On Tuesday, the Minnesota Wilderness made their first selections in two drafts being held this week for all North American Hockey League teams.
In the league’s first ever Futures Draft, Charles Barnes and Quinn Beumer have been brought in to be included in the Wilderness’ Affiliate Player list. Barnes is a forward from Bellevue, NE, who played for the St. Louis Blues AAA 15Us in 2024-25. Beumer is a native of Orono, MN, and was a goalie for Mount St. Charles Academy’s 15Us last season.
Both players will be eligible to play up to 10 games for the Wilderness during the 2025-26 season without being placed on the team’s official USA Hockey protected list. The Wilderness will have until March 10, 2026, to add Barnes and/or Beumer to its USA Hockey protected list or sign them to a NAHL tender agreement. Any drafted player not signed or protected by the deadline will become a free agent eligible to sign a tender agreement with any NAHL team.
The Wilderness will be inviting Barnes and Beumer to the team’s main tryout camp set for July 20-24 in Cloquet.
With the Futures Draft, 16-year-old players can get early exposure to junior hockey and gain assistance from the NAHL in their hopes to play in the NCAA.
The Minnesota Wilderness also selected five junior hockey veterans and three rookies in the 2025 NAHL Entry Draft held on Wednesday.
The eight-player contingent includes four forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender.
Talan Blanck was Minnesota’s top pick, as the Wilderness called his name as the 16th selection in the first round. A forward from Fond du Lac, WI, Blanck will be entering his third season at the junior level after playing a combined total of 118 games in his first two seasons. Blanck split 2024-25 with the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers and BCHL’s Vernon Vipers. He began his junior career in 2023 with the Chippewa Steel. Blanck has made a verbal commitment to play NCAA hockey at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.
The Wilderness selections also include four Minnesotans:
· Jackson Knight was the Wilderness’ highest chosen rookie player. Knight hails from Orono, where he played high school hockey as a forward with the Orono Spartans. Knight was taken in the fourth round at 108 overall.
· Ryan Gerlich is a Brainerd native who was taken in the 7th round, 219th overall. Gerlich is a veteran goaltender who spent his first junior season in Canada, with the CCHL’s Brockville Braves.
· Tucker Johnson calls Edina home, and will have an opportunity to play his first season at the junior level while still in high school. Johnson, who is going into his senior year at Edina High School, was taken as the draft’s 355th selection in the 11th round.
· Mark Denoyer has 42 games of junior hockey under his belt. The Hastings native split 2024-25 with the Minnesota Wilderness NA3HL squad and the NAHL’s Minnesota Mallards. He was the final player chosen by the Wilderness, in the 12th round, 389th overall.
Two Europeans were taken in rounds 8 and 9. Radoslav Cichon, a defenseman from Czechia, was taken in the 8th round, 254th overall, while Swedish forward Lucas Ryen was selected in the 9th round, 287th overall. Both have junior hockey experience in their home countries and have yet to skate for a team based in North America.
New York state native Cayden Neice was Minnesota’s youngest player selected. Neice turned 17-years-old in March, and was taken in the 10th round, 321st overall. Neice is a defenseman who last season played 16U AAA hockey in Ohio with the Cleveland Barons.
All 8 draft selections will be invited to the Wilderness’ main tryout camp to be held July 20-24 in Cloquet.
Business Notes
J3 Insurance has acquired De Smet Agency in Superior.
“It was important that I found a locally owned and operated independent agency that was going to be able to provide exceptional customer service to my clients,” said De Smet Agency owner Tim De Smet. “I know my customers will be well taken care of with J3.”
J3 Insurance is a growing independent insurance agency with offices in Duluth, Cloquet, Brainerd Lakes and Superior. J3 Insurance focuses on home, auto, business, life and health throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin and multiple other states.
“We’re all happy for Tim, he can slow down a bit and enjoy the fruits of his 40 years of hard work,” said J3 President Jason McCaffrey. “The good news for us is that he’ll continue to help service clients a few days per week going forward. I truly believe it’s a win-win-win for De Smet clients, Tim and J3.”
