertson Cup Finals, eventually falling to Shreveport in the title game. 

A 5-foot-11, 190-pound two-way defender, Stender currently skates for the USHL’s Fargo Force and has recorded an assist in two regular-season games.


Jakob Stender, Fargo Force

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