CORALVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) - Three former University of Minnesota hockey players have reunited with the Iowa Heartlanders, bringing their college chemistry to professional hockey.

Jaxon Nelson, Johnny Sorenson and Mike Koster played together at Minnesota, where they sat next to each other in the locker room for two years. Now they’re teammates again in the ECHL, connected by what they call “The Vikes Fandom” group chat.

Recruiting through group text

Sorenson arrived in Iowa first and used the group chat to recruit his former teammates, especially for Nelson.

“I tried to make him feel bad about not coming here,” Sorenson said. “You’re going to turn down your buddies? It’s a perfect opportunity to come play with your friends again.”

Koster joined the Heartlanders straight out of college, f

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