Graduating North Stars goaltender Michael Gudmandson is set to continue his hockey career south of the border.
Gudmandson committed to play for Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wis. during the 2014-15 season. The Sabres compete in the Division III of the NCAA. Marian finished the 2013-14 season with a 12-13-2 record, good for fifth in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association conference.
The 20-year-old from Sherwood Park, Alta. finished with a 20-3-1 record with four shutouts for the North Stars during the regular season. He won multiple goaltender of the week awards, the team's most valuable player award, the Kramer Division's MVP and the SJHL's MVP. Gudmandson was also nominated for the CJHL's MVP award.
"Michael was a huge addition to our hockey team late in October," said North Stars head coach and general manager Kevin Hasselberg. "Our team instantly gained confidence with his arrival and he immediately impacted our dressing room with his enthusiasm, determination and passion to play."
Gudmandson will be given an opportunity to compete for a position in the starting rotation with the Sabres. Head coach AJ Aitken is a former Canadian Junior Hockey League player and has targeted Saskatchewan prospects to fill his roster. The Sabres graduated two senior goaltenders last season.
