University of Minnesota Athletics
Reilly, Richards Win Bronze with USA Hockey
5/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) -- Mike Reilly and Todd Richard --two All-American defensemen for the University of Minnesota -- helped the U.S. Men's National Team win a bronze medal on Sunday at the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championship in Prague.
The U.S. topped the Czech Republic 3-0 in the bronze-medal game and ended the tournament with an 8-2 record while winning Group B of the preliminary rounds with a 5-1 record.
A two-time First Team All-American, two-time First Team All-Big Ten honoree and the two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Reilly skated in all 10 games for the U.S. and recorded an assist, 10 shots on goal and a plus-three rating. Reilly also scored the opening goal in Team USA's 4-1 exhibition win over Austria to open the tournament.
Reilly previously helped the U.S. to a gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia as well as a bronze medal at the 2011 World Junior A Hockey Challenge in Langley, B.C.
Serving as head coach, Richards guided the U.S. to eight wins at the world championship -- the most ever by a U.S. squad at the event. Richards was a Second Team All-American for the Gophers as a senior in 1989 and led the Maroon & Gold to the Frozen Four in each of his four years. His 158 points and 128 assists are still program records for defensive scoring.
The current Columbus Blue Jackets head coach joins a long line of Gophers to coach the U.S. Men's National Team at the World Championship -- Marsh Ryman (1959), Ken Yackel, Sr. (1965), Murray Williamson (1967, 1970, 1971), John Mayasich (1969), John Mariucci (1976, 1977) and Herb Brooks (1979). Richards also served as an assistant coach for the U.S. in 2010 while Jack McCartan was an assistant under Mariucci in 1977 and Dick Meredith served as general manager of the U.S. squad in 1981.
This year's bronze medal gives the U.S. its second medal in the last three years -- the first time Team USA has accomplished the feat since 1951. The U.S. also earned bronze in 2013 with Gopher alums Eric Johnson and Nick Bjugstad on roster.
The Maroon & Gold have a rich tradition of competition at the international level including the IIHF World Championship with a history that dates back to Al Van and Spencer Wagnild competing at the 1938 event and member s of the Gophers competing in 21 of the last 22 tournaments.
