University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, October 11
Colorado Springs, CO
8:30 PM
University of Minnesota
at
Colorado College
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Minnesota Opens Season at Colorado College
10/9/2019 11:39:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- The 99th season of Gopher Hockey officially begins this weekend with a two-game non-conference road series at Colorado College. Friday's season opener is set for 8:30 p.m. CT (TV: FOX Sports North PLUS, AT&T Sportsnet; Radio: 1130 KTLK-AM/103.5 FM; Stream: NCHC.tv) while Saturday's finale will be played at 8:00 p.m. CT (Radio: 1130 KTLK-AM/103.5 FM; Stream: NCHC.tv). Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs will host the series.
Against the Tigers
After a six-year absence, the Minnesota-Colorado College rivalry will be rekindled this weekend in Colorado Springs as the two former conference foes face off for the first time since the 2012-13 season. In a rivalry that began in 1947, the Gophers hold a 162-86-8 all-time record against the Tigers and are 60-53-6 on the road against Colorado College.
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).
Opening Up Against Colorado College
The 2019-20 Gopher Hockey season will stand as the eighth season in program history that the Maroon & Gold open the regular season against Colorado College. The previous four instances all ended with banners for the University of Minnesota.
Gopher Hockey Season Openers vs. Colorado College
1996-97: WCHA Title
1993-94: WCHA Playoff Title, NCAA Frozen Four
1987-88: WCHA Title, NCAA Frozen Four
1986-87: NCAA Frozen Four
1965-66
1964-65
1961-62
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 Tigers
After a six-year absence, the Minnesota-Colorado College rivalry will be rekindled this weekend in Colorado Springs as the two former conference foes face off for the first time since the 2012-13 season. In a rivalry that began in 1947, the Gophers hold a 162-86-8 all-time record against the Tigers and are 60-53-6 on the road against Colorado College.
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).
Opening Up Against Colorado College
The 2019-20 Gopher Hockey season will stand as the eighth season in program history that the Maroon & Gold open the regular season against Colorado College. The previous four instances all ended with banners for the University of Minnesota.
Gopher Hockey Season Openers vs. Colorado College
1996-97: WCHA Title
1993-94: WCHA Playoff Title, NCAA Frozen Four
1987-88: WCHA Title, NCAA Frozen Four
1986-87: NCAA Frozen Four
1965-66
1964-65
1961-62
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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