Two memories I have of Wakota. Drove to a game in my early days of high school hockey fandom. It was a snowy night I wouldn’t even consider going out on now. Of course in those days I thought I could do anything. Took about five shots at getting up the hill and gave up and headed back to Wyoming (the town not the state).
Was at another with my then four year old son (now 33). This was back when they still had bleachers on the bench side of the rink. My son got hit by a puck, he cried a bit but was o.k. I had six or seven people over probably the next month come up to me out of the blue (none of whom I knew) at various places to ask if he was alright.
In high school we scrimmaged against Woog’s Packers at Wakota. They had way more size on their roster and it felt like that rink was about 50 feet wide x 100 feet long. With no refs things got pretty chippy. 😂
Scott Wheeler's thoughts on Brody Lamb.
12. Brody Lamb, RW, 21 (University of Minnesota)
Lamb got drafted directly out of Minnesota’s high school circuit, where he was a goal-scoring force, and after a year in the USHL post-draft and an adjustment to college as a freshman has taken steps the last two years as a sophomore and now junior to become an important player and consistent scorer for the Golden Gophers. He’s a 6-foot-1, 185-pound winger with an NHL release and shot. He’s got good instincts off the puck both offensively and defensively, plays on both special teams for Minnesota and has worked to establish his identity as a shooter and off-puck player with good skill (he can create his own looks one-on-one) on the puck and scoring sense off it. He has also scored a bunch of goals at the front of the net this year, going there more consistently. I’m not sure I see an NHLer but he should have a good pro career.
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I wouldn’t doubt Lamb. I see him playing in the NHL. He will be an interesting one to follow when the time comes.
I wouldn’t doubt Lamb. I see him playing in the NHL. He will be an interesting one to follow when the time comes.
agree. his trajectory is one that the Rangers have to happy with as a 4th rounder with how much his game has grown since his freshman year. he seems like he could be a bottom 6 winger at the next level, especially given his size and 200ft game
any other ST holders get the Yeti offer from the U? Should've figured this would be how they would do it with the leftovers, but kind of interesting they don't do this as a ST holder gift. I'll get them anyway because they're nice and I want to support the U, just thought was an interesting choice to try get ST holders (followed by the public) to buy them again after the ticket promo with them earlier this year.
any other ST holders get the Yeti offer from the U? Should've figured this would be how they would do it with the leftovers, but kind of interesting they don't do this as a ST holder gift. I'll get them anyway because they're nice and I want to support the U, just thought was an interesting choice to try get ST holders (followed by the public) to buy them again after the ticket promo with them earlier this year.
The "U" has always been notorious for screwing over their ST holders. Either give the ST the giveaway or have an option to buy the giveaway at discounted offer like $5-$10.
Keep your stick on the ice...
I’m lucky my daughter can get a guest ticket for me with her student season ticket package, I just looked at the Saturday Wisconsin single game ticket for 95.00? Friday was 60 something. I guess the old guy in me thinks back to the 35.00 ticket and I’m a little blown away at the 95.00. What happened? Wow
FWIW--From Scott Powers, who writes for the Athletic and is the beat writer for the Blackhawks.
But whether it’s Donato, Taylor Hall or whomever, the Blackhawks do want to move a few players to create some roster spaces for the last few months. The expectation is for at least Moore, Rinzel and Greene to join the NHL team when their college seasons end.
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Bummer. Guess the only option is win it all this year then 😉
though to be fair, same thing was said about Snuggy, Ryan Leonard and multiple others who at least said they were coming back initially
Bummer. Guess the only option is win it all this year then 😉
though to be fair, same thing was said about Snuggy, Ryan Leonard and multiple others who at least said they were coming back initially
Yep. It is just what the reporter is hearing from the Chicago side. Anything can happen until the contract is signed and I'm sure he didn't talk to the players/agents involved on what their thoughts are. As I said in another thread, I feel Rinzel is more likely to move on than Moore, but who knows.
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4-4-2, or 4-6 if ties are the shootout outcome, in last 10 BIG games. Need the boys to get healthy and hungry. Turn the corner.
Scott Wheeler's thoughts on Snuggy
2. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, 20 (University of Minnesota)
Snuggerud has been one of the Golden Gophers’ leading scorers in three consecutive seasons and is expected to turn pro after his junior year this year. He was one of the hottest prospects in hockey in his post-draft season, going from B-plus prospect to A-minus (or close) with a rare 50-point freshman season. He didn’t get back there as a sophomore last season after linemates Logan Cooley and Matthew Knies both turned pro, but he still scored 20-plus goals for a second time and was the Golden Gophers’ best forward for me even if he finished third on the team in points. That has continued this season at Minnesota, where he’s on pace for another 20-plus goal season as the Golden Gophers’ leading scorer.
Snuggerud’s game was always strong at the program, where he played on the top line and showed above-average tools and first-round merits, but every piece of it has elevated a little since then. Plus-shot (had that already). Plus-skill. Good enough skater (has gained half a step). Hard on pucks. Hunts and sticks with pucks. Consistently impactful. Finding ways to release and move as soon as he has made his play so that he can get open for the next one again.
It’s all there now. And maybe we all should have seen it coming. When I polled the 2004 U.S. NTDP players for their most underrated teammate, he was basically the unanimous answer.
Snuggerud is a well-rounded three-zone player with a versatile offensive game who can make plays with skill and will. His head is always up and on a swivel, even in congested areas. He’s good below the goal line and makes a lot of low-to-high plays into the slot to find cutting teammates for chances. He goes to scoring areas and follows shots to the net to get to rebounds, playing a determined forechecking game. He’s got a dangerous one-timer, catch-and-release wrister and natural shooting motion — pucks come off his blade hard and quickly — but he doesn’t tunnel-vision for his shot, he sees the ice well and he can make plays back against the grain. He’s got good hands, which helps him make outside-in plays to beat defenders one-on-one more than he gets credit for. He uses space well and makes a lot of plays off his backhand. He’s strong on pucks and stick lifts. He’s got some touch as a passer.And on top of it all, he’s also got a pro frame to build upon and a June birthday that gave him good runway to get better. There’s a goal-scoring second-line winger there. He’s probably a scoring third-liner at his floor, too. I debated ranking him No. 1 here.
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The Gophers lost a shootout for the 10th consecutive time Saturday, and they are 2-17 in shootouts in Big Ten play since the league started in the 2013-14 season. The Gophers, who have lost three shootouts this season, have not scored on 25 consecutive shootout attempts. They are 4-22 all-time in shootouts.
Aloha!
Interesting work. When were those 2 BIG s/o wins?
Keep your stick on the ice...
Interesting work. When were those 2 BIG s/o wins?
Jup has the shootout history here--
https://gopherpucklive.com/shootout-history/
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Am I the only one who spends basically zero time worrying about how bad we are at shootouts? I understand it can cost us a few points during the regular season. But it isn’t used in the post-season when the games matter most. And the whole concept of using shootouts to determine anything is so stupid I just don’t pay attention to it.
Am I the only one who spends basically zero time worrying about how bad we are at shootouts? I understand it can cost us a few points during the regular season. But it isn’t used in the post-season when the games matter most. And the whole concept of using shootouts to determine anything is so stupid I just don’t pay attention to it.
I am not too worked up about it. As you said, not an issue at critical points. It is just baffling, however. The struggles transcend players or staff...a great mystery.
Where it does show up is the lack of success on breakaways during games. I've lost track of how many 1-on-0 or 2-on-1s we've had the past several years where we just don't get a solid shot off.
I'm at a total loss as to why this has continued so long.
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
It certainly is frustrating as a fan. I guess I can look past it if we win a natty. 😉
Scott Wheeler's thoughts on Ziemer. His is listed as the #9 Sabres prospect.
9. Brodie Ziemer, RW, 18 (University of Minnesota)
Ziemer is, to use a tired cliche, just a hockey player. He’s just good. Wherever he goes, whoever he plays with, he plays well. Every game. Every shift.
He was the ’06 captain at the NTDP and head coach Nick Fohr’s everyman, has become an effective 18-year-old freshman at Minnesota and was good again for Team USA as an 18-year-old middle-sixer at the World Juniors. Ziemer is a competitor who seems to make his linemates better regardless of who he has played with. He’s committed to the details. He’ll block shots. He sticks with the play. He’s opportunistic. He makes the right decision more often than the wrong one. He’s capable of opening up his hips to go heel-to-heel around the offensive zone to widen his plane of sight. He’s a good athlete who skates well and plays a strong 200-foot, three-zone game for a 5-foot-11 winger.
And he’s got some offense. I’ve seen him make plays from the wall and below the goal line. I’ve seen him make plays off the rush. Those tools aren’t going to define him, but nobody will be surprised if he finds a way to become an NHL role player with some secondary offense. He’s by all accounts committed to getting better and will take his career as far as it will go. He’s not promised to be an NHLer but if he makes it, it’ll be as a likeable third-liner who plays honest, and plays the right way, and plays hard, and all of those other cliches. He just finds ways to contribute at five-on-five, is better on the cycle and in the dirty areas than you expect for a player his size, and gets the most out of his game.
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Scott Wheeler's thoughts on Ryan Chesley.
8. Ryan Chesley, RHD, 20 (University of Minnesota)
Chesley was one of the more universally well-liked prospects in the 2022 draft among NHL folks and was a top prospect in the 2004 age group for years. Two years ago, he defended mostly well for the Golden Gophers in a depth role on a deep team, but also faced some challenges as he adjusted to the college level (he was also moved down USA’s lineup at his first World Juniors) as a freshman as well. Last year, though his production was stagnant, he took on a much more prominent role, going from playing 17 minutes per game as a freshman to 22 minutes per game as a sophomore (he also played on USA’s top pairing at his second World Juniors). This year, he has continued to play that important role while also contributing more offensively.
He plies his trade as a well-rounded, hard-shooting, honest and consistent two-way defender. I like him defensively in neutral ice, where he’s got a great stick and gaps up really well. His stick and sound positioning help him on blocks and breaking up plays. He does need to release from his spots with a little more urgency to get to pucks and close on plays sooner in the defensive zone at times, though (he can lose some races that he should have more of a jump on).
There’s a lot to work with, though. He can really rip it when he takes the five-to-eight feet available off the line and looks for his own shot (which he has got back to doing more often this year). He’s got balanced skating mechanics, good posture and an ability and willingness to defend with the body and stick, which help him defend at a very high level man-to-man. He’s effective, and there’s still some aggressiveness and secondary talent to his package, though his game can lack creativity. I think he’s on track to get signed and give it a go, with bottom-pairing potential.
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Scott Wheeler's thoughts on Ziemer. His is listed as the #9 Sabres prospect.
9. Brodie Ziemer, RW, 18 (University of Minnesota)
Ziemer is, to use a tired cliche, just a hockey player. He’s just good. Wherever he goes, whoever he plays with, he plays well. Every game. Every shift.
He was the ’06 captain at the NTDP and head coach Nick Fohr’s everyman, has become an effective 18-year-old freshman at Minnesota and was good again for Team USA as an 18-year-old middle-sixer at the World Juniors. Ziemer is a competitor who seems to make his linemates better regardless of who he has played with. He’s committed to the details. He’ll block shots. He sticks with the play. He’s opportunistic. He makes the right decision more often than the wrong one. He’s capable of opening up his hips to go heel-to-heel around the offensive zone to widen his plane of sight. He’s a good athlete who skates well and plays a strong 200-foot, three-zone game for a 5-foot-11 winger.
And he’s got some offense. I’ve seen him make plays from the wall and below the goal line. I’ve seen him make plays off the rush. Those tools aren’t going to define him, but nobody will be surprised if he finds a way to become an NHL role player with some secondary offense. He’s by all accounts committed to getting better and will take his career as far as it will go. He’s not promised to be an NHLer but if he makes it, it’ll be as a likeable third-liner who plays honest, and plays the right way, and plays hard, and all of those other cliches. He just finds ways to contribute at five-on-five, is better on the cycle and in the dirty areas than you expect for a player his size, and gets the most out of his game.
He has a wicked quick release on his shot.
“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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Scott Wheeler on Wood
2. Matthew Wood, RW/LW/C, 20 (University of Minnesota)
Wood was the youngest player in college hockey in his draft year (he was, for a moment, its only 17-year-old) and stepped right in to become an impactful player and eventually the leading scorer on a good UConn team (albeit as a winger after playing mostly center at the Jr. A level, though he’s comfortable at all three forward positions). Last season, his counting stats as a sophomore took a bit of a hit, moving from 34 points in 35 games to 28 points in 35 games, but most of that is the byproduct of a much weaker UConn team (a team he still led in scoring by five goals and six points) — although it did highlight concerns some have about his ability to be a driver/his need to play with other good players who can get him pucks. This season, after a transfer to Minnesota, he has played to a point per game and was cut as a returnee to Team Canada ahead of the World Juniors.
His statistical profile remains projectable but there are parts of his game that feel less projectable in terms of what he’ll be in the NHL. That point-per-game production as a freshman came a year after he led the BCHL in goals (45 in 46 games) and points (85) for a 1.85 points-per-game clip that stands as the most productive 16-year-old season in the league in decades. He also found ways to get his looks in a limited role at the World Juniors in Gothenburg, even if they didn’t bring him back because they weren’t sure where he fit in the lineup and they had questions about his skating/pace.
Wood is a rangy, multi-dimensional shooter and goal-scoring forward who has silky hands for 6-foot-4 (considering the long stick he uses, he’s got superb control on the toe of his blade out wide and the heel in tight to his feet), a marksman’s shot inside the offensive zone (both through a natural shooting motion and his one-timer) and a sixth sense for arriving around the net/slot at the right time. He protects the puck really well out wide to his body, does a good job holding onto pucks for that extra second required to walk into his spots without needing bursts of speed to get there and can also slip and navigate pucks through traffic against reaching sticks. I’ve seen him support play well defensively off the puck.
He’s got quick hands one-on-one, he drops pucks back into his shooting stance effortlessly and he’s got a beautiful curl-and-drag motion. He has also worked to up his work rate. But his skating is a limiter and he’s slow out of the blocks/hasn’t made enough progress there over the last couple of years in improving it. When he keeps his feet moving in puck protection, he draws a ton of penalties, but he doesn’t have NHL pace/jump and he’s not ultra-competitive/a driver. He’s better suited as a playmaker and finisher than a power-forward type (he’ll never be that), but he has become more competitive over time (a little more than he gets credit for). I like the way he slows down the game, adjusts and maneuvers his frame and shades pucks and I believe he’s got middle-six and power-play upside as a winger, even without the speed. He does need to find a way to get quicker in order to maximize the rest of his talents, though.
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Snuggy & Rinzel's Hobey videos
https://twitter.com/HobeyBakerAward/status/1886822690637418665
https://twitter.com/HobeyBakerAward/status/1886867548693508535
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Scott Wheeler on Rinzel and Moore.
4. Sam Rinzel, RHD, 20 (University of Minnesota)
Rinzel’s appeal is all about the potential because it has always felt like he’s just scratching the surface, but some of that is really starting to be scratched now. He, like Nazar but even more so, found another level after returning from the World Juniors last season and hasn’t looked back, climbing a steep incline in his progression to become one of the top defensemen in college hockey as a sophomore this season. He’s a long, right-shot defender who thrives in transition, has room to fill out his frame, has already quickly played catch-up with his peers and has time (thanks to a late June birthday) to continue to do even more of that. He’s a fluid skater with an active stick and an eager approach to playing offense and defense that keeps him involved in all three zones (which comes with some good and bad but more good than bad). His game used to be a little haywire, his play selection needed some buttoning up and he’d occasionally get burned, but all of those things have started to fall into place nicely for him as he has gotten more reps and his skill and talent have taken over from there. You can see the tools and he’s starting to figure out how to deploy and utilize them in a more cohesive way. You can see his confidence building in real time as he starts to look like more than just his length and skating, too. He can really impact play when he’s reading the game well.
And while he was a work in progress when he was drafted and still has plenty of development in front of him, he’s already much less raw than he was. The University of Minnesota has done an excellent job developing defensemen in recent years, he has already made some big improvements there, and I think that with one more year in college, he could emerge with real NHL aspirations as an interesting top-six defenseman with some real upside.
6. Oliver Moore, C, 19 (University of Minnesota)
A favorite of mine, Moore has consistently impressed me across levels and competitions over the last four years — on trips down to Plymouth during his time at the program (as well as after two World Junior Summer Showcases), where he was the focal point of the 2005 age group’s second line and a real driver of play and offense behind their record-breaking first line; in Switzerland for the 2023 U18 worlds, Sweden for the 2024 World Juniors (where he began as the team’s 13th forward but also had a good run on the first line) and Ottawa for the 2025 World Juniors (where he created and drove more than he finished, which is a bit of a theme); and with the Golden Gophers in exhibition and in the second half of the regular season as a freshman (he hasn’t taken the step I was hoping for as a sophomore statistically, though).
His consistent game-to-game impact even when the points aren’t going in has always struck me as well (he rarely has a bad game and works and finds ways to involve himself and make things happen). Moore’s game is defined by his world-class skating ability (both in straight lines, where he turns defenders with ease out wide, in quick bursts from explosive stops and starts and rounding corners and winding up through his edges) and consistency of presence on the ice. He’s got gallops, cutbacks, crossovers, all of it. I’ve seen him create breakaways with ease, win races he shouldn’t and send defenders sliding when he stops up on them with a head of steam. He also hunts pucks and applies pressure with the best of them and his motor doesn’t stop, bouncing from one won battle to the next.He wants to hang onto the puck and make plays but he’ll also hurry it up and dominate in and out of give-and-gos. He’s got quick hands. He’s got a one-timer from the right flank and can really rip his catch-and-release or in-stride wrister when he gets clean looks. He’s an impressive athlete who is strong for a 5-foot-11 player, which should help him stick at center up levels. He has learned to use some more diverse movement patterns to make defensemen miss and get to his spots as a shooter. He’s strong in the faceoff circle. Increasingly, his game isn’t all just about the speed/hound element and I’ve been impressed by his puck protection in and out of stops and starts in the offensive zone, changing directions to beat defenders off the wall into valuable ice.
But he just doesn’t seem to finish off plays around the slot or in all alone enough and that lack of finish despite the tools to do so and some pretty goals over the years on both dekes and shots, has become a bit of a constant, raising questions about his offensive upside in the NHL.
I don’t see much to nitpick in his tools or his approach, although he does need to think the game a little better with the puck at times. He has the ability to impose his will on games. But while his game is fast and tenacious, I think you’re more likely looking at a fast and determined third-liner.
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So I have been able to vote for the Hobey Baker award, How can you see who has the most votes?
Aloha!
@gopher6 Great question. I've never been able to locate the on going results while the voting period. I don't think that the committee or Board of Trustees provides this information until the winner is announced. I'd love to be wrong though. I'd like to see this info on a daily basis. 😉
Bye weeks suck!!!!!!! I want Gopher Hockey!!!!!!!!! 🤬 😡 😠 😝
Bye weeks suck!!!!!!! I want Gopher Hockey!!!!!!!!! 🤬 😡 😠 😝
Maybe Illinois will get their program off the ground one of these days...
Pairwise probability matrix is live. MN a 100% lock. Top 4 seed 78%
So last night both Becky and the Fighting Whioux lost again! L.O.L.!
Aloha!
I know you never pass up an opportunity to hang a banner but the team is put in such a better situation if they finish 2nd than 1st
I know you never pass up an opportunity to hang a banner but the team is put in such a better situation if they finish 2nd than 1st
Why?
I know you never pass up an opportunity to hang a banner but the team is put in such a better situation if they finish 2nd than 1st
Why?
Keeps the boys playing. Worst case scenario for the first place team is having to sit out the first round and then get upset in the semis and they’re walking into the NCAAs playing one real game in like three weeks. Unfortunately there isn’t really a better format with the conference only having seven teams. But, also unfortunately, there seems to be zero movement from the conference to add another team.
They’d either have to poach an existing program from another conference and since it’s the B1G that team and school has to meet all of the requirements (brand name school, at the very least decent academics, solid program, etc.) see Notre Dame. But that seems highly unlikely. The other option is for another existing B1G school to form a D1 hockey program. Only slightly less highly unlikely. I’m getting way off track but in my ideal world we would poach DU. They meet all of those criteria and it would give the conference at least some sort of presence in every time zone. But DU would never leave the NCHC so here we are.
The Gophers have 6 regular season titles. One year they didn't make the tournament, twice they lost in the 1st round, they made the FF 3 times and the NC game twice. I don't buy it. Anyway...
I know they'd never do it, but the easiest solution given the current 7 team conference is to say that only the top 6 teams make the conference tourney.
Listening to some Creed on my way home from grabbing breakfast. When we inevitably win the natty this year could someone who’s good with putting together videos put together a compilation of this season’s highlights to My Sacrifice by Creed?
I know they'd never do it, but the easiest solution given the current 7 team conference is to say that only the top 6 teams make the conference tourney.
Then the tournament would go from 1 team with a bye to 2.
Make the first two weekends both best of three. I'd love all three weekends, but, I'd take the first two rounds, then the single championship game the next weekend.
Guarantees at least two games for the conference champ, and that's if they get swept at home in the 2nd round.
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
So I have been able to vote for the Hobey Baker award, How can you see who has the most votes?
Current Hobey votes. Snuggy in 2nd.
https://twitter.com/HobeyBakerAward/status/1889438769427706179?t=NX8UcEYyrbzs6c7oHMBf-Q&s=19
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According to this article the men’s hockey team is the biggest non revenue money making team in the Big Ten and possibly the country. It’s also the only non-revenue team in the Big Ten that made money.
@zwak I am surprised that the Gopher hockey team is the only non-revenue sport to make money. I would have guessed that Iowa wrestling made money - they sell out Carver Arena for ever match.
@zwak I am surprised that the Gopher hockey team is the only non-revenue sport to make money. I would have guessed that Iowa wrestling made money - they sell out Carver Arena for ever match.
agreed. Neb VB (and probably multiple others) would also come to mind. Think part of the issue and where we get away with it from hockey is we don't fly to the coasts for meets frequently (wrestling and VB, WBB, Baseball etc all do) which is massively going to up their costs.
Now reading the article, guess I was right:
Only two other sports beyond football and men’s basketball recorded profits in fiscal year 2024: Minnesota men’s ice hockey and Nebraska women’s volleyball. The Gophers generated $7.84 million and featured a $1.82 million surplus. The Huskers earned $7.25 million in revenue and were $1.34 million in the black.
Sounds like the definition of oxymoron. A non revenue team that makes money.
Sounds like the definition of oxymoron. A non revenue team that makes money.
Yeah whenever I read "non-revenue to make money" or some iteration I had to stop and think. 🤣
I know they'd never do it, but the easiest solution given the current 7 team conference is to say that only the top 6 teams make the conference tourney.
Then the tournament would go from 1 team with a bye to 2.
How so?
I think what he is getting at is if there is only 6 teams, and they all play in the 1st round, you would have 3 teams left to play in the 2nd round. That would be an odd number. So, in theory, if you go with 6 teams, then you would have to have the top 2 with byes to make that type of playoffs work. You need 8 teams to make a playoff system without teams having a bye.
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I know they'd never do it, but the easiest solution given the current 7 team conference is to say that only the top 6 teams make the conference tourney.
Then the tournament would go from 1 team with a bye to 2.
How so?
I think what he is getting at is if there is only 6 teams, and they all play in the 1st round, you would have 3 teams left to play in the 2nd round. That would be an odd number. So, in theory, if you go with 6 teams, then you would have to have the top 2 with byes to make that type of playoffs work. You need 8 teams to make a playoff system without teams having a bye.
Yes that's what I meant if they only went with 6 - it doesn't solve the issue of any team(s) having a bye.