The 2025 NA3HL Draft has allowed the Minnesota Wilderness to secure rights to four new players.
The Wilderness selected four forwards in the draft held April 30 who will be eligible to skate with the squad when it begins the 2025-26 season.
Three of Minnesota’s draft selections went to players who call Minnesota home, while one went to a Michigan native.
Samuel Gold was the first Wilderness pick. Minnesota called Gold’s name in the draft’s first round, as the 18th overall pick. Gold, 17-years-old, hails from West Bloomfield, MI, and spent 2024-25 playing AAA hockey for the Compuware 18U program.
The Wilderness would next pick in the third round and bring in New Prague, MN, native Luke Portner. After spending 2021-22 with New Prague High School, Portner has since played AAA hockey out-of-state. The 18-year-old Portner skated for Team Maryland in 24-25 after playing two seasons for the Windy City Storm. Portner was brought in as the 94th overall selection.
The final two Wilderness selections came in the fourth round and both were players who spent last season with Cloquet-Esko-Carlton. Nikolas Gentilini was selected 119th overall and was followed by Grady Knutson as the 133rd pick. Gentilini and Knutson are both 18 years old and are alums of the Minnesota Wilderness 16U AAA program. Gentilini skated for the Wilderness 16U’s in 2021, while Knutson was with the team in 2022.
Being drafted does not necessarily guarantee these players will be suiting up for the Wilderness next season. All must still make the Wilderness roster when it holds its tryout camp prior to the beginning of the season, and all four could decide to play for teams in leagues outside of the NA3HL.
The Wilderness 2025-26 schedule has not yet been released, although it is expected to begin its second season in Eveleth in September.