Leaving basketball behind, Chanhassen hockey forward Gavin Uhlenkamp commits to Wisconsin – The Rink Live

CHANHASSEN, Minn. — Chanhassen forward Gavin Uhlenkamp has verbally committed to play division-1 hockey for the University of Wisconsin.

The 5-foot-9 Minnesota native put up 26 points in 24 games this past season for the Storm as a sophomore.

Unlike many other Minnesotan’s, Uhlenkamp, 16, wasn’t originally a hockey player.

“I actually played basketball for quite a bit, until like Squirt age (typically ages 9-10), then I just tried hockey and I liked it … My mom was like ‘You’re in Minnesota, you gotta learn how to skate!'”

Uhlenkamp is originally from the Eden Prairie area, but moved to Chanhassen when he was young and played youth hockey for Chaska/Chanhassen.

After a big sophomore year for the Storm, tying for second on the team in point totals, Uhlenkamp announced his verbal commitment to play for the Wisconsin Badgers.

“They’ve always been at the top of my list,” Uhlenkamp said. “I loved the environment there … I loved the campus, the coaching staff, and how they play a fast paced game — and that’s how I play — so I thought it would be a good fit.”

And he isn’t the only Minnesota player who has recently committed to the university. Maple Grove’s

Finn Brink

and St. Thomas Academy’s

Will Skahan

both also committed to the school this summer.

“Will Skahan, me and him are really good friends and our families are too,” Uhlenkamp said.

The Chanhassen forward will play for the Storm this season for his junior year. He will then likely play for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL once the high school season is over. He was drafted by the team in the

third round, 38th overall

, earlier this summer.

Uhlenkamp feels positive about the upcoming season for Chanhassen, after the team finished up 19-6-1 overall this past year. “This is our best shot we got, this year,” he said.

Uhlenkamp could be…