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Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey

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The Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team at the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota. They are members of the Big Ten Conference and compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I ice hockey. The Golden Gophers are one of the most prominent and storied programs in college hockey, having made 41 NCAA Tournament appearances and 23 trips to the Frozen Four. They have won five NCAA national championships, in 1974, 1976, 1979, 2002 and 2003.[2] The team also shared the 1929 National Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship with Yale,[3] and captured the national Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) championship for amateur hockey in 1940.[4][5]

Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey
Current season
Minnesota Golden Gophers athletic logo
UniversityUniversity of Minnesota
ConferenceBig Ten
First season1921–22
Head coachBob Motzko
7th season, 136–71–17 (.645)
Assistant coaches
ArenaMariucci Arena
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Student sectionThe Ice Box
ColorsMaroon and gold[1]
   
Fight songMinnesota Rouser
MascotGoldy Gopher
NCAA Tournament championships
1974, 1976, 1979, 2002, 2003
NCAA Tournament Runner-up
1953, 1954, 1971, 1975, 1981, 1989, 2014, 2023
NCAA Tournament Frozen Four
1953, 1954, 1961, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2012, 2014, 2022, 2023
NCAA Tournament appearances
41 total appearances; last 2024
Conference Tournament championships
1961, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2015, 2021
Conference regular season championships
1953, 1954, 1970, 1975, 1981, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1997, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023
Current uniform

The Gophers are currently coached by Bob Motzko, who joined the team in 2018, having previously served as assistant coach on the 2002 and 2003 national championship teams.[6] They have played at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis since 1993. The team's main historical rivalries are with the University of Wisconsin and the University of North Dakota, although several other schools claim Minnesota as their archrival.

For much of the team's history, there has been a strong emphasis on recruiting native Minnesotan high school and junior hockey players, as opposed to out-of-state, Canadian, or European players. This helped high school ice hockey grow in Minnesota, particularly starting with Hall of Famer John Mariucci, who refused to recruit players from Canada. Minnesota high school ice hockey programs grew from 26 in 1945[7] to over 150 in 1980.[8] Hall of Famer and hockey legend Herb Brooks, who coached the Golden Gophers to three national championships in the 1970s, famously drew on Minnesota talent for his 1980 Miracle on Ice gold medal Olympic team, which included 9 of his former Golden Gophers players. Head coach Doug Woog championed home-grown talent even more, only recruiting Minnesota players in the late 1980s and 1990s. While current rosters occasionally feature players from outside the state, the team continues to heavily recruit Minnesota hockey players to the present day.[9]

History

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Early history 1895–1952

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According to records, the first intercollegiate hockey team at the University of Minnesota was organized in 1895 by Dr. H. A. Parkyn,[10] a Toronto native who also played on the school's football team.[11] An early Minnesota team played the Winnipeg Seven at the now demolished Athletic Park in downtown Minneapolis. They lost 11–3.[10]

In 1900 George Northrup, Paul Joslyn, and A.R. Gibbons headed a committee to create an official varsity hockey club at the U. Although there was some effort to get Northrop Field flooded, it was ultimately decided to play on Como Lake in St. Paul. Although the 1903 season saw the first scheduled organized competitions for Minnesota hockey, ultimately this season would be the last organized hockey season for almost two decades. In 1910 efforts were made to revive competition and outreach to the University of Chicago and University of Wisconsin, other members of the Big Ten Conference, but these plans never materialized.

In January 1914 the Minnesota Board of Regents voted to fund a hockey team. However the University Athletic Board did not officially recognize this team as a varsity team. At this time, a number of fraternity squads existed and other intramural ice hockey competitions were taking place. Professor OS Zelner worked to organize some of this competition. There was also some interest in women's hockey competition.[10]

In 1920–1921, a hockey team again skated representing the University of Minnesota. W. Beaupre Eldredge of St. Paul, a student and club player at the time, was very instrumental in organizing the team, promoting the team to the University Board of Regents to become an official varsity sport. For 1921–1922 season the University Athletic Board of Control decided to finally give ice hockey varsity status on January 9, 1922, answering a petition organized by Merle "Frenchy" DeForest, the president of a new booster organization for the sport, which itself grew out of enthusiasm for hockey among the interfraternal league. During this season, the team finished with a 7–3 record, led by head coach I.D. MacDonald and captain Chester “Chet” Bros. Other members of the 1921–22 team include center Paul Swanson and wingman Frank R. Pond, who were named captains for the following seasons, Swanson in 1922–23 and Pond in 1923–24. DeForest, Swanson and Pond were all members of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, while Bros was a member of Delta Tau Delta.[12]

For the 1923–1924 season Danish Canadian Emil Iverson assumed the role as head coach. During Iverson's first season as coach the team attained a record of 13–1–0. The team played their games at Minneapolis Arena starting in 1924–1925 season. Such players as Chuck McCabe, Joel Brown, John H. Peterson were accorded All-American honors during this era. Iverson's coaching tenure culminated in Minnesota sharing the National Intercollegiate Athletic Association hockey championship with Yale. Following the 1929–1930 season Emil Iverson accepted a position as coach of the Chicago Blackhawks

Frank Pond, former team captain, became coach in 1930 after the departure of Emil Iverson. The team's Rookie of the Year award is named in his honor.

Doc Romnes era (1947–52)

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During Romnes's second year, the NCAA sponsored the first Division I Men's hockey tournament. Minnesota did not qualify for the four team playoff during his coaching tenure.

John Mariucci era (1952–66)

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In the 1952 season, John Mariucci led the Gophers to the National Championship game, with a 23–6 record, after going 13–13 the year before.

Mariucci was a driving force behind the philosophy of stacking the team with Minnesota talent. Even while other programs brought in older and bigger Canadian prospects, Mariucci thoroughly believed in growing the game in Minnesota, from the ground up. He held coaching clinics, and opened ice rinks in numerous Minnesota towns. This, combined with a sense of pride that the Gophers' roster was stacked with Minnesota talent, was monumental for Minnesota taking a real step forward in producing hockey talent.[13]

George Nagobads was hired as the team's physician in 1958, and remained with the team until 1992.[14]

Glen Sonmor era (1966–71)

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After coaching one season at Ohio State, Glen Sonmor became the head coach of the Gophers in 1966. Sonmor's Gophers started off slowly, finishing 8th, 5th, and 5th in the WCHA during Sonmor's first 3 seasons behind the bench. Things turned around for the Gophers in the 1969–70 season, as Sonmor led the team to its first WCHA Championship in 16 seasons, finishing with a 21–12–0 record. In the process, Sonmor was named the WCHA Coach of the Year.

The following season, the Gophers ended a 10-year NCAA Tournament drought, along with capturing a WCHA Tournament Championship. Sonmor led the Gophers to the NCAA Championship game, beating Harvard 6–5 in the first round. The Gophers lost to Boston University in the Championship game, by a score of 4–2.

During Sonmor's rather short tenure as Minnesota's head coach, the team saw attendance rise 60 percent. Sonmor finished his career with a 78–80–6 record, and coached 3 All Americans: Gary Gambucci (1968), Murray McLachlan (1970), and Wally Olds (1970). Sonmor left the Gophers after the 1971 season, to coach the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the World Hockey Association. Sonmor returned later to be the radio analyst for the Gophers on WCCO-AM.

Brad Buetow era (1979–85)

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Brad Buetow was head coach from 1979 to 1985.[15] At the start of the 1984–85 season, he hired Thomas "Chico" Adrahtas as an assistant coach.[15] The team won 31 games, came in second in the WCHA, and made the NCAA tournament.[15] Adrahtas has been accused by a number of former players of coercing them into oral sex.[15] The United States Center for SafeSport investigated, and issued its decision declaring that Adrahtas was permanently ineligible "from participating, in any capacity, in any event, program, activity, or competition authorized by, organized by, or under the auspices of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the National Governing Bodies recognized by the USOPC, a Local Affiliated Organization as defined by the Code, or any High Performance Management Organization (HPMO), or at a facility under the jurisdiction of the same."[16]

Championships

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National Championships

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Year Champion Score Runner-up City Arena
1974 Minnesota 4–3 Michigan Tech Boston, MA Boston Garden
1976 Minnesota 6–4 Michigan Tech Denver, CO University of Denver Arena
1979 Minnesota 4–3 North Dakota Detroit, MI Olympia Stadium
2002 Minnesota 4–3 (OT) Maine St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
2003 Minnesota 5–1 New Hampshire Buffalo, NY HSBC Arena

Runners-up in 1953, 1954, 1971, 1975, 1981, 1989, 2014, and 2023.

Trophies

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Big Ten Regular Season Championship Trophy:

  • 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2021–22, 2022–23

Big Ten Tournament Championship Trophy:

  • 2015, 2021

MacNaughton Cup 13 times as WCHA regular season champions:

  • 1952–53, 1953–54, 1969–70, 1974–75, 1980–81, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1991–92, 1996–97, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2011–12, 2012–13

Broadmoor Trophy once as WCHA regular season champions (1983) and six times as the WCHA Tournament champions:

  • 1983, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2004, 2007

North Star College Cup, the annual intrastate tournament vs. Minnesota-Duluth, Minnesota State, St. Cloud State, and Bemidji State:

  • 2014

Mariucci Classic Champions 14 times:

  • 1991, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2016

Ice Breaker Invitational Champions three times:

  • 2007, 2013, 2014

Mariucci-Bessone Coaches Trophy for series vs. Michigan State, started in 1993 (Minnesota leads series 13–5–5):

  • 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16

Mariucci-Renfrew Coaches Trophy for series vs. Michigan, started in 1993 (Minnesota leads series: 10–9–2):

  • 1994, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2013-14

From 1959 to 1981, an annual Big Ten champion was crowned for the best record in regular season games among active Big Ten members, 10 times:

  • 1959–60, 1962–63, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1969–70, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81

Season-by-season results

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Main article: List of Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey seasons

Source:[17]

Records by opponent

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Big Ten Conference opponents
Opponent GP W-L-T Win % First meeting Last meeting
Michigan 296 154-134–18 0.536 2–0 W
January 22, 1923		 4-3 W
November 10, 2023
Michigan State 191 125–50–16 0.696 2–0 W
February 19, 1926		 3-1 W
February 5, 2022
Notre Dame 66 36–25–5 0.583 2–0 W
February 9, 1925		 2-3 L (OT)
February 13, 2022
Ohio State 48 35–8–5 0.781 10–1 W
December 26, 1968		 5–1 W
February 12, 2022
Penn State 33 17–15–1 0.530 3–2 W
January 13, 2014		 6–4 W
February 19, 2022
Wisconsin 300 177–99–24 0.630 3–0 W
January 20, 1922		 8-0 W
February 26, 2022
Former WCHA opponents
Opponent GP W-L-T Win % First meeting Last meeting
Alaska-Anchorage
WCHA		 85 58–19–8 0.729 5–1 W
December 21, 1986		 6–0 W
October 7, 2016
Bemidji State
WCHA		 23 20–2–1 0.891 9–3 W
October 14, 2000		 5–2 W
December 28, 2019
Colorado College
NCHC		 258 163–87–8 0.647 8–3 W
February 28, 1947		 4–3 W
October 12, 2019
Denver
NCHC		 179 94–73–12 0.560 10–4 W
January 1, 1951		 5–1 W
March 2, 2013
Michigan Tech
WCHA		 267 174–78–15 0.680 3–3 T
February 13, 1922		 3–2 W
October 20, 2012
Minnesota-Duluth
NCHC		 236 135–83–18 0.617 14–2 W
December 13, 1952		 1-2 L
October 23, 2021
Minnesota State
WCHA		 57 37–16–6 0.677 6–2 W
January 2, 1998		 0–4 L
March 28, 2021
Nebraska-Omaha
NCHC		 7 4–3–0 0.600 7–3 W
October 11, 2003		 7-2 W
March 27, 2021
North Dakota
NCHC		 298 148–134–16 0.524 6–1 W
February 4, 1930		 2–3 L
November 27, 2021
Northern Michigan
WCHA		 54 29–18–7 0.602 3–4 L
March 22, 1980		 2–4 L
January 3, 2010
St. Cloud State
NCHC		 103 57–34–12 0.612 6–0 W
October 3, 1987		 4–3 W
October 16, 2021
Major non-conference opponents
Opponent GP W-L-T Win % First meeting Last meeting
Arizona State
Independent		 6 7–1–0 0.875 5-1 W
March 1, 2019		 5–6 L
November 26, 2022
Boston College
Hockey East		 33 18–12–3 0.591 14–1 W
March 11, 1954		 6–2 W
November 28, 2014
Boston University
Hockey East		 27 13–12–2 0.520 4–2 W
December 20, 1963		 6–2 W
April 6, 2023
Harvard
ECAC		 34 24–7–0 0.774 6–7 L
January 14, 1932		 2-1 W (OT)
November 18, 2017
Maine
Hockey East		 23 10–13–0 0.435 4–2 W
October 26, 1984		 1–3 L
October 6, 2006
New Hampshire
Hockey East		 18 14–2–2 0.833 4–3 W
March 22, 1979		 3–2 W
October 12, 2013
Providence
Hockey East		 18 13–4–1 0.750 5–4 W
December 27, 1962		 6–1 W
December 29, 2001
Yale
ECAC		 20 13–7–0 0.650 0–2 L
December 21, 1934		 2–3 L
March 29, 2013

Source:[18]

Rivalries

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See also: Minnesota–Wisconsin ice hockey rivalry and Minnesota–North Dakota men's ice hockey rivalry

The Gophers have historic rivalries with some of the top men's ice hockey programs in the NCAA, including both in-state as well as out of state rivalries.

Out of state rivalries include the University of Wisconsin Badgers and the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. The Gophers' rivalry against the Badgers is part of the annual "Border Battle," in which both universities keep a tallied score of all athletic competitions against one another.

The Gophers were engaged in one of the most notorious rivalries in college hockey history with the Boston University Terriers for over 30 years from 1963 to 1995. The rivalry came to its peak during the 1976 NCAA Championship Semi-Final when a bench-clearing brawl occurred only 70 seconds into the game, delaying it for nearly 30 minutes. The Gophers would go on to win the game 4–2 and subsequently, the Championship. A number of players on both teams would end up playing together for the gold medal-winning Miracle on Ice Team USA during the 1980 Winter Olympics, coached by Minnesota Head Coach Herb Brooks. The rivalry began its decline in 1984, when the Gophers would become members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and the Terriers the Hockey East Division, resulting in a steep decline in games against one another.[19]

Due to the fact the State of Minnesota has six NCAA Division I hockey programs, the Gophers naturally share a rivalry with four of them: University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, St. Cloud State University Huskies, Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks and Bemidji State University Beavers. Four of the six programs (excluding Bemidji State and St. Thomas) participated in the inaugural North Star College Cup tournament during the 2013–2014 Ice Hockey Season.[20]

Players

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Current roster

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As of September 12, 2024.[21]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
2   Sam Rinzel Sophomore D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2004-06-25 Chanhassen, Minnesota Waterloo (USHL) CHI, 25th overall 2022
3   John Whipple Freshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2006-01-20 Minnetonka, Minnesota NTDP (USHL) DET, 144th overall 2024
4   Mike Koster (C) Graduate D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2001-04-13 Chaska, Minnesota Tri-City (USHL) TOR, 146th overall 2019
7   Aaron Huglen (A) Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-03-06 Roseau, Minnesota Fargo (USHL) BUF, 102nd overall 2019
9   August Falloon Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2004-02-23 St. Cloud, Minnesota Tri-City (USHL) —
10   Connor Kurth Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2003-07-30 Lindstrom, Minnesota Dubuque (USHL) TBL, 190th overall 2022
11   Oliver Moore Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2005-01-22 Mounds View, Minnesota NTDP (USHL) CHI, 19th overall 2023
14   Beckett Hendrickson Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2005-06-24 Minnetonka, Minnesota Dubuque (USHL) BOS, 124th overall 2023
15   Max Rud Sophomore D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-09-17 St. Cloud, Minnesota Sioux Falls (USHL) —
17   Brody Lamb Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2003-08-30 Byron, Minnesota Green Bay (USHL) NYR, 104th overall 2021
18   Mason Nevers (C) Graduate F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2001-04-03 Edina, Minnesota Des Moines (USHL) —
19   John Mittelstadt Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2001-10-27 Eden Prairie, Minnesota Green Bay (USHL) —
20   Luke Mittelstadt Junior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2003-01-22 Eden Prairie, Minnesota Madison (USHL) MTL, 197th overall 2023
22   Cal Thomas (A) Junior D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2003-05-08 Maple Grove, Minnesota Chicago (USHL) UTA, 171st overall 2021
23   Jimmy Clark Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2004-09-24 Edina, Minnesota Green Bay (USHL) MIN, 213th overall 2023
27   Nick Michel Graduate F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1999-03-16 Waconia, Minnesota Saint John's (MIAC) —
29   Nathan Airey Sophomore G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2003-04-24 Cochrane, Alberta Cranbrook (BCHL) —
30   Zach Wiese Junior G 5' 10" (1.78 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2002-01-02 Owatonna, Minnesota Rochester (NA3HL) —
31   Liam Soulière Graduate G 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1999-03-16 Montreal, Quebec Penn State (Big Ten) —
33   Axel Begley Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-12-16 Mahtomedi, Minnesota Wisconsin (NAHL) —
35   Matt Bryant Junior G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2003-04-15 La Crosse, Wisconsin Cleveland Barons (Midget AAA) —
55   Leo Gruba Freshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2003-12-14 Lake Elmo, Minnesota Fargo (USHL) —
71   Ryan Chesley (C) Junior D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2004-02-27 Mahtomedi, Minnesota NTDP (USHL) WSH, 37th overall 2022
72   Erik Påhlsson Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2004-04-09 Landskrona, Sweden Dubuque (USHL) NSH, 213th overall 2024
74   Brodie Ziemer Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2006-02-22 Chaska, Minnesota NTDP (USHL) BUF, 71st overall 2024
81   Jimmy Snuggerud (C) Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2004-06-01 Chaska, Minnesota NTDP (USHL) STL, 23rd overall 2022
91   Matthew Wood Sophomore F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2005-02-06 Nanaimo, British Columbia UConn (HEA) NSH, 15th overall 2023

Olympians

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This is a list of Minnesota alumni were a part of an Olympic team.

Name Position Minnesota Tenure Team Year Finish
Philip LaBatte Defenseman 1931–1934   USA 1936   Bronze
Allan Opsahl Defenseman 1943–1947   USA 1948 DQ†
Allen Van Defenseman 1944–1945   USA 1952   Silver
Rube Bjorkman Forward 1948–1951   USA 1952   Silver
Jim Sedin Defenseman 1948–1951   USA 1952   Silver
Ken Yackel Right Wing 1951–1956   USA 1952   Silver
Wendell R. Anderson Defenseman 1951–1954   USA 1956   Silver
Gene Campbell Center 1951–1954   USA 1956   Silver
Richard Dougherty Forward 1951–1954   USA 1956   Silver
John Petroske Defenseman 1953–1957   USA 1956   Silver
Richard Meredith Forward 1951–1954   USA 1956, 1960   Silver,   Gold
John Mayasich Center/Defenseman 1951–1955   USA 1956, 1960   Silver,   Gold
Jack McCartan Goaltender 1955–1958   USA 1960   Gold
Bill Christian Forward 1956–1957   USA 1960, 1964   Gold, 5th
Wayne Meredith Defenseman 1958–1962   USA 1964 5th
David Brooks Center 1960–1963   USA 1964 5th
Jake McCoy Defenseman 1961–1963   USA 1964 5th
Gary Schmalzbauer Left Wing 1960–1963   USA 1964 5th
Jim Westby Defenseman 1957–1958, 1961–1963   USA 1964 5th
Herb Brooks Forward/Defenseman 1956–1959   USA 1964, 1968 5th, 6th
Len Lilyholm Center 1956–1959   USA 1968 6th
Lou Nanne Defenseman 1960–1963   USA 1968 6th
Larry Stordahl Forward 1961–1965   USA 1968 6th
Craig Falkman Right Wing 1962–1965   USA 1968 6th
Jack Dale Center 1964–1967   USA 1968 6th
Bruce McIntosh Defenseman 1968–1971   USA 1972   Silver
Wally Olds Defenseman 1968–1971   USA 1972   Silver
Frank Sanders Defenseman 1968–1971   USA 1972   Silver
Craig Sarner Center/Left Wing 1968–1971   USA 1972   Silver
Rob Harris Forward 1971–1975   USA 1976 5th
Buzz Schneider Center/Left Wing 1972–1975   USA 1976, 1980 5th,   Gold
Bill Baker Defenseman 1975–1979   USA 1980   Gold
Steve Janaszak Goaltender 1975–1979   USA 1980   Gold
Steve Christoff Center 1976–1979   USA 1980   Gold
Rob McClanahan Left Wing 1976–1979   USA 1980   Gold
Eric Strobel Right Wing 1976–1979   USA 1980   Gold
Mike Ramsey Defenseman 1978–1979   USA 1980   Gold
Neal Broten Center 1978–1979, 1980–1981   USA 1980   Gold
Phil Verchota Left Wing 1975–1979   USA 1980, 1984   Gold, 7th
Scott Bjugstad Right Wing 1979–1983   USA 1984 7th
Steve Griffith Left Wing 1979–1983   USA 1984 7th
Dave Jensen Defenseman 1979–1983   USA 1984 7th
Tom Hirsch Defenseman 1981–1983   USA 1984 7th
Corey Millen Center 1982–1983, 1984–1987   USA 1984, 1988 7th, 7th
Todd Okerlund Right Wing 1983–1987   USA 1988 7th
Dave Snuggerud Right Wing 1985–1987, 1988–1989   USA 1988 7th
Craig Johnson Left Wing 1990–1993   USA 1994 8th
Travis Richards Defenseman 1989–1993   USA 1994 8th
Darby Hendrickson Center 1991–1993   USA 1994 8th
Erik Johnson Defenseman 2006–2007   USA 2010   Silver
Phil Kessel Center/Right Wing 2005–2006   USA 2010, 2014   Silver, 4th
Paul Martin Defenseman 2000–2003   USA 2014 4th
Thomas Vanek Left Wing 2002–2004   Austria 2014 10th
Blake Wheeler Center/Right Wing 2005–2008   USA 2014 4th
Ryan Stoa Center/Left Wing 2005–2009   USA 2018 7th
Aaron Ness Defenseman 2008–2011   USA 2022 5th
Ben Meyers Left Wing 2019–2022   USA 2022 5th
Brock Faber Defenseman 2020–2023   USA 2022 5th
Matthew Knies Left Wing 2021–2023   USA 2022 5th

† Were members of the AHA team that was allowed to play in the Olympics but disqualified from medal contention.[22]

Honored members

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See also: Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey notable players and award winners
Retired Numbers

The Gophers have retired only one number. On November 15, 1998, the team retired John Mayasich's number 8. Mayasich, a two-time All-American, played four seasons with the Gophers (1951–1955) and holds team records for goals and points scored both in a game and for a career. Although he was a member of the silver medal 1956 and gold medal 1960 Winter Olympic U.S. hockey teams, he only played professionally briefly, in minor league hockey.[23]

Hobey Baker Award

Four players from the University of Minnesota have won the Hobey Baker Award, awarded annually to "the outstanding collegiate hockey player in the United States." Neal Broten (1978–1981) became the award's first recipient in 1981. Robb Stauber (1986–1989) won the award as a sophomore in 1988, becoming the first goaltender to be so honored. Brian Bonin (1992–1996) won the award in 1996 after nearly winning it the previous season. In 2002, Jordan Leopold (1998–2002) became the first University of Minnesota player to win both the Hobey Baker Award and an NCAA Championship in the same season.

Golden Gophers players drafted in the first round of the NHL entry draft

Erik Johnson, Phil Kessel, Thomas Vanek, Blake Wheeler, Kyle Okposo, Erik Rasmussen, Douglas Zmolek, Keith Ballard, Michael Ramsey, Tom Chorske, Nick Leddy, Nick Bjugstad, David Fischer, Jordan Schroeder, Kris Chucko, Patrick White, Brady Skjei, James O'Brien, Jeff Taffe, Ryan Johnson, Chaz Lucius, Logan Cooley, Jimmy Snuggerud, Sam Rinzel, Oliver Moore.

Statistical Leaders

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Source:[17]

Career points leaders

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Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
John Mayasich 1951–1955 111 144 154 298
Pat Micheletti 1982–1986 162 120 149 269
Corey Millen 1982–1987 149 119 122 241
Bryan Erickson 1979–1983 144 109 129 238
Larry Olimb 1988–1992 182 59 159 218
Brian Bonin 1992–1996 166 100 116 216
Steve Ulseth 1977–1981 148 84 118 202
Tim Harrer 1976–1980 157 117 84 201
John Pohl 1998–2002 165 71 129 200
Richard Dougherty 1951–1954 81 109 78 187

Career goaltending leaders

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GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Minimum 40 games

Player Years GP Min W L T GA SO SV% GAA
Adam Wilcox 2012–2015 115 6864 73 26 14 239 13 .922 2.09
Justen Close 2019–2024 100 5625 62 25 6 204 13 .924 2.18
Jack LaFontaine 2019–2022 74 4258 43 24 6 162 6 .920 2.28
Kent Patterson 2008–2012 88 4918 44 29 9 202 7 .912 2.45
Kellen Briggs 2003–2007 131 7445 84 34 8 303 13 .907 2.45

Statistics current through the end of the 2023–24 season.

Coaches

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In their eighty-five season history, the Gophers have had a total of fourteen head coaches, including three interim coaches. John Mariucci took a one-year leave of absence during the 1955–1956 season to serve as head coach of the U.S. men's hockey team that won the silver medal at the 1956 Winter Olympics.[24] Halfway through the 1971–1972 season, Glen Sonmor left the Gophers to become the general manager and head coach for the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the World Hockey Association.[25] Doug Woog was suspended for two games during the 1996–1997 season for concealing an illegal payment to a former player after his scholarship ended.[26] During this time, assistant head coach Mike Guentzel served as the team's head coach.[27] In 2009, Assistant Coach John Hill coached 2 games while Don Lucia was out for medical reasons.

All-time coaching records

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As of the end of the 2023–24 season[17]

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
1921–1922 I. D. MacDonald 1 6–3–1 .650
1922–1930 Emil Iverson 8 82–22–11 .761
1930–1935 Frank Pond * 5 49–24–4 .662
1935–1947 Larry Armstrong 12 125–54–10 .688
1947–1952 Doc Romnes 5 53–59–0 .473
1952–1955, 1956–1966 John Mariucci * 13 197–140–18 .580
1955–1956 Marsh Ryman * (interim) 1 16–12–1 .569
1966–1971 Glen Sonmor 5.5 77–80–5 .491
1971–1972 Ken Yackel * (interim) 0.5 7–17–0 .292
1972–1979 Herb Brooks * 7 167–97–18 .624
1979–1985 Brad Buetow * 6 171–75–8 .689
1985–1999 Doug Woog * 14 388–187–40 .662
1996 Mike Guentzel * (interim) — 2–1–0 .667
1999–2018 Don Lucia 19 457–248–73 .634
2018–Present Bob Motzko 6 136–71–17 .645
Totals 15 coaches 103 seasons 1932–1089–206 .631

* former Gophers player

Source:[18]

Arenas

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Program records

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Career

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Season

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Game

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Golden Gophers in the NHL

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See also: Former NCAA players in the National Hockey League

As of July 1, 2024.

= NHL All-Star team = NHL All-Star[29] = NHL All-Star[29] and NHL All-Star team = Hall of Famers

† Bob Johnson won a Stanley Cup as the head coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

WHA

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Several players also were members of WHA teams.

Player Position Team(s) Years Avco Cups
Mike Antonovich Center MFS, EDM, NEW 1972–1979 0
Brad Buetow Left Wing CLC 1973–1974 0
Bill Butters Defense MFS, HOU, EDM, NEW 1974–1978 0
Gary Gambucci Center MFS 1974–1976 0
Paul Holmgren Forward MFS 1975–1976 0
Jack McCartan Goaltender MFS 1972–1975 0
Joe Micheletti Defenseman CAC, EDM 1976–1979 0
Warren Miller Forward CAC, EDM, QUE, NEW 1975–1979 0
Wally Olds Defenseman NYD, CAC 1972–1976 0
Dick Paradise Defenseman MFS 1972–1974 0
Frank Sanders Defenseman MFS 1972–1973 0
Craig Sarner Right wing MFS 1975–1976 0
Buzz Schneider Left Wing BIR 1976–1977 0
John Sheridan Center IND 1974–1976 0
Pat Westrum Center MFS, CAC, BIR 1974–1978 0

Source:[30]

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Colors and Type | University Relations". Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  2. ^ "NCAA Champions". GopherSports.org.
  3. ^ McLaughlin, Don (1929-03-16). "Minnesota Sweeps Marquette Series; Justify Title Rights" (PDF). Minnesota Daily. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
  4. ^ Quale, Otto (1940-03-05). "National AAU Title Tops Unbeaten Year" (PDF). Minnesota Daily. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
  5. ^ MacDonald, Gordon (1998). "A Colossal Embroglio: Control of Amateur Ice Hockey in the United States and the 1948 Olympic Winter Games" (PDF). OLYMPIKA: The International Journal of Olympic Studies. VII. International Centre for Olympic Studies: 43–60. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  6. ^ "Bob Motzko takes over Gophers hockey, says he'll 'work tirelessly to make those people proud'". Star Tribune.
  7. ^ "Timeline (1883-Present)". Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History.
  8. ^ "Legends of Hockey – The Legends – Honoured Builder – Mariucci, John – Biography". Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  9. ^ Hewitt, Josh (2009-04-09). "The State of Hockey: Minnesotans Proud to Take the Ice". Bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  10. ^ a b c "Minnesota Gophers". Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History.
  11. ^ Football at Minnesota: The Story of Thirty Years' Contests on the Gridiron.
  12. ^ According to the Minnesota Gopher Yearbook of 1922, p.344ff
  13. ^ "University of Minnesota Official Athletic Site – Ice Hockey". gophersports.com.
  14. ^ "Dr. V. George Nagobads". United States Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 8, 2021.; "Dr. V. George Nagobads". United States Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  15. ^ a b c d "Sexual misconduct allegations haunt former assistant coach's tenure with Gophers hockey program". Duluth News Tribune.
  16. ^ "Faced With Multiple Accusations Of Sex Abuse, Former Hockey Coach Tom Adrahtas Says, 'It's Not True'". June 24, 2021.
  17. ^ a b c "Minnesota Men's Hockey 2018-19 Media Guide" (PDF). Minnesota Golden Gophers. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  18. ^ a b "2017-2018 Hockey Media Guide" (PDF). University of Minnesota.
  19. ^ "Brawls, interlocks and blowouts: The history of all-time series between NCAA first-round opponents". USCHO.com.
  20. ^ Greder, Andy (January 22, 2014). "Gophers hockey: North Star College Cup a state championship of sorts". St. Paul Pioneer Press.
  21. ^ "2024–25 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Minnesota Golden Gophers. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  22. ^ Findling & Pelle (2004), p. 316
  23. ^ Vogl, John (September 30, 2012). Prospects Game proof America's got hockey talent Archived February 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. The Buffalo News. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  24. ^ Gordon, Dick (1956-02-05). "Mariucci by Phone: 'We Rose to Heights; Russia Too Good'". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on June 28, 2006. Retrieved 2007-03-03.
  25. ^ McGourty, John (2006-11-02). "Sonmor found a way to win at life". NHL. Retrieved 2007-03-03. [dead link‍]
  26. ^ Brown, Scott (November 12, 1996). "Gopher Hockey Under Scrutiny". USCHO. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  27. ^ Mazzocco, Frank (October 21, 1996). "Minnesota Head Coach Suspended". USCHO. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  28. ^ "Gopher Hockey History – The Arenas". November 9, 2006.
  29. ^ a b Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
  30. ^ "Alumni report for U. of Minnesota". Hockey DB. Retrieved April 5, 2019.

Citations

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