Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey | |
---|---|
Current season | |
University | University of Minnesota |
Conference | Big Ten |
First season | 1921β22 |
Head coach | Bob Motzko 7th season, 136–71–17 (.645) |
Assistant coaches |
|
Arena | Mariucci Arena Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Student section | The Ice Box |
Colors | Maroon and gold |
Fight song | Minnesota Rouser |
Mascot | Goldy 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 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. The team also shared the 1929 National Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship with Yale, and captured the national Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) championship for amateur hockey in 1940.
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. 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 to over 150 in 1980. 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.
History
Early history 1895β1952
According to records, the first intercollegiate hockey team at the University of Minnesota was organized in 1895 by Dr. H. A. Parkyn, a Toronto native who also played on the school's football team. An early Minnesota team played the Winnipeg Seven at the now demolished Athletic Park in downtown Minneapolis. They lost 11β3.
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.
In 1920β1921, 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 1921β1922 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 7β3 record, led by head coach I.D. MacDonald and captain Chester βChetβ Bros. Other members of the 1921β22 team include center Paul Swanson and wingman Frank R. Pond, who were named captains for the following seasons, Swanson in 1922β23 and Pond in 1923β24. DeForest, Swanson and Pond were all members of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, while Bros was a member of Delta Tau Delta.
For the 1923β1924 season Danish Canadian Emil Iverson assumed the role as head coach. During Iverson's first season as coach the team attained a record of 13β1β0. The team played their games at Minneapolis Arena starting in 1924β1925 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 1929β1930 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 (1947β52)
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 (1952β66)
In the 1952 season, John Mariucci led the Gophers to the National Championship game, with a 23β6 record, after going 13β13 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.
George Nagobads was hired as the team's physician in 1958, and remained with the team until 1992.
Glen Sonmor era (1966β71)
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 1969β70 season, as Sonmor led the team to its first WCHA Championship in 16 seasons, finishing with a 21β12β0 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 6β5 in the first round. The Gophers lost to Boston University in the Championship game, by a score of 4β2.
During Sonmor's rather short tenure as Minnesota's head coach, the team saw attendance rise 60 percent. Sonmor finished his career with a 78β80β6 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 (1979β85)
Brad Buetow was head coach from 1979 to 1985. At the start of the 1984β85 season, he hired Thomas "Chico" Adrahtas as an assistant coach. The team won 31 games, came in second in the WCHA, and made the NCAA tournament. Adrahtas has been accused by a number of former players of coercing them into oral sex. 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."
Championships
National Championships
Year | Champion | Score | Runner-up | City | Arena |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1974 | Minnesota | 4β3 | Michigan Tech | Boston, MA | Boston Garden |
1976 | Minnesota | 6β4 | Michigan Tech | Denver, CO | University of Denver Arena |
1979 | Minnesota | 4β3 | North Dakota | Detroit, MI | Olympia Stadium |
2002 | Minnesota | 4β3 (OT) | Maine | St. Paul, MN | Xcel Energy Center |
2003 | Minnesota | 5β1 | New Hampshire | Buffalo, NY | HSBC Arena |
Runners-up in 1953, 1954, 1971, 1975, 1981, 1989, 2014, and 2023.
Trophies
Big Ten Regular Season Championship Trophy:
- 2013β14, 2014β15, 2015β16, 2016β17, 2021β22, 2022β23
Big Ten Tournament Championship Trophy:
- 2015, 2021
MacNaughton Cup 13 times as WCHA regular season champions:
- 1952β53, 1953β54, 1969β70, 1974β75, 1980β81, 1987β88, 1988β89, 1991β92, 1996β97, 2005β06, 2006β07, 2011β12, 2012β13
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 13β5β5):
- 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2013β14, 2014β15, 2015β16
Mariucci-Renfrew Coaches Trophy for series vs. Michigan, started in 1993 (Minnesota leads series: 10β9β2):
- 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:
- 1959β60, 1962β63, 1964β65, 1965β66, 1969β70, 1973β74, 1974β75, 1978β79, 1979β80, 1980β81
Season-by-season results
Source:
Records by opponent
- Big Ten Conference opponents
Opponent | GP | W-L-T | Win % | First meeting | Last meeting |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michigan | 296 | 154-134β18 | 0.536 | 2β0 W January 22, 1923 |
4-3 W November 10, 2023 |
Michigan State | 191 | 125β50β16 | 0.696 | 2β0 W February 19, 1926 |
3-1 W February 5, 2022 |
Notre Dame | 66 | 36β25β5 | 0.583 | 2β0 W February 9, 1925 |
2-3 L (OT) February 13, 2022 |
Ohio State | 48 | 35β8β5 | 0.781 | 10β1 W December 26, 1968 |
5β1 W February 12, 2022 |
Penn State | 33 | 17β15β1 | 0.530 | 3β2 W January 13, 2014 |
6β4 W February 19, 2022 |
Wisconsin | 300 | 177β99β24 | 0.630 | 3β0 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 | 58β19β8 | 0.729 | 5β1 W December 21, 1986 |
6β0 W October 7, 2016 |
Bemidji State WCHA |
23 | 20β2β1 | 0.891 | 9β3 W October 14, 2000 |
5β2 W December 28, 2019 |
Colorado College NCHC |
258 | 163β87β8 | 0.647 | 8β3 W February 28, 1947 |
4β3 W October 12, 2019 |
Denver NCHC |
179 | 94β73β12 | 0.560 | 10β4 W January 1, 1951 |
5β1 W March 2, 2013 |
Michigan Tech WCHA |
267 | 174β78β15 | 0.680 | 3β3 T February 13, 1922 |
3β2 W October 20, 2012 |
Minnesota-Duluth NCHC |
236 | 135β83β18 | 0.617 | 14β2 W December 13, 1952 |
1-2 L October 23, 2021 |
Minnesota State WCHA |
57 | 37β16β6 | 0.677 | 6β2 W January 2, 1998 |
0β4 L March 28, 2021 |
Nebraska-Omaha NCHC |
7 | 4β3β0 | 0.600 | 7β3 W October 11, 2003 |
7-2 W March 27, 2021 |
North Dakota NCHC |
298 | 148β134β16 | 0.524 | 6β1 W February 4, 1930 |
2β3 L November 27, 2021 |
Northern Michigan WCHA |
54 | 29β18β7 | 0.602 | 3β4 L March 22, 1980 |
2β4 L January 3, 2010 |
St. Cloud State NCHC |
103 | 57β34β12 | 0.612 | 6β0 W October 3, 1987 |
4β3 W October 16, 2021 |
- Major non-conference opponents
Opponent | GP | W-L-T | Win % | First meeting | Last meeting |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arizona State Independent |
6 | 7β1β0 | 0.875 | 5-1 W March 1, 2019 |
5β6 L November 26, 2022 |
Boston College Hockey East |
33 | 18β12β3 | 0.591 | 14β1 W March 11, 1954 |
6β2 W November 28, 2014 |
Boston University Hockey East |
27 | 13β12β2 | 0.520 | 4β2 W December 20, 1963 |
6β2 W April 6, 2023 |
Harvard ECAC |
34 | 24β7β0 | 0.774 | 6β7 L January 14, 1932 |
2-1 W (OT) November 18, 2017 |
Maine Hockey East |
23 | 10β13β0 | 0.435 | 4β2 W October 26, 1984 |
1β3 L October 6, 2006 |
New Hampshire Hockey East |
18 | 14β2β2 | 0.833 | 4β3 W March 22, 1979 |
3β2 W October 12, 2013 |
Providence Hockey East |
18 | 13β4β1 | 0.750 | 5β4 W December 27, 1962 |
6β1 W December 29, 2001 |
Yale ECAC |
20 | 13β7β0 | 0.650 | 0β2 L December 21, 1934 |
2β3 L March 29, 2013 |
Source:
Rivalries
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 4β2 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.
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 2013β2014 Ice Hockey Season.
Players
Current roster
As of September 12, 2024.
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 | 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) | β | |
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) | β | |
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 (A) | Graduate | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2001-04-03 | Edina, Minnesota | Des Moines (USHL) | β | |
19 | John Mittelstadt | Junior | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2001-10-27 | Eden Prairie, Minnesota | Green Bay (USHL) | β | |
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 | 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) | β | |
29 | Nathan Airey | Sophomore | G | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2003-04-24 | Cochrane, Alberta | Cranbrook (BCHL) | β | |
30 | Zach Wiese | Junior | G | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 2002-01-02 | Owatonna, Minnesota | Rochester (NA3HL) | β | |
31 | Liam SouliΓ¨re | Graduate | G | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1999-03-16 | Montreal, Quebec | Penn State (Big Ten) | β | |
33 | Axel Begley | Sophomore | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2003-12-16 | Mahtomedi, Minnesota | Wisconsin (NAHL) | β | |
35 | Matt Bryant | Junior | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2003-04-15 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Cleveland Barons (Midget AAA) | β | |
55 | Leo Gruba | Freshman | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2003-12-14 | Lake Elmo, Minnesota | Fargo (USHL) | β | |
71 | Ryan Chesley | Junior | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2004-02-27 | Mahtomedi, Minnesota | NTDP (USHL) | WSH, 37th overall 2022 | |
72 | Erik PΓ₯hlsson | 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 | 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
This is a list of Minnesota alumni were a part of an Olympic team.
Name | Position | Minnesota Tenure | Team | Year | Finish |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Philip LaBatte | Defenseman | 1931β1934 | USA | 1936 | Bronze |
Allan Opsahl | Defenseman | 1943β1947 | USA | 1948 | DQβ |
Allen Van | Defenseman | 1944β1945 | USA | 1952 | Silver |
Rube Bjorkman | Forward | 1948β1951 | USA | 1952 | Silver |
Jim Sedin | Defenseman | 1948β1951 | USA | 1952 | Silver |
Ken Yackel | Right Wing | 1951β1956 | USA | 1952 | Silver |
Wendell R. Anderson | Defenseman | 1951β1954 | USA | 1956 | Silver |
Gene Campbell | Center | 1951β1954 | USA | 1956 | Silver |
Richard Dougherty | Forward | 1951β1954 | USA | 1956 | Silver |
John Petroske | Defenseman | 1953β1957 | USA | 1956 | Silver |
Richard Meredith | Forward | 1951β1954 | USA | 1956, 1960 | Silver, Gold |
John Mayasich | Center/Defenseman | 1951β1955 | USA | 1956, 1960 | Silver, Gold |
Jack McCartan | Goaltender | 1955β1958 | USA | 1960 | Gold |
Bill Christian | Forward | 1956β1957 | USA | 1960, 1964 | Gold, 5th |
Wayne Meredith | Defenseman | 1958β1962 | USA | 1964 | 5th |
David Brooks | Center | 1960β1963 | USA | 1964 | 5th |
Jake McCoy | Defenseman | 1961β1963 | USA | 1964 | 5th |
Gary Schmalzbauer | Left Wing | 1960β1963 | USA | 1964 | 5th |
Jim Westby | Defenseman | 1957β1958, 1961β1963 | USA | 1964 | 5th |
Herb Brooks | Forward/Defenseman | 1956β1959 | USA | 1964, 1968 | 5th, 6th |
Len Lilyholm | Center | 1956β1959 | USA | 1968 | 6th |
Lou Nanne | Defenseman | 1960β1963 | USA | 1968 | 6th |
Larry Stordahl | Forward | 1961β1965 | USA | 1968 | 6th |
Craig Falkman | Right Wing | 1962β1965 | USA | 1968 | 6th |
Jack Dale | Center | 1964β1967 | USA | 1968 | 6th |
Bruce McIntosh | Defenseman | 1968β1971 | USA | 1972 | Silver |
Wally Olds | Defenseman | 1968β1971 | USA | 1972 | Silver |
Frank Sanders | Defenseman | 1968β1971 | USA | 1972 | Silver |
Craig Sarner | Center/Left Wing | 1968β1971 | USA | 1972 | Silver |
Rob Harris | Forward | 1971β1975 | USA | 1976 | 5th |
Buzz Schneider | Center/Left Wing | 1972β1975 | USA | 1976, 1980 | 5th, Gold |
Bill Baker | Defenseman | 1975β1979 | USA | 1980 | Gold |
Steve Janaszak | Goaltender | 1975β1979 | USA | 1980 | Gold |
Steve Christoff | Center | 1976β1979 | USA | 1980 | Gold |
Rob McClanahan | Left Wing | 1976β1979 | USA | 1980 | Gold |
Eric Strobel | Right Wing | 1976β1979 | USA | 1980 | Gold |
Mike Ramsey | Defenseman | 1978β1979 | USA | 1980 | Gold |
Neal Broten | Center | 1978β1979, 1980β1981 | USA | 1980 | Gold |
Phil Verchota | Left Wing | 1975β1979 | USA | 1980, 1984 | Gold, 7th |
Scott Bjugstad | Right Wing | 1979β1983 | USA | 1984 | 7th |
Steve Griffith | Left Wing | 1979β1983 | USA | 1984 | 7th |
Dave Jensen | Defenseman | 1979β1983 | USA | 1984 | 7th |
Tom Hirsch | Defenseman | 1981β1983 | USA | 1984 | 7th |
Corey Millen | Center | 1982β1983, 1984β1987 | USA | 1984, 1988 | 7th, 7th |
Todd Okerlund | Right Wing | 1983β1987 | USA | 1988 | 7th |
Dave Snuggerud | Right Wing | 1985β1987, 1988β1989 | USA | 1988 | 7th |
Craig Johnson | Left Wing | 1990β1993 | USA | 1994 | 8th |
Travis Richards | Defenseman | 1989β1993 | USA | 1994 | 8th |
Darby Hendrickson | Center | 1991β1993 | USA | 1994 | 8th |
Erik Johnson | Defenseman | 2006β2007 | USA | 2010 | Silver |
Phil Kessel | Center/Right Wing | 2005β2006 | USA | 2010, 2014 | Silver, 4th |
Paul Martin | Defenseman | 2000β2003 | USA | 2014 | 4th |
Thomas Vanek | Left Wing | 2002β2004 | Austria | 2014 | 10th |
Blake Wheeler | Center/Right Wing | 2005β2008 | USA | 2014 | 4th |
Ryan Stoa | Center/Left Wing | 2005β2009 | USA | 2018 | 7th |
Aaron Ness | Defenseman | 2008β2011 | USA | 2022 | 5th |
Ben Meyers | Left Wing | 2019β2022 | USA | 2022 | 5th |
Brock Faber | Defenseman | 2020β2023 | USA | 2022 | 5th |
Matthew Knies | Left Wing | 2021β2023 | USA | 2022 | 5th |
β Were members of the AHA team that was allowed to play in the Olympics but disqualified from medal contention.
Honored members
- 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 (1951β1955) 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.
- 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 (1978β1981) became the award's first recipient in 1981. Robb Stauber (1986β1989) won the award as a sophomore in 1988, becoming the first goaltender to be so honored. Brian Bonin (1992β1996) won the award in 1996 after nearly winning it the previous season. In 2002, Jordan Leopold (1998β2002) 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
Source:
Career points leaders
Player | Years | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
John Mayasich | 1951β1955 | 111 | 144 | 154 | 298 | |
Pat Micheletti | 1982β1986 | 162 | 120 | 149 | 269 | |
Corey Millen | 1982β1987 | 149 | 119 | 122 | 241 | |
Bryan Erickson | 1979β1983 | 144 | 109 | 129 | 238 | |
Larry Olimb | 1988β1992 | 182 | 59 | 159 | 218 | |
Brian Bonin | 1992β1996 | 166 | 100 | 116 | 216 | |
Steve Ulseth | 1977β1981 | 148 | 84 | 118 | 202 | |
Tim Harrer | 1976β1980 | 157 | 117 | 84 | 201 | |
John Pohl | 1998β2002 | 165 | 71 | 129 | 200 | |
Richard Dougherty | 1951β1954 | 81 | 109 | 78 | 187 |
Career goaltending leaders
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 | 2012β2015 | 115 | 6864 | 73 | 26 | 14 | 239 | 13 | .922 | 2.09 |
Justen Close | 2019β2024 | 100 | 5625 | 62 | 25 | 6 | 204 | 13 | .924 | 2.18 |
Jack LaFontaine | 2019β2022 | 74 | 4258 | 43 | 24 | 6 | 162 | 6 | .920 | 2.28 |
Kent Patterson | 2008β2012 | 88 | 4918 | 44 | 29 | 9 | 202 | 7 | .912 | 2.45 |
Kellen Briggs | 2003β2007 | 131 | 7445 | 84 | 34 | 8 | 303 | 13 | .907 | 2.45 |
Statistics current through the end of the 2023β24 season.
Coaches
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 1955β1956 season to serve as head coach of the U.S. men's hockey team that won the silver medal at the 1956 Winter Olympics. Halfway through the 1971β1972 season, Glen Sonmor left the Gophers to become the general manager and head coach for the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the World Hockey Association. Doug Woog was suspended for two games during the 1996β1997 season for concealing an illegal payment to a former player after his scholarship ended. During this time, assistant head coach Mike Guentzel served as the team's head coach. In 2009, Assistant Coach John Hill coached 2 games while Don Lucia was out for medical reasons.
All-time coaching records
As of the end of the 2023β24 season
Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1921β1922 | I. D. MacDonald | 1 | 6β3β1 | .650 |
1922β1930 | Emil Iverson | 8 | 82β22β11 | .761 |
1930β1935 | Frank Pond * | 5 | 49β24β4 | .662 |
1935β1947 | Larry Armstrong | 12 | 125β54β10 | .688 |
1947β1952 | Doc Romnes | 5 | 53β59β0 | .473 |
1952β1955, 1956β1966 | John Mariucci * | 13 | 197β140β18 | .580 |
1955β1956 | Marsh Ryman * (interim) | 1 | 16β12β1 | .569 |
1966β1971 | Glen Sonmor | 5.5 | 77β80β5 | .491 |
1971β1972 | Ken Yackel * (interim) | 0.5 | 7β17β0 | .292 |
1972β1979 | Herb Brooks * | 7 | 167β97β18 | .624 |
1979β1985 | Brad Buetow * | 6 | 171β75β8 | .689 |
1985β1999 | Doug Woog * | 14 | 388β187β40 | .662 |
1996 | Mike Guentzel * (interim) | β | 2β1β0 | .667 |
1999β2018 | Don Lucia | 19 | 457β248β73 | .634 |
2018βPresent | Bob Motzko | 6 | 136β71β17 | .645 |
Totals | 15 coaches | 103 seasons | 1932β1089β206 | .631 |
* former Gophers player
Source:
Arenas
- Minnesota State Fairgrounds Hippodrome (1923β1934)
- Minneapolis Arena (1925β1950) (primary arena)
- St. Paul Auditorium (1932β1950) (occasionally)
- Williams Arena/Old Mariucci Arena (1950β1993)
- Mariucci Arena (1993βpresent)
Program records
Career
- Most goals in a career: John Mayasich, 144 (1951β55)
- Most assists in a career: Larry Olimb, 159 (1988β92)
- Most points in a career: John Mayasich, 298 (1951β55)
- Most penalty minutes in a career: Matt DeMarchi, 473 (1999β2003)
- Most points in a career, defenseman: Todd Richards, 158 (1985β89)
- Most wins in a career, Kellen Briggs, 84 (2003β07)
- Most shutouts in a career, Kellen Briggs, 13 (2003β07); Adam Wilcox, 13 (2012β15)
Season
Players
|
Team (since 1950)
|
Game
Player
|
Team
|
As of July 1, 2024.
= NHL All-Star team | = NHL All-Star | = NHL All-Star and NHL All-Star team | = Hall of Famers |
|
|
β Bob Johnson won a Stanley Cup as the head coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
WHA
Several players also were members of WHA teams.
Player | Position | Team(s) | Years | Avco Cups |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mike Antonovich | Center | MFS, EDM, NEW | 1972β1979 | 0 |
Brad Buetow | Left Wing | CLC | 1973β1974 | 0 |
Bill Butters | Defense | MFS, HOU, EDM, NEW | 1974β1978 | 0 |
Gary Gambucci | Center | MFS | 1974β1976 | 0 |
Paul Holmgren | Forward | MFS | 1975β1976 | 0 |
Jack McCartan | Goaltender | MFS | 1972β1975 | 0 |
Joe Micheletti | Defenseman | CAC, EDM | 1976β1979 | 0 |
Warren Miller | Forward | CAC, EDM, QUE, NEW | 1975β1979 | 0 |
Wally Olds | Defenseman | NYD, CAC | 1972β1976 | 0 |
Dick Paradise | Defenseman | MFS | 1972β1974 | 0 |
Frank Sanders | Defenseman | MFS | 1972β1973 | 0 |
Craig Sarner | Right wing | MFS | 1975β1976 | 0 |
Buzz Schneider | Left Wing | BIR | 1976β1977 | 0 |
John Sheridan | Center | IND | 1974β1976 | 0 |
Pat Westrum | Center | MFS, CAC, BIR | 1974β1978 | 0 |
Source:
References
Notes
- "Colors and Type | University Relations". Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- "NCAA Champions". GopherSports.org.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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: 43β60. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
- "Bob Motzko takes over Gophers hockey, says he'll 'work tirelessly to make those people proud'". Star Tribune.
- "Timeline (1883-Present)". Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History.
- "Legends of Hockey β The Legends β Honoured Builder β Mariucci, John β Biography". Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- Hewitt, Josh (2009-04-09). "The State of Hockey: Minnesotans Proud to Take the Ice". Bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ "Minnesota Gophers". Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History.
- Football at Minnesota: The Story of Thirty Years' Contests on the Gridiron.
- According to the Minnesota Gopher Yearbook of 1922, p.344ff
- "University of Minnesota Official Athletic Site β Ice Hockey". gophersports.com.
- "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.
- ^ "Sexual misconduct allegations haunt former assistant coach's tenure with Gophers hockey program". Duluth News Tribune.
- "Faced With Multiple Accusations Of Sex Abuse, Former Hockey Coach Tom Adrahtas Says, 'It's Not True'". June 24, 2021.
- ^ "Minnesota Men's Hockey 2018-19 Media Guide" (PDF). Minnesota Golden Gophers. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
- ^ "2017-2018 Hockey Media Guide" (PDF). University of Minnesota.
- "Brawls, interlocks and blowouts: The history of all-time series between NCAA first-round opponents". USCHO.com.
- Greder, Andy (January 22, 2014). "Gophers hockey: North Star College Cup a state championship of sorts". St. Paul Pioneer Press.
- "2024β25 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Minnesota Golden Gophers. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- Findling & Pelle (2004), p. 316
- 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.
- 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.
- McGourty, John (2006-11-02). "Sonmor found a way to win at life". NHL. Retrieved 2007-03-03.
- Brown, Scott (November 12, 1996). "Gopher Hockey Under Scrutiny". USCHO. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
- Mazzocco, Frank (October 21, 1996). "Minnesota Head Coach Suspended". USCHO. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
- "Gopher Hockey History β The Arenas". November 9, 2006.
- ^ Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
- "Alumni report for U. of Minnesota". Hockey DB. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
Citations
- "2017-2018 Hockey Media Guide" (PDF). University of Minnesota.