University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Goalie
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Goalie
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Gophers Close Out Road Swing at Michigan State
1/17/2019 11:36:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Gopher Hockey program returns to action this weekend with a two-game, Big Ten series at Michigan State. In a rare Saturday/Sunday series to allow for television broadcasts for both games, the series kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m. ET with the finale set for Sunday, Jan. 20 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Both games will air live on Big Ten Network.
Climbing the Big Ten Standings
Minnesota won the first four Big Ten regular-season championships and is well on its way for competing for the conference crown once again this year. With a 6-3-3-0 record in conference play, Minnesota sits in second place in the league standings with 21 points -- just two behind Ohio State. Minnesota has lost just one of its last eight Big Ten games (4-1-3, all three ties -- coming back-to-back-to-back -- saw the Gophers concede the Big Ten bonus point in the 3-on-3 overtime session).
The Goalie from the Great White North
The only Canadian on Minnesota's roster, Mat Robson was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week and the NCAA Third Star of the Week after backstopping Minnesota to its first sweep under Bob Motzko and the team's first sweep since taking a pair of games at Wisconsin in February 2018. The junior made 76 saves on 78 shots in the series (.974) to improve to 7-4-4 on the year. Robson has earned three-straight wins over top-10 ranked teams, allowing just one goal against in each contest and stopping 107 of 110 shots over the stretch (.973). His 501 saves lead the Big Ten while his .931 save percentage is second in the league and sixth in the nation.
Sheehy Continues to Climb Record Book
Senior captain Tyler Sheehy saw his career-long, 10-game point streak come to an end last weekend but bounced back by assisting on both of Minnesota's goals on Saturday to earn the sweep. The Gophers' active leading scorer with 126 points in 132 games, Sheehy hit two milestones last Saturday -- becoming the 51st player in 'U' history to reach 125 points and the 53rd player to hit 75 assists. Sheehy became the 60th player to score 50 goals earlier this season.
The California Kid
Minnesota's first California native on roster in three decades, Brannon McManus scored in both games last weekend with three points (two goals, one assist) and owns three of Minnesota's eight goals against the Irish among active players. The sophomore needed just 20 games to set new single-season highs for points (11), goals (eight) and assists (three).
The Pride of Grand Rapids (Minn.)
Blake McLaughlin made the most of his first two collegiate goals last weekend in the sweep over Notre Dame -- his first goal stood as the game winner in Friday's 5-1 win over the Irish while his second tally was the deciding goal in Saturday's 2-1 win (scored with 7.8 seconds left). The Anaheim Ducks prospect was named the Big Ten Second Star of the Week while his goal from Saturday was the NCAA Top Play of the Week.
The Pitlick Production
One of several second generation Gophers on this year's roster, Rem Pitlick leads Minnesota with 10 goals and 22 points in 21 games this year. The Nashville Predators prospect has points in 11 of the last 12 games and 16 of Minnesota's 21 games this year. Pitlick has not been held off the scoresheet in back-to-back games this season.
Hobey Baker Fan Voting
Pitlick, Robson and Sheehy will represent the Gophers on this year's Hobey Baker Award fan ballot as voting opened this week for college hockey's top honor. Fans can vote online at HobeyBaker.com through Sunday, March 10. The Gophers have previously won four Hobey Baker Awards (Neal Broten, Robb Stauber, Brian Bonin and Jordan Leopold).
Against Michigan State
The Gophers enter the weekend with a 118-46-16 all-time record against Michigan State although Minnesota's nine-game unbeaten streak (8-0-1)against the Spartans came to an end earlier this season in a series split at 3M Arena at Mariucci (a 7-2 Minnesota win followed by a 2-4 loss). Tyler Sheehy's 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in 14 games against the Spartans lead all active Gophers. Mat Robson is 2-0-0 against Michigan State while Eric Schierhorn is 9-2-1.
Noteworthy Notes & Anecdotes
Since forming on Nov. 23, Minnesota's GPS Line of Brent Gates Jr., Rem Pitlick and Tyler Sheehy have combined for 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 12 games...freshman forward Sampo Ranta notched three assists last Friday for his first multi-point game with the Gophers...Minnesota has outscored opponents 11-3 over the last three games with all three contests coming as victories over the No. 9 team in the nation...Saturday's 2-1 win over Notre Dame was Minnesota's first victory this season when scoring two goals or fewer (1-7-4)...Minnesota has a better record when being outshot (6-2-4) than when outshooting its opponent (3-6-0)....Tommy Novak snapped a 29-game goal drought last Friday with his first goal of the season, his drought spanned 358 days....the spring semester starts on Tuesday at Minnesota, but the fall semester was unforgettable as the Gophers recorded the highest semester GPA in program history at 3.41 and the highest cumulative GPA in program history at 3.22 (as an athletic department, Minnesota followed suit with school records of 3.25 cumulative GPA and a 3.25 semester GPA.
Alumni Notes
Ryan Lindgren made his NHL debut with the New York Rangers on Tuesday, becoming the 19th Gopher Hockey alum to play in the NHL this season and the 120th player in program history to reach the NHL...former Gophers captain Justin Kloos was traded from the Minnesota Wild to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.
Schierhorn Nears School Record
Senior goaltender Eric Schierhorn (2-4-0) picked up his 12th career shutout last month as the two-time Big Ten Goaltender of the Year claimed sole possession of third all-time at Minnesota (only Adam Wilcox and Kellen Briggs have more with 13 each). With a 57-45-4 career record, Schierhorn ranks tied for sixth in school history in wins and sixth in saves at 2,579. Schierhorn has made 108 all-time appearances for the Maroon & Gold, tying him for fourth in program history with Alex Kangas, only Adam Hauser (151), Kellen Briggs (132) and Adam Wilcox (115) have played more games in goal at Minnesota.
Minnesota Announces Captains for 2018-19
Four senior forwards will serve as leads for the University of Minnesota during the 2018-19 campaign with Tyler Sheehy and Brent Gates Jr. acting as captains for the Maroon & Gold while Jack Ramsey and Darian Romanko will act as assistant captains. Sheehy returns after serving as team captain as a junior last year while Gates, Ramsey and Romanko will wear letters for the first time as seniors. The four skaters continue a long tradition of Gopher Hockey captains dating back to the program's first season of play in 1921-22 when Chet Bros led the Maroon & Gold. Counting the new additions, 170 Gophers have worn a letter at the University of Minnesota in the program's 97-year history.
Gophers in the NHL Draft
Thirteen current Gophers have had their names called at the NHL Entry Draft including newcomers Robbie Stucker (2017, Columbus, Seventh Round, 210th), Sammy Walker (2017, Tampa Bay, Seventh Round, 200th), Blake McLaughlin (2018, Anaheim, Third Round, 79th) and Sampo Ranta (2018, Colorado, Third Round, 78th). Ranta and McLaughlin were selected with back-to-back picks in 2018 -- the sixth time in Gophers history that has happened. Ten NHL teams have prospects on the Gopher Hockey roster this year with Anaheim, Tampa Bay and Nashville each listing two draftees with Minnesota.
Mr. Hockey Goes to Minnesota
Incoming Gophers freshman Sammy Walker closed out his prep career by leading Edina High School to a third-place finish at the 2018 MSHSL Class AA State Tournament, earning all-tournament honors along with Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year accolades. Walker was also 34th recipient of the annual Mr. Hockey Award, given to the top senior high school boy's hockey player in the state of Minnesota. Of the 34 honorees in the award's history, 23 have gone on to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota.
Climbing the Big Ten Standings
Minnesota won the first four Big Ten regular-season championships and is well on its way for competing for the conference crown once again this year. With a 6-3-3-0 record in conference play, Minnesota sits in second place in the league standings with 21 points -- just two behind Ohio State. Minnesota has lost just one of its last eight Big Ten games (4-1-3, all three ties -- coming back-to-back-to-back -- saw the Gophers concede the Big Ten bonus point in the 3-on-3 overtime session).
The Goalie from the Great White North
The only Canadian on Minnesota's roster, Mat Robson was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week and the NCAA Third Star of the Week after backstopping Minnesota to its first sweep under Bob Motzko and the team's first sweep since taking a pair of games at Wisconsin in February 2018. The junior made 76 saves on 78 shots in the series (.974) to improve to 7-4-4 on the year. Robson has earned three-straight wins over top-10 ranked teams, allowing just one goal against in each contest and stopping 107 of 110 shots over the stretch (.973). His 501 saves lead the Big Ten while his .931 save percentage is second in the league and sixth in the nation.
Sheehy Continues to Climb Record Book
Senior captain Tyler Sheehy saw his career-long, 10-game point streak come to an end last weekend but bounced back by assisting on both of Minnesota's goals on Saturday to earn the sweep. The Gophers' active leading scorer with 126 points in 132 games, Sheehy hit two milestones last Saturday -- becoming the 51st player in 'U' history to reach 125 points and the 53rd player to hit 75 assists. Sheehy became the 60th player to score 50 goals earlier this season.
The California Kid
Minnesota's first California native on roster in three decades, Brannon McManus scored in both games last weekend with three points (two goals, one assist) and owns three of Minnesota's eight goals against the Irish among active players. The sophomore needed just 20 games to set new single-season highs for points (11), goals (eight) and assists (three).
The Pride of Grand Rapids (Minn.)
Blake McLaughlin made the most of his first two collegiate goals last weekend in the sweep over Notre Dame -- his first goal stood as the game winner in Friday's 5-1 win over the Irish while his second tally was the deciding goal in Saturday's 2-1 win (scored with 7.8 seconds left). The Anaheim Ducks prospect was named the Big Ten Second Star of the Week while his goal from Saturday was the NCAA Top Play of the Week.
The Pitlick Production
One of several second generation Gophers on this year's roster, Rem Pitlick leads Minnesota with 10 goals and 22 points in 21 games this year. The Nashville Predators prospect has points in 11 of the last 12 games and 16 of Minnesota's 21 games this year. Pitlick has not been held off the scoresheet in back-to-back games this season.
Hobey Baker Fan Voting
Pitlick, Robson and Sheehy will represent the Gophers on this year's Hobey Baker Award fan ballot as voting opened this week for college hockey's top honor. Fans can vote online at HobeyBaker.com through Sunday, March 10. The Gophers have previously won four Hobey Baker Awards (Neal Broten, Robb Stauber, Brian Bonin and Jordan Leopold).
Against Michigan State
The Gophers enter the weekend with a 118-46-16 all-time record against Michigan State although Minnesota's nine-game unbeaten streak (8-0-1)against the Spartans came to an end earlier this season in a series split at 3M Arena at Mariucci (a 7-2 Minnesota win followed by a 2-4 loss). Tyler Sheehy's 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in 14 games against the Spartans lead all active Gophers. Mat Robson is 2-0-0 against Michigan State while Eric Schierhorn is 9-2-1.
Noteworthy Notes & Anecdotes
Since forming on Nov. 23, Minnesota's GPS Line of Brent Gates Jr., Rem Pitlick and Tyler Sheehy have combined for 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 12 games...freshman forward Sampo Ranta notched three assists last Friday for his first multi-point game with the Gophers...Minnesota has outscored opponents 11-3 over the last three games with all three contests coming as victories over the No. 9 team in the nation...Saturday's 2-1 win over Notre Dame was Minnesota's first victory this season when scoring two goals or fewer (1-7-4)...Minnesota has a better record when being outshot (6-2-4) than when outshooting its opponent (3-6-0)....Tommy Novak snapped a 29-game goal drought last Friday with his first goal of the season, his drought spanned 358 days....the spring semester starts on Tuesday at Minnesota, but the fall semester was unforgettable as the Gophers recorded the highest semester GPA in program history at 3.41 and the highest cumulative GPA in program history at 3.22 (as an athletic department, Minnesota followed suit with school records of 3.25 cumulative GPA and a 3.25 semester GPA.
Alumni Notes
Ryan Lindgren made his NHL debut with the New York Rangers on Tuesday, becoming the 19th Gopher Hockey alum to play in the NHL this season and the 120th player in program history to reach the NHL...former Gophers captain Justin Kloos was traded from the Minnesota Wild to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.
Schierhorn Nears School Record
Senior goaltender Eric Schierhorn (2-4-0) picked up his 12th career shutout last month as the two-time Big Ten Goaltender of the Year claimed sole possession of third all-time at Minnesota (only Adam Wilcox and Kellen Briggs have more with 13 each). With a 57-45-4 career record, Schierhorn ranks tied for sixth in school history in wins and sixth in saves at 2,579. Schierhorn has made 108 all-time appearances for the Maroon & Gold, tying him for fourth in program history with Alex Kangas, only Adam Hauser (151), Kellen Briggs (132) and Adam Wilcox (115) have played more games in goal at Minnesota.
Minnesota Announces Captains for 2018-19
Four senior forwards will serve as leads for the University of Minnesota during the 2018-19 campaign with Tyler Sheehy and Brent Gates Jr. acting as captains for the Maroon & Gold while Jack Ramsey and Darian Romanko will act as assistant captains. Sheehy returns after serving as team captain as a junior last year while Gates, Ramsey and Romanko will wear letters for the first time as seniors. The four skaters continue a long tradition of Gopher Hockey captains dating back to the program's first season of play in 1921-22 when Chet Bros led the Maroon & Gold. Counting the new additions, 170 Gophers have worn a letter at the University of Minnesota in the program's 97-year history.
Gophers in the NHL Draft
Thirteen current Gophers have had their names called at the NHL Entry Draft including newcomers Robbie Stucker (2017, Columbus, Seventh Round, 210th), Sammy Walker (2017, Tampa Bay, Seventh Round, 200th), Blake McLaughlin (2018, Anaheim, Third Round, 79th) and Sampo Ranta (2018, Colorado, Third Round, 78th). Ranta and McLaughlin were selected with back-to-back picks in 2018 -- the sixth time in Gophers history that has happened. Ten NHL teams have prospects on the Gopher Hockey roster this year with Anaheim, Tampa Bay and Nashville each listing two draftees with Minnesota.
Mr. Hockey Goes to Minnesota
Incoming Gophers freshman Sammy Walker closed out his prep career by leading Edina High School to a third-place finish at the 2018 MSHSL Class AA State Tournament, earning all-tournament honors along with Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year accolades. Walker was also 34th recipient of the annual Mr. Hockey Award, given to the top senior high school boy's hockey player in the state of Minnesota. Of the 34 honorees in the award's history, 23 have gone on to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota.
Coach Larson on B1G Today
Monday, March 30
1976 Champions Honored
Monday, March 30
First Day with Brett Larson
Wednesday, March 25
Press Conference: Brett Larson Introduction
Tuesday, March 24