Monday, August 14, 2023
Paths: Manitoba Natives and College Hockey
Whitecloud Latest Alum from Province to Shine
This article was originally published August 14, 2023. It was most recently updated on August 7, 2025.
By Chris Meriney, Sean Hogan and Jayson Hajdu
There have been seismic landscape changes to college sports — and college hockey in particular — in recent years.
College Hockey Inc. examined the NCAA Division I men’s rosters and players from Manitoba from the 2024-25 college hockey season and will do so again once 2025-26 rosters are available. The expectation is that there will be many changes in these studies going forward.
Last season, NCAA Division I men’s hockey rosters featured 33 players from Manitoba.
The province has a rich history of developing future men’s college hockey players. While it understandably has not churned out the sheer volume of players compared to more populous provinces like Ontario or British Columbia, Manitoba has proven to be a reliable path to college hockey.
The names – including three-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews (North Dakota) and 2023 Stanley Cup winner Zach Whitecloud (Bemidji State) – are quite familiar to hockey fans.
Even more encouraging is the recent trend of Manitoba hockey players staying home to play their minor and junior hockey on their path to NCAA hockey. Previous Paths studies by College Hockey Inc. have consistently revealed that young hockey players need not venture beyond their provincial or state borders to pursue an “optimal” path to the NCAA.
Manitoba is no different.
How Does It Happen?
College Hockey Inc. tracked and studied the paths of the 33 Manitobans who played NCAA Division I men’s hockey in 2024-25, and several noteworthy themes emerged with regards to when college commitments occur:
- 29 of the 33 men earned their commitment while playing college-eligible junior hockey
- 27 of the 33 competed in the MJHL at some point during their career
- 28 of the 33 Manitobans were playing in their home province at age 17 (see graph below)
- The average age a player from Manitoba will earn his NCAA commitment is 19.5, which is in line with NCAA hockey players from the rest of Canada and the United States
| Where they were playing at 17: | |
| League | No. |
| MJHL | 15 |
| AAA U18 | 13 |
| Other | 5 |
Since November 7, 2024, the day the NCAA finalized its ruling granting CHL players eligibility, 18 more Manitoba-born players have committed to NCAA Division I programs. The breakdown of those commitments is outlined below:
| League | No. |
| WHL | 10 |
| MJHL | 5 |
| BCHL | 2 |
| AAA | 1 |
| Total | 18 |
Case Study I: Zach Whitecloud
The development path of Brandon native and Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud is highly instructive.
Whitecloud stayed home to play AAA U18 before starring for two years with the MJHL’s Virden Oil Capitals, during which time he earned a commitment to Bemidji State University. Whitecloud quickly emerged as one of the nation’s top defensemen while at BSU, winning a conference championship with the Beavers and landing a free-agent contract with the Golden Knights.
For Whitecloud, remaining in Manitoba afforded him the runway he needed to further develop his skills on his way to an eventual NCAA Division I opportunity.
“A lot of guys might have different decisions,” Whitecloud told College Hockey Inc. “No one path is set in stone for anyone. People develop at different times, people have different skills, teams have different roster spots available. For me, I was thankful to be close to home. That was something that was important to me.
“Being able to be a part of that, to where now the MJHL is a place that can be called a stepping-stone to get to the NCAA and earn scholarships, I’m proud to be able to say I played in Virden.”
In Oct. 2021, Whitecloud inked a six-year contract extension with Vegas. In 2023, he capped his fifth professional season by hoisting the Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights. Whitecloud enters the 2025-26 season with more than 300 NHL games under his belt.
Case Study II: Riese Gaber
Like Whitecloud, former University of North Dakota and current pro forward Riese Gaber spent the duration of his minor hockey in Manitoba, followed by a pair of seasons in the MJHL.
A native of Gilbert Plains, Gaber won a bantam championship in 2014 with the Parkland Rangers. Four years later, he captured an MJHL title with the Steinbach Pistons.
“My Dad’s always told me, ‘If you’re good, you’re going to get found,’” Gaber told College Hockey Inc. “I just kind of stuck to that. As a young kid, you should play at the highest level you can, but also at a level where you’re going to be able to play and make an impact.”
After a two-year stint in the USHL, Gaber was making an immediate impact at UND during his freshman season of 2020-21. He tasted championship glory yet again, leading the Fighting Hawks to a conference (NCHC) title while earning tournament MVP honors. In each of the ensuing two years, Gaber earned all-conference honors.
“I knew (the MJHL) was the path for me and looking back, it was two great years for me and it helped give me a lot of exposure to colleges,” said Gaber. “It opened my eyes to the college route. Obviously, I developed a lot and was able to be an impact player in that league before moving on.”
A highly sought-after undrafted free agent, Gaber elected to return to UND for his senior season.
“This place means everything to me,” Gaber told the Grand Forks Herald at the time. “I’ve been so fortunate to get three years here. To have a fourth, and the opportunity that stands ahead, is pretty exciting.”
Gaber graduated following the 2023-24 season and spent his first pro season with the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
Case Study III: Adam Ingram
St. Cloud State junior forward Adam Ingram was a third-round pick of the Nashville Predators in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the entirety of his minor hockey years in his hometown of Winnipeg.
“I knew I wanted to graduate from my school and be with my friends and be near my family,” Ingram told College Hockey Inc. “It was important for me to stay close to home. For me personally, it’s about how much time I was able to not only put into playing hockey but being in the gym or doing extra work on the outdoor rink in the winter, or even just shooting pucks.”
The opportunity for ample playing time was also important for Ingram.
“A lot of kids are rushing to get to the next level, but it’s okay to stay patient,” said Ingram. “I was cut from U18 the first time, but that year of U17 I got to play a ton and it really helped my development.”
After some time in the MJHL and USHL, Ingram was a mainstay in the SCSU lineup as a freshman and will enter his senior year having played more than 100 collegiate games. He’s also attended Nashville’s development camp in each of the last two summers.
“I realized college hockey was what I wanted to do,” said Ingram. “School has always been a priority of mine, and I’m getting a college degree right now.”
The steady growth of Manitoba natives and MJHL players playing NCAA Division I men’s hockey was a trend for the first two decades of this century. Unfortunately, this pattern was disrupted in recent years by the effects and restrictions of COVID-19.
Based on the analysis of recent rosters, as well as the significant number of Manitoba players currently committed to NCAA Division I hockey, it appears the trend is back.
While the WHL leads the way in numbers, the MJHL continues to stand out as a credible and competitive path to college hockey, particularly for those who choose to stay close to home during their developmental years.
Click HERE to read College Hockey Inc.’s previous Paths studies.
