Wilderness defenseman Stoyanoff makes NCAA commitment

The Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are pleased to announce that defenseman Dane Stoyanoff has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for Bethel University.

Stoyanoff, 20, just completed his second and final season playing junior hockey in the NAHL. The 6’6/227 lbs. native of Esko, MN, had his best career season in 2020-21, recording 12 points (2 goals, 10 assists) in 54 regular season games.

“I can’t speak more highly of Dane; his commitment to our program and his teammates over the past two seasons has been a valuable asset. His defensive abilities and personality have been a key component to our program's success,” said Wilderness head coach Jon Vaillancourt. “Dane proved his commitment by coming to the rink every day, giving his best effort, and challenging his teammates to be at their best. He has been a large part of the culture that we established within our program, and I know he will be sorely missed next year both on the ice and in our locker room. Bethel University has an excellent young man coming into their program, and the Wilderness is wishing him great success.”

Stoyanoff made his NAHL debut with the Wilderness during the 2019-20 season, recording five points in 45 games played.

Overall in his two-year NAHL career, he has appeared in 99 career NAHL regular season games and posted 17 points.

Prior to playing in the NAHL for the Wilderness, Stoyanoff played three years of high school hockey in Minnesota for Cloquet High.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list