University of Minnesota Athletics
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
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
'U' Set for Showdown with UMD
10/23/2019 11:13:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- Gopher Hockey continues the 2019-20 campaign this weekend with a home-and-home series against two-time defending national champion Minnesota Duluth. The two in-state and nationally ranked foes open the weekend on Friday, Oct. 25 at 3M Arena at Mariucci (TV: FSN PLUS; Stream: FOX Sports Go; Radio: 1130 KTLK-AM/103.5 FM) before closing things out at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth on Saturday, Oct. 26 (TV: FOX9+/My9; Stream: NCHC.tv; Radio: 1130 KTLK-AM/103.5 FM). Both games are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT puck drops.
Against the Bulldogs
The Gophers are 135-82-28 all-time against Minnesota Duluth with a 75-34-9 mark on home ice and a 55-42-8 record on the road. The Maroon and Gold are 1-1-1 over the last two seasons against the Bulldogs.
Last Three Games vs. UMD
10/7/18: 7-4 Win (At 3M Arena at Mariucci)
10/6/18 1-1 Overtime Tie (At AMSOIL Arena
10/6/17: 4-3 Overtime Loss (At AMSOIL Arena)
Last Time Out: Sweep Over Niagara
Minnesota returns to action this weekend after picking up a non-conference sweep over Niagara last weekend at 3M Arena at Mariucci. With a 3-2 overtime victory on Friday and a 4-2 win on Saturday to secure the sweep, the Gophers improved to 5-0-0 all-time against the Purple Eagles with all five contests coming on home ice for the Maroon & Gold. Jack LaFontaine backstopped Friday's overtime win for his first career win with the Gophers while Jared Moe improved to 2-0-0 on the season in net on Saturday. Jonny Sorenson added his first career goal on Friday while 14 Gophers skaters tallied points in the sweep.
Walker Named Big Ten Second Star
Sophomore captain Sammy Walker leads the Gophers with five points (three goals, two assists) in four games this season and was named the Big Ten Second Star of the Week on Tuesday after a three-point weekend in the Niagara series. The forward factored into both game-winning goals in the sweep -- scoring the overtime winner in Friday's 3-2 victory on the added session's only shot attempt before setting up the eventual game winner for Friday's 4-2 win. Walker also added a goal earlier in the game on Saturday and has now tallied a goal in three-straight games for the first time in his career.
Building Confidence
The Gophers have opened the 2019-20 season on a 3-1-0 run while the team has actually won eight of its last 10 games and six of its last seven regular-season contests dating back to the 2018-19 campaign. The Maroon & Gold have also won seven-straight games at 3M Arena at Mariucci including three-straight series sweeps -- before that run the Gophers had not recorded a series sweep on home ice in over a calendar year (Dec. 29-30, 2017 against Army West Point...3-0 win...4-1 win).
The Big Ten Leads the Way
The Big Ten Conference is currently 16-6-2 (.708) against non-conference opponents entering the weekend for the best inter-conference winning percentage among NCAA Division I leagues. Big Ten schools went 8-2-0 last weekend.
Alumni Update: Bischoff Makes NHL Debut
Jake Bischoff made his NHL debut on Saturday night with the Vegas Golden Knights, picking up a 3-0 road win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bischoff is the 122nd Gopher Hockey alum to play in the NHL. As a senior, the defenseman was an alternate captain, a First Team All-Big Ten pick and the 2017 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Bischoff, who tallied 68 points (17 goals, 51 assists) in 139 career games, helped Minnesota win the first four Big Ten regular-season titles in league history and set an NCAA record with the program's sixth-straight conference title.
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.
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). All statistics are as of Oct. 1, 2019.
Follow the Golden Gophers on TV
The University of Minnesota once again boasts college hockey's best television broadcast schedule with 31 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 10 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...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 Bulldogs
The Gophers are 135-82-28 all-time against Minnesota Duluth with a 75-34-9 mark on home ice and a 55-42-8 record on the road. The Maroon and Gold are 1-1-1 over the last two seasons against the Bulldogs.
Last Three Games vs. UMD
10/7/18: 7-4 Win (At 3M Arena at Mariucci)
10/6/18 1-1 Overtime Tie (At AMSOIL Arena
10/6/17: 4-3 Overtime Loss (At AMSOIL Arena)
Last Time Out: Sweep Over Niagara
Minnesota returns to action this weekend after picking up a non-conference sweep over Niagara last weekend at 3M Arena at Mariucci. With a 3-2 overtime victory on Friday and a 4-2 win on Saturday to secure the sweep, the Gophers improved to 5-0-0 all-time against the Purple Eagles with all five contests coming on home ice for the Maroon & Gold. Jack LaFontaine backstopped Friday's overtime win for his first career win with the Gophers while Jared Moe improved to 2-0-0 on the season in net on Saturday. Jonny Sorenson added his first career goal on Friday while 14 Gophers skaters tallied points in the sweep.
Walker Named Big Ten Second Star
Sophomore captain Sammy Walker leads the Gophers with five points (three goals, two assists) in four games this season and was named the Big Ten Second Star of the Week on Tuesday after a three-point weekend in the Niagara series. The forward factored into both game-winning goals in the sweep -- scoring the overtime winner in Friday's 3-2 victory on the added session's only shot attempt before setting up the eventual game winner for Friday's 4-2 win. Walker also added a goal earlier in the game on Saturday and has now tallied a goal in three-straight games for the first time in his career.
Building Confidence
The Gophers have opened the 2019-20 season on a 3-1-0 run while the team has actually won eight of its last 10 games and six of its last seven regular-season contests dating back to the 2018-19 campaign. The Maroon & Gold have also won seven-straight games at 3M Arena at Mariucci including three-straight series sweeps -- before that run the Gophers had not recorded a series sweep on home ice in over a calendar year (Dec. 29-30, 2017 against Army West Point...3-0 win...4-1 win).
The Big Ten Leads the Way
The Big Ten Conference is currently 16-6-2 (.708) against non-conference opponents entering the weekend for the best inter-conference winning percentage among NCAA Division I leagues. Big Ten schools went 8-2-0 last weekend.
Alumni Update: Bischoff Makes NHL Debut
Jake Bischoff made his NHL debut on Saturday night with the Vegas Golden Knights, picking up a 3-0 road win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bischoff is the 122nd Gopher Hockey alum to play in the NHL. As a senior, the defenseman was an alternate captain, a First Team All-Big Ten pick and the 2017 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Bischoff, who tallied 68 points (17 goals, 51 assists) in 139 career games, helped Minnesota win the first four Big Ten regular-season titles in league history and set an NCAA record with the program's sixth-straight conference title.
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.
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). All statistics are as of Oct. 1, 2019.
Follow the Golden Gophers on TV
The University of Minnesota once again boasts college hockey's best television broadcast schedule with 31 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 10 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...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.
Follow Men's Hockey
Men's Hockey Tickets
Experience the excitement and tradition connecting generations of Gopher fans! Create memories for a lifetime with your friends and family while you root for your Golden Gophers. Get Tickets
Support Men's Hockey
Support the University of Minnesota Men's Hockey program. Your support helps our student-athletes succeed athletically, academically, and socially. It takes just seconds to make a monthly or one-time donation. Thank you for your support! Give Now
Highlights: Gophers 2, Michigan 4
Friday, February 27
Highlights: Gophers 4, Michigan 2
Thursday, February 26
Highlights: Gophers 2, Notre Dame 3
Saturday, February 14
Highlights: Gophers 2, Notre Dame 2
Friday, February 13