Sourced, unranked directory

Famous People From Chaska, Minnesota

14 athletes, writers, Olympians, public officials, coaches and creators with documented Chaska connections. The directory distinguishes people from Chaska from current and other city connections.

What “connected” means

Famous and notable people connected to Chaska

This sourced, unranked directory covers notable people from Chaska, Minnesota, along with separate sections for current Chaska-based public figures and people with other documented connections to the city. Every record states the exact relationship supported by its source.

From Chaska

People from Chaska, Minnesota

These records are supported as Chaska natives, people raised in Chaska, people born in Chaska or people whose documented hometown is Chaska.

Wrestling

Andy Bisek

Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler and two-time world bronze medalist

chaska native and alumnus

USA Wrestling identifies Bisek as a Chaska native who competed for Chaska High School.

Hockey

Jimmy Snuggerud

NHL player and University of Minnesota hockey standout

chaska native and alumnus

University of Minnesota records identify Snuggerud as a Chaska native and Chaska High School alumnus.

Basketball

Kris Humphries

NBA player and University of Minnesota basketball standout

chaska hometown

The University of Minnesota roster lists Chaska as Humphries' hometown and Hopkins as his high school.

Football

Ross Travis

Professional football tight end and college basketball player

born in chaska and alumnus

The Indianapolis Colts media guide lists Chaska as Travis' birthplace and Chaska High School as his school.

Motorsports

Ryan Dungey

Professional motocross and supercross champion

raised in chaska

Independent reporting says Dungey spent his early years in Carver and Chaska before moving to Belle Plaine at age 15.

Hockey

Sam Rinzel

NHL defenseman and first-round draft pick

raised in chaska and alumnus

Breakaway Academy says Rinzel grew up in Chaska and played three seasons at Chaska High School.

Football

Stevo Klotz

Professional football fullback and Iowa State alumnus

chaska native and alumnus

Iowa State identifies Klotz as a Chaska native and Chaska High School graduate.

Current Chaska connections

Current residents and professional bases

These records are not presented as Chaska natives unless a separate source says so.

Curling

Jeff Isaacson

Olympic curler and Chaska Curling Center manager

current professional base

The City of Chaska's spring/summer 2026 guide lists Isaacson as Curling and Event Center manager; this is a professional connection, not a residence claim.

Digital media

Josh Liljenquist

Minnesota digital creator known online as Joshlilj, with more than 10 billion documented views tied to an approximately two-year content window.

current creator base

Axios identified Liljenquist as a Chaska-based influencer in 2026; separate hometown reporting identifies Fairmont as his native community.

Other notable Chaska connections

Other notable Chaska connections

These records document school or professional relationships without converting those facts into birthplace, hometown or current-residence claims.

Baseball

Brad Gulden

Major League Baseball catcher

chaska high school alumnus

MLB's player record and Chaska school records document Gulden's Chaska High School connection.

Baseball

Brad Hand

Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher

chaska high school alumnus

MLB records identify Hand as a 2008 Chaska High School graduate.

Hockey

Dave Snuggerud

Former NHL player, educator and Chaska hockey coach

longtime professional association

Local reporting documents Snuggerud's long-running work as a Chaska High School coach, educator and mentor.

Public service

Erik Paulsen

Former Minnesota legislator and U.S. representative

chaska high school alumnus

The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library identifies Paulsen as a 1983 Chaska High School graduate.

Research boundary

Names reviewed but not published

Phillip Bartlett and Edward Van Sloan were excluded after audited sources pointed to other Minnesota communities. Mike Reilly's official biography supports Chanhassen rather than Chaska. Tony Denman, Mike Lindell and Scott Wolter were held because this pass did not recover sufficiently strong Chaska-specific source evidence for the claimed relationship.