It has been greater than two years for the reason that St. Louis Blues chosen proper wing Jimmy Snuggerud with the twenty third choose within the first spherical of the 2022 NHL Draft. The Chaska, MN native has spent the previous two seasons with the College of Minnesota, tallying 42 targets and 84 factors in 79 video games. Although many consider he’s prepared for the NHL, he selected to return to the Gophers for a 3rd season, specializing in additional growing his sport.
Who’s Jimmy Snuggerud?
Though Snuggerud has but to don a Blues jersey, each Blues followers and hockey followers internationally are properly conscious of his ability set. At 6-foot-2 and 187 kilos, he boasts spectacular measurement and a deadly shot. He’s able to scoring from anyplace on the ice with quite a lot of shot sorts, and he isn’t hesitant to make use of his physicality to realize a bonus.
Snuggerud can also be notable for his excellent two-way play. His excessive hockey IQ and relentless effort on each shift set him aside. Whereas offensively gifted gamers usually preserve vitality on the backcheck, that’s not the case for this 20-year-old.
Heading into the 2022 Draft, Snuggerud was projected to go within the late first spherical or early second. On the time, Austin Broad of FC Hockey said “Snuggerud is a goalscoring winger who has an elite shot and an uncanny means to get his shot off from anyplace and any angle. His shot instantly jumps off the web page while you watch him play. He has elite-level energy, accuracy, and a misleading launch that permits him to beat USHL goalies from anyplace within the offensive zone…I don’t suppose he’s within the prime 32 fairly but, however wouldn’t be stunned to see him go within the first spherical. If my group selecting within the early second, I’m hoping Snuggerud is there so my group has the prospect to get him.” With two seasons of spectacular manufacturing, he has already made a number of groups remorse passing over him.
Snuggerud made a reputation for himself internationally on the 2024 World Junior Championship (WJC). Enjoying for his residence nation, america, he tallied 5 targets and eight factors in six video games en path to profitable the match. This was his second 12 months of dominance, as on the 2023 WJC he tallied 5 targets and 13 factors in seven video games en path to a third-place end. He was acknowledged as a WJC Prime 3 Participant in 2023.
Jimmy Snuggerud’s hatty objective, and it is a LAZER 💥 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/8aLiAJZFwA
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) December 28, 2023
Along with his Gold and Bronze medals for america, Snuggerud has earned placement on the 2024 NCAA (B1G) First All-Star Staff which led to an eventual nomination for the 2024 Hobey Baker Award (NCAA Prime Collegiate Participant). As properly, he was on the 2023 NCAA (B1G) All-Rookie Staff and the 2023 NCAA (B1G) Second All-Star Staff.
Snuggerud May Dominate in 2024-25
Heading into his third season with the Gophers, Snuggerud is poised to dominate. With two full seasons of expertise below his belt and a powerful roster backing him (Gophers are presently ranked sixth within the USCHO preseason ballot), he’ll lastly be located to take the leap as among the finest gamers in school hockey.
Along with Snuggerud, the 2023 Chicago Blackhawks first-round choose, Oliver Moore, is returning. Buffalo Sabres 2024 third-round choose, Brodie Ziemer, might be starting his first season of faculty hockey, and 2023 Nashville Predators first-round choose, Matthew Wooden, has transferred to Minnesota for his Junior season. New York Rangers 2021 fourth-round choose, Brody Lamb, can also be returning for his Junior season following a 12-goal, 27-point marketing campaign in 2023-24.
The Gophers misplaced their prime scorers, Rhett Pitlick and Bryce Brodzinski, however this might profit Snuggerud’s level manufacturing. With elevated duties, he’ll play a bigger function not solely as a key offensive participant but in addition as a group chief. Anticipate him to log extra ice time as he takes the following step in his journey towards an expert profession.
Snuggerud’s Level Projection
With two seasons below his belt, Snuggerud’s flooring as an offensive contributor is understood. Barring a catastrophe, he’ll rating round 20 targets and 35 factors. Nonetheless, he may surpass his freshman-year manufacturing of 21 targets and 50 factors en path to profitable the Hobey Baker.
If Snuggerud meshes properly with Wooden, a powerful energy ahead, the 2 may achieve chemistry and every put up dominant offensive seasons. For Snuggerud, he may choose up a number of targets Pitlick and Brodzinski have left behind, surpassing the 30-goal and 55-point thresholds. Whereas taking residence to Hobey Baker is the objective, the most certainly state of affairs for Snuggerud is to complete with 25-28 targets and 40-45 factors.
The College of Minnesota begins its season on Saturday, Oct. 5 towards St. Cloud State College. Two weeks later, the schedule will choose up steam because the Gophers will face the College of Minnesota Duluth, St. Thomas College, Penn State College, and the College of Wisconsin on consecutive weekends.
