ST. CLOUD — The new NCAA eligibility rules that are taking effect this school year pushed John Hirschfeld into shifting gears.
The new “5-for-5 rule” requires
players to complete four years of college competition within a five-year time span after they graduate from high school or turn 19.
Hirschfeld was
committed to play for the University of Vermont since April 2024.
But the Catamounts’ coaching staff wanted Hirshfeld to go back to the Lincoln (Nebraska) Stars for another year of junior hockey in the USHL.
“They didn’t have any openings,” Hirshfeld said.
Therefore, the
St. Cloud Cathedral High Schoo
l graduate asked to be released from his commitment.
“I asked to have my scholarship released from Vermont to see if I could possibly go some place this fall,” Hirschfeld said.
ended up reaching out and having a spot open a little bit later after that. So it all worked out pretty well.”
However, Hirschfeld admitted it wasn’t an easy decision to walk away from his Vermont commitment.
“I had a great relationship with the staff there,” he said. “It was definitely a difficult decision to ask for that. But they didn’t have to let me go. That was nice of them to grant me that.”
Former St. Cloud Cathedral standout John Hirschfeld has decided to play one more season with the United States Hockey League’s Lincoln (Nebraska) Stars. Hirschfeld has committed to play at Division I Vermont.
Contributed / Alexander Fern
Nick Oliver was named St. Cloud State’s head men’s hockey coach in April.
Oliver had 17 roster spots to fill when he got the job. With Hirschfeld getting added, the roster is set.
“We had a full summer of roster building and recruiting,” Oliver said. “This is one that ended up falling into place a little bit later. We’re excited about John and what he can bring to our program.”
Hirschfeld is listed at 5-foot-8 and 174 pounds. He’s hoping to make an immediate impact at SCSU.
“Any time you see a player that had the history of scoring in high school like he did, you’re usually on the right path,” Oliver said. “He’s got speed and he’s competitive. He was a very productive player in high school and I thought his first full year in the USHL, in different ways, he grew his game a lot.
“There were different moments in the year where he was productive on the score sheet and finding a way to impact a good USHL team. Whether that was at center or wing. There are a lot of ways he impacts a game. I think he’s pretty versatile and well-rounded. He should be able to make the jump to college hockey.”
Nick Oliver
CONTRIBUTED / University of Wisconsin
Hirschfeld played wing and center for the Stars last season. In 56 regular season games, he had 12 goals, 12 assists, 56 penalty minutes and was plus-3. In eight playoff games, he had two goals, four assists and was plus-2.
“Last season, I was pretty streaky but I liked it and had a lot of good opportunities,” he said. “I learned a lot about hockey and developed a lot. I’m excited about what last year can help me show this year. I’m more confident with the puck and making more plays.”
Hirschfeld had a storied career at Cathedral. In 107 games over four seasons, he had 82 goals and 155 assists, leading the Crusaders to three straight Class A state tournaments. Cathedral won the 2024 Class A state title and finished runner-up in 2025.
St. Cloud Cathedral’s John Hirschfeld (6) celebrates his second goal in the first period with teammates Joey Gillespie (24) and Caden Johnson (7) against the Monticello Moose Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, at Dave Torrey Arena in St. Cloud. Hirschfeld’s goals propelled the Crusaders to a 2-1 victory.
Kimm Anderson / For St. Cloud LIVE
Hirschfeld moved onto campus this week and is living in Shoemaker Hall. He’s getting to know his new teammates and how he fits into their dynamic.
“It’s nice to be with the guys and hang out in the dorms,” Hirschfeld said. “We’ve been lifting all week and skating. It’s been good. Everybody is super nice and all great to be around.”
Hirschfeld, who plans on majoring in finance, is already impressed with Oliver and how he goes about his business.
“He’s a super good guy and easy to talk to,” Hirschfeld said. “He seems really straight forward. You want to play for somebody like that. They’re not telling you one thing, but thinking another. He’s very straight forward. He’s really honest.
“I definitely have a ton of opportunity for playing time, but it’s all going to have to be earned. That’s nothing new for me.”
St. Cloud Cathedral junior forward John Hirschfeld goes through a drill at practice on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at the Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud.
Andy Rennecke / St. Cloud LIVE
The Huskies have been skating in Sartell while the renovation of the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center gets completed.
SCSU will open its season with a road game against Bemidji State on Saturday, Oct. 3. The Huskies are scheduled to have their first home game against Michigan Tech on Friday, Oct. 9.
Oliver is happy that his recruiting is done. Besides replacing 17 players, he’s also had to replace two assistant coaches.
“It’s been a fun summer putting pieces into place to see what this year’s version of St. Cloud State hockey is going to look like,” Oliver said. “Now, we get to the fun stuff.”
St. Cloud Cathedral’s John Hirschfeld (6) readies to put a shot on Princeton goalie Kole Roth in the second period of their Section 5A playoff game on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at Dave Torrey Arena in St. Cloud. Roth stopped Hirschfeld’s shot, but the Crusaders won 6-0.
Andy Rennecke / St. Cloud LIVE
Mick Hatten is a reporter and editor for stcloudlive.com. He began working for Forum Communications in November 2018 for The Rink Live and has covered St. Cloud State University hockey since 2010. Besides covering Huskies hockey, he is also covering other sports at SCSU and high school sports. A graduate of St. Cloud State, he has more than 30 years of experience as a journalist and has been a youth hockey coach since 2014. mick@stcloudlive.com
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