Aaron Huglen, a Roseau, Minn., native, is the latest Gophers men’s hockey player to turn pro, signing a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, on Monday afternoon.
The Gophers forward spent four years at the University of Minnesota and was originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL Draft. Over his collegiate career, Huglen recorded 73 points (32 goals, 41 assists) and earned several notable accolades. He was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, and received Minnesota’s Donald W. Community Service Award in 2023.
In his final season, Huglen also won the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, finishing with 19 points (5 goals, 14 assists).
Huglen joins a growing list of Gophers players to sign professional contracts after the season. Jimmy Snuggerud, Oliver Moore, Sam Rinzel, Matthew Wood, and Connor Kurth all inked entry-level NHL deals with the St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, and Tampa Bay Lightning, respectively. Mike Koster signed with the ECHL’s Iowa Heartlanders, an affiliate of the Minnesota Wild, Ryan Chesley secured a tryout with the AHL’s Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals affiliate), and Mason Nevers joined the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads.
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