By Joshua Boyd / USPHLPremier.com
A long courtship between college and player culminated in Cooper Knott’s commitment to St. John’s University in May.
The two-year Minnesota Moose forward and alternate captain made more than one visit to the aptly-named Collegeville, Minn., campus before making the commitment official just prior to Memorial Day.
“Throughout the season I was lucky enough to visit the campus a couple of times,” said Knott, an ‘02 native of Glenwood Springs, Colo. “I went for a tour in the early season, saw all the academic and athletic buildings, dining halls, dorms, etc. Later in the season, [teammate and fellow St. John’s recruit] Noel Rahn and I went for an overnight visit and I got to see more of the student side. Throughout that night, I knew I’d love to go to SJU. The coaching staff and I had talked for a long period of time throughout this process.”
Knott, who posted a combined 52 points in 91 regular season and playoff games for the Moose – including a trip to the 2023 Premier Nationals in Utica, N.Y. – is looking forward to taking some exploratory measures in finding his academic future at St. John’s.
“The school has a degree that I’d love to have in my hand moving forward through life. I think I am falling more towards the business side, but I am hoping to take pre-engineering classes and see where those take me through the next stages of my life,” said Knott. “When I went on my visit, I could feel the ‘family’ aspect of the hockey team. I knew from the beginning that was something I’d be lucky to be a part of.”
Rahn had made his commitment a little earlier, and that also played a role in Knott’s decision as they had a terrific forward-defenseman chemistry on the ice.
“I am very excited be with Noel for another 4 years. We only met this past season at the Moose, but in that time, he and I have become close friends,” said Knott. “It’ll be nice to keep that going!”
Although Knott and Rahn are excited to be joining SJU, Knott will miss the Moose a little bit, having spent the last two successful seasons with the Blaine squad.
“The Moose breed winners. Not every team has been to the national tournament seven out of the last eight years. The culture that we have is taught from Day 1: it’s that you have to hate losing more than you love winning,” said Knott. “There was no doubt in my mind that I was going back to the Moose after my rookie season. After a season like we had this past one, I am very glad I didn’t have doubts!
“The coaches were like no other. They know what works and what doesn’t, they helped shape us through the beginning of the season, and by January it was our team,” he added. “We got better at one thing at a time and to see those things translate to games so perfectly was honestly comical. We trust our coaches and the development model that they have in place.”
He also praised the USPHL for giving the Moose a platform to compete in so many different events, including the Moose’s own USPHL Midwest Showcase, which they host each October at the Fogerty Ice Arena.
“Having the opportunity to play at showcases brings so much exposure. It is a time to get on your best game and show off what you bring to the table at the next level. I believe the USPHL developed me into a more rounded hockey player,” he added. “There is a huge difference between youth hockey and junior hockey. The USPHL showed me that difference and helped me develop and shape my game.”
Knott is committed not just to SJU, but to becoming a go-to player for the Johnnies much sooner than later.
“Through the summer, I will continue to grow every part of my game. I hope to crush the gym and go into next year in the best shape I’ve ever been in,” he said. “I’m also looking forward to the [SJU] training program that I will be doing come next week. I am missing hockey and I’m excited to get back at it.”
The USPHL congratulates Cooper Knott, his family, the Minnesota Moose and St. John’s University for his commitment.
