Gophers Add Six Players via Transfer Portal for 2026-27 Season

University of Minnesota head men’s hockey coach Brett Larson announced the addition of six players via the transfer portal on April 23, 2026, as he builds the roster for his first season behind the bench in 2026-27. The newcomers include forwards Austin Burnevik and Christian Humphreys, defensemen Tanner Henricks, Finn Loftus and Evan Murr, and goaltender Melvin Strahl.

Transfer Portal Additions by Position

Forwards

• Austin Burnevik – Junior forward from Blaine, Minn. Burnevik transferred from St. Cloud State, where he recorded 66 points in 71 appearances over two seasons. As a sophomore, he earned All-NCHC Second Team honors with a 20-goal, 38-point campaign that ranked him 13th in the NCAA for total goals.
• Christian Humphreys – Sophomore forward from Pittsburgh. Humphreys began his collegiate career at Michigan, playing in 10 games during the 2024-25 season before moving to the Ontario Hockey League midseason. He is a seventh-round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche.

Defensemen

• Tanner Henricks – Sophomore defenseman from Mission Viejo, Calif. Henricks, a fourth-round selection by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2024, appeared in 14 games as a freshman at St. Cloud State before joining Larson at Minnesota.
• Finn Loftus – Junior defenseman from Blaine. Loftus transferred from St. Cloud State, where he recorded 16 points in 36 games during the 2025-26 season.
• Evan Murr – Senior defenseman from Stillwater. Murr, a two-time CCHA Defenseman of the Year at Minnesota State, recorded 30 points last season, including 10 goals and 20 assists. His 10 goals ranked sixth among all NCAA defensemen.

Goaltender

• Melvin Strahl – Sophomore goaltender from Solleftea, Sweden. Strahl transferred from Michigan State, where he posted a 2-0-1 record in three appearances with a .922 save percentage and 2.27 goals-against average. He is a fifth-round draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Coach Larson’s Statement

“We are really excited about the additions we made through the portal,” Coach Larson said. “The players coming in are the right pieces to the puzzle and fit what we necessitate as a group. They’re hungry to compete, ready to contribute, and will push our program forward right away. We can’t wait to get them on the ice.”

Strategic Roster Building

The six transfer portal additions represent a significant shift in the Gophers’ recruitment strategy under Larson’s leadership. The group includes three players who followed Larson from St. Cloud State — Burnevik, Henricks, and Loftus — alongside new additions from other programs. The acquisitions address key areas of need, particularly on the blue line, where the team added veteran presence and offensive upside through Murr, Henricks, and Loftus.

With the 2026-27 season approaching, the Gophers have bolstered their roster with a mix of experienced transfers and developing talent, positioning themselves for increased competitiveness in the Large Ten and national landscape.