GPL Team- I’ve read through the forum the last few days and wowsers…..it just shows how much people really care about this program. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but now it’s time to move forward.
I’ve been on the GPL podcast a few times and I know Gopher Hockey alums usually aren’t the ones posting on forums, but I wanted to share my thoughts cause I can see the passion, concern and emotion….I was at the press conference today and saw Eric and Craig there too. You could feel it. Brett Larson is a very good person. He is humble and the players will gravitate to that and trust him. He gets what this job means and he’s ready to go earn our respect and our trust. I was really impressed.
I loved my time as a Gopher. It was one of the best parts of my life. Now I bring my twin 7 yr olds to games and try to teach them what being a real gopher supporter looks like. We stay until the end no matter the score. We show up as much as we can and we’re loud and proud. Watching my kids pump their fists with 10,000 other fans as we all spell out Minnesota makes me smile ever single time.
Why do I bring this up? Because I want you to know that your voices truly matter. Maybe more than you think. Especially to that kid stepping on the ice for the first time, probably nervous as hell. He needs to believe in himself, this program, his teammates and the staff.
My time playing is over, but now I get to pass that love of this program on to my kids. We’re going to support the hell out of Larson, these players, and this program rain or shine.
I sit in Section 19, Row 25, Seats 11–14. I’m at most games. Come say hi or grab a beer between periods. We are all part of this program.
This is a big year. It’s going to take all of us. Let’s move forward and start being amazing supporters. I know the season is a long way away, but I look forward to seeing you all at the games.
Nick Angell
You said it! After hearing what others had to say about Larson and hearing from the man himself at the press conference I’m all in. Great to hear from you on here and on the podcast. Alumni support is the lifeblood of the program. Faber’s quote yesterday probably turned half the fanbase who was on the fence into full Larson supporters.
Excited for the future. Go Gophs!
Thanks for sharing Nick! I have enjoyed when you've been on the podcast with @jupiter and @eric-vegoe and talking about how Bob brought the alumni back and sharing your experiences as an alumni. I hope the Brett continues that and builds on that and helps get the Golden Helmet Collective off the ground to help the program even more!
I am the official Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
You said it! After hearing what others had to say about Larson and hearing from the man himself at the press conference I’m all in. Great to hear from you on here and on the podcast. Alumni support is the lifeblood of the program. Faber’s quote yesterday probably turned half the fanbase who was on the fence into full Larson supporters.
Excited for the future. Go Gophs!
This is the second time I have heard a reference to Faber's quote, but I haven't read the quote.
Also, what is Faber's connection to Brett Larson?
You said it! After hearing what others had to say about Larson and hearing from the man himself at the press conference I’m all in. Great to hear from you on here and on the podcast. Alumni support is the lifeblood of the program. Faber’s quote yesterday probably turned half the fanbase who was on the fence into full Larson supporters.
Excited for the future. Go Gophs!
This is the second time I have heard a reference to Faber's quote, but I haven't read the quote.
Also, what is Faber's connection to Brett Larson?
Larson was an assistant on the 2022 US Olympic Team that Fabes played on.
'29, '40, '74, '76, '79, '02, & '03
GPL's Resident Cabin Enthusiast & Cadets Hockey Fan
Glad you guys like the podcasts. It’s always a fun time for me to shares some stories.
I’ve heard from a few players that played for Brett and they all have had tremendous things to say. Brett and I know each other fairly well and he gave me a call last week and we had a good chat about his thoughts and views for the program and how we can get the alumni engaged. He had a great outlook and vision that we should all be excited about but I’ll let him share that when the time is right.
We did have a very good chat at the presser yesterday around NIL and the need for us to push through and be a leader on that front. Speaking with Eric Brever, we made the decision last summer to take a wait and see approach to Golden Helmet as the NIL landscape was changing so quickly and the last thing we wanted to do was do things the wrong way and cause a student athlete to become ineligible. We’re currently working with the university on how we can be a compliment to what’s already in place. Brett seems to be very knowledgeable about NIL and is very excited about the possibility and opportunities as we move forward.
Curious how you recall the coaching change from Woog to Lucia? As a player what were your thoughts/reactions to the news of Woog leaving and Lucia's hiring. It must have been a lot to process.....
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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Glad you guys like the podcasts. It’s always a fun time for me to shares some stories.
I’ve heard from a few players that played for Brett and they all have had tremendous things to say. Brett and I know each other fairly well and he gave me a call last week and we had a good chat about his thoughts and views for the program and how we can get the alumni engaged. He had a great outlook and vision that we should all be excited about but I’ll let him share that when the time is right.
We did have a very good chat at the presser yesterday around NIL and the need for us to push through and be a leader on that front. Speaking with Eric Brever, we made the decision last summer to take a wait and see approach to Golden Helmet as the NIL landscape was changing so quickly and the last thing we wanted to do was do things the wrong way and cause a student athlete to become ineligible. We’re currently working with the university on how we can be a compliment to what’s already in place. Brett seems to be very knowledgeable about NIL and is very excited about the possibility and opportunities as we move forward.
Nick -
Your commentary here is hugely appreciated and a pleasant surprise because as you noted alumni participation here is non-existent as far as I know. Maybe some secret lurkers.
Your passion for the game and the program is easily noticeable on the podcasts, and it's clear you have put a lot of time and effort into strengthening the alumni base that not too long ago seemed pretty fractured or at least disogranized.
Thank you
@greyeagle great question. The Internet wasn’t in its infancy but was more of a toddler back in the 98-99 season. There was no social media so much of what we heard came from the newspapers. As a freshman under Woog, my biggest concern was just trying to stay in the lineup. Every day I would go to the rink and be so nervous that my #26 wouldn’t be in the top 3 defensive pairings and I wouldn’t get to play and I’d feel like I’d let my family and friends down. For me, I just wanted to establish myself as a solid player and move into my 2nd year and not have to earn my spot every single game. That year was a lot of nerves. As a team we knew weren’t having a great season but I personally had no idea that Woog was on the hot seat. For me, he was immortal and I just felt so fortunate to be there.
For us freshman as a group, we were surprised and excited about the change. We weren’t nervous as there was no transfer portal and schools generally honored existing scholarships. For guys like Jordan and Johnny, it was probably easier for them. They were our studs and they knew they would not be fighting for playing time. For me, I knew I would have to earn my spot again.
Once Don came in, he cracked the whip pretty hard. He was not what I would call a players coach but he was fair with guys. You didn’t always get what you wanted but you always got what you earned, and I liked that. I wasn’t promised much by the staff when I was recruited so I had a hard hat and lunch box mentality and I think he liked that about me. I didn’t have much for expectations so it wasn’t like I was ever in his office asking for more playing time.
The thing I remember most is his really high cut runners shorts that he would wear in the weight room. Those were definitely not team issue 🤣.
Hell yeah. I know there are a bunch of former players that have tickets. One of the former goalies sits (sat? Haven't seen him but we were uh... preoccupied this year) behind us and would come to most games. Always fun to hear their perspectives.
Thanks for sharing.
@the-not-so-good-26 Thank you! Very cool!
“Good pace, a lot of north and south, or it could be east and west, I’m not sure but either way…” Wooger
Pohlad baseball ⚾️ it’s not arrogance, we really are “that good” #”Hey Siri, play “faithfully” by Journey max volume”
Nick,
Thanks for posting. Through work and family life over the years I've gotten to know a former Gopher football player and a former hockey player (one that you played alongside) well. It was interesting to hear their perspectives and I kind of wish more former players would post here and other boards occasionally. It helps see the human side. One of the surprises I got from your teammate was the rivalries were probably a bigger deal with the fans than the players.
Some of the nonsense I saw posted late this season and during the coach search kind of surprised me (and I've been one of the most vocal Coyle critics in the past). Sounds like Larson is well-respected by people that actually know stuff about hockey so I will trust that and keep cheering on the team like I've done in the past.
You said it! After hearing what others had to say about Larson and hearing from the man himself at the press conference I’m all in. Great to hear from you on here and on the podcast. Alumni support is the lifeblood of the program. Faber’s quote yesterday probably turned half the fanbase who was on the fence into full Larson supporters.
Excited for the future. Go Gophs!
This is the second time I have heard a reference to Faber's quote, but I haven't read the quote.
Also, what is Faber's connection to Brett Larson?
https://twitter.com/RussoHockey/status/2036474150668108283
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
I don’t remember agreeing that there’s been a better #26.
Wow, thanks for posting. I came away from the press conference really liking what I heard. I had never heard Brett Larson speak and immediately felt what "the pretty dang good #26" posted above. A good guy who loves the game and will bring his best.
As much as I would love to see another NC, I'm not in the camp where I would give anything for that to happen. I truly enjoy the mostly Minnesota roster. Would I mind a couple non-Minnesota kids sprinkled in to help push it over the top, you bet! But, for me, I would not want a roster of one and done non-Minnesota kids bringing home the championship. It simply would not mean as much to me. Seeing kids that bleed maroon and gold and are here to play for more than their NIL money, or a chance at the NHL, is what makes the college game great for me.
Am I old? Yup? Do I apologize for feeling that way? Absolutely not.
If Brock says Larson is the right guy, I'm all in!You said it! After hearing what others had to say about Larson and hearing from the man himself at the press conference I’m all in. Great to hear from you on here and on the podcast. Alumni support is the lifeblood of the program. Faber’s quote yesterday probably turned half the fanbase who was on the fence into full Larson supporters.
Excited for the future. Go Gophs!
This is the second time I have heard a reference to Faber's quote, but I haven't read the quote.
Also, what is Faber's connection to Brett Larson?
https://twitter.com/RussoHockey/status/2036474150668108283
Right on! Can't wait to see some "Gopher Hockey" again, it sounds like the new coach may just bring that back again to Mariucci.
I bet #26 could tell some good stories from his time as a Gopher, cool to have him aboard GPL!
Thanks for hopping in, Nick. Always great to see you on the Podcast, and a pleasure to chat with you when I've run into you at the arena (usually for regionals, not sure I've run across you at Mariucci yet).
Definitely a plus to get the perspective of a former player. Obviously no current player is going to be posting here, but you've always been open and willing to chat (time permitting, of course).
Welcome to GPL, looking forward to seeing more of your thoughts over time.
Thanks for posting Nick. I appreciate the player viewpoint and, if you decide to stick around, it educate us and teach a little empathy. I have to think 99% of players are like you and want to play hard and see the team win.
I have been pretty quiet on the coach selection (as well as the end to Motzko) because I recognize that I don't know enough to pick a coach. I will be all for the team and Coach Larson. I hope they find the groove and win it all in the coming years. Moreover, I hope the player love playing here and want to be Gophers forever, like you.
Ski-U-Mah
https://twitter.com/RussoHockey/status/2036474150668108283
If Brock says Larson is the right guy, I'm all in!
If Brock Faber recommend that I invest in ocean front property in Arizona, I would be all in.