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Novak to Make NHL Debut with Nashville
10/19/2021 1:32:00 PM | Men's Hockey, M Club
Minnesota's 116 all-time NHL alums lead all college programs.
MINNEAPOLIS – Gopher men's hockey alum Tommy Novak will make his NHL debut on Tuesday night with the Nashville Predators as the forward is set to become the 116th University of Minnesota product to play in the NHL.
Set to wear No. 82 for the first time in organization history, Novak and the Predators host the Los Angeles Kings at Bridgestone Arena at 7:00 p.m. CT.
A native of River Falls, Wis., Novak skated in 129 career games with the Maroon & Gold while recording 88 points (18 goals, 70 assists). The forward helped the Gophers to two-straight Big Ten regular-season championships in 2016 and 2017 as Minnesota set an NCAA record with six-straight regular-season conference championships. A four-time letter winner for the 'U', Novak was also a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree – earning the accolade every year he was eligible.
After joining the Predators organization following his senior season, Novak has tallied 78 points (19 goals, 59 assists) in 91 regular-season AHL games. Playing with the Chicago Wolves in 2020-21, Novak led the team with 24 assists and tied for the team lead with 32 points in 27 games.
Novak was selected in the third round (85th overall) by Nashville in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Notes: Minnesota's 116 all-time NHL alums are the most among all college hockey programs…Novak is the first Gopher to make his NHL debut since Sampo Ranta skated with the Colorado Avalanche for the first time during the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs (March 30, 2021).
Set to wear No. 82 for the first time in organization history, Novak and the Predators host the Los Angeles Kings at Bridgestone Arena at 7:00 p.m. CT.
A native of River Falls, Wis., Novak skated in 129 career games with the Maroon & Gold while recording 88 points (18 goals, 70 assists). The forward helped the Gophers to two-straight Big Ten regular-season championships in 2016 and 2017 as Minnesota set an NCAA record with six-straight regular-season conference championships. A four-time letter winner for the 'U', Novak was also a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree – earning the accolade every year he was eligible.
After joining the Predators organization following his senior season, Novak has tallied 78 points (19 goals, 59 assists) in 91 regular-season AHL games. Playing with the Chicago Wolves in 2020-21, Novak led the team with 24 assists and tied for the team lead with 32 points in 27 games.
Novak was selected in the third round (85th overall) by Nashville in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Notes: Minnesota's 116 all-time NHL alums are the most among all college hockey programs…Novak is the first Gopher to make his NHL debut since Sampo Ranta skated with the Colorado Avalanche for the first time during the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs (March 30, 2021).
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