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Oct. 7, 2015
The Gopher Hockey program enters its 95th season in 2015-16 as the two-time defending Big Ten regular-season champions and the defending Big Ten tournament champions. Minnesota opens the campaign -- the 17th under head coach Don Lucia -- on Saturday, Oct. 10, hosting the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game at Mariucci Arena against Vermont at 7 p.m.
Four Championships -- A Program First
For the first time in Gopher Hockey history, the Maroon & Gold have earned four-straight regular-season conference titles after repeating as Big Ten champions last year. Minnesota's 6-2 win over Penn State in the regular-season finale clinched the championship for Minnesota with the title standing as the 16th regular-season conference crown in program history. Prior to the back-to-back Big Ten titles, Minnesota won two-straight MacNaughton Cups as WCHA regular-season champions in the team's final two years in the league (co-champions in 2012-13).
Pacing the Nation
Not only have the Gophers won four-straight conference titles, they've earned four-straight NCAA tournament berths over that span including two trips to the NCAA Frozen Four and added a Big Ten tournament title last year. Perhaps even more impressive is the overall record of the Maroon & Gold over that stretch. Over the last four years, Minnesota leads the nation in total wins (105), winning percentage (.690) and fewest losses (43).
Our Home, Our Hockey
Now entering its 22nd season at Mariucci Arena, Minnesota has been incredibly successful on its home ice, boasting a 304-116-46 (.700) all-time record at the venue. The dominance has never been more apparent than the last four years with the Gophers leading the nation in home wins (63), home winning percentage (.801) and fewest home losses (13). In Big Ten play, Minnesota holds a 17-1-2 (.875) all-time record on home ice. Four of Minnesota's first five games this season will be played at Mariucci Arena including the season opener. (All statistics except for Mariucci Arena record include Minnesota's win at TCF Bank Stadium in 2013-14.).
Four to Lead in 2015-16
The Gophers will see a new crop of leaders in the locker room this season with junior forward Justin Kloos serving as team captain while redshirt junior forward Connor Reilly, junior forward Hudson Fasching, and junior defenseman Jake Bischoff will act as alternate captains for the Maroon & Gold. Kloos, who returns as Minnesota's active leading scorer, replaces two-year team captain Kyle Rau while the cadre of alternate captains take over for Ben Marshall and Seth Ambroz. This year's group of leaders mark the 161st-164th players to serve as either captain or alternate captain for the Gophers in a tradition that dates back to the program's first year of play in 1921-22 when Chet Bros led the Maroon & Gold.
Michaelson Against Vermont
The Gophers feature only one player who saw the ice the last time Minnesota took on Vermont (a two-game road sweep for the Gophers in 2012-13), but it was certainly a memorable experience for A.J. Michaelson. The senior forward tallied his first collegiate point (an assist) in the series opener -- a 5-1 Minnesota Victory -- and then notched his first collegiate goal -- the eventual game winner -- the following night in a 3-1 sweep-clinching victory.
Fresh Faces on the Team
With six seniors graduating last season and three juniors signing professional contracts, a sizable rookie class will be joining the Gophers roster this year. Coach Lucia has added 10 incoming freshmen to bolster the roster (Jack Sadek, Curt Simonson, Brent Gates Jr., Brock Kautz, Tyler Sheehy, Ryan Norman, Tommy Novak, Jack Ramsey, Eric Schierhorn, Darian Romanko). Broken down by position, Minnesota adds two goalies, two defensemen and six forwards. Additionally, the Maroon & Gold have added junior forward Mike Szmatula to the roster following a transfer from Northeastern. (Szmatula will sit out the 2015-16 due to NCAA transfer rules.)
Big Ten Preseason Poll, Players to Watch
The University of Minnesota was picked to finish second in the Big Ten Conference this season, according to the Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll. Michigan was tabbed the league's preseason favorite while Michigan State, Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin rounded out the conference outlook. It's the second time in the conference's three-year existence that the Gophers were selected to finish second after the inaugural season in 2013-14. Minnesota was accurately picked to repeat as league champions the following year in 2014-15. Meanwhile, juniors Justin Kloos and Hudson Fasching were among 12 Big Ten players selected for the Preseason Players to Watch list this year.
Lucia Makes Gophers History
Now in his 29th season as a Division I head coach and his 17th season at the University of Minnesota, Don Lucia is among the most successful coaches in college hockey history. Lucia led the Gophers to two NCAA titles and continues to produce elite-level teams and talent. The Grand Rapids, Minn., native is Minnesota's all-time winningest coach with 395 victories to his name after passing Doug Woog late last season. Lucia's 674-357-97 (.641) all-time record ranks ninth all-time among college hockey coaches and is third among active coaches (Jerry York, Red Berenson).
Gophers in the Draft
The University of Minnesota features 12 players whose rights have been drafted by NHL teams including four newcomers. Three freshmen were drafted in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft -- Brent Gates Jr. (Anaheim, third round, 80th overall), Tommy Novak (Nashville, third round, 85th overall), Jack Sadek (Minnesota, seventh round, 204th overall) -- while Jack Ramsey was selected in 2014 (Chicago, seventh round, 208th overall). The Minnesota Wild (Sadek, Nick Seeler) and the New York Islanders (Taylor Cammarata, Jake Bischoff) lead all NHL teams with two Gopher draftees each.
11 Gophers Make NHL Rosters
Gopher Hockey will feature 11 alums on NHL opening rosters this week with Nick Bjugstad (Florida Panthers), Alex Goligoski (Dallas Stars), Erik Haula (Minnesota Wild), Erik Johnson (Colorado Avalanche), Phil Kessel (Pittsburgh Penguins), Nick Leddy (New York Islanders), Paul Martin (San Jose Sharks), Kyle Okposo (New York Islanders), Nate Schmidt (Washington Capitals), Thomas Vanek (Minnesota Wild) and Blake Wheeler (Winnipeg Jets) making the cut. Additionally, Todd Richards returns to the bench as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Darby Hendrickson continues to serve as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Wild and Paul Holmgren is the president of the Philadelphia Flyers.
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