I am not an expert on this, but Kurth signed a 2 year, entry level contract with Tampa. It appears to be a 2 way deal, that if he is in the NHL he gets $870,000 and $82,500 if in the minors. So, I would guess Tampa has control over him. I think the "pro" players who are signing to play college are players who are playing on minor league deals, so that may be the difference. The CC player that is coming in was drafted by the Sabres, but they didn't sign him and was bouncing around the minors.
IMHO, it is one thing to start recruiting CHL players, but I am 100% against signing any player who played in the ECHL or AHL. If this means we miss out on a good AHL or ECHL player, so be it.
I assume this is a comment made with full knowledge there are a handful of guys who played in the AHL and ECHL who are playing college hockey this year
I am not an expert on this, but Kurth signed a 2 year, entry level contract with Tampa. It appears to be a 2 way deal, that if he is in the NHL he gets $870,000 and $82,500 if in the minors. So, I would guess Tampa has control over him. I think the "pro" players who are signing to play college are players who are playing on minor league deals, so that may be the difference. The CC player that is coming in was drafted by the Sabres, but they didn't sign him and was bouncing around the minors.
IMHO, it is one thing to start recruiting CHL players, but I am 100% against signing any player who played in the ECHL or AHL. If this means we miss out on a good AHL or ECHL player, so be it.
I assume this is a comment made with full knowledge there are a handful of guys who played in the AHL and ECHL who are playing college hockey this year
Yes, that is why I said the "pro" players that are playing are free agents, and most likely not under contract with a pro team. And I don't want the Gophers to go that route.
This is from Russo about some of the Iowa Heartlander players.
https://twitter.com/RussoHockey/status/2002867785668673580
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
I am not an expert on this, but Kurth signed a 2 year, entry level contract with Tampa. It appears to be a 2 way deal, that if he is in the NHL he gets $870,000 and $82,500 if in the minors. So, I would guess Tampa has control over him. I think the "pro" players who are signing to play college are players who are playing on minor league deals, so that may be the difference. The CC player that is coming in was drafted by the Sabres, but they didn't sign him and was bouncing around the minors.
IMHO, it is one thing to start recruiting CHL players, but I am 100% against signing any player who played in the ECHL or AHL. If this means we miss out on a good AHL or ECHL player, so be it.
I assume this is a comment made with full knowledge there are a handful of guys who played in the AHL and ECHL who are playing college hockey this year
Yes, that is why I said the "pro" players that are playing are free agents, and most likely not under contract with a pro team. And I don't want the Gophers to go that route.
This is from Russo about some of the Iowa Heartlander players.
You're killing the narrative.
I am not an expert on this, but Kurth signed a 2 year, entry level contract with Tampa. It appears to be a 2 way deal, that if he is in the NHL he gets $870,000 and $82,500 if in the minors. So, I would guess Tampa has control over him. I think the "pro" players who are signing to play college are players who are playing on minor league deals, so that may be the difference. The CC player that is coming in was drafted by the Sabres, but they didn't sign him and was bouncing around the minors.
IMHO, it is one thing to start recruiting CHL players, but I am 100% against signing any player who played in the ECHL or AHL. If this means we miss out on a good AHL or ECHL player, so be it.
If you’re suggesting we shouldn’t make a move for Kurth based on some moral purity of abstaining from pro players I think that’s a little silly in this situation. Kurth played 3 years with the team, and should be a senior this season. Did the 26 games he played in the coast taint him for good? He’s the same player as he was 6 months ago when he signed.
If there’s a reason we shouldn’t pursue this crazy move it’s probably that we shouldn’t be taking valuable reps away from the youngins in a season most of us have deemed a rebuild. Might cause more harm in the long term trying to contend in a year where we should just be focused on building for the next few.
I am not an expert on this, but Kurth signed a 2 year, entry level contract with Tampa. It appears to be a 2 way deal, that if he is in the NHL he gets $870,000 and $82,500 if in the minors. So, I would guess Tampa has control over him. I think the "pro" players who are signing to play college are players who are playing on minor league deals, so that may be the difference. The CC player that is coming in was drafted by the Sabres, but they didn't sign him and was bouncing around the minors.
IMHO, it is one thing to start recruiting CHL players, but I am 100% against signing any player who played in the ECHL or AHL. If this means we miss out on a good AHL or ECHL player, so be it.
If you’re suggesting we shouldn’t make a move for Kurth based on some moral purity of abstaining from pro player s I think that’s a little silly in this situation. Kurth played 3 years with the team, and should be a senior this season. Did the 26 games he played in the coast taint him for good? He’s the same player as he was 6 months ago when he signed.
If there’s a reason we shouldn’t pursue this crazy move it’s probably that we shouldn’t be taking valuable reps away from the youngins in a season most of us have deemed a rebuild. Might cause more harm in the long term trying to contend in a year where we should just be focused on building for the next few.
I'm saying that we probably can't go after Kurth because he is property of the Lightning. He is under contract. It is a mute point.
My love for the Gophers and college hockey is because they are amateurs. College sports these days are trending in the wrong direction. NIL's , transfer portals and now allowing players who have played in professional hockey is ruining the sport.
So, no I don't want the Gophers to add any player who has played in any AHL or ECHL games, even if he is a former Gopher. But the bottom line is none of us armchair coaches get paid to make those decisions. If Bob decides to do it, so be it. I will still have season tickets and cheer for the Gophers.
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
double shrug emoji 🤷♂️🤷♂️. Gotta get creative in college athletics in 2026.
https://twitter.com/mariucci_guy/status/2003284698202841487?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
https://twitter.com/mariucci_guy/status/2003285654172749980?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
Gone are the days when the fans would make fun of Kato having older players I guess....
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
The reality is that D1 mens college sports are no longer amateur student athletes. We can romanticize the past all we want, but change has come and it's never going back. These are professional athletes, who happen to wear the logo of your favorite school. Hell, look at bball and football, most of these guys don't even talk about returning to play for a team anymore. Now it's all about returning to their contracted bagmen.
I am not an expert on this, but Kurth signed a 2 year, entry level contract with Tampa. It appears to be a 2 way deal, that if he is in the NHL he gets $870,000 and $82,500 if in the minors. So, I would guess Tampa has control over him. I think the "pro" players who are signing to play college are players who are playing on minor league deals, so that may be the difference. The CC player that is coming in was drafted by the Sabres, but they didn't sign him and was bouncing around the minors.
IMHO, it is one thing to start recruiting CHL players, but I am 100% against signing any player who played in the ECHL or AHL. If this means we miss out on a good AHL or ECHL player, so be it.
If you’re suggesting we shouldn’t make a move for Kurth based on some moral purity of abstaining from pro player s I think that’s a little silly in this situation. Kurth played 3 years with the team, and should be a senior this season. Did the 26 games he played in the coast taint him for good? He’s the same player as he was 6 months ago when he signed.
If there’s a reason we shouldn’t pursue this crazy move it’s probably that we shouldn’t be taking valuable reps away from the youngins in a season most of us have deemed a rebuild. Might cause more harm in the long term trying to contend in a year where we should just be focused on building for the next few.
I'm saying that we probably can't go after Kurth because he is property of the Lightning. He is under contract. It is a mute point.
My love for the Gophers and college hockey is because they are amateurs. College sports these days are trending in the wrong direction. NIL's , transfer portals and now allowing players who have played in professional hockey is ruining the sport.
So, no I don't want the Gophers to add any player who has played in any AHL or ECHL games, even if he is a former Gopher. But the bottom line is none of us armchair coaches get paid to make those decisions. If Bob decides to do it, so be it. I will still have season tickets and cheer for the Gophers.
These are not amateurs anymore. Either adapt to the times or get left behind. Prime example is what happened this offseason, which is how our roster fell so far behind our blue blood peers.
Do you want to win? I do. I think a lot of fans on here do too.
Being the morality police on “amateur athletes” versus ECHL hockey players is quite the stance to take.
I am not an expert on this, but Kurth signed a 2 year, entry level contract with Tampa. It appears to be a 2 way deal, that if he is in the NHL he gets $870,000 and $82,500 if in the minors. So, I would guess Tampa has control over him. I think the "pro" players who are signing to play college are players who are playing on minor league deals, so that may be the difference. The CC player that is coming in was drafted by the Sabres, but they didn't sign him and was bouncing around the minors.
IMHO, it is one thing to start recruiting CHL players, but I am 100% against signing any player who played in the ECHL or AHL. If this means we miss out on a good AHL or ECHL player, so be it.
If you’re suggesting we shouldn’t make a move for Kurth based on some moral purity of abstaining from pro player s I think that’s a little silly in this situation. Kurth played 3 years with the team, and should be a senior this season. Did the 26 games he played in the coast taint him for good? He’s the same player as he was 6 months ago when he signed.
If there’s a reason we shouldn’t pursue this crazy move it’s probably that we shouldn’t be taking valuable reps away from the youngins in a season most of us have deemed a rebuild. Might cause more harm in the long term trying to contend in a year where we should just be focused on building for the next few.
I'm saying that we probably can't go after Kurth because he is property of the Lightning. He is under contract. It is a mute point.
My love for the Gophers and college hockey is because they are amateurs. College sports these days are trending in the wrong direction. NIL's , transfer portals and now allowing players who have played in professional hockey is ruining the sport.
So, no I don't want the Gophers to add any player who has played in any AHL or ECHL games, even if he is a former Gopher. But the bottom line is none of us armchair coaches get paid to make those decisions. If Bob decides to do it, so be it. I will still have season tickets and cheer for the Gophers.
on Jack Beck (playing at asu with 8 points in 10 games now) in May after he put up a point per game in the echl. Same age at 22 as Kurth
“The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced today that they have re-signed forward Jack Beck to an American Hockey League contract for the 2025-26 season.”
If you think Tampa wouldn’t shrug cutting Kurth I think you’re missing the picture. Many of these guys playing echl are doing it because they love playing. If they’re not tracking to contribute in at least the A, I don’t think they’ll really care all that much. I don’t think Kurth takes this team over the top so don’t really care all that much if he came back or was asked. And no I won’t get into the “but if it was Chesley, rinzel, Moore” blah blah. Just moreso saying if he was interested and Bob was, I don’t think Tampa would stand in the way of that. They won’t want guys who don’t have heart in it playing the same as we don’t come spring
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
Christ almighty I am so sick and tired of watching you over-entitled whinebots incessantly cry about the off-season. For freaks sake one of you has argued they've made no effort to try and add anyone - as if you're on the inside of the program and know the ins and outs of what they have or have not tried.
If the Gophers miss the post-season you're not going to die. At what point will you get over it, stfu and move on with your lives?
Sorry Jupe, flag me if needed but I've freaking had it. The ignore feature would be wonderful. 🤣
Christ almighty I am so sick and tired of watching you over-entitled whinebots incessantly cry about the off-season. For freaks sake one of you has argued they've made no effort to try and add anyone - as if you're on the inside of the program and know the ins and outs of what they have or have not tried.
If the Gophers miss the post-season you're not going to die. At what point will you get over it, stfu and move on with your lives?
Sorry Jupe, flag me if needed but I've freaking had it. The ignore feature would be wonderful. 🤣
I think there is plenty of evidence in publicly made comments that the staff did not explore CHL talent. Regardless, they had no contingency for early leavers.
It’s frustrating to likely not make the tournament when many believe there was a reasonable pathway to have a better roster. You are apparently OK with it, I and others are not. Deal with it.
double shrug emoji 🤷♂️🤷♂️. Gotta get creative in college athletics in 2026.
https://twitter.com/mariucci_guy/status/2003284698202841487?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
https://twitter.com/mariucci_guy/status/2003285654172749980?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
So I looked into this some more, the NCAA’s redshirt rules say if a player plays <30% of his teams games due to an injury, he or she may be granted another year of eligibility.
Hanus only played in 10 of his teams 31 games in 2022-23, so I legitimately think if they really wanted to, this could be a legit possibility to pursue.
How likely are the coaches to make this move? Not very imo. It’s a little out of the box. Obviously bringing in a 25 year old would rustle some feathers around here but in my opinion it’s exactly what they need for 2026-27. A veteran d that provides some offense from the blue line. Is this really that crazy?🤷♂️
Christ almighty I am so sick and tired of watching you over-entitled whinebots incessantly cry about the off-season. For freaks sake one of you has argued they've made no effort to try and add anyone - as if you're on the inside of the program and know the ins and outs of what they have or have not tried.
If the Gophers miss the post-season you're not going to die. At what point will you get over it, stfu and move on with your lives?
Sorry Jupe, flag me if needed but I've freaking had it. The ignore feature would be wonderful. 🤣
Over-entitled is gold coming from you 🤣
double shrug emoji 🤷♂️🤷♂️. Gotta get creative in college athletics in 2026.
https://twitter.com/mariucci_guy/status/2003284698202841487?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
https://twitter.com/mariucci_guy/status/2003285654172749980?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
So I looked into this some more, the NCAA’s redshirt rules say if a player plays <30% of his teams games due to an injury, he or she may be granted another year of eligibility.
Hanus only played in 10 of his teams 31 games in 2022-23, so I legitimately think if they really wanted to, this could be a legit possibility to pursue.
How likely are the coaches to make this move? Not very imo. It’s a little out of the box. Obviously bringing in a 25 year old would rustle some feathers around here but in my opinion it’s exactly what they need for 2026-27. A veteran d that provides some offense from the blue line. Is this really that crazy?🤷♂️
yes
double shrug emoji 🤷♂️🤷♂️. Gotta get creative in college athletics in 2026.
https://twitter.com/mariucci_guy/status/2003284698202841487?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
https://twitter.com/mariucci_guy/status/2003285654172749980?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
So I looked into this some more, the NCAA’s redshirt rules say if a player plays <30% of his teams games due to an injury, he or she may be granted another year of eligibility.
Hanus only played in 10 of his teams 31 games in 2022-23, so I legitimately think if they really wanted to, this could be a legit possibility to pursue.
How likely are the coaches to make this move? Not very imo. It’s a little out of the box. Obviously bringing in a 25 year old would rustle some feathers around here but in my opinion it’s exactly what they need for 2026-27. A veteran d that provides some offense from the blue line. Is this really that crazy?🤷♂️
yes
How so?
Christ almighty I am so sick and tired of watching you over-entitled whinebots incessantly cry about the off-season. For freaks sake one of you has argued they've made no effort to try and add anyone - as if you're on the inside of the program and know the ins and outs of what they have or have not tried.
If the Gophers miss the post-season you're not going to die. At what point will you get over it, stfu and move on with your lives?
Sorry Jupe, flag me if needed but I've freaking had it. The ignore feature would be wonderful. 🤣
I think there is plenty of evidence in publicly made comments that the staff did not explore CHL talent. Regardless, they had no contingency for early leavers.
It’s frustrating to likely not make the tournament when many believe there was a reasonable pathway to have a better roster. You are apparently OK with it, I and others are not. Deal with it.
It's not about being 'ok' with it. Of course I'd rather they not miss the tournament. As for evidence I'm referring to what they've done or not done since the season began.
double shrug emoji 🤷♂️🤷♂️. Gotta get creative in college athletics in 2026.
https://twitter.com/mariucci_guy/status/2003284698202841487?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
https://twitter.com/mariucci_guy/status/2003285654172749980?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
So I looked into this some more, the NCAA’s redshirt rules say if a player plays <30% of his teams games due to an injury, he or she may be granted another year of eligibility.
Hanus only played in 10 of his teams 31 games in 2022-23, so I legitimately think if they really wanted to, this could be a legit possibility to pursue.
How likely are the coaches to make this move? Not very imo. It’s a little out of the box. Obviously bringing in a 25 year old would rustle some feathers around here but in my opinion it’s exactly what they need for 2026-27. A veteran d that provides some offense from the blue line. Is this really that crazy?🤷♂️
yes
How so?
a random 25 year old with no ties to the current staff nor even the US over the last almost decade who's in his 4th year (per his bio) playing USports with prior ECHL games is going to come in for a half year with the hope he could get granted an extra year (for some reason as that percentage is over the 30% cutoff)? The 2nd and 3rd leading scoring Dmen are both already playing in the NCAA (HE and NCHC). Given that, its pretty clear he would've had options had he desired to come back so unsure why he would for a half year to play 3rd pair minutes while also needing to figure out what's happening from his degree standpoint while transferring mid year as a 25 year old between countries. Yes that is crazy from my standpoint. Both for Hanus as well as for MN to go that route and say hey we want to add a reach pick because we're that down on what our dmen are going to contribute going forward based on the first half of the year (it's always a different game prior to the year starting and guys are going to get it more; same as if you're bringing in one of your own recruits/commits)
if you're meaning to just add someone for offensive scoring, sure. but then just go add a USHL player as the like top 4 scoring Dmen are all uncommitted right now.
I’d be giggling thru every game with the PBP guys saying that last name
Kvasnicka the last cut from World Juniors. Ziemer and Mooney make it; Ziemer was named captain, as he had been at the U18 level.
According to Elite Prospects Chase Reid is a RHD on the Soo in the O and committed to Michigan State but not until the 2027-28 season. He’s currently on the US WJC team here in Minnesota with Motzko and Killer. This is perhaps overly ambitious but any chance we could flip him and bring him in for this next semester?
According to Elite Prospects Chase Reid is a RHD on the Soo in the O and committed to Michigan State but not until the 2027-28 season. He’s currently on the US WJC team here in Minnesota with Motzko and Killer. This is perhaps overly ambitious but any chance we could flip him and bring him in for this next semester?
I think you know the answer to that.
According to Elite Prospects Chase Reid is a RHD on the Soo in the O and committed to Michigan State but not until the 2027-28 season. He’s currently on the US WJC team here in Minnesota with Motzko and Killer. This is perhaps overly ambitious but any chance we could flip him and bring him in for this next semester?
I think you know the answer to that.
So you’re saying there’s a chance?
Since pros can come back and play NCAA.....I'm watching Rinzel play for Rockford tonight in Milwaukee.
I think we can outbid the Ice Hogs .....living in frickin' Rockford? 
Poor guy. (Yes I'm kidding. Sort of. The blue line help would be welcomed...)
Yes---he should have stayed, and he's not alone, but it is what it is.
Since pros can come back and play NCAA.....I'm watching Rinzel play for Rockford tonight in Milwaukee.
I think we can outbid the Ice Hogs .....living in frickin' Rockford?
Yes---he should have stayed, and he's not alone, but it is what it is.
This year’s squad plus Rinzel would likely be a little above Penn State in the polls and NPI right now. With him carrying our defense and pushing out our 3 weakest D, we’d probably split BC; sweep PSU, OSU, and LIU; and at least force OT in one+ of the 4 Ls vs. UMD and Wisco. All of our actual outcomes in those series were by razor-thin margins, he’s also a far more impactful and dynamic player than Chesley.
I think it’s hard to say whether he “should’ve” stayed or not, as far as his development goes. For much of last year he was lighting it up like a varsity kid playing 2 periods for the JV team, then he’d disappear for stretches or make some brutal game-deciding errors. LaCombe’s junior year was kinda like that, he stayed another year, and we all know how that paid off for him and us.
I don't think someone who's already played 37 NHL games halfway through his first full pro season is regretting his decision for a single millisecond.
I think Bob might be the worst coach in the Big 10. The Notre Dame Guy is new so I dont know. But no one does less with more than Bob.
🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
He is coaching the USA national World Junior team for the second time. Won the gold medal the first time. USA hockey can pick anybody to coach the team. He clearly is a bad coach. 😉 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
This has to be a bit. That or Jankwi is Bonin resurrected. To be clear, I don’t think Motzko or anyone else on the Gophers or Team USA coaching staff is above criticism but just saying “he’s the worst” and adding nothing of actual value is just internet troll behavior.
Bob's coaching job at the World Juniors this go round is worse than anything he's done with the Gophers. The way he's handled the goalies has been bizarre and has hurt the team.
🧨
Bob's coaching job at the World Juniors this go round is worse than anything he's done with the Gophers. The way he's handled the goalies has been bizarre and has hurt the team.
I disagree. Had to see all of them with nobody proven and you can’t do that post-preliminary rounds. Now you stick with Kempf the rest of the way.
Some things never change. Beutow sucks, Woog’s a choke, Lucia only won cause of Woog’s kids, Motzko can’t coach. I have watched Gopher Hockey for 45 plus years, hammering on the coach never goes out of style. I guess that’s the price of the Brooks era. Nobody will ever live up to it.
Bob's coaching job at the World Juniors this go round is worse than anything he's done with the Gophers. The way he's handled the goalies has been bizarre and has hurt the team.
I disagree. Had to see all of them with nobody proven and you can’t do that post-preliminary rounds. Now you stick with Kempf the rest of the way.
Kempf has been the guy at every age for this group, is the highest draft pick and is the only one playing in college. Heil seemed to be the default starter for some reason despite being terrible in the USHL and then you give a 17 year old his first start in their biggest group game? That's how you would have handled it? It's been mind boggling for anyone who follows USA hockey.
I would rather take a loss to Sweden in the round robin than Slovakia or Germany with a chance to lose a second game. Do I wish we won? Yes. Is the sky falling? Not yet. I think laying the blame at the coach's feet and not on the players is misguided. The coach isn't giving up odd man rushes all game.Bob's coaching job at the World Juniors this go round is worse than anything he's done with the Gophers. The way he's handled the goalies has been bizarre and has hurt the team.
I disagree. Had to see all of them with nobody proven and you can’t do that post-preliminary rounds. Now you stick with Kempf the rest of the way.
Kempf has been the guy at every age for this group, is the highest draft pick and is the only one playing in college. Heil seemed to be the default starter for some reason despite being terrible in the USHL and then you give a 17 year old his first start in their biggest group game? That's how you would have handled it? It's been mind boggling for anyone who follows USA hockey.
Coaches making weird decisions with goaltending isn’t exclusive to Motzko but I agree, Heil starting twice instead of Kempf doesn’t really make sense from a stats perspective and eye test wise he seemed better. It’s a valid criticism. As far as Bob being worst coach in the B1G that’s just laughable mainly because recruiting is a big part of the job and he up until recently was exceptional at.
I’ll admit I would not have started Knowling in the last game, but I’m not a part of the coaching staff so there had to be a method to the madness. 🤷♀️
Do or die! Go USA, Go Gophers, Go Wild!
I think Bob might be the worst coach in the Big 10. The Notre Dame Guy is new so I dont know. But no one does less with more than Bob.
Michigan has entered the chat.
Good to have Falloon back in the lineup and Gopher hockey back on the ice. Even if it’s just for an exhibition game.
So is this game not on BiG10+?
Nope. It's at Bemidji, so it cannot be on B1G+.
Do not like how this board is run?
Get your own board!
♃
So is this game not on BiG10+?
According to the Gopher Hockey twitter page it’s on Midco Sports Plus
A reminder that the Fox One app also streams Fox 9+ for free
No Gruba and Pahlsson. They sustained injuries in the Ohio State series before break. Hopefully just holding them out to be cautious.
This game is just an exhibition and doesn't count toward anything, win, lose or draw, right?
Correct