Fargo Force defenseman Jakob Stender commits to Minnesota State

Jakob Stender knows what it takes to play at a championship level.

The Alexandria native was a key defenseman for the Aberdeen (S.D.) Wings last season as they advanced to the North American Hockey League's national championship game, the Robertson Cup Final, before falling to Shreveport (La.) 4-2.

Stender had an assist in that game, one of 26 points he recorded in 64 games.

The 19-year-old left-shot defenseman's combination of size (5-feet-11, 190 pounds) and skill have landed him a consistent role early in this season with the USHL's Fargo Force. Stender averaged a point per game in the preseason for the Force, and has one assist through two games early in the regular season.

All of that added up to a college commitment for Stender, who announced on Thursday that he has committed to play Division I college hockey at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

"I am very humbled and honored to announce my commitment to continue my education and play division 1 hockey at Minnesota State University of Mankato! I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates, friends, and most importantly God for making my dreams come true!!" Stender wrote on Twitter on Thursday afternoon.

Stender has shown the ability to produce points at every level at which he's played so far. He played one season for Alexandria High School, recording 14 goals and 21 points in 31 games in the 2017-18 season. He then played two seasons for Northstar Christian Academy in Alexandria, the same program that fellow MSU commit Reese Laubach plays for. Stender had 104 points in 125 games for Northstar from 2018-20.

Last season, he recorded 26 points in 64 games with Aberdeen.

Stender could come to MSU as soon as the 2022-23 season. The Mavericks have a deep defensive corps this season, but they are loaded with upperclassmen, including seniors Wyatt Aamodt, Jack McNeely, Andy Carroll, and transfer Benton Maass.