University of Minnesota Athletics
USA Hockey Spotlight: Hudson Fasching
5/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
May 16, 2016 
USA Hockey Spotlight: Brady Skjei
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) ââ'¬" With four Gopher Hockey alums competing with the U.S. Men's National Team at the 2016 IIHF Men's World Championship in Russia, GopherSports.com caught up with Brady Skjei, Hudson Fasching, Jordan Schroeder and assistant coach Todd Richards during their time in St. Petersburg.
Hudson Fasching is the second Gopher Hockey alum to be profiled while the Burnsville, Minn., native is making his fourth career appearance with USA Hockey. The forward was a two-time U.S. National Junior Team member and also earned a silver medal with the 2013 U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team in Sochi, Russia.
GopherSports.com caught up with the former Gopher and current Buffalo Sabres forward to hear about competing in Russia, skating with other Gopher Hockey alums and how he plans to celebrate his graduation from the University of Minnesota.
GopherSports.com: First off Hudson, after a year apart you are back on the same team with former Gopher teammate Brady Skjei. Are you happy to be playing with him again?
Hudson Fasching: It's actually been really cool to be back in the lineup with Brady. He's one of my really good friends, and it's been great to see him continue to develop this year and have a chance to play in the NHL. I'm really happy for him and happy to be playing with him again.
GS: You also are playing with former Gopher Jordan Schroeder. He came through Dinkytown a few years before you guys did, but have you had a chance to catch up with him at all?
HF: We actually came over together and had a chance to talk about hockey and life on the plane. He's got a lot of great insights since he was in a similar position to us not that long ago. He knows so much about the game and how to play it. It's great to have someone like that who is willing spend time helping out the younger guys.
GS: We asked Brady about this too, but how helpful is it to be familiar with most of the guys on this U.S. team?
HF: Before we came over, I was looking at the roster and my parents asked me who I knew from the team. I think there were more guys on the team that I knew than guys that I didn't. I've had a chance to play with or against so many of these guys and get to know them over the years…it's great to catch up with a lot of them. And it's awesome to have a big contingency of Gopher Hockey alums on the team too.
GS: You've had quite the spring between finishing up your college career at Minnesota, signing with Buffalo/making your NHL debut and now you're competing with USA Hockey in Russia at the World Championship. How much fun have the last couple weeks been?
HF: The only word I can think of to describe it would be chaotic but in a good way. Having the chance to play in Buffalo was an unbelievable experience, and this whole thing has been a dream come true for me. But one day I was in the middle of the old routine and the next day things sure got exciting. It hasn't really stopped since. That being said, I really enjoyed my time at Minnesota, and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.
GS: You graduated from the University of Minnesota in three years, and you're supposed to walk at graduation (on Monday), which you won't be able to attend due to your USA Hockey obligations. Will you celebrate in some other way?
HF: I obviously won't be able to walk at graduation, but it's kind of funny that my graduation present from my parents is a week-long trip in Europe. So when we are done here in Russia, my parents, my girlfriend and I are going to Amsterdam, Belgium and Paris. It'll be great to spend some time with them after this whole hectic span…I'm looking forward to it.
GS: Last one for you…you've played in several international tournaments with USA Hockey over the years, but this is your first time in St. Petersburg. Have you had a chance to go out and explore at all?
HF: A couple of us went on a tour with one of our guides the other day…I really enjoyed that because there is so much to see and do here in St. Petersburg especially with its World War II significance. I really enjoyed visiting the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. That reminded me of Moscow. It's the cultural capital of Russia, so it's an exciting place to visit. I was surprised with how much water there is here with all the canals and everything. Overall, I'd say this has been one of my favorite places to come visit.
Fasching and the U.S. squad (3-0-0-3-0, W-OTW-OTL-L-T) close out preliminary play on Tuesday against Slovakia at 4:15 a.m. CT) The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network, and live stream will be available on NBC Sports Live Extra. Team USA can secure a spot in the quarterfinal round with a win.
USA Hockey Spotlight: Brady Skjei
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) ââ'¬" With four Gopher Hockey alums competing with the U.S. Men's National Team at the 2016 IIHF Men's World Championship in Russia, GopherSports.com caught up with Brady Skjei, Hudson Fasching, Jordan Schroeder and assistant coach Todd Richards during their time in St. Petersburg.
Hudson Fasching is the second Gopher Hockey alum to be profiled while the Burnsville, Minn., native is making his fourth career appearance with USA Hockey. The forward was a two-time U.S. National Junior Team member and also earned a silver medal with the 2013 U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team in Sochi, Russia.
GopherSports.com caught up with the former Gopher and current Buffalo Sabres forward to hear about competing in Russia, skating with other Gopher Hockey alums and how he plans to celebrate his graduation from the University of Minnesota.
GopherSports.com: First off Hudson, after a year apart you are back on the same team with former Gopher teammate Brady Skjei. Are you happy to be playing with him again?
Hudson Fasching: It's actually been really cool to be back in the lineup with Brady. He's one of my really good friends, and it's been great to see him continue to develop this year and have a chance to play in the NHL. I'm really happy for him and happy to be playing with him again.
GS: You also are playing with former Gopher Jordan Schroeder. He came through Dinkytown a few years before you guys did, but have you had a chance to catch up with him at all?
HF: We actually came over together and had a chance to talk about hockey and life on the plane. He's got a lot of great insights since he was in a similar position to us not that long ago. He knows so much about the game and how to play it. It's great to have someone like that who is willing spend time helping out the younger guys.
GS: We asked Brady about this too, but how helpful is it to be familiar with most of the guys on this U.S. team?
HF: Before we came over, I was looking at the roster and my parents asked me who I knew from the team. I think there were more guys on the team that I knew than guys that I didn't. I've had a chance to play with or against so many of these guys and get to know them over the years…it's great to catch up with a lot of them. And it's awesome to have a big contingency of Gopher Hockey alums on the team too.
GS: You've had quite the spring between finishing up your college career at Minnesota, signing with Buffalo/making your NHL debut and now you're competing with USA Hockey in Russia at the World Championship. How much fun have the last couple weeks been?
HF: The only word I can think of to describe it would be chaotic but in a good way. Having the chance to play in Buffalo was an unbelievable experience, and this whole thing has been a dream come true for me. But one day I was in the middle of the old routine and the next day things sure got exciting. It hasn't really stopped since. That being said, I really enjoyed my time at Minnesota, and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.
1st game, 1st goal. See what @Hfasching22 did to a D-man who has played 200+ more @NHL games than him. pic.twitter.com/cV2pJQNHf4
- Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 26, 2016
GS: You graduated from the University of Minnesota in three years, and you're supposed to walk at graduation (on Monday), which you won't be able to attend due to your USA Hockey obligations. Will you celebrate in some other way?
HF: I obviously won't be able to walk at graduation, but it's kind of funny that my graduation present from my parents is a week-long trip in Europe. So when we are done here in Russia, my parents, my girlfriend and I are going to Amsterdam, Belgium and Paris. It'll be great to spend some time with them after this whole hectic span…I'm looking forward to it.
GS: Last one for you…you've played in several international tournaments with USA Hockey over the years, but this is your first time in St. Petersburg. Have you had a chance to go out and explore at all?
HF: A couple of us went on a tour with one of our guides the other day…I really enjoyed that because there is so much to see and do here in St. Petersburg especially with its World War II significance. I really enjoyed visiting the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. That reminded me of Moscow. It's the cultural capital of Russia, so it's an exciting place to visit. I was surprised with how much water there is here with all the canals and everything. Overall, I'd say this has been one of my favorite places to come visit.
Fasching and the U.S. squad (3-0-0-3-0, W-OTW-OTL-L-T) close out preliminary play on Tuesday against Slovakia at 4:15 a.m. CT) The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network, and live stream will be available on NBC Sports Live Extra. Team USA can secure a spot in the quarterfinal round with a win.
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