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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 are proud to announce center and team captain Caden Sutter has committed to play NCAA hockey at SUNY Morrisville starting in the 2024-25 season.
The decision to attend SUNY Morrisville was an easy one for Sutter. Among the schools he visited, Morrisville stood out the most. When visiting the campus he liked everything he saw. “They have amazing facilities there and they are in the SUNY conference which is probably the best conference in all of NCAA Division III hockey,” he said.
Mullets General Manager and Head Coach Chris Walby expressed his excitement for Sutter. “I’m absolutely thrilled for Caden and his family. Morrisville is a great fit for him on the ice and in the classroom in so many ways. He’s going to make an immediate impact on that program, help them win games and get a degree without paying a fortune for school.”
Mustangs Head Coach Kevin Krogol called Coach Walby to express his initial interest in the center. “They like the way I play,” Sutter mentioned. “I talked to Krogol and he was super nice. A coach I would want to play for.”
Sutter, 20 (9/3/2003), joined the Mullets in the 2023-24 season and had an immediate impact. His 49 points (21-28=49) and 74 penalty minutes in 44 regular season games led the team. He also placed first in power-play assists (9), second with 1.11 points per game, and third in power-play goals (2).
“Caden was a phenomenal Captain and player here for us,” commented Coach Walby. “He’s such a strong leader and just a great person to be around. He grew and developed so much. It was awesome to watch and be a part of.”
Playing only one season with the Mullets was Sutter’s biggest junior hockey regret. A native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Sutter played the majority of his first two years of junior hockey with the Wisconsin Lumberjacks in the SIJHL, putting up 23 points (10-13=23) in 59 games.
Though his time in Minneapolis was short, he loved it. “You can’t beat the location being in Minneapolis and the State of Hockey. It gives you so many opportunities … There is so much to do in the area like watching the Wild and the Gophers play all within 10 minutes. You get super close with your team living in dorms. It's a blast. I wish I played there all three years of my junior career.”
“I wish we had more than one season together, but we’re just getting started,” added Coach Walby on what’s to come for Sutter. “He’s already recruiting future Mullies and it won’t be long until we’re on the bench together at some point. He’ll be missed here, but he and I talk almost every day and I don’t see that changing much. He's going to have a blast in school and do very well in the class room and for Coach Krogol. I'm very excited for him and wish him all the best.”
The feelings of respect and admiration between the forward and his coaching staff are mutual. “Coach Walby is my favorite coach I have ever had. I have not played for a coach that cares more about his players than Walby. As a bonus, Coach Walby was also able to bring in several special guest coaches for practices and HP, the equipment manager, is the best in the business,” said Sutter.
He attributes much of his college commitment to the staff and the team. “[The] Mullets helped me develop so much from where I was at the start of the season to where I'm at now."
What Sutter is most excited about in this next step is clear: “Working on my education and getting to play hockey at the next level.”
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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.
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 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!
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
