University of Minnesota Athletics
Four Gophers to Skate at World Cup of Hockey
5/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) – Four Gopher Hockey alums will skate at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey as Erik Haula (Finland) and Erik Johnson (United States) were added to the rosters of their respective countries -- joining Blake Wheeler (United States) and Thomas Vanek (Europe). Paul Holmgren will also serve as assistant general manager for Team USA.
A native of Pori, Finland, Haula is coming off a career year with the Wild – setting new career highs for points (34), goals (14) and assists (20). The forward also added four points (one goal, three assists) in five playoff games for the Wild this season.
Haula has frequently represented Finland in international competition, most recently competing at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship in New York.
In three years and 114 games with the Gophers, Haula recorded 124 points (42 goals, 82 assists) and was the team’s leading scorer in each of his final two seasons (both of which ended with MacNaughton Cups as WCHA regular-season champions). An All-WCHA Second Team selection in 2012-13, Haula concluded his collegiate career with his best season at Minnesota, scoring 51 points as the only Gophers player in the last decade to surpass 50 points in a season.
A native of Bloomington, Minn., Johnson skated in 73 games this year for the Colorado Avalanche with 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists). The defenseman has skated in 529 NHL regular-season games with 220 points (59 goals, 161 assists), adding another seven games and two points (one goal, one assist).
A product of the U.S. National Team Development Program, Johnson has also represented the United States on numerous occasions including two IIHF World Junior Championships and two IIHF World Championships. The defenseman also helped the U.S to a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.
Johnson skated for the Gophers during the 2006-07 season after being selected first overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. The WCHA All Rookie Team honoree tallied 24 points (four goals, 20 assists) in 41 games as the Maroon & Gold swept the WCHA titles as regular-season and playoff champions.
The 2016 World Cup of Hockey is set for Sept. 17-Oct. 1 in Toronto. In addition to the U.S. and Finland, the seven teams participating in the event include Canada, the Czech Republic, Russia, Sweden, Team Europe and the North American Youngstars.
The World Cup of Hockey has been conducted on two previous occasions, with the U.S. winning the first edition in 1996 and Canada taking the title in 2004.
-Pride On Ice-
