University of Minnesota Athletics
'U' to Recognize First Three NCAA Championship Teams
11/18/2021 11:38:00 AM | Men's Hockey
Minnesota will salute the 1974, 1976 and 1979 NCAA title teams on Saturday.
MINNEAPOLIS – As part of Gopher Hockey's 100-season celebration, the University of Minnesota and the Gopher men's hockey program will proudly celebrate the first three national championships in program history this weekend as the 1974, 1976 and 1979 NCAA title teams are recognized during Saturday's game with Penn State at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
The legendary Herb Brooks coached the Maroon & Gold to three national titles in a six-year span before adding to the program's legacy when he led the U.S. Olympic Team, including members of all three national championship teams, to a gold medal in 1980 in Lake Placid.
1974 National Championship Team
As the Gophers continue to celebrate 100 seasons of Pride on Ice, Minnesota will fittingly celebrate the 100th birthday of Dr. V. George Nagobads this weekend at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
Dr. Nagobads, who turned 100 on Thursday, remains one of the greatest influencers of American hockey of his time. Nagobads served as Gopher Hockey's team physician from 1958 until his retirement in 1992 – helping Minnesota to the program's first three national titles in 1974, 1976 and 1979.
His largest contributions to hockey in the United States may have come on the international stage, however. Nagobads was named the team physician for five U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Teams (1968, 1972, 1980, 1984, and 1988); including the "Miracle on Ice" squad that won the gold medal at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid and the silver medal-winning 1972 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team that competed in Sapporo.
Nagobads was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team in 2003 and later honored individually by the organization in 2010.
The legendary Herb Brooks coached the Maroon & Gold to three national titles in a six-year span before adding to the program's legacy when he led the U.S. Olympic Team, including members of all three national championship teams, to a gold medal in 1980 in Lake Placid.
1974 National Championship Team
- Minnesota's first national championship capped a 22-11-6 season for the Maroon & Gold with the Gophers defeating Michigan Tech 4-2 in the NCAA title game on March 15, 1974 in Boston.
- After starting the season 0-4-1, the Golden Gophers promptly put together a nine-game unbeaten streak (8-0-1).
- Minnesota was 13-1-2 in its final 16 home games at Williams Arena.
- Goaltender Brad Shelstad was named NCAA championship and team Most Valuable Performer after an outstanding senior season.
- Forwards Mike Polich (19-33--52) and John Harris (17-27--44) led the team in scoring.
- Minnesota became the first team with a roster consisting only of Americans to win an NCAA men's hockey title in 25 years.
- The University of Minnesota also won the WCHA playoff title in 1974.
- Minnesota's third-straight trip to the Frozen Four netted the program's second national championship as the Gophers went 18-14-2 and once again bested Michigan Tech in the season finale – a 6-4 win on March 27, 1976 in Denver.
- The team never won more than five-straight games at any time, but never lost more than two consecutive games.
- The postseason included one of the most exciting games in Gopher hockey history, as Minnesota downed Michigan State 7-6 in triple overtime of the WCHA playoffs in East Lansing. Goaltender Jeff Tscherne set a Minnesota record that still stands by stopping 72 shots in the win.
- Tom Vannelli was named the NCAA championship Most Valuable Performer after having a hand in five of the Golden Gophers' six goals against Michigan Tech.
- Gopher leading scorers were Vannelli (26-43--69) and Warren Miller (26-31--57).
- The Maroon & Gold also earned their third-straight WCHA playoff title in 1976.
- Minnesota's third national championship came via a 32-11-1 campaign that culminated in a 4-3 win over North Dakota on March 23, 1979 in Detroit.
- The Golden Gophers were 18-3-1 in all games at Mariucci Arena.
- Team captain Bill Baker was named an All-American after scoring a then single-season record of 54 points by a defenseman.
- Steve Christoff led the team with 38 goals while Don Micheletti added 36.
- The Golden Gophers won 11 of 12 games from Nov. 24 through Jan. 6.
- Tim Harrer led the team in power-play goals (13) and game-winning goals (7).
- Like Minnesota's two previous national championship teams, the Gophers also won the WCHA playoff title in 1979.
As the Gophers continue to celebrate 100 seasons of Pride on Ice, Minnesota will fittingly celebrate the 100th birthday of Dr. V. George Nagobads this weekend at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
Dr. Nagobads, who turned 100 on Thursday, remains one of the greatest influencers of American hockey of his time. Nagobads served as Gopher Hockey's team physician from 1958 until his retirement in 1992 – helping Minnesota to the program's first three national titles in 1974, 1976 and 1979.
His largest contributions to hockey in the United States may have come on the international stage, however. Nagobads was named the team physician for five U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Teams (1968, 1972, 1980, 1984, and 1988); including the "Miracle on Ice" squad that won the gold medal at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid and the silver medal-winning 1972 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team that competed in Sapporo.
Nagobads was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team in 2003 and later honored individually by the organization in 2010.
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