ROCHESTER, Minn. – The Rochester Grizzlies have acquired defenseman Jake Kusch from the Granite City Lumberjacks in exchange for defenseman Jackson Bielenberg-Howarth, the team announced earlier today.
Kusch, a 6-foot left-handed shot defenseman, was drafted in the first round with pick No. 31 by Granite City in the 2025 NA3HL Draft and has put up two goals and three points in 12 games with the Lumberjacks this season, alongside a +7 rating.
The Cambridge, Minn. native spent last year with the Omaha Mastery 18U AAA team, totaling 4 goals and 16 points in 60 games.
Kusch has also played for the Nashville Jr. Predators, Des Moines Buccaneers and Oakmoor Academy Prep throughout his hockey career. In his time with the Des Moines Buccaneers, and at Oakmoor Academy, Kusch played with Grizzlies captain, Cooper Johnson.
Bielenberg–Howarth heads the other way after putting up a goal and assist in 11 games for the Grizzlies.
We’re fired up to welcome Jake to the Grizzlies Organization as we lock in for the winter months and push forward, putting the best team possible on the ice!