Top prospect Jimmy Snuggerud to return to college hockey next season

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TJ Tucker
April 2, 2024 (4:13 PM)

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First-round draft pick Jimmy Snuggerud will not try to make the jump to the NHL next year. Instead, he play his third season with the Minnesota Gophers of the Big 10.

Snuggerud was drafted 23rd overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2022. many have been wondering whether he would make the jump to the NHL or return to Minnesota. Snuggerud and Blues GM Doug Armstrong have now announced his official decision, which has the full backing of th team.

"After talking to Jimmy and his family the past couple days, the organization fully supports his decision to commit to another season at the University of Minnesota. We look forward to watching his continued development towards becoming a solid contributor for the St. Louis Blues in the future by playing a lead role for the Golden Gophers against top college competition next year." - Doug Armstrong

The Gophers, for obvious reasons, are pretty pumped about the announcement.

"𝙎𝙉𝙐𝙂𝙂𝙔 𝙄𝙎 𝘽𝘼𝘾𝙆‼️

2x All-B1G forward Jimmy Snuggerud will return for his junior season at Minnesota!

#PrideOnIce"

Over the past two seasons with the University of Minnesota, Snuggerud has played 79 games, scoring 42 goals and 84 points. He also played a big role in Team USA's gold-medal winning performance at the 2024 World Juniors, with 5 goals and 8 points in 6 games.

Hockey runs deep in the family for Jimmy Snuggerud. His father Dave, who also played for the University of Minnesota, partipated in 265 games in the NHL, most of them for the Buffalo Sabres. His grandfather, James Westby, played for Team USA at the World Hockey Championships back in the 1950s.