University of Minnesota Athletics
Kellen Briggs and Alex Goligoski Named 2006-07 Assistant Captains
9/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
University of Minnesota men’s hockey coach Don Lucia announced today that senior goaltender Kellen Briggs (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and junior defenseman Alex Goligoski (Grand Rapids, Minn.) will serve as assistant captains for the 2006-07 season. Lucia made the announcement following today’s one-hour practice at Mariucci Arena. Senior defenseman Mike Vannelli was named Minnesota’s 2006-07 captain in May.
Briggs, a three-year starter in the nets, becomes the first Golden Gopher goaltender to be named a captain since Brad Shelstad in 1973-74. Briggs ranks first in shutouts (11), second in goals-against average (2.54) and third in save percentage (.903) in Minnesota’s career record book.
With 17 wins this season, he would become Minnesota’s all-time winningest goaltender. Last season, Briggs compiled a 21-6-3 record with a 2.55 gaa and .904 sv%.
Goligoski, an All-WCHA Second Team defenseman in 2005-06, enters the season as Minnesota’s top returning scorer and blueliner. Goligoski posted career-high totals last season of 11-28--39 to finish third in the WCHA in scoring among defensemen. A second-round NHL Draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Goligoski was named a 2005-06 Third Team All-American by Inside College Hockey.
The Golden Gophers begin the 2006-07 campaign against Maine in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game on Friday, Oct. 6, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The last time Minnesota and Maine went head to head at Xcel Energy Center was the 2002 NCAA Frozen Four Championship game, where the Golden Gophers emerged victorious in a 4-3-overtime thriller.
