It’s almost hard to think that the Minnesota Golden Gophers would finish anything less than in the top three of the WCHA. Maybe it’s due to their history or reputation alone, but for some, I’m sure, it was hard to see Minnesota end up in seventh last year. The Final Five and NCAA tournament berths … Read more
Minnesota has seen more than its share of overtime games this season, and until recently they hadn’t gone the Gophers’ way. That’s changed, says Tom Reale.
Thanks to Alex Kangas, Minnesota has a steady hand in net for the stretch run. Scott Brown assesses the freshman goaltender’s contributions.
Minnesota senior Tom Pohl is in intensive care following surgery resulting from an injury suffered in the Golden Gophers’ double overtime victory over Minnesota State on Sunday in Mankato. POHL (photo: gophersports.com) Pohl sustained a skull fracture when his head hit the boards in front of the team’s bench at 6:09 of the second period. … Read more
Former Minnesota coach Doug Woog has been honored by the American Hockey Coaches Association as the recipient of the John MacInnes Award, presented to an individual who shows “a great concern for amateur hockey and youth programs.” Requirements also include a high winning percentage as a coach, as well as the ability to graduate players … Read more
Site: Mariucci Arena, Minneapolis Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 29-30, 2007 Participants: Air Force, Boston College, RIT, Minnesota Game 1: Air Force vs. Boston College, 4:05 p.m. CT Air Force Falcons (9-4-3, 7-4-3 Atlantic Hockey) Head coach: Frank Serratore Leading scorers: Sr. Eric Ehn (6-15 — 21), Jr. Brent Olson (7-8 — 15) Leading netminder: So. Andrew Volkening … Read more
Minnesota sophomore Kyle Okposo has chosen to forgo the remainder of the 2007-08 season and his college hockey eligibility to sign a contract with the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. Gopher sophomore Kyle Okposo departs at mid-season after speculation that he would turn pro after his rookie year (photo: Melissa Wade.) Okposo … Read more
With the help of former head coach Laura Halldorson and players and coaches past and present, Minnesota is celebrating 10 years of varsity women’s hockey, Terese Karmel reports.
Minnesota junior left wing Ryan Stoa will miss the remainder of the 2007-08 season with an injury suffered in Saturday’s win over Michigan. Stoa, who scored the team’s first goal of the season to spark Friday’s comeback from a three-goal deficit against Rensselaer, suffered a knee injury in the first period of Saturday’s victory that … Read more
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are once again coming off a successful season, winning the MacNaughton Cup in the NCAA and coming within a game of the Frozen Four. They are also once again coming off a summer filled with early departures, losing two players to the NHL and one to Canadian major juniors. … Read more
Golden Gopher forward/defenseman Jim O’Brien has decided to forgo his final three years of college hockey eligibility and has left the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team to play for Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. “I think Jim and his family have made a decision that they believe is in his best interests,” … Read more
Golden Gopher defenseman Alex Goligoski has decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and has signed a professional contract with the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins. Published reports said that Goligoski has signed a two-year deal, paying $500,000 this season and $600,000 in 2008-09. Alex Goligoski is the second Gopher blueliner to turn pro this offseason … Read more
Minnesota’s Kyle Okposo announced Wednesday that he will return to the Golden Gophers for his sophomore season. Okposo, a center, was the No. 7 overall draft pick of the New York Islanders at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Kyle Okposo will return to the Gophers this fall (photo: Melissa Wade.) “After meeting with the Islanders … Read more
Minnesota defenseman Erik Johnson has decided to forgo his final three years of eligibility and has signed a professional contract with the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. Erik Johnson departs the Gophers after a single season (photo: Melissa Wade.) “Erik was immediately an impact player in our program and was a major … Read more
Despite ceding control of the game to Air Force much of Saturday, Minnesota’s furious burst at the end put the Gophers into the regional final. Will the experience be a steppingstone? Candace Horgan reports.
Blake Wheeler’s spectacular goal Saturday won the Broadmoor Trophy for Minnesota, and Todd D. Milewski suspects that we haven’t seen the last of it.
Minnesota and North Dakota played Saturday for the Broadmoor Trophy, but each was also looking to set up mentally for the NCAAs. Tim Brule reports.
With Minnesota on the cusp of the MacNaughton Cup last weekend, St. Cloud State refused to cooperate. The WCHA race will soon be settled, but both teams have made their marks, Scott Brown says.
Minnesota announced today that senior forward Tyler Hirsch has been dismissed from the team. Tyler Hirsch (photo: Melissa Wade) “Tyler Hirsch’s hockey career at the University of Minnesota has come to an end,” head coach Don Lucia said. “This is a private and confidential matter between Tyler and the coaching staff, and there will be … Read more
Minnesota lost plenty of firepower during the offseason, but Scott Brown finds the Gophers’ highly-regarded freshman class up to the task.