Another Monster Rookie Class…
2025 was a breakout year for the new Johnnie era but it's time to look forward & level up. Those paying close attention to Johnnie Soccer know that we entered our Spring season without a single Junior or Senior in the program. A unique situation & incredible opportunity for a talented young team looking to grow & lead together.
However, that also obviously meant we needed to add quality in numbers… & the staff did just that, adding 19 rookies & two transfers to the 2026 Roster. The group includes Taylor Petrich & Alex Keekley who joined last spring from Drake & St Olaf. Both add significant talent & experience. They are joined by a group of true first-year players who Coach Flintham has labelled “one of the deepest & most complete classes I’ve recruited”. Flintham added “They still have a lot to learn & need to both develop & match our expectations… but I have done this for a while & there’s for sure a special team building here”.
The group includes four players with MLS academy experience & 13 players coming from the region’s top ECNL teams (Elite Club National League). Additionally, ten of our Rookie group spent the summer on UPSL sides, lifting conference & MN Cup trophies with St Croix Legends, MPLS City II, & Blackhawks UPSL.
The ones to watch according to Coach Flintham:
“Honestly, it’s so hard to pinpoint individuals at this stage because there are always guys who massively surprise. For instance, Soren Benson probably isn’t a name everyone has heard of, but I’ve been watching him for a few years now & the lad has absolute crushed his summer prep & opened some eyes with his UPSL side in St Cloud. Then there are more obvious ones like Ethan Brown & Grady Monette who are very well-known MN players… the best guys on their HS teams & I think the top attacking players on their ECNL sides also. Less people will be shocked if they have breakout seasons. There are also guys like Andrew Panner coming from Shattuck St Mary’s MLSnext, Aidan Buckneberg from Sporting BlueValley MLSnext, or Laird Holden fresh off a hattrick in the Iowa State Championship game… these guys are sometimes a little less visible in outside soccer markets. But trust us, they are ballers!
I’m doing an injustice here not mentioning other names… but you’ll just have to come watch and see for yourselves. Some of the guys I mentioned, & for sure some I haven’t, will be big time players for us this fall & beyond”.
A special shoutout to John Krebsbach who acted again as our Alumni Recruiting Liaison for this class, & also all you Johnnies out there continuing to spread the word about how unique & incredible of a place SJU is. It matters & our alumni continue to set the standard.
GO JOHNNIES!
Tudor Flintham
Director of Soccer - Head Soccer Coach
Saint John's University
PHONE: (503) 686-3638
EMAIL: tflintham@csbsju.edu
INSTAGRAM: @johnnie_Soccer
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