Vigfusson a student of the game Nighthawks captain enters St. Cloud State career on heels of Centennial Cup win By: Mike McIntyre Posted: 5:41 PM CDT Tuesday, Jun. 2, 2026

Adam Vigfusson has always considered himself a student of the game.

Now, the 20-year-old Gimli product will get the chance to combine his passions for hockey and higher education as he heads to St. Cloud State University to study and suit up for the Huskies this fall.

“It came together really quickly,” Vigfusson told the Free Press on Tuesday. “My life has always been kind of around school first and hockey second. For me, to get this opportunity now, I can’t waste it.”

Vigfusson has passed every other test with flying colours. The captain of the Niverville Nighthawks led his team to both a Manitoba Junior Hockey League title and, late last month, a Centennial Cup championship. He was named tournament MVP after putting up 12 points (7 goals, 5 assists) in six games, which were all victories.

“That was the dream result. The pressure didn’t faze us at all. We just went about our business and got the job done,” said Vigfusson, who had 80 points (36 G, 44 A) in 53 combined MJHL regular-season and playoff games prior to heading to Prince Edward Island.

“This was my first national event ever, so going there I had absolutely no expectations. Just go there, have fun, try your best and see what happens. Obviously, it was pretty amazing.”

Vigfusson was still basking in the afterglow of the ultimate victory when St. Cloud came calling. He had originally committed to attend York University, but interest from a Division 1 school that is only about eight hours from home forced a late change in plans.

“We’re really excited for him. He’s a tremendous young man, and obviously an excellent hockey player,” said Niverville general manager Mike McAulay.

“It’s been tougher and tougher with the changing landscape of the NCAA and allowing Division 1 players to come out of the Western Hockey League and the Canadian Hockey League for junior-age players to earn those scholarships. So for him, it’s a testament to the player that he is, the person that he is and also the student that he is.”

“That was the dream result. The pressure didn’t faze us at all. We just went about our business and got the job done.”

Vigfusson is going to pursue a degree in biomedical science while hopefully keeping the door open for a potential career in hockey as well.

“Every kid’s dream is to play in the NHL, right? For me, it’s number one: education, get the degree, and then after school see what happens. Playing pro would be pretty awesome,” said Vigfusson.

Admittedly, that wasn’t a road he thought might be available just a year ago. But the season he just completed, on a team that really came together in a significant way, suddenly changed the long-term outlook.

“Obviously there’s a lot more confidence,” he said.

A turning point came in January when he took a puck to the face, shattering his jaw and requiring surgery. Vigfusson ultimately missed 17 games — then returned with a full bubble cage and scored twice in his first game back. His game only got better from that point on, especially as the stakes got higher.

“Things just really kind of got rolling from there,” he said of Niverville, which went 51-6-1 in the regular-season and then 12-1 in the playoffs before the 6-0 run at the Centennial Cup.

“Every kid’s dream is to play in the NHL, right? For me, it’s number one: education, get the degree, and then after school see what happens. Playing pro would be pretty awesome.”

St. Cloud is considered an elite program in the college hockey ranks, with dozens of former players going on to successful NHL careers. Alumni include current big-leaguers Nic Dowd, Ryan Poehling, Nick Jensen, Blake Lizotte, Will Borgen, Nick Perbix, Mikey Eyssimont, Charlie Lindgren, Jonny Brodzinski, Kevin Gravel and Dennis Cholowski.

Vigfusson will be following in the footsteps of Winnipegger Adam Ingram, who just finished his third and final year with the Huskies and signed his first pro deal with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL this past spring.

A new door opening in St. Cloud means the one in Niverville must be closed, which Vigfusson said is “bittersweet” after spending the past three years with the team.

“I’ve met so many good and caring people through the organization. The friendships and memories will carry on. I owe everything to this organization,” said Vigfusson, who was named the recipient of the 2025-26 RBC MJHL Community Award, presented to a player who shows a strong commitment to giving back in the community in which they play.

“They brought me in, treated me so well, so many good people, and it will always be my second home. My billet families, management, volunteers, everybody involved in the organization, they really make you feel at home. Every summer I’ll be going back to see people.”

Now, the focus turns to the future. There’s no time for rest or reflection, with Vigfusson already back in the gym and on the ice for an intense few months of training.

“I can’t really take a couple weeks off. I have to go into St. Cloud in even better shape. No days off, eat right and maintain a good healthy body, work on strength and, obviously, skills as well,” he said.

“I’ve got something to prove. My mindset is to try my absolute best, work my absolute hardest over the summer and then see what happens when I get to St. Cloud.”

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