Mattias Sholl inks pro deal with Greenville, ends historic Bemidji State career

012225.S.BP.BSUMHKY Mattias Sholl.jpg — Bemidji State senior goaltender Mattias Sholl (30) stretches to protect the net during the third period against Northern Michigan on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, at the Sanford Center.

By Jared Rubado

March 19, 2025 at 9:30 PM

BEMIDJI 鈥� Mattias Sholl had never been to Bemidji before he became a Beaver. Now, he鈥檚 going to experience a little bit of deja vu.

The Bemidji State men鈥檚 hockey senior goaltender signed his first professional contract on Wednesday with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in the ECHL.

鈥淚t was always my goal to play pro hockey,鈥� Sholl said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a new chapter beginning after a tough loss on Saturday, and it鈥檚 crazy how fast it all comes together. I鈥檓 so excited to have a chance here, and I鈥檓 going to make the most of it. Hopefully, I can do some good things in these last few weeks here with Greenville.鈥�

Sholl is the second 2024-25 BSU rostered player to sign an ECHL deal, joining Carter Randklev, who signed with the Wichita Thunder in January.

Much like his introduction to Bemidji State, Sholl is getting the virtual tour of Greenville before he makes the trip.

鈥淲ell, I know that it鈥檚 in South Carolina,鈥� Sholl said with a laugh. 鈥淎lex Ierullo and Ethan Somoza were there, and with Somoza being another California guy, I鈥檝e been seeing him in the summer the past few years. He鈥檚 had great things to say about Greenville. It鈥檚 beautiful and warm out there, so it鈥檚 nothing but t-shirts and shorts for the next few weeks.鈥�

Earlier in the day on Wednesday, Sholl thought he was heading to Bloomington, Indiana. After speaking with his agent, Sholl was eager to play for the Bloomington Bison in the ECHL until they traded for former Minnesota State goaltender and 2022 Hobey Baker winner Dryden McKay.

122124.S.BP.BSUMHKY Mattias Sholl 6.jpg — Bemidji State senior goaltender Mattias Sholl (30) watches the puck during a game against Michigan Tech on Dec. 13, 2024, at the Sanford Center.

鈥淎fter a couple more phone calls and the word from my agent came in, I found out Greenville sent Dryden McKay to (Bloomington),鈥� Sholl said. 鈥淚 was like, 鈥極K, I guess I鈥檓 going to Greenville then.鈥� But I had a great talk with the head coach and the GM, and I鈥檓 just super excited for the opportunity.鈥�

Sholl exits Bemidji State as one of the most accomplished goaltenders in program history.

He finished with a record of 52-51-6, which tied for 10th in program history for most wins. He also holds the third-most saves (2,775), the ninth-best goals-against average (2.58), the 11th-best save percentage (.904, minimum 1,500 games played) and is tied for the seventh-most shutouts (six).

Sholl took the starting reigns his freshman season and played 26 games. He was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team and was a two-time Rookie of the Month winner.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to put into words,鈥� Sholl said. 鈥淓ven committing here on its own was an accomplishment for me. I didn鈥檛 have an offer in my last year of juniors. When you come in, you know there鈥檚 a potential to play but there鈥檚 also upperclassmen goalies. You鈥檙e a young kid who鈥檚 new to everything.鈥�

After his rookie season, Sholl was selected for the Mike Richter Award Watch List as a sophomore. He also won CCHA Goaltender of the Year as a junior. In total, Sholl won seven CCHA Goaltender of the Week awards, two Goaltender of the Month honors, a CCHA First-Team selection once and a CCHA All-Academic Team member thrice.

鈥淢y sophomore year, I was able to get on the Richter list, which was pretty special,鈥� Sholl said. 鈥淢y junior year, I went through a bit of adversity with that injury, and that was a tough time. But I think I came out of that mentally stronger and more determined, and I鈥檓 so fortunate to win that Goalie of the Year award. I take pride in it.鈥�

But there鈥檚 one statistical category Sholl is the most proud of. After Saturday鈥檚 4-0 loss against Minnesota State in the Mason Cup Playoffs semifinal, Sholl played in his 117th and final game for the Beavers. It鈥檚 the second-most in program history. Only Michael Bitzer (8,227) played more minutes than Sholl, who finished with 6,852 and 20 seconds.

112724.S.BP.BSUMHKY2 Mattias Sholl.jpg — Bemidji State senior goaltender Mattias Sholl (30) stretches to protect the net during the second period against St. Thomas on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at the Sanford Center.

鈥淭he culture here made me feel really comfortable in making the adjustments to college hockey,鈥� Sholl said. 鈥淚 just worked as hard as I could to get in the net and play games, and I was very fortunate to play a lot of hockey games, 117 of them. You don鈥檛 really realize it when you鈥檙e in it, but that鈥檚 a heck of an accomplishment and I鈥檓 definitely proud of that.鈥�

Sholl admitted his senior season wasn鈥檛 as fruitful as he hoped. However, the ties he made with the people at Bemidji State and the fans of the Beavers will stick with him.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the connections and everything I have with my teammates is the most special thing about these four years,鈥� Sholl said. 鈥淎ll of the relationships made with staff members, media members 鈥� everybody. It鈥檚 just been special, so special.鈥�

By Jared Rubado

Jared Rubado took over as sports editor at the Bemidji Pioneer in February 2023 after working as a sports reporter at the Alexandria Echo Press and sports editor of the Detroit Lakes Tribune, Perham Focus and Wadena Pioneer Journal newspaper group.

He graduated from Augustana University in 2018 with journalism and sports management degrees.

You can reach Jared at jrubado@bemidjipioneer.com or (218) 316-2613. Follow him on Twitter at