BISMARCK, N.D.–The Bobcats are tapping the Moorhead to Bismarck pipeline once again.
Moorhead native and Moorhead High School Spud Gavin Lindberg signed his tender with the Bobcats November 1. The 17-year-old forward follows Isaac Henkemeyer-Howe and Luke Gramer, who both played in Bismarck last season.
“It is one of the best programs,” Lindberg said. “It is historic. They are good at fostering Division I players.”
Lindberg, who describes himself as a “200-foot player,” led Team Sanford Power in the Minnesota Elite League in goals (15) and finished second in points this year.
“He is a glue guy for a line,” head scout Niko Kapetanovic said. “He makes plays that for a lot of players in Minnesota, the play would die there, but he somehow keeps plays alive. His IQ is off the charts.”
Lindberg’s playing days began similarly to many northern Minnesotans: skating on outdoor rinks in the cold weather. More than a decade later, he knows he is not going to hang up the skates just yet.
“It is awesome that I get to further my career but also try to stay humble,” Lindberg said. “(I can) act like a normal person and still have fun.”
As one of the Bobcats’ tenders, if Lindberg elects to take his talents to the North American Hockey League following the upcoming high school season, he would come to Bismarck. The Bobcats are excited to have him in the capital.
“When people watch him play, they will say to themselves, how did he even think of that?” Kapetanovic said.