St. Cloud defenseman Johnson makes NCAA commitment

The St. Cloud Norsemen of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that defenseman Gunnar Johnson has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for St. Olaf College.

Johnson, 20, a native of Edina, MN, has played in 89 games for the Norsemen over the last two seasons. The 5’10/175 lbs. defender is a key member of the Norsemen penalty kill and has five assists in 48 games played so far this season.

“When I went to visit, it was definitely a fun place to be. The coaches were really awesome and one of the reasons I wanted to go there. I liked the campus and the rink. One of my friends from high school goes there and showed me around and that was a big part of it,” Johnson said. "Takes a little weight off the shoulders, knowing where I’m going and having a plan for next year.”

Johnson will play for St. Olaf next season. The Oles season ended last weekend with an overtime loss in the first round of the NCAA tournament, as St. Olaf was appearing in the NCAA’s for the first time since 2006 after winning their second Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Playoffs title.

The Norsemen have five NCAA Division I commitments on the current roster and Johnson’s commitment makes 10 current Norsemen or program alums with an NCAA commitment this year.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list