University of Minnesota Athletics
Ice Breaker on Deck for 'U'
10/4/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
| 2017 Ice Breaker Tournament | |
| Game 1 | No. 3 Minnesota vs. No. 6/12 Minnesota Duluth |
| Date | Friday, Oct. 6, 2017 |
| Time | 7:37 p.m. CT |
| Location | AMSOIL Arena | Duluth, Minn. |
| Game 2 | No. 3 Minnesota vs. No. 16 Union or Michigan Tech |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017 |
| Time | 4:07 p.m. CT |
| Location | AMSOIL Arena | Duluth , Minn. |
| Radio | 1130 KTLK-AM, 103.5 FM (Gopher Games) |
| Television | MY9 (All Games) |
| Stream | NCHC.tv (All Games) |
| Game Notes | Minnesota | UMD | Union | Michigan Tech | Big Ten |
| Social Media | @GopherHockey | Facebook | Instagram |
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) -- The No. 3 Gopher Hockey program officially kicks off its 97th season of play this weekend with the Ice Breaker Tournament at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth, Minn. The Maroon & Gold take on No. 6/12 Minnesota Duluth in the regular-season opener on Friday, Oct. 6 at 7:37 p.m. CT and follow up against either No. 16 Union or Michigan Tech on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 4:07 p.m. CT. Both Gopher games will be available over the radio on 1130 KTLK-AM, 103.5 FM and the Gopher Radio Network while all Ice Breaker Tournament games will be televised on MY9 (Duluth's NBC Affiliate) and streamed on NCHC.tv.
Gophers At the Ice Breaker
Gopher Hockey will make its fifth appearance in the season-opening tournament. Minnesota's three Ice Breaker Tournament titles (2007, 2013, 2014) are tied for the most among NCAA programs with Boston University.
Gophers Picked to Repeat at B1G Champs
The Gophers made NCAA history in 2016-17 as the Maroon & Gold captured their sixth-straight regular-season conference championship including the first four conference titles in Big Ten history (Minnesota also earned WCHA regular-season titles in its final two seasons in the league). The Gophers were selected as the Big Ten favorite again in the 2017-18 Big Ten Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll ahead of Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State. Additionally, Tyler Sheehy, Ryan Lindgren, Rem Pitlick and Casey Mittelstadt were honored on the Big Ten's Preseason Watch List. Sheehy was one of two unanimous selections on this year's list. The Gophers kick off the Big Ten season early this season, hosting Penn State at 3M Arena at Mariucci on Friday, Oct. 13.
Minnesota Tabbed Third in NCAA Poll
The Maroon & Gold were also placed third in the Preseason USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll, behind defending national champion Denver and Boston University. The 2017-18 schedule will have the Maroon & Gold facing off against at least eight teams listed in the preseason rankings with a ninth matchup possible. The Gophers will see Harvard (No. 4), Minnesota Duluth (No. 6), North Dakota (No. 7), Notre Dame (No. 8), St. Cloud State (No. 9), Penn State (No. 10), Wisconsin (No. 12) and Ohio State (No. 19). Minnesota could also face Union (No. 16) in the Ice Breaker Tournament.
Sheehy Steps Up as Captain
Forward Tyler Sheehy had one of the best individual seasons in recent program history during the 2016-17 campaign. A First Team All-America, the Big Ten Player of the Year and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, Sheehy tallied 53 points (20 goals, 33 assists) -- the most points in a season by a Gopher since Ryan Potulny notched 63 during the 2005-06 season. Now a junior, Sheehy will serve as team captain for Minnesota this year while Mike Szmatula, Leon Bristedt and Ryan Lindgren will serve as alternate captains.
Fresh Faces on the Roster
A number of newcomers will likely see action for the Maroon & Gold this season including six talented freshmen (Casey Mittelstadt, Scott Reedy, Brannon McManus, Sam Rossini, Nate Knoepke and Cullen Munson). Sophomore goalie Mat Robson also joins the Gophers this year and will be eligible for the second half of the year. Sophomore defenseman Tyler Nanne will compete for Minnesota this year after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules while senior forward Connor Hurley joins the program but will sit out due to NCAA transfer rules. More information on all Gopher Hockey student-athletes is available on GopherSports.com.
Schierhorn Returns to the Net
Junior Eric Schierhorn has made 75-straight starts in net for the Gophers and leads all active NCAA netminders in the statistic. Schierhorn repeated as Big Ten Goaltender of the Year in 2016-17 with a 23-12-3 record and career bests in save percentage (.908) and goals against average (2.61). The junior boasts a 43-29-3 overall record with the Maroon & Gold.
Bell, Hamre, Kent Join Gophers Staff
In addition to new players, the Gophers welcome a trio of new staff members for the 2017-18 campaign. Former Gopher Hockey captain Scott Bell returns to Minnesota as assistant coach after helping the Pittsburgh Penguins capture back-to-back Stanley Cups. Three-time University of Minnesota graduate John Hamre returns to the program as Director of Hockey Operations. Andy Kent comes on as Volunteer Goaltending Coach after helping the Gophers women's program win four national titles in six years. Kent will continue to work with both programs.
Minnesota Welcomes Notre Dame to Big Ten
The 2017-18 season will see a seventh team in the Big Ten standings as Notre Dame officially joins the league as an affiliate member. The Gophers are very familiar with the Irish program. Minnesota head coach Don Lucia is a Notre Dame alum, having played for the Irish and graduated in 1981. The two programs have also played each other six-straight seasons heading into the 2017-18 season. The Gophers are 27-15-4 all-time against the Irish. Minnesota will play its newest conference foe for the first time as Big Ten opponents on Nov. 24-25 in South Bend, Ind.
Gophers, 3M Announce Sponsorship Agreement
On July 10, 2017, the University of Minnesota and 3M announced a new sponsorship agreement -- the latest in a 90-year relationship between two of the state's largest institutions. The 14-year, $11.2 million sponsorship of Gopher Athletics includes the naming rights to what was previously known as Mariucci Arena. Keeping the historic Mariucci name, the Gopher Hockey facility will now be known as 3M Arena at Mariucci.
Gopher Hockey Joins iHeartMedia Family
The 2017-18 campaign will see a new radio home for Gopher Hockey as the program moves to the iHeartMedia family. All men's hockey games this season will be aired on 1130 KTLK-AM and simulcast on 103.5 FM. Long-time Gopher Hockey personalities Wally Shaver and Frank Mazzocco will remain on the call why Gopher Hockey alum Pat Micheletti will join the crew for select games.
Big Ten's Best
In addition to the first four regular-season titles in Big Ten Conference history, Minnesota also boasts a conference-best record of 54-19-7-0 in 80 regular-season games since the inaugural year of Big Ten play in 2013-14. The Gophers also boast an impressive 31-6-3-0 mark in conference games on home ice and have set and matched a conference single-season record with 14 wins in 2013-14, 2015-16 and 2016-17
Gophers in the NHL Draft
Thirteen current Gophers have had their names called at the NHL Entry Draft including newcomers Casey Mittelstadt (2017, 1st Round, eighth overall), Scott Reedy (2017, 4th Round, 102nd overall) and Connor Hurley (2013, 2nd Round, 38th overall). Mittelstadt is Minnesota's highest current draft pick, the 20th First Round selection in program history and the team's highest draft pick since 2006. Eleven NHL teams hold draft rights for Gophers, led by the Nashville Predators and the Buffalo Sabres with two each.
Our Home, Our Hockey
The Gophers boast an all-time record of 324-128-48 in the 24-year history of 3M Arena at Mariucci (formerly Mariucci Arena). In the last six years, the Maroon & Gold lead the NCAA in home wins (84) and home winning percentage (.746). Minnesota is 31-6-3-0 in Big Ten games on home ice including one victory at TCF Bank Stadium for the 2014 Hockey City Classic.
Gophers in the NHL
The University of Minnesota boasts 29 alums on NHL training camp rosters -- the second most of any program in college hockey. Eighteen Gopher Hockey alums played in the NHL last season including Phil Kessel, who won a second-straight Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016-17. The Maroon & Gold have celebrated 112 NHL alums in program history.
