For the first time in program history, two Knights players were selected in the United States Hockey League Phase II Draft this past Tuesday. Forward Ben Strinden (Fargo, ND) was selected in the sixth round, 82nd overall by the Muskegon Lumberjacks, and defenseman Jakob Stender (Alexandria, MN) was selected in the 14th round, 209th overall by the Fargo Force. Both players have been with the Knights since the program’s inception in 2018.
Strinden is coming off a season that had him second in scoring for the Knights, with 26 goals and 37 assists for a total of 63 points. He missed four games on the year to finish with 53 games played, and only accounted for 14 penalty minutes. He was also named to the NAPHL All-Star Game in December, but missed the game due to injury. Tendered to Minot of the North American Hockey League, he appeared in one game this year for the Minotauros, registering one goal. Strinden is the overall leading scorer in program history.
Stender led all defensemen in scoring for the Knights this year, and fifth overall for the Knights. Appearing in 51 games this year, he posted 14 goals and 30 assists for 44 points. Stender was also named to NAPHL All-Star Game, appearing on the victorious Team HockeyWolf. He is tendered to the Aberdeen Wings in the NAHL, and appeared in two games for them this season. Stender leaves Northstar as the fourth leading scorer in program history, and highest scoring defenseman.
Congratulations to both players on being drafted!