University of Minnesota Athletics
Motzko Signs Defensive Prospects Faber and Koster for 2020-21
11/22/2019 3:11:00 PM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – Gopher Hockey head coach Bob Motzko has announced the signings of defensive prospects Brock Faber and Mike Koster to National Letters of Intent. Faber and Koster will join the Maroon & Gold in 2020-21.
"We're absolutely thrilled to be adding two outstanding hockey players and young men to the Gopher Hockey program in Brock Faber and Mike Koster," Motzko said of Friday's signings. "They are two of the top defensive prospects in the nation right now. They can't wait to be Gophers, and we can't wait to have them. They both have a huge appreciation for the University of Minnesota and the tradition of the Gopher Hockey program, and our fans are going truly enjoy watching these two play over the next couple years."
A native of Maple Grove, Minn., Faber is a top defensive prospect eligible for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft after developing with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Mich. The 2019-20 campaign marks Faber's second with USA Hockey and his first full season as a member of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. With USA Hockey, the defenseman earned a silver medal with the U.S. at the 2018 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament in Plymouth, Mich., and also skated at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Saint John, N.B.
"Brock is an elite puck moving defenseman who has worked to become one of the best defenders in the world in his birth year," Seth Appert, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team, said. "He comes from a great family and brings high level work ethic and character along with his skill package."
A native of Chaska, Minn., Koster was selected in the fifth round (146th overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. A product of Chaska High School, Koster led the state in scoring by a defenseman last year with 20 goals and 41 assists and earned All-USA Boys Hockey First Team honors. A two-year captain for the Hawks, he was last year's recipient of the Reed Larson Award, given to the top senior boys hockey defenseman in the state of Minnesota, as well as a finalist for the Mr. Hockey Award. Koster is currently skating with the Tri-City Storm in the USHL, having also spent parts of the last two seasons with the organization.
Koster was recently named to the U.S. Junior Select Team ahead of the 2019 World Junior A Challenge (Dec. 7-15) in Dawson Creek, B.C.
Up Next: Border Battle Comes to 3M Arena at Mariucci
Minnesota continues its six-game, November home stand this weekend with a two-game Big Ten series with Wisconsin at 3M Arena at Mariucci. The Gophers open the series on Friday, Nov. 22 at 7:00 p.m. CT (TV: FOX Sports North; Radio: 1130 KTLK-AM/103.5 FM; Stream: FOX Sports Go/TSN) before closing out the Border Battle on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7:00 p.m. CT (TV: FOX Sports North PLUS; Radio: 1130 KTLK-AM/103.5 FM; Stream: FOX Sports Go/TSN).
All tickets for the 2019-20 Gopher Hockey season – the 99th campaign in program history – are now on sale through GopherSports.com. Season tickets start at $500 – the lowest price point for season tickets at the University of Minnesota since 1999-2000. Highlighting the 2019-20 slate is one of the strongest home schedules in program history with Minnesota hosting all six Big Ten opponents (Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin) along with nonconference foes in North Dakota, Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State, Bemidji State, St. Cloud State and Niagara.
"We're absolutely thrilled to be adding two outstanding hockey players and young men to the Gopher Hockey program in Brock Faber and Mike Koster," Motzko said of Friday's signings. "They are two of the top defensive prospects in the nation right now. They can't wait to be Gophers, and we can't wait to have them. They both have a huge appreciation for the University of Minnesota and the tradition of the Gopher Hockey program, and our fans are going truly enjoy watching these two play over the next couple years."
A native of Maple Grove, Minn., Faber is a top defensive prospect eligible for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft after developing with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Mich. The 2019-20 campaign marks Faber's second with USA Hockey and his first full season as a member of the U.S. National Under-18 Team. With USA Hockey, the defenseman earned a silver medal with the U.S. at the 2018 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament in Plymouth, Mich., and also skated at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Saint John, N.B.
"Brock is an elite puck moving defenseman who has worked to become one of the best defenders in the world in his birth year," Seth Appert, head coach of the U.S. National Under-18 Team, said. "He comes from a great family and brings high level work ethic and character along with his skill package."
A native of Chaska, Minn., Koster was selected in the fifth round (146th overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. A product of Chaska High School, Koster led the state in scoring by a defenseman last year with 20 goals and 41 assists and earned All-USA Boys Hockey First Team honors. A two-year captain for the Hawks, he was last year's recipient of the Reed Larson Award, given to the top senior boys hockey defenseman in the state of Minnesota, as well as a finalist for the Mr. Hockey Award. Koster is currently skating with the Tri-City Storm in the USHL, having also spent parts of the last two seasons with the organization.
Koster was recently named to the U.S. Junior Select Team ahead of the 2019 World Junior A Challenge (Dec. 7-15) in Dawson Creek, B.C.
Up Next: Border Battle Comes to 3M Arena at Mariucci
Minnesota continues its six-game, November home stand this weekend with a two-game Big Ten series with Wisconsin at 3M Arena at Mariucci. The Gophers open the series on Friday, Nov. 22 at 7:00 p.m. CT (TV: FOX Sports North; Radio: 1130 KTLK-AM/103.5 FM; Stream: FOX Sports Go/TSN) before closing out the Border Battle on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7:00 p.m. CT (TV: FOX Sports North PLUS; Radio: 1130 KTLK-AM/103.5 FM; Stream: FOX Sports Go/TSN).
All tickets for the 2019-20 Gopher Hockey season – the 99th campaign in program history – are now on sale through GopherSports.com. Season tickets start at $500 – the lowest price point for season tickets at the University of Minnesota since 1999-2000. Highlighting the 2019-20 slate is one of the strongest home schedules in program history with Minnesota hosting all six Big Ten opponents (Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin) along with nonconference foes in North Dakota, Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State, Bemidji State, St. Cloud State and Niagara.
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