Matthew Ronn

It seems like this signing was just meant to happen.

A quick recruiting process led to another key addition to the Minot State blueline as Beaver men’s hockey coach Wyatt Waselenchuk is pleased to announce the signing of Matthew Ronn, who will join Minot State as a freshman in the classroom and on the ice in the fall of 2026.

“We are thrilled that Matthew has chosen to continue his hockey and academic careers here at Minot State this fall,” Waselenchuk said, adding, “it took roughly 48 hours from the time I connected with Matthew and his family for the first time, to him committing to us. It just shows the type of young man he is, and the culture he has quickly learned about here in Minot.

“He played with Colton Getzlaff and grew up in Yorkton with Grady Hoffman, so that connection certainly helped, and they both rave about him as a player and as a person.”

Getzlaff, a recent Estevan Bruin player from Bottineau, committed to Minot State last month, and Hoffman, a Yorkton, Saskatchewan native, signed with the Beavers last week.

“I’m super excited to join Minot State in the fall and help this team win a National Championship,” said Ronn, a 6-foot, 179-pound defender from Yorkton, Saskatchewan, who played for the Estevan Bruins of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League this past winter. “I want to thank my family, friends, and coaches who have helped me along the way throughout my career. I couldn’t be more thrilled for this opportunity and can’t wait to get started!”

Ronn played in 42 games this past season with the Bruins, including 4 playoff games. He finished the season with 7 goals and 22 assists.

“His coach, Drew Kocur, could not have spoken more highly about Matthew and the qualities that he brings to a team,” Waselenchuk said. “He is a two-way defenseman who can run a power-play for you and then go kill a big penalty at the other end. He’s got some size and plays a very tough game through and through. His compete is fantastic.

“His goal is to win, and we feel incredibly confident that adding him will help us in our pursuit to do just that.”

Prior to this past winter in Estevan, Ronn played in 29 games during the 2024-25 season with the Blackfalds Bulldogs of the British Columbia Hockey League, scoring 2 goals and assisting on 11 others, and played in 63 games, including 13 playoff contests, with the Whitecourt Wolverines of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 2023-24, with 4 goals and 26 assists.

He began his junior career in 2022-23, playing in 22 regular-season games with Estevan, scoring 3 goals and adding 5 assists.

“We would like to welcome Matthew and his family to the Magic City!” Waselenchuk said.