University of Minnesota Athletics
The Golden Son: Junior Mike Vannelli
12/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Constantly faced with questions dealing with what he has to do to make a name for himself, this was probably not the answer Mike Vannelli had in mind.
Tom Vannelli, Mike’s father, was instrumental in the Gophers’ 1974 and 1976 National Championship runs, including leading the team in scoring during the 1975-76 campaign and being named the NCAA Championship Most Valuable Player for his performance during the tournament. For his career, Tom Vannelli tallied 180 points on 69 goals and 111 assists.
A little more than two seasons ago, Mike Vannelli became part of the tradition that is Golden Gopher hockey. But regardless of the great career his father had here, Mike has never felt any pressure in terms of having to live up to a legacy. “He is just trying to be the best player that he can be,” Tom Vannelli said.
“As far as making a name for myself, it’s never really been an issue,” the younger Vannelli said. “We play different positions and are very different players, so there have never really been any comparisons.”
Apparent differences emerge when considering their styles of play. Tom Vannelli was somewhat small for a hockey player, whereas Mike possesses considerably more size. Tom was a skillful player that used his speed to agitate opponents. Mike is more of a finesse guy who thinks his way through situations and defends through positioning.
Despite the differences, Mike has adapted some of his father’s qualities on the ice. Known as an offensive-minded defenseman, Mike inherited a keen hockey sense and excellent hands that make him effective in beating opposing players with his passing, often setting up an open teammate with a chance to score. “He just understands how to get pucks to the front of the net,” assistant coach Mike Guentzel said.
Except for purposes of being accurately identified and having pride in the family name, Mike Vannelli knows that what is on the back of his jersey means nothing once he steps on the ice. Vannelli embodies the definition of a team player. He is more concerned about winning than gaining personal recognition. Though last year he earned All-Tournament Team honors at the NCAA West Regional, Vannelli is quick to shift the focus to the team’s accomplishment. “Being selected for the All-Tournament Team wasn’t as big of a deal as the fact that we won,” he said. “The real thrill was advancing to the Frozen Four. That was a really big achievement for our team.”
Last year’s team accomplished more than what many people had expected. With three freshmen defensemen included as regulars in the line-up from day one, uncertainty surrounded the outlook on the defensive side of the puck. Figuring in the numerous injuries that plagued the defensemen throughout the year, it seemed disaster was imminent. However, while those injuries caused the team to lose some continuity at some points during the course of the year, it was Vannelli and his regular line-mate Derek Peltier who remained consistent. The pairing posted the team’s best plus-minus ratio during the second-half of the season.
“We went through a lot last year and exceeded a lot of people’s expectations getting as far as we did,” Vannelli said. “We want to build on that this year and hopefully make it even farther, but it’s all about getting chances, and I just try to make the most of every chance I play.”
Vannelli has indeed made the most of his chances, and as a result he saw a dramatic increase in playing time last year. Each time he stepped on the ice, Vannelli seemed to gain confidence and became increasingly more effective. By the end of the year, he had set career highs in every statistical category. “He’s definitely grown with his confidence and became much stronger physically and mentally,” Guentzel said. “Therefore, he was able to do some things offensively as far as moving the puck and anticipating when to join the rush.”
Vannelli, much like a majority of the guys on this team, was recruited to fit in to a style of play that allows the defensemen to get involved in the offense. “We like to have our guys handling the puck and making tape-to-tape passes,” Guentzel said. Vannelli understands his role within this system. “I like to try to make plays and move the puck up the ice,” he said. Vannelli has become so effective in those aspects that he has seen action in a variety of situations including power plays, where he scored two goals last season. The Minnesota coaches have developed enough confidence in Vannelli that it is not even uncommon to find him on the ice against the opposing team’s top line.
Vannelli seems to bring his best game when the stakes are the highest. In 13 career playoff games, he has accumulated nine points, with eight of those coming on assists. “I guess I’ve just been fortunate to get some points in the postseason,” he said. “I guess the thing I pride myself on is helping our team win.”
‘Team’ was the fundamental concept for last year’s Golden Gophers, who were without the bona fide superstar that was present in years past. As a result, everyone on the team had to step up their game and take on additional responsibilities. With all of the inexperience on the defensive side of the puck, Vannelli, though only a sophomore, naturally took on more of a leadership role. It is a function he will continue to satisfy this year. “I have been through the ropes, so I just try to help the young guys out and let them know what to do and where to be in certain situations,” Vannelli said. “I just want to do whatever it takes to help us win.”
Perhaps the team-first attitude is something Mike learned from his dad, who played for the ultimate professor of team chemistry, Herb Brooks. The legendary coach used to have a sign outside the locker room that read: “It’s amazing what a group can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit.”
Tom Vannelli knows his son does not care about gaining personal recognition. “He understands that it is a team game and that the other stuff will come later,” he stated. What may be coming sooner rather than later for the Gophers is more success in the playoffs. The team’s run last season only serves to motivate them to make it even farther this year. “Now we’ve all been through it and gotten a taste of what it’s like,” he said.
With a year of experience under their belt, in addition to the size and strength they gained through hard work during the off-season, the young Gopher defensemen have a lot of confidence coming into this season. According to Guentzel, if it’s any indication from the first couple weeks of practices, they have all improved immensely. He predicts that they will only continue to progress.
Even with the arrival of one of the most anticipated recruiting classes in Gopher history, Vannelli knows it is still going to take a quantitative effort for this team to get where they want to go. “First thing’s first, you have to get the puck out of your own end to have a chance to score,” he said.
With number 15 helping to lead the way, the Gopher defense is certain to move the puck up the rink quickly so they do not have to spend much time in their own zone, simply creating more opportunities for the offense to score.
It is difficult to single out Vannelli when it seems that all he wants to talk about is the team. It is a fitting tribute to the lessons that his father learned while playing here at Minnesota and passed on to his son beginning at an early age. From the moment he started playing hockey as a youngster in St. Paul, Mike has always worn number 15 in honor of his dad. Although Tom Vannelli admits that it seems surreal to be watching his son wearing the maroon and gold, it was only natural that Mike would one day follow in his father’s footsteps and don the ‘M’. “He’s just been the most influential person in my life,” Mike said in reference to his dad. “He’s always been real supportive and just wants to see me succeed.”
Since arriving on campus in 2003, Vannelli has not only developed into a much better hockey player, but he has matured into a fine young man. He has earned the right to say something that many fathers only wish their sons could proclaim: “It’s been a dream come true to play for the Gophers.”
Golden Gopher fans, make no mistake about it, this is a son you can surely be proud of.
story by Tory Kukowski, athletic communications student assistant Something was missing when the Golden Gopher men’s hockey team lined up for their annual team picture a couple of weeks ago. The cause of this was not related to an early departure for the NHL, which has become common the last few years. It was something much less noticeable to the casual observer. A critical omission indeed – missing was a letter ‘n’ in the name on the back of the number 15 sweater.
Constantly faced with questions dealing with what he has to do to make a name for himself, this was probably not the answer Mike Vannelli had in mind.
Tom Vannelli, Mike’s father, was instrumental in the Gophers’ 1974 and 1976 National Championship runs, including leading the team in scoring during the 1975-76 campaign and being named the NCAA Championship Most Valuable Player for his performance during the tournament. For his career, Tom Vannelli tallied 180 points on 69 goals and 111 assists.
A little more than two seasons ago, Mike Vannelli became part of the tradition that is Golden Gopher hockey. But regardless of the great career his father had here, Mike has never felt any pressure in terms of having to live up to a legacy. “He is just trying to be the best player that he can be,” Tom Vannelli said.
“As far as making a name for myself, it’s never really been an issue,” the younger Vannelli said. “We play different positions and are very different players, so there have never really been any comparisons.”
Apparent differences emerge when considering their styles of play. Tom Vannelli was somewhat small for a hockey player, whereas Mike possesses considerably more size. Tom was a skillful player that used his speed to agitate opponents. Mike is more of a finesse guy who thinks his way through situations and defends through positioning.
Despite the differences, Mike has adapted some of his father’s qualities on the ice. Known as an offensive-minded defenseman, Mike inherited a keen hockey sense and excellent hands that make him effective in beating opposing players with his passing, often setting up an open teammate with a chance to score. “He just understands how to get pucks to the front of the net,” assistant coach Mike Guentzel said.
Except for purposes of being accurately identified and having pride in the family name, Mike Vannelli knows that what is on the back of his jersey means nothing once he steps on the ice. Vannelli embodies the definition of a team player. He is more concerned about winning than gaining personal recognition. Though last year he earned All-Tournament Team honors at the NCAA West Regional, Vannelli is quick to shift the focus to the team’s accomplishment. “Being selected for the All-Tournament Team wasn’t as big of a deal as the fact that we won,” he said. “The real thrill was advancing to the Frozen Four. That was a really big achievement for our team.”
Last year’s team accomplished more than what many people had expected. With three freshmen defensemen included as regulars in the line-up from day one, uncertainty surrounded the outlook on the defensive side of the puck. Figuring in the numerous injuries that plagued the defensemen throughout the year, it seemed disaster was imminent. However, while those injuries caused the team to lose some continuity at some points during the course of the year, it was Vannelli and his regular line-mate Derek Peltier who remained consistent. The pairing posted the team’s best plus-minus ratio during the second-half of the season.
“We went through a lot last year and exceeded a lot of people’s expectations getting as far as we did,” Vannelli said. “We want to build on that this year and hopefully make it even farther, but it’s all about getting chances, and I just try to make the most of every chance I play.”
Vannelli has indeed made the most of his chances, and as a result he saw a dramatic increase in playing time last year. Each time he stepped on the ice, Vannelli seemed to gain confidence and became increasingly more effective. By the end of the year, he had set career highs in every statistical category. “He’s definitely grown with his confidence and became much stronger physically and mentally,” Guentzel said. “Therefore, he was able to do some things offensively as far as moving the puck and anticipating when to join the rush.”
Vannelli, much like a majority of the guys on this team, was recruited to fit in to a style of play that allows the defensemen to get involved in the offense. “We like to have our guys handling the puck and making tape-to-tape passes,” Guentzel said. Vannelli understands his role within this system. “I like to try to make plays and move the puck up the ice,” he said. Vannelli has become so effective in those aspects that he has seen action in a variety of situations including power plays, where he scored two goals last season. The Minnesota coaches have developed enough confidence in Vannelli that it is not even uncommon to find him on the ice against the opposing team’s top line.
Vannelli seems to bring his best game when the stakes are the highest. In 13 career playoff games, he has accumulated nine points, with eight of those coming on assists. “I guess I’ve just been fortunate to get some points in the postseason,” he said. “I guess the thing I pride myself on is helping our team win.”
‘Team’ was the fundamental concept for last year’s Golden Gophers, who were without the bona fide superstar that was present in years past. As a result, everyone on the team had to step up their game and take on additional responsibilities. With all of the inexperience on the defensive side of the puck, Vannelli, though only a sophomore, naturally took on more of a leadership role. It is a function he will continue to satisfy this year. “I have been through the ropes, so I just try to help the young guys out and let them know what to do and where to be in certain situations,” Vannelli said. “I just want to do whatever it takes to help us win.”
Perhaps the team-first attitude is something Mike learned from his dad, who played for the ultimate professor of team chemistry, Herb Brooks. The legendary coach used to have a sign outside the locker room that read: “It’s amazing what a group can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit.”
Tom Vannelli knows his son does not care about gaining personal recognition. “He understands that it is a team game and that the other stuff will come later,” he stated. What may be coming sooner rather than later for the Gophers is more success in the playoffs. The team’s run last season only serves to motivate them to make it even farther this year. “Now we’ve all been through it and gotten a taste of what it’s like,” he said.
With a year of experience under their belt, in addition to the size and strength they gained through hard work during the off-season, the young Gopher defensemen have a lot of confidence coming into this season. According to Guentzel, if it’s any indication from the first couple weeks of practices, they have all improved immensely. He predicts that they will only continue to progress.
Even with the arrival of one of the most anticipated recruiting classes in Gopher history, Vannelli knows it is still going to take a quantitative effort for this team to get where they want to go. “First thing’s first, you have to get the puck out of your own end to have a chance to score,” he said.
With number 15 helping to lead the way, the Gopher defense is certain to move the puck up the rink quickly so they do not have to spend much time in their own zone, simply creating more opportunities for the offense to score.
It is difficult to single out Vannelli when it seems that all he wants to talk about is the team. It is a fitting tribute to the lessons that his father learned while playing here at Minnesota and passed on to his son beginning at an early age. From the moment he started playing hockey as a youngster in St. Paul, Mike has always worn number 15 in honor of his dad. Although Tom Vannelli admits that it seems surreal to be watching his son wearing the maroon and gold, it was only natural that Mike would one day follow in his father’s footsteps and don the ‘M’. “He’s just been the most influential person in my life,” Mike said in reference to his dad. “He’s always been real supportive and just wants to see me succeed.”
Since arriving on campus in 2003, Vannelli has not only developed into a much better hockey player, but he has matured into a fine young man. He has earned the right to say something that many fathers only wish their sons could proclaim: “It’s been a dream come true to play for the Gophers.”
Golden Gopher fans, make no mistake about it, this is a son you can surely be proud of.
story by Tory Kukowski, athletic communications student assistant
