MINOT, N.D. – Ranked No. 1 in the nation, the Minot State men’s hockey team is still looking to improve as head coach Wyatt Waselenchuk is pleased to introduce the addition of a star two-way defender to an already potent lineup.
Coach Waselenchuk announced this week that 6-foot-1 defenseman Logan Rands from Portage La Prairie, Manitoba has signed a National Letter-of-Intent and will join the team as a mid-season addition. Rands will be available to hit the ice for the Beavers (15-1-0 overall) when they next play at Midland (Neb.) on Jan. 6-7.
“We are incredibly excited to add Logan into the mix for the spring semester,” Waselenchuk said. “His experience and his leadership will be a huge benefit to our roster. He is a puck-moving defenseman that makes a great first pass, skates very well, competes hard, and can certainly chip in offensively.
“Above all else, he is a fantastic young man,” Minot State’s coach added. “In speaking with previous coaches and teammates, we have heard nothing but rave reviews about his character both on and off the ice, and we are excited to bolster our blue line with a player of Logan’s caliber.”
The 175-pound defender from Manitoba played four seasons with the Virden Oil Capitals of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, playing in 167 regular-season games with 13 goals and 85 assists, and in 16 playoff games with two goals and five assists.
Rand also finished sixth in scoring by defensemen in the MJHL during the 2021-22 season (8 goals, 30 assists in 53 games).
He also played in 20 games with the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the British Columbia Hockey League, scoring a goal and adding five assists during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, and most recently played in six games with the Virden Oil Kings of the Tiger Hills Hockey League, scoring two goals and adding four assists.
“He has played with and against many of our current players, so the transition will be a smooth one for us as a program,” Waselenchuk added. “I know our guys are eager to welcome him into the Beaver hockey family.”
