After dazzling fans with his offensive skills this past season, Minnesota Wilderness forward Kevin Marx Norén will not be going far when he moves on to the collegiate level.
Marx Norén announced on his Twitter page Thursday that he has committed to play NCAA Division 1 hockey with Northern Michigan of the CCHA. He’ll be suiting up as a Wildcat beginning this Fall for the 2023-24 season.
After being acquired from Fairbanks on September 15, 2022, the forward from Knivsta, Sweden, made an immediate and dramatic contribution to the Wilderness lineup in his first game. Marx Norén posted four goals in a 7-3 victory over the Northeast Generals, which set a new team single game record—and that would just be the beginning of his re-writing of the Wilderness record book. He then went on to set new Wilderness marks in single-season goals with 33, and power play tallies with 14. He finished the regular campaign tied for the NAHL lead in goals with 34. Furthermore, his team-high 26 assists allowed him to finish the season with 60 points.
For his efforts, Marx Norén was named to the All-NAHL 2nd Team, and to the All Midwest Division Team. He also represented the Midwest Division in the Top Prospects Tournament last February.
“We are really excited for Kevin,” said general manager David Boitz. “He is totally committed to being the best player he can be. His hard work, preparation and commitment will make him a very good college player. Northern He Michigan is getting an outstanding young man and a terrific player.”
Marx Norén also led Minnesota in playoff goals with five over nine games, and his 10 post-season points tied for the team lead.
Marx Norén played a total of two seasons in the NAHL. He spent the 2021-22 campaign with three teams – the Jamestown Rebels, Kenai River Brown Bears and Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Throughout the course of his NAHL career, Marx Norén played 116 games, piling up 56 goals and 49 assists for 106 points.