CHANHASSEN, Minn. — Get used to hearing the name Sam Rinzel. The Chaska captain, Waterloo Black Hawks defenseman and Minnesota Gopher commit is one of the top prospects in this year's NHL Draft.
In the final list put out by NHL Central Scouting prior to the 2022 NHL Draft, Rinzel is ranked 19th overall among North American skaters.
I am proud and honored to announce my commitment to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota. I would like to thank my family, friends, and coaches for helping me get to this point in my career. #GoGophs〽️ pic.twitter.com/t7vCQZ1MmJ
— Sam Rinzel (@RinzelSam) August 13, 2021
But how did he get to this point?
"I started when I was three years old," Rinzel said
"I think the earliest memory I got is in kindergarten, or wherever in that region of how old I was, my dad would take me out of lunch. He'd take me to skate on a little three-on-three rink at Velocity in Minnesota and I think that's where I fully started."
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Those skating sessions ended up being the foundation for the successful start to his hockey career. There are a few parts to Rinzel's game that he believes are key.
"Size is a big one for me, and I think I'm a really good skater," Rinzel said. "My puck handling and my hockey IQ is a big one that I like to stick to my strengths for. Things I'd like to get better at is just my defensive game a little bit and kind of refining my game."
Profile
Age: 17
Hometown: Chanhassen, Minn.
Position: D
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 181 lbs
Current team: Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
College Commitment: University of Minnesota
NHL Rights: Top prospect eligible for the 2022 NHL Draft
Elite Prospects Profile Link
The Trust Project
