University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, October 18
7:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Niagara
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Goaltender
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Goaltender
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Photo by: Jim Rosvold/University of Minnes
'U' Opens Home Slate Against Niagara
10/16/2019 10:34:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- Gopher Hockey hosts its first home series of the season this weekend, kicking off the 99th home schedule in program history with a two-game, non-conference series against Niagara this weekend at 3M Arena at Mariucci. The Maroon & Gold open things up against the Purple Eagles on Friday, Oct. 18 at 7:00 p.m. CT (TV: FOX Sports North; Radio: 1130 KTLK-AM/103.5 FM; Stream: FOX Sports Go) before closing out the weekend on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:00 p.m. CT (TV: FOX Sports North; Radio: 1130 KTLK-AM/103.5 FM; Stream: FOX Sports Go).
Against the Purple Eagles
Niagara will open up its regular season this weekend after defeating Ryerson in an exhibition contest earlier this month. The Golden Gophers are 3-0-0 all-time against the Purple Eagles in a series that began with a two-game series during the 2005-06 season -- Minnesota also played the Purple Eagles in the Mariucci Classic during the 2011-12 season. All three games have been played on home ice for the Maroon & Gold.
Niagara Series History (3-0-0)
1/6/2006: 5-2 Win
1/7/2006: 7-1 Win
12/30/2011: 5-1 Win
Last Time Out: Colorado College
The Maroon & Gold opened the 2019-20 on the road with a two-game, non-conference series at Colorado College last weekend, splitting the contests in Colorado Springs with the Tigers. The two former WCHA foes each earned a rally victory over the weekend with Colorado College taking the opener by a score of 3-2 while the Gophers bounced back for a 4-3 win in the series finale. Of the 19 skaters who took the ice last weekend for the University of Minnesota, 13 ended the series with at least a point.
Early Season Firsts
With 12 newcomers to the Gophers roster, there were several notable occasions during last weekend's series to open the season. Freshman goaltender Jared Moe picked up his first career win in his Gophers debut on Saturday, making 27 saves in net. Freshmen Jonny Sorenson, Ben Meyers, Bryce Brodzinski and Matt Staudacher all picked up their first career points in the series -- Staudacher notched an assist on Friday before adding his first career goal on Saturday.
Gopher Hockey Alumni Notes
*Blake Wheeler (Winnipeg Jets) became the fourth Gopher Hockey alum to record 700 career NHL points last Thursday night, joining Neal Broten (923), Phil Kessel (824) and Thomas Vanek (789). Phil Kessel (Arizona Coyotes) became the fourth Gopher Hockey alum to play in 1,000 career NHL games last Saturday night, joining Neal Broten (1,099), Mike Ramsey (1,079) and Thomas Vanek (1,029).
Nanne, Walker Tabbed Team Captains
Senior defenseman Tyler Nanne and sophomore forward Sammy Walker have been voted to serve as team captains for the Gophers for the 2019-20 season. The pair are the 171st and 172nd players in University of Minnesota history to wear letters, dating back to the first season of play in 1921-22 when Chet Bros led the Maroon & Gold. Nanne, the first third-generation player in Pride on Ice history, is also the second Gophers captain in his family following his grandfather -- All-American Lou Nanne -- in 1962-63
Big Ten Preseason Information
The University of Minnesota has been predicted to finish fifth in the 2019-20 Big Ten Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll with the complete order as followed: Penn State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan and Michigan State. The Gophers, who have won four regular-season conference championships in the six-year history of the Big Ten, are the only program in the league to win multiple conference crowns. Additionally, Sammy Walker was named as a Preseason Second Team All-Big Ten selection by the conference coaches. Walker was named the 2019 Big Ten Freshman of the Year after leading all conference rookies with 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) last season.
'U' Skates to Exhibition Tie with Mount Royal
The University of Minnesota held its lone preseason exhibition game last Sunday as the Maroon & Gold skated to a 2-2 overtime tie with Mount Royal at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Blake McLaughlin factored into both Minnesota goals with an assist and a goal while Sammy Walker tallied the Gophers' opening goal of the contest. All three newcomers in net saw action, playing a period each.
Youthful Excitement
The Maroon & Gold will field a youthful roster for the 2019-20 season with 19 of the team's 27 players listed as either a freshman or sophomore. The Gophers will also bring in 12 newcomers to the locker room -- 11 freshmen and junior transfer Jack LaFontaine in net. Breaking things down, the 11 freshmen are comprised of two goaltenders (Justen Close, Jared Moe), three defensemen (Ryan Johnson, Jackson LaCombe, Matt Staudacher) and six forwards (Bryce Brodzinski, Ben Meyers, Jaxon Nelson, Jack Perbix, Jonny Sorenson, Noah Weber).
Statistically Speaking
According the College Hockey Inc., the University of Minnesota will field both the youngest team in college hockey (average age of 20 years, 240 days) and the biggest team in college hockey (average weight of 193.89 pounds) this season. The Maroon & Gold will also be the eighth tallest team in college hockey this year (average height of 6-00.67).
Follow the Golden Gophers on TV
The University of Minnesota once again boasts college hockey's best television broadcast schedule with 30 of 34 regular-season games available in the Minnesota/Twin Cities market (more games may be added at a later date). FOX Sports North leads the way in Gopher Hockey coverage with 19 games scheduled to be broadcast on the network while the Big Ten Network will currently air nine Minnesota contests in 2019-20. FOX9+ will pick up the Gophers' road game at Minnesota Duluth while NBC Sports will broadcast the series opener at Notre Dame. Visit GopherSports.com to view the complete and up-to-date Gopher Hockey schedule.
Gopher Hockey Notes and News
Fourteen Gophers on the 2019-20 roster have been drafted by NHL teams including 2019 first rounder and incoming freshman defenseman Ryan Johnson (31st overall by Buffalo). Johnson, whose father Craig also played for the Gophers before an NHL career, is the 21 Gopher Hockey prospect selected in the first round...freshman forward Bryce Brodzinski was also drafted in 2019, part of an eventful offseason that included being named the 2018-19 All-USA Boys Athlete of the Year and the 2019 Mr. Hockey Award. The 35th Mr. Hockey Award recipient, Brodzinski is the 24th Gopher Hockey prospect to win the honor...the University of Minnesota Board of Regents has approved a renovation project for 3M Arena at Mariucci with over 11,000 square feet of team space impacted including a state-of-the-art weight room, a new 'M' Club alumni room and a remodeled office suite. The project is anticipated to begin in late 2019...sophomore forward Sampo Ranta recorded four goals and six points at the 2019 World Junior Summer Showcase, tying for the goal scoring lead and ranking second among all skaters in points scored...the University of Minnesota led all college hockey programs with 33 alumni at NHL training camps while 15 Gopher Hockey alums started the NHL regular-season on opening day rosters...former Gopher Hockey assistant coach Jack Blatherwick will receive the NHL's Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the U.S. on Dec. 12 as part of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Celebration.
Against the Purple Eagles
Niagara will open up its regular season this weekend after defeating Ryerson in an exhibition contest earlier this month. The Golden Gophers are 3-0-0 all-time against the Purple Eagles in a series that began with a two-game series during the 2005-06 season -- Minnesota also played the Purple Eagles in the Mariucci Classic during the 2011-12 season. All three games have been played on home ice for the Maroon & Gold.
Niagara Series History (3-0-0)
1/6/2006: 5-2 Win
1/7/2006: 7-1 Win
12/30/2011: 5-1 Win
Last Time Out: Colorado College
The Maroon & Gold opened the 2019-20 on the road with a two-game, non-conference series at Colorado College last weekend, splitting the contests in Colorado Springs with the Tigers. The two former WCHA foes each earned a rally victory over the weekend with Colorado College taking the opener by a score of 3-2 while the Gophers bounced back for a 4-3 win in the series finale. Of the 19 skaters who took the ice last weekend for the University of Minnesota, 13 ended the series with at least a point.
Early Season Firsts
With 12 newcomers to the Gophers roster, there were several notable occasions during last weekend's series to open the season. Freshman goaltender Jared Moe picked up his first career win in his Gophers debut on Saturday, making 27 saves in net. Freshmen Jonny Sorenson, Ben Meyers, Bryce Brodzinski and Matt Staudacher all picked up their first career points in the series -- Staudacher notched an assist on Friday before adding his first career goal on Saturday.
Gopher Hockey Alumni Notes
*Blake Wheeler (Winnipeg Jets) became the fourth Gopher Hockey alum to record 700 career NHL points last Thursday night, joining Neal Broten (923), Phil Kessel (824) and Thomas Vanek (789). Phil Kessel (Arizona Coyotes) became the fourth Gopher Hockey alum to play in 1,000 career NHL games last Saturday night, joining Neal Broten (1,099), Mike Ramsey (1,079) and Thomas Vanek (1,029).
Nanne, Walker Tabbed Team Captains
Senior defenseman Tyler Nanne and sophomore forward Sammy Walker have been voted to serve as team captains for the Gophers for the 2019-20 season. The pair are the 171st and 172nd players in University of Minnesota history to wear letters, dating back to the first season of play in 1921-22 when Chet Bros led the Maroon & Gold. Nanne, the first third-generation player in Pride on Ice history, is also the second Gophers captain in his family following his grandfather -- All-American Lou Nanne -- in 1962-63
Big Ten Preseason Information
The University of Minnesota has been predicted to finish fifth in the 2019-20 Big Ten Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll with the complete order as followed: Penn State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan and Michigan State. The Gophers, who have won four regular-season conference championships in the six-year history of the Big Ten, are the only program in the league to win multiple conference crowns. Additionally, Sammy Walker was named as a Preseason Second Team All-Big Ten selection by the conference coaches. Walker was named the 2019 Big Ten Freshman of the Year after leading all conference rookies with 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) last season.
'U' Skates to Exhibition Tie with Mount Royal
The University of Minnesota held its lone preseason exhibition game last Sunday as the Maroon & Gold skated to a 2-2 overtime tie with Mount Royal at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Blake McLaughlin factored into both Minnesota goals with an assist and a goal while Sammy Walker tallied the Gophers' opening goal of the contest. All three newcomers in net saw action, playing a period each.
Youthful Excitement
The Maroon & Gold will field a youthful roster for the 2019-20 season with 19 of the team's 27 players listed as either a freshman or sophomore. The Gophers will also bring in 12 newcomers to the locker room -- 11 freshmen and junior transfer Jack LaFontaine in net. Breaking things down, the 11 freshmen are comprised of two goaltenders (Justen Close, Jared Moe), three defensemen (Ryan Johnson, Jackson LaCombe, Matt Staudacher) and six forwards (Bryce Brodzinski, Ben Meyers, Jaxon Nelson, Jack Perbix, Jonny Sorenson, Noah Weber).
Statistically Speaking
According the College Hockey Inc., the University of Minnesota will field both the youngest team in college hockey (average age of 20 years, 240 days) and the biggest team in college hockey (average weight of 193.89 pounds) this season. The Maroon & Gold will also be the eighth tallest team in college hockey this year (average height of 6-00.67).
Follow the Golden Gophers on TV
The University of Minnesota once again boasts college hockey's best television broadcast schedule with 30 of 34 regular-season games available in the Minnesota/Twin Cities market (more games may be added at a later date). FOX Sports North leads the way in Gopher Hockey coverage with 19 games scheduled to be broadcast on the network while the Big Ten Network will currently air nine Minnesota contests in 2019-20. FOX9+ will pick up the Gophers' road game at Minnesota Duluth while NBC Sports will broadcast the series opener at Notre Dame. Visit GopherSports.com to view the complete and up-to-date Gopher Hockey schedule.
Gopher Hockey Notes and News
Fourteen Gophers on the 2019-20 roster have been drafted by NHL teams including 2019 first rounder and incoming freshman defenseman Ryan Johnson (31st overall by Buffalo). Johnson, whose father Craig also played for the Gophers before an NHL career, is the 21 Gopher Hockey prospect selected in the first round...freshman forward Bryce Brodzinski was also drafted in 2019, part of an eventful offseason that included being named the 2018-19 All-USA Boys Athlete of the Year and the 2019 Mr. Hockey Award. The 35th Mr. Hockey Award recipient, Brodzinski is the 24th Gopher Hockey prospect to win the honor...the University of Minnesota Board of Regents has approved a renovation project for 3M Arena at Mariucci with over 11,000 square feet of team space impacted including a state-of-the-art weight room, a new 'M' Club alumni room and a remodeled office suite. The project is anticipated to begin in late 2019...sophomore forward Sampo Ranta recorded four goals and six points at the 2019 World Junior Summer Showcase, tying for the goal scoring lead and ranking second among all skaters in points scored...the University of Minnesota led all college hockey programs with 33 alumni at NHL training camps while 15 Gopher Hockey alums started the NHL regular-season on opening day rosters...former Gopher Hockey assistant coach Jack Blatherwick will receive the NHL's Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the U.S. on Dec. 12 as part of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Celebration.
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