MOORHEAD — Tryout season has officially begun for the Moorhead Spuds boys hockey team with a few standouts returning.
Forward Tyden Bergeson and defenseman Brandon Mickelson, who both started the fall on junior hockey rosters, are among the most recognizable returners from last year’s state championship-winning team.
Bergeson, who is a top 5 goal-scorer in the USHL this season, has tallied 11 goals and five assists for the Madison Capitals in 16 games. Last season, Bergeson was the third-leading scorer for Moorhead with 25 goals and 26 assists.
Lakeville South’s Carter Ernst and Moorhead’s Tyden Bergeson battle for the puck during the Minnesota boys hockey state 2A tournament quarterfinals on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
David Samson / The Forum
Bergeson’s success at the next level comes as no surprise to Moorhead head coach Jon Ammerman.
“It’s something that we knew here in Moorhead and now the rest of the hockey landscape is figuring it out,” Ammerman said. “He’s a great two-way player and he’s having a ton of success.”
Mickelson, who was injured early in the season for the Wenatchee Wild of the WHL, logged one assist in one game. The blue-liner was a key cog for Moorhead last season with eight goals and 36 assists.
“He’s back to full health and we’re happy to have him back,” Ammerman said. “He’s a core piece to our back end.”
Beau Christy (4) of Hermantown passes the puck against Brandon Mickelson (4) of Moorhead on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Hermantown.
Clint Austin / Duluth Media Group
Ammerman admitted a full roster might not be available until Moorhead opens the season against Wayzata in the Turkey Trot tournament at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at Plymouth Ice Center.
“That’s when I think we’ll know who we got,” Ammerman said.
Forward Max Cullen is another key returner from last season. Cullen, who committed to Minnesota Duluth in September, totaled 11 goals and 17 assists for the Spuds last season.
Forward Evan Wanner, defensemen Drew Simonich, Zak Devig and Brady Steffen are among others returning.
Forward Zac Zimmerman told The Forum on Tuesday that he has yet to make a decision on if he will return to the Spuds for this winter’s campaign. Zimmerman has been playing for the Fargo Force in the USHL, where he is second in the league in shots and has three goals in 15 games.
Zimmerman was the second-leading point producer for the Spuds last season with 78 points.
Moorhead’s Evan Wanner battles for control of the puck against Bemidji’s Noah Mannausau during the Minnesota Section 8-2A boys hockey championship game on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls, MN.
Alyssa Goelzer / The Forum
A question mark looms at the goaltending position. Charlie Stenehjem, who posted a 2.07 goals-against average and was a Frank Brimsek Award finalist, graduated following last season.
Senior Nolan Cook, who stands at a head-turning 6-foot-6, logged 22 minutes last season and stopped 11 of 12 shots.
Also in contention are junior Rylan Ste. Marie, who was the junior varsity goaltender last season, and Maddox Gregoire and Will Arnold who won a state championship with the Spuds’ Bantam AA team in the spring.
“The name of the game is stopping pucks,” Ammerman said. “There will be an open competition for the net.”
Ammerman added another crack at a title likely played a role in bringing back some familiar faces.
“A lot of guys were able to achieve something for the first time,” Ammerman said. “And as it got closer and closer to the season, I think a number of guys had to make a decision and their memories were pretty positive ones. Hopefully them coming back gives us a chance this year. Time will tell.”
Moorhead’s Zac Zimmerman leaps into the Spud bench after scoring the game-winning goal against Edina during the Minnesota boys hockey state 2A tournament semifinals on Friday, March 7, 2025, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
David Samson/The Forum
After graduating from North Dakota State University, Haugland joined the Forum in January of 2023. Readers can reach him at 701-241-5508 or by emailing ahaugland@forumcomm.com