University of Minnesota Athletics
Thomas Vanek Nets 300th NHL Goal
10/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) -Thomas Vanek made history on Thursday night, becoming the first Gopher Hockey alum in program history to score 300 NHL goals as the Minnesota Wild topped the Arizona Coyotes 4-2.
A native of Baden bei Wien, Austria, Vanek has three points (two goals, one assist) in three games with the Wild this season - his 11th overall year in the NHL. For his career, Vanek has 611 regular-season points (300 goals, 311 assists) in 746 career games. He's also added 34 points (20 goals, 14 assists) in 63 career playoff games.
The forward leads all Gopher Hockey alums in NHL goals and ranks third in NHL points, fourth in NHL assists and sixth in NHL games (regular-season only for all statistics).
As a Gopher, Vanek scored 113 points (57 goals, 56 assists) in 83 career games, leading the Maroon & Gold in both seasons he played at Minnesota. The 2003 WCHA Rookie of the Year (as well as an All-WCHA Rookie Team and Second Team honoree), Vanek led the team in scoring with 62 points in 2002-03 while his 31 goals were most among NCAA rookies and fourth overall in the nation. He was named the Frozen Four MVP after scoring the game-winning goals in both the semifinal against Michigan in overtime and in the final against New Hampshire as the Gophers won their second-straight national championship. The following year, Vanek repeated as the team's scoring leader with 51 points (38 goals, 26 assists) and an All-WCHA Second Team honoree while and also earning Second Team All-America accolades.
Also in the NHL
*Paul Martin also hit a milestone earlier this week as the former Gophers All-American played in his 700th NHL game, becoming the seventh University of Minnesota alum to reach the mark.
*Vanek wasn't the only Gopher to tally points last night in the NHL. Nick Bjugstad and Alex Goligoski both tallied assists in their teams' wins while Kyle Okposo did all the work to score this game-tying goal in an eventual win for the Islanders.
