University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Hockey Adds Forward Mike Szmatula
8/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) - Gopher Hockey and head coach Don Lucia have announced that forward Mike Szmatula has joined the Gophers program. Per NCAA transfer rules, Szmatula must sit out the 2015-16 season and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining beginning in 2016-17.
A native of Commerce Township, Mich., Szmatula (pronounced "smuh-TOO-lah") joins the Maroon & Gold after two seasons at Northeastern, where he collected 68 points (28 goals, 40 assists) in 73 career games. The forward was a Hockey East All-Rookie Team honoree in 2013-14 after ranking second in the nation in rookie scoring (1.05 points per game) and rookie points (39).
Prior to Northeastern, Szmatula helped the Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) capture the Clark Cup for the second time in three years in 2012-13 while the organization also earned the Anderson Cup (best regular-season record) with a 45-11-8 mark. The Most Valuable Player of the Clark Cup and a USHL First Team All-Star, Szmatula finished fifth overall in USHL regular-season scoring with 76 points while his 37 goals were tied for second in the league. The forward led the Maritime Junior A Hockey League in scoring during the 2011-12 season with 87 points (36 goals, 51 assists) as a member of the Summerside Western Capitals and was named the league's Most Valuable Player and a First Team All-Star. Szmatula previously skated with the Traverse City North Stars in the North American Hockey League and played high school hockey at St. Mary's Prep (Michigan).
The 2015-16 Gopher Hockey season marks the 95th campaign in program history. Minnesota enters the season having won four-straight regular-season conference championships for the first time in modern history while the team swept the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles last year. The Maroon & Gold have also earned four-straight NCAA tournament berths including Frozen Four appearances in 2012 and 2014. Season tickets and Pick Your Packs for the 2015-16 campaign are available for purchase by contacting the University of Minnesota Ticket Office in Mariucci Arena at 612-624-8080 or 1-800-U-Gopher. Learn more at MyGopherSports.com.
