personally i think the close argument that the teams were just really good is dumb and lazy, but we rehash that one every year. he outplayed laffer the year laffer left midseason (though debate how much of that was him being torn to sign). He gets the wrap because of how each of his 3 seasons ended, imo, particularly because of the soft one he gave up against QU and the couple against BU.Laffer was legitimately terrible that year though, almost as if he regressed to the freshman year version of himself. I think Close was good but he did get outplayed in a lot of big games (and I say this as someone who thinks he deserves very little of the blame for the loss to Q). The guy was more like Chris Osgood than Roy if you want an analogy.
@trixr4kids Luca is above average you can win a lot of games with him if the surrounding team supports him.
https://twitter.com/PuckPreps/status/2078215601013854299
Looking down from my High Horse
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Getting rid of some of the guys we did should vault us to the top lmao. Especially given that ASU lost Potter lol (I know that’s not what they’re ranking)
Here is the latest offseason Gopher Hockey podcast with Ben Gordon.
https://twitter.com/GopherHockey/status/2079234909873348673
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Fun nugget from the pod. Gordon’s family bought Dean Blais’s old house in International Falls. Apparently they were pretty close. Blais really wanted Gordo to be a sue. Obviously didn’t work out that way and the rest is history.
I admire Gordo’s passion for Gopher hockey. Dude bleeds maroon and gold through and through.
Get to know the Gophers freshmen..
https://twitter.com/GopherHockey/status/2080382444448944144
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Any other season ticket holders jump into the Gopher Points draw yet?
My time slot was this afternoon and I was pleasantly surprised at availability. Normally when I've jumped in there is not much left but this year I was able to get a game day upgrade to the club level and there were a lot of other cool options available- coach led discussions, facility tours, pregame bench access, skate with the Gophers, etc.
I don't think my point level moved up that much, if at all, so wondering if they expanded their offerings or people are not participating like in previous years.
“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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any other season ticket holders jump into the Gopher Points draw yet?
My time slot was this afternoon and I was pleasantly surprised at availability. Normally when I've jumped in there is not much left but this year I was able to get a game day upgrade to the club level and there were a lot of other cool options available- coach led discussions, facility tours, pregame bench access, skate with the Gophers, etc.
I don't think my point level moved up that much, if at all, so wondering if they expanded their offerings or people are not participating like in previous years.
My selection day is Friday. Usually by the time I get to pick, there are very few options left. It's usually like the football tunnel team. I usually end up just adding points to my score as whatever is left does not seem worth it.
It’s my selection time and the site keeps crashing. 🤦♀️
It’s my selection time and the site keeps crashing. 🤦♀️
I was lucky and got in this morning. No issues
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
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So when the season starts how long will it take to get the Gophers ranked in the top 20?
Aloha!
It’s my selection time and the site keeps crashing. 🤦♀️
mine did repeatedly as well, but thankfully still got the gopher hockey selections. now just if they decide to have any of it at times i can actually go this year... 🙄
It’s my selection time and the site keeps crashing. 🤦♀️
mine did repeatedly as well, but thankfully still got the gopher hockey selections. now just if they decide to have any of it at times i can actually go this year... 🙄
I ended up calling after 30 minutes of the site taking a dump and just did it over the phone. Samesies on scheduling events working folk can make it to…
So when the season starts how long will it take to get the Gophers ranked in the top 20?
0 to 3 weeks.
Since tDon left, we've been ranked top-20 by the Week 0 polls for every single year except one (2019-20; our first appearance in the polls that year was in Week 3). Poll voters always favor brand-name blue bloods in early weeks.
https://twitter.com/GopherHockey/status/2083281546690404524
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Morality Police
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Sammy Walker and Logan Cooley!? Oh gosh, I’m getting old.
So when the season starts how long will it take to get the Gophers ranked in the top 20?
They’ll start in the top 20 no doubt
Casual three point night for Cullen
can’t say I felt particularly impressed by all these highly touted Canadian defenders all tournament
@upnorthkid I think there are some developmental problems up in Canada.
@jankwi01 I thought that's why they were coming to the NCAA --- to get the development that isn't taking in Canada, and play against a higher, better level of competition --- it'll be just another feeder to college hockey. LOL.
@jankwi01 I thought that's why they were coming to the NCAA --- to get the development that isn't taking in Canada, and play against a higher, better level of competition --- it'll be just another feeder to college hockey. LOL.
they also get paid more, get better access to strength and conditioning, and their NHL teams want them to as they compete against older guys and they get to keep holding their rights for longer
Dunno if I'd 100% say Canada has failed in development when Canada had 10 1st rounders this year (US 7), 20 the year prior (US 6), and 19 the year before that (US 3).
Some draft years are just markedly weaker than others. Think the national team stuff is more related to how they play as a team compared with past years which I'd more chalk up to coaching/selection than lack of talent
Talent and development are not the same thing. Gavin McKenna would’ve went 1st overall too if he stayed in Med Hat and put up 150 points, but it wouldn’t have been best for his development.
Canada as a country is still oozing with talent but the CHL development model is definitely behind NCAA.
Talent and development are not the same thing. Gavin McKenna would’ve went 1st overall too if he stayed in Med Hat and put up 150 points, but it wouldn’t have been best for his development.
Canada as a country is still oozing with talent but the CHL development model is definitely behind NCAA.
I just don't think it's a fair comp given the number of players you're looking at and the timing in their career. Honestly think it's hard to say the NCAA year benefitted McKenna, though certainly seemed to for Martone (a guy who was way more "physically" mature).
All kind of depends where you're playing, the role, etc. Is playing 3rd-4th line as a grinder down the lineup for 11min/game at PSU (Katzin) better than it would've been for him to stay in the O at 18? Same as Humphreys left college and go up to the O, which seems to have overall helped his game
Better comp is to the USHL (not to get into the youth programs comparatively, which I think is a whole different discussion entirely) imo in deciding if Canada has a dev problem for the younger guys. Once you hit age eligibility, I guess you can argue the CHL to AHL to NHL path vs CHL to NCAA to NHL pathway.
Hockey is just kinda weird as the leagues haven't really had time to adjust, but there's a reason all these kids are going to the CHL from the US right now. The CHL system does a pretty damn good job prepping you until 19 or so imo. Just why I don't really love the blanket statements as it all depends on time and place
@jankwi01 I thought that's why they were coming to the NCAA --- to get the development that isn't taking in Canada, and play against a higher, better level of competition --- it'll be just another feeder to college hockey. LOL.
they also get paid more, get better access to strength and conditioning, and their NHL teams want them to as they compete against older guys and they get to keep holding their rights for longer
Dunno if I'd 100% say Canada has failed in development when Canada had 10 1st rounders this year (US 7), 20 the year prior (US 6), and 19 the year before that (US 3).
Some draft years are just markedly weaker than others. Think the national team stuff is more related to how they play as a team compared with past years which I'd more chalk up to coaching/selection than lack of talent
My comment was meant more in jest --- trolling the non-existent Canadian users of this board.
The money or potential for it has to be a big driver for Canadian kids to come south.
Many times in recent years as it relates to their Junior team performance, I've seen reference to poor coaching choice for Team Canada. Is their management that screwed up, or do they not have a good coaching pipeline at that level?
The money or potential for it has to be a big driver for Canadian kids to come south.
I think $$$ is a much less important factor than people want to believe. More of a fringe / incidental benefit.
First, many or most of these guys grew up in $1M+ childhood homes, parents already invested multiple 6 figs into their hockey careers by this point. So $10k in NIL for the kid to promote some local pizza place or credit union etc. isn't a meaningful amount of money to these families.
Second, let's assume an NHL entry-level contract is worth roughly $2M, ballpark. IF the CHL truly offers a better path to that $2M NHL contract, then even $200k+ in NIL would not be enough to offset the downside risk of playing NCAA.
For the above reasons, I think the main factors really drawing CHL guys to the NCAA are: (1) college- both education and lifestyle; (2) better facilities and training programs; and (3) higher level of competition that is much closer to NHL in terms of systems/structure.
Because the NIL money pales in comparison to what these kids grew up with, and what they stand to earn if they do make it to the show.
Honestly think it's hard to say the NCAA year benefitted McKenna
He'd experience those growing pains no matter what. It's better to deal with such adversity at the NCAA level, rather than waiting / coasting on talent until you're already playing for the Leafs.
If he had stayed in the WHL, that just delays his harsh adjustment period to whenever he starts playing NHL games. Which would be absolutely brutal for a young guy picked 1st overall by Toronto.
Especially one with such a poor compete level, lack of mental resiliency, and terrible judgement as McKenna has displayed.
The money or potential for it has to be a big driver for Canadian kids to come south.
I think $$$ is a much less important factor than people want to believe. More of a fringe / incidental benefit.
First, many or most of these guys grew up in $1M+ childhood homes, parents already invested multiple 6 figs into their hockey careers by this point. So $10k in NIL for the kid to promote some local pizza place or credit union etc. isn't a meaningful amount of money to these families.
Second, let's assume an NHL entry-level contract is worth roughly $2M, ballpark. IF the CHL truly offers a better path to that $2M NHL contract, then even $200k+ in NIL would not be enough to offset the downside risk of playing NCAA.
For the above reasons, I think the main factors really drawing CHL guys to the NCAA are: (1) college- both education and lifestyle; (2) better facilities and training programs; and (3) higher level of competition that is much closer to NHL in terms of systems/structure.
Because the NIL money pales in comparison to what these kids grew up with, and what they stand to earn if they do make it to the show.
i think if you're just looking at NIL as what is meant by money, you're looking at it wrong
They fly to games, get fully paid for food of whatever kind, have personal trainers, get free equipment, etc which all adds to a vastly larger monetary stipend than just the NIL. you certainly do see kids stay up north and sign their ELC (about 93k) to try make money but those are pretty few. Additionally you're riding buses, living at a billet, and making a couple hundred bucks a month with your parents often spending money on you for food, extras, fun, etc. The lifestyle is drastically better and I think that's part of what people (at least i do) say money as the NIL also supports having fun on top of getting better.
You are 100% right it is closer to NHL competition, but none of these kids knows its guaranteed outside some of the first round picks and I don't think that's entirely what the debate is, as you're also seeing mid round kids bail on the CHL to come down here. Even if they're only getting say 50k, that's a good sized chunk of change when you have 0 expenses (and those guys may be your more focused on education, versus McKenna who just peaced out at PSU after their season ended with class still ongoing).
I'd say insinuating that they're all wealthy would be just like saying none of them really care about school. Don't think anybody outside of CHL bobos has insinuated that the CHL is better for older guys (19 and up) development wise
On the whole McKenna growing pains, he's going to have it again next year. Just a whole different level. Part of why going to PSU versus somewhere they would've pushed him the areas his game is weak probably leaves much of it in the wash.
But doesn't matter, kids are coming whatever their reason is. Good for the overall skill level in the college game
Not all of these kids come from money. I know several families that have kids in NHL or soon will. Most are comfortable, but not rich.The money or potential for it has to be a big driver for Canadian kids to come south.
I think $$$ is a much less important factor than people want to believe. More of a fringe / incidental benefit.
First, many or most of these guys grew up in $1M+ childhood homes, parents already invested multiple 6 figs into their hockey careers by this point. So $10k in NIL for the kid to promote some local pizza place or credit union etc. isn't a meaningful amount of money to these families.
Second, let's assume an NHL entry-level contract is worth roughly $2M, ballpark. IF the CHL truly offers a better path to that $2M NHL contract, then even $200k+ in NIL would not be enough to offset the downside risk of playing NCAA.
For the above reasons, I think the main factors really drawing CHL guys to the NCAA are: (1) college- both education and lifestyle; (2) better facilities and training programs; and (3) higher level of competition that is much closer to NHL in terms of systems/structure.
Because the NIL money pales in comparison to what these kids grew up with, and what they stand to earn if they do make it to the show.
Not all of these kids come from money. I know several families that have kids in NHL or soon will. Most are comfortable, but not rich.The money or potential for it has to be a big driver for Canadian kids to come south.
I think $$$ is a much less important factor than people want to believe. More of a fringe / incidental benefit.
First, many or most of these guys grew up in $1M+ childhood homes, parents already invested multiple 6 figs into their hockey careers by this point. So $10k in NIL for the kid to promote some local pizza place or credit union etc. isn't a meaningful amount of money to these families.
Second, let's assume an NHL entry-level contract is worth roughly $2M, ballpark. IF the CHL truly offers a better path to that $2M NHL contract, then even $200k+ in NIL would not be enough to offset the downside risk of playing NCAA.
For the above reasons, I think the main factors really drawing CHL guys to the NCAA are: (1) college- both education and lifestyle; (2) better facilities and training programs; and (3) higher level of competition that is much closer to NHL in terms of systems/structure.
Because the NIL money pales in comparison to what these kids grew up with, and what they stand to earn if they do make it to the show.
Agree with the above statement. While most hockey players that make it to this level come from financially ok families, there was 1 player from the 2012 FF team that his parents struggled to find a way to pay for the Tampa trip. I don't recall what ultimately happened, but I remember some other parents may have pitched in to cover the cost. Granted this is the exception, and not the rule.
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
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Not all of these kids come from money. I know several families that have kids in NHL or soon will. Most are comfortable, but not rich.The money or potential for it has to be a big driver for Canadian kids to come south.
I think $$$ is a much less important factor than people want to believe. More of a fringe / incidental benefit.
First, many or most of these guys grew up in $1M+ childhood homes, parents already invested multiple 6 figs into their hockey careers by this point. So $10k in NIL for the kid to promote some local pizza place or credit union etc. isn't a meaningful amount of money to these families.
Second, let's assume an NHL entry-level contract is worth roughly $2M, ballpark. IF the CHL truly offers a better path to that $2M NHL contract, then even $200k+ in NIL would not be enough to offset the downside risk of playing NCAA.
For the above reasons, I think the main factors really drawing CHL guys to the NCAA are: (1) college- both education and lifestyle; (2) better facilities and training programs; and (3) higher level of competition that is much closer to NHL in terms of systems/structure.
Because the NIL money pales in comparison to what these kids grew up with, and what they stand to earn if they do make it to the show.
Agree with the above statement. While most hockey players that make it to this level come from financially ok families, there was 1 player from the 2012 FF team that his parents struggled to find a way to pay for the Tampa trip. I don't recall what ultimately happened, but I remember some other parents may have pitched in to cover the cost. Granted this is the exception, and not the rule.
It was a community effort to send that player's parents there including colleagues at the parent's employment.
Here you go ladies and gents... Too much time spent but feeling good/right.
Built looking at where guys played most last year (both for us and elsewhere) + points. But I'd love to hear thoughts about down the middle and whether Brooks, Jackson, or Axel (Swed/Fargo) crack the lineup early... I think your top four wings are set in stone. Tarin is an * due to injury - but which Axel does the coaching staff toss on the third D pair while waiting for him to get right? Do you think Rombach unseats Whipple after getting a letter or Finn being a more established college/Larson player? (Hoping Begley and Harris are practice/locker room guys) I know who I'd prefer... Hence:
Semantics but no way in hell Tarin Smith is third pair. He’ll be first pair right off the rip and will run with it. May only see him for one season.
Agreed - He's only listed there because I'm thinking starting lineup at puck drop. So you think he unseats Murr as the RD and PP guy right away when he gets back? Or Whipple kicks to second pair? I don't know where Tarin played in Canada Jrs. Larson seems a little bit of an earn it guy. Murr's experience and the quick get via transfer portal makes me think it is his job until lost.
Agreed - He's only listed there because I'm thinking starting lineup at puck drop. So you think he unseats Murr as the RD and PP guy right away when he gets back? Or Whipple kicks to second pair? I don't know where Tarin played in Canada Jrs. Larson seems a little bit of an earn it guy. Murr's experience and the quick get via transfer portal makes me think it is his job until lost.
PP is a toss up but I definitely think Smith-Murr is your top pair.
Agreed - He's only listed there because I'm thinking starting lineup at puck drop. So you think he unseats Murr as the RD and PP guy right away when he gets back? Or Whipple kicks to second pair? I don't know where Tarin played in Canada Jrs. Larson seems a little bit of an earn it guy. Murr's experience and the quick get via transfer portal makes me think it is his job until lost.
PP is a toss up but I definitely think Smith-Murr is your top pair.
On the initial, I'd just say you remove Smith until he's healthy.
Skating Smith with Rombach would mean Rombach has taken a MASSIVE step in his defensive game and consistency (there is hope this is the case). Smith is going to have the freshman learning curve as they all do, and it's going to added by from coming back from injury.
think the D pairings kind of depend on what Larson/Martin want to do. Does he want a big, shut down defending pair with then a flashier, faster pairing? or does he want balance across all 3 pairings. Like a Henricks-Whipple, Rombach-Whipple or Henricks-Rombach pair is going to be a physical nightmare for a lot of teams with smaller/shiftier forwards who maybe lack size. Smith-Murr is going to lack some size and grit, but would give you two very dynamic puck movers. Then of course there's the added part of how they employ Lofgren when Smith is healthy. I imagine they're going to skate 7 D most of the year so will be interesting to see how he chips in once Smith is fully up and running.
think the above will be the most interesting part to watch from the D core
Until proven otherwise I don’t think any of the returning D will be a nightmare for any opposing forwards.
May need to split up the “new” guys to shore up two lines.
Until proven otherwise I don’t think any of the returning D will be a nightmare for any opposing forwards.
May need to split up the “new” guys to shore up two lines.
there are obviously issues with it, but the fact Whipple was only a -1 (and blocked 81 shots while playing about 18min/game) while playing with Thomas (who was -10; always will wonder what kind of player he could've been if not for the injuries) on a team that was outscored by 30 goals over the year seems like he is doing something right in the defensive end.
rombach also somehow finished even despite his obvious difficulties with the transition and playing a more sheltered role. He's certainly a long runway prospect
Skating Smith with Rombach would mean Rombach has taken a MASSIVE step in his defensive game and consistency (there is hope this is the case). Smith is going to have the freshman learning curve as they all do, and it's going to added by from coming back from injury.
Scott Wheeler projected Rombach into the top six for the WJC and noted his size, physicality and length for a PK role. I think the opportunity is there for the big guy to play a role this year. I do think they'll play seven defensemen more often than not based on what I saw from SCSU line charts last year.
May need to split up the “new” guys to shore up two lines.
I think this happens by the way of Whipple+Henricks and Rombach+Loftus/Lofgren.
Whipple may not light the world on fire, but I think he'll slot in nicely and allow Henricks to jump into and drive the play at times.
Rombach's upside is still very much there, and him playing the survival game may have just been due to the D core as a whole last year operating in that way. It's not like he was getting much help from D partners throughout the year himself... That being said, I'd like to see him have to fend off Loftus and or Lofgren for more stable minutes.
Skating Smith with Rombach would mean Rombach has taken a MASSIVE step in his defensive game and consistency (there is hope this is the case). Smith is going to have the freshman learning curve as they all do, and it's going to added by from coming back from injury.
I think if Rombach does take a massive leap, just like Whipple did last offseason, that would take this year's team from "mushy middle 2/3 seed" into "solid 1 seed, national contender" territory most likely.
Re: Athletic's WJC projections. Apparently there's a bunch of glaring positional errors in their Canada lineup (e.g. guys penciled in at center despite playing wing for many years now) and name spelling errors in their Finland line chart. For whatever that's worth; imo that kind of mistake knocks down their overall credibility a bit.
lastly, 7 D most nights just makes more logical sense. Losing 1 of 6 D men to injury or a game misconduct or whatever is a much worse situation than losing 1 of 12 forwards. Also keeps your D fresher on nights when you're taking a bunch of penalties etc.
@boosker14 I'd be shocked if Murr and Smith don't play together that is potentially so dynamic.
Ya if lofgren is decent makes sense to throw him out there. Keeps other guys just a little fresher.
Golf results from earlier this past week.
Legends
U of MN Hockey Alumni 2026
|
Pos. |
Group |
To Par |
Total |
|
1 |
Nick Michel + Brody Lamb + Sam Rinzel + Oliver Moore + Ryan Chesley + Jimmy Snuggerud |
-18 |
54 |
|
2 |
Rob McClanhan + Mike Reilly + Casey Hankinson + Bob Bergloff + Jim Jetland + Neal Broten |
-17 |
55 |
|
3 |
Ryan Coyne + Adam Wilcox + Jake Bischoff + Hudson Fasching |
-17 |
55 |
|
4 |
Jacob LeRoy + Ben Brinkman + Brock Faber + Justen Close + Ben Meyers |
-17 |
55 |
|
5 |
Blake Wheeler + Ben Gordon + Ryan Stoa + Kyle Okposo + Justin Bostrom |
-17 |
55 |
|
6 |
Jack Ramsey + Brock Kautz+ Ryan Norman + Jack Glover + Tommy Novak + Brent Gates Jr. |
-17 |
55 |
|
7 |
Brian Schack + Mike Hoeffel + Derek Peltier + Evan Kaufmann + Alex Goligoski + Nico Sac... |
-17 |
55 |
|
8 |
Tanner Ludtke + Brodie Ziemer + John Whipple + Tanner Henricks + Tate Pritchard + Graha... |
-16 |
56 |
|
9 |
Travis Boyd + Jordan Schroeder + Erik Haula + Nate Schmidt + Aaron Ness |
-16 |
56 |
|
10 |
Nick Gerebi + Sean Fabian + Ben Hankinson + Grant Bischoff + Jake Enebak |
-15 |
57 |
|
11 |
Mark Bahr + Mike Vannelli + Jake Taylor + Danny Irmen + Ryan Potulny + Kellen Briggs |
-15 |
57 |
|
12 |
Mikey Reilly + Ryan Reilly + Vinni Lettieri + Nick Leddy + Brady Skjei |
-15 |
57 |
|
13 |
Ben Clymer + Peter Hankinson + Eric Schierhorn + Ryan Lindgren |
-14 |
58 |
|
14 |
Liam Souliere + Connor Kurth + Zach Wiese + Cal Thomas |
-14 |
58 |
|
15 |
Chris McAlpine + Jeff Nielsen + John Brill + Bill Butters + Cory Laylin |
-14 |
58 |
|
16 |
Jared Larson + Nick Bjugstad + Justin Holl + Tom Serratore + Jake Parenteau + Nate Condon |
-14 |
58 |
|
17 |
Justin McHugh + Jeff Callinan + Jeff Moen + Brian Bonin + Jesse Bertogliat + Randy Skarda |
-14 |
58 |
|
18 |
Jeff Taffe + Dan Welch + Ben Tharp + Matt DeMarchi + Nick Anthony |
-14 |
58 |
|
19 |
Nick Angell + Chad Roberg + Jordan Leopold + Erik Wendell + Adam Hauser + Pat O'Leary |
-14 |
58 |
|
20 |
Grant Cruikshank + Matthew Knies + Jackson LaCombe + Robbie Stucker |
-14 |
58 |
|
21 |
Tom Rothstein + Pat Micheletti + Mike Vacanti + Wally Chapman + Mike Meadows |
-14 |
58 |
|
22 |
Jon Waibel + Joey Martin + Matt Koalska + Paul Martin + Larry Olimb |
-12 |
60 |
|
23 |
Dave Terwilliger + Steve Ulseth + Dave Jensen + Paul Joswiak |
-12 |
60 |
|
24 |
Sam Rossini + Tyler Sheehy + Tyler Nanne + Jack Sadek |
-12 |
60 |
|
25 |
Evan Murr + Axel Begley + Finn Loftus + Beckett Hendrickson + Austin Burnevik |
-12 |
60 |
|
26 |
Mike Lyons + Nate Miller + Stuart Senden + Ryan Trebil |
-11 |
61 |
|
27 |
Tom Vannelli + Robin Larson + Reed Larson + Bruce Lind + Tom Vannelli1 |
-9 |
63 |
|
28 |
Tom Chorske + Paul Broten + Corey Millen + Frank Gersich |
-9 |
63 |
Do not like how this board is run?
Get your own board!
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Always amazed at how many players they’re able to get for this thing. Shoutout Bob for starting it.
Thanks for posting.
Fun to read through the names
