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The Minnesota Mullets are a Junior A hockey team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Mullets skate out of Augsburg University Ice Arena.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Minnesota Mullets Head Coach and General Manager Chris Walby today announced defenseman Olli Niemela will return for his second season with the team in 2024-25.
“Olli had a fantastic rookie year,” said Head Coach Walby. “One of the best parts about being a coach is watching players develop over the course of the season and Olli’s game grew a ton.”
Niemela, 18 (4/3/2006), collected six points (2-4=6) and 20 penalty minutes in 42 regular season games and two playoff games with the Mullets in 2023-24, playing in all but two games in his rookie season. Among team defenders he was T-2nd in goals and power-play goals (1), third in points and fourth in assists.
The opportunity to keep playing the game was an obvious choice for Niemela. “Everyday is fun with the Mullets. You can look forward to every practice and game.”
“I have to give a shout-out to HP who can fix any problem you have with your equipment,” he added.
Coach Walby was very pleased with Niemela in his first campaign with his new squad. “Olli had a fantastic rookie year. One of the best parts about being a coach is watching players develop over the course of the season and Olli’s game grew a ton.”
Prior to the Mullets, the 6-foot, 200-pound native of Buffalo, Minn., skated in 16 games for Buffalo High School and recorded four assists in 2022-23.
The jump from high school to junior play can be difficult for some, but Niemela handled the transition well. His first year taught him use his size to his advantage. “You have to be very physical and competitive,” he said. “You can't take shifts off and have to play tough.”
Niemela first came to the Mullets when he participated in an on-ice workout. His potential was there from the start and Coach Walby could see he would be an impact player, but he “knew it was going to take a full season to get him there.”
Being a younger player, having celebrated his 18th birthday only a few days ago, he has plenty of time to continue his development “into a star at this level and beyond. He skates well with and without the puck, has a solid skill set, competes hard and is a big and physical kid.”
As he adjusted to the higher pace of the league, “he started to see his role increase in December and never looked back.” From December 15 to the end of the season, Niemela’s discipline greatly improved, taking only one minor penalty through 21 games.
“We expect big things out of him this season and I’m excited to watch his growth continue,” noted the coach.
“I loved my first year with the Mullets,” Niemela said looking forward to next year, “and I'm excited to see the new faces on the team and possibly on the staff.”
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Interested in joining the Mullets? Please contact GM Chris Walby at chriswalbyhockey@gmail.com. Minnesota Mullets single-game tickets are available at mulletshockey.com/gameinfo. Mullets home games are played at Augsburg University Ice Arena, 2323 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454. Post games at The Corner Bar.
For more information, please visit mulletshockey.com and be sure to follow @MulletsJrHockey on X and @mulletsjrhockey on Instagram to stay up-to-date on all things Mullies!
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Minnesota Mullets Head Coach and General Manager Chris Walby today announced forward and team captain Jimmy Lindblom will return for his third season with the team in 2024-25.
“I’m very excited for Jimmy and the year that lies ahead for him,” commented the Mullets GM. “I’m as excited for the opportunity to coach him again in his final season of junior hockey and make it the best year yet.”
Lindblom, 20 (1/29/2004), collected 26 points (12-14=26) and 59 penalty minutes in 39 regular season games and an assist in two playoff games with the Mullets in 2023-24. He ranked fifth on the Mullets in goals, assists, points and power-play assists (4).
It was in his sophomore season with Minnesota where Lindblom was named team captain, which had him grow as a player and a person. “I have learned how to be a leader … and I also have learned how to take care of my body better,” said the forward.
Being a leader taught him “how to help my teammates with any questions they have and how to lead by example.”
As a rookie, Lindblom recorded 15 points (9-6=15) in 43 games. He was T-1st on the team in game-winning goals (2), T-2nd in power-play goals (2), fourth in goals and fifth in points.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound native of Pine City, Minn., played four seasons at Pine City Area High School (2018-22). Through 95 games with the Dragons the right-shot forward amassed 42 points (20-22=42). In his final season with Pine City Area he finished fourth on the team with nine goals and fifth with 21 points (9-12=21).
“I’ve known Jimmy since his freshman year in high school. We’ve been a part of some awesome games and have made several great memories together,” mentioned Walby. “I’m very much looking forward to this chapter and can’t wait for the puck to drop this fall.”
Lindblom has an older brother, Jake, who skated with the Mullets for three seasons (2017-20) before committing to play NCAA hockey at Bethel University and who has since moved on to put up respectable numbers at Waldorf University.
Head Coach Walby sees the same future for the younger Lindblom. “Jimmy is an impact player for us and a great leader on this team. He’s determined to help win games and move on to a solid NCAA program.”
Jimmy will be entering his third and final season with Minnesota prepared. “I’m coming into this season ready to win at all costs,” said the captain. “I’m looking forward to coming back to see friends and end my junior career as a Mullet.”
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Interested in joining the Mullets? Please contact GM Chris Walby at chriswalbyhockey@gmail.com. Minnesota Mullets single-game tickets are available at mulletshockey.com/gameinfo. Mullets home games are played at Augsburg University Ice Arena, 2323 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454. Post Games at The Corner Bar.
For more information, please visit mulletshockey.com and be sure to follow @MulletsJrHockey on X and @mulletsjrhockey on Instagram to stay up-to-date on all things Mullies!
1501 Washington Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55418.
Located in Minneapolis' historic Seven Corners district and only five minutes from the rink. With 15+ beers on tap, a full menu and a grill that stays open late The Corner Bar is the perfect place for pregame and post game celebrations.
Catrinas Cerveza & Grill - 2510 Kenzie Terrace, St. Anthony, MN 55418
