University of Minnesota Athletics
Skjei Agrees to Terms with New York Rangers
4/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) -- Gopher Hockey junior defenseman Brady Skjei will forego his senior season at the University of Minnesota after signing an entry-level contact with the New York Rangers. Skjei will join the Hartford Wolf Pack on an amateur try-out in the American Hockey League.
"I have had the best three years of my life at the University of Minnesota, and I will always be proud to be a part of the Gopher Hockey program. I couldn't have asked for better teammates, coaches and fans," Skjei said.
A native of Lakeville, Minn., Skjei played in 109 career games for the Maroon & Gold with 27 points (eight goals, 19 assists). Skjei helped Minnesota to three-straight regular-season conference titles and three-straight NCAA tournament berths including a national championship appearance in 2014.
"Brady had a terrific career here at the University of Minnesota, helping us earn three regular-season titles, a playoff title and three NCAA tournament berths," Minnesota head coach Don Lucia said. "He has been a great program guy -- a guy who always put the team first -- and we look forward to seeing him continue to develop as a professional player."
Skjei was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention recipient for the second-straight year in 2014-15 after helping Minnesota sweep the Big Ten regular-season championship and Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Tournament championship -- the Gophers' first conference playoff title since 2007. Skjei played in 33 games as a junior with 10 points (one goal, nine assists).
Excited to be apart of the @NYRangers organization! Thank you family, friends, teammates, and coaches who have helped me along the way!
- Brady Skjei (@BradySkjei) April 1, 2015
The defenseman was also named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention as a sophomore in 2013-14 after playing in 40 games with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) and 35 blocks -- all career highs for the blueliner. Skjei missed just one game in his sophomore season while representing the U.S. at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship in Sweden. The U.S. National Development Team Program product skated in 36 games as a freshman in 2012-13 with three points.
A three-year letter winner for the Gophers and a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Skjei was drafted by the New York Rangers in the first round (28th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
