Minnesota Wilderness Forward Cappello makes NCAA Commitment

The Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are proud to announce that forward, Anthony Cappello, has committed to play NCAA hockey for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in the WIAC.

The 6-foot-4 forward from Ossining, New York, Cappello will head to Wisconsin this upcoming fall. Cappello is a third-year veteran of the NAHL, skating 190 games in his tenure. In his age-out season, the ‘05 lefty laced up with two teams, starting his 2025-26 campaign with the Lone Star Brahmas. He played in 23 games for the South Division team, recording nine points in that span. He lit the lamp on five occasions and notched four assists for the Brahmas. In early December, the skater from the Empire State would be acquired by the Minnesota Wilderness, where he would spend the rest of the season. He played in 28 regular season contests for the Midwest Division club, registering 17 points for the team. He scored five goals while notching 12 assists for the Minnesota-based team. With the help of his work on the ice, he and his team clinched the Midwest Division Title and went on a postseason run. Cappello played in 12 playoff games for the Wilderness, registering three points for the team. He scored a goal and notched two assists for the team.

The ‘05 forward is in a special club of NAHL players. Cappello has made three consecutive Robertson Cup appearances, never missing the Robertson Cup Championship Game in his three years in the League of Opportunity. His first two years were accomplished with the Lone Star Brahmas.

In Cappello’s 2024-25 campaign, the 6-foot-4 skater played in the South Division with the Brahmas, skating in 60 games with the team. The ‘05 skater recorded 13 goals and 16 assists for the club in his veteran season. In addition to his scoring, he tallied three goals on the power play.

The New York native got his first taste of the League of Opportunity during the 2023-24 season, where he skated in 67 games for the Lone Star Brahmas. The rookie lit the lamp 13 times while recording 15 assists for the South Division team. Thanks to his work on the ice, Cappello helped his team to a Robertson Cup, earning the national title in his debut year in the NAHL.

In addition to the title, Cappello had the opportunity to head to the Top Prospects Tournament in 2024 as one of the top young talents that the league has to offer.

Cappello will join more than 20 NAHL alumni currently on the roster at UW-River Falls.

UW-River Falls, located just 30 minutes from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, competes in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and is a 19-time WIAC champion. The three-time NCAA national champions play their home games at the brand-new, $65 million W.H. Hunt Arena, located directly on campus.

Cappello is one of 11 members of the Minnesota Wilderness to make a college ice hockey commitment.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list