Gophers have another 3 point weekend

This is the stuff from the New HAmpshire weekend... I didn't get to se a majority of it, but the night I saw it the Gophers were playing bad.

FRIDAY
1st scoring
NH Phil DeSimone James van Riemsdyk

1st Penalties
NH Phil DeSimone Hooking

2nd scoring
MINN Jordan Schroeder Ryan Stoa/David Fischer
NH Peter LeBlanc Jerry Pollastron/Kevin Kapstad

2nd Penalties
MINN Cade Fairchild High Sticking
Ryan Flynn Roughing
Mike Carman Roughing
NH Greg Collins Roughing
Nick Krates Roughing

3rd Scoring
MINN Jay Barriball Cade Fairchild/Ryan Stoa

3rd Penalties
NH Thomas Fortney Holding
Damon Kipp Hooking
Jamie Fritsch Tripping
MINN Ryan Stoa Interference

Saves
Brian Foster 39 Saves
Alex Kangas 35 Saves

Three Stars
1. Brian Foster
2. Alex Kangas
3. Ryan Stoa

SATURDAY
1st Scoring
MINN Cade Fairchild Jordan Schroeder
Mike Hoeffel Jordan Schroeder/Cade Fairchild
NH Mike Sislo Danny Dries/James van Riemsdyk

1st Penalties
NH Greg Collins Hooking
Damon Kipp Tipping
Mike Sislo Roughing
MINN Ryan Flynn Slashing
Ryan Flynn Holding

2nd Scoring
NH James van Riemsdyk Phil DeSimone/Danny Dries

2nd Penalties
NH Kevin Kapstad Interference
Jerry Pollastrone Roughing
Jerry Pollastrone Cross Checking

MINN Mike Carman Holding
Justin Bostrom Roughing
Brian Schack Roughing

3rd Scoring
MINN Ryan Stoa Aaron Ness
Ryan Flynn Mike Carman/David Fischer
Taylor Matson David Fischer/Aaron Ness
Ryan Flynn David Fischer/Tony Lucia

3rd Penalties
NH Danny Dries Hooking
Blake Kessel Slashing
Greg Collins Unsportsmanlike Conduct
MINN Justin Bostrom Tripping
Mike Carman Hooking

SAVES
Brian Foster 28 Saves
Alex Kangas 26 Saves

Gophers take 3 points in Wisconsin

0-4... 0-6 NOW!!! Hahahaha. But I was right it was a good series, you know the usual, fighting, goals, penalties, and bad refs. They called EVERYTHING. Oh my god, it was getting to the point where I wanted to go call the game myself. I swear the refs call so many penalties because they want face time on T.V. I mean COME ON! This is a hockey game! Anyway, the Gophers tied on Friday night, just barely. The came out with a lack of energy, while the badgers were ready to go. The Gophers finlly picked it up but by then were down by two goals. It's hard to come back from a 2-0 start in someone elses arena, especially Wisconsin's. Saturday night the Gophers came out harder and more agressive, that was evident by the Ryan Stoa goals, the 6 second one and the one later in the period. Boy, did we miss him last year... But no need to dwell on last year. This year is appon us and the Gophers are still undefeated coming in to this weekend vs Mankato *knocks on wood*. Should be a great series, look for the Mavericks to be out for revenge after the play-off elimination the Gophers handed them in March.
Here are some notes I had on the game frm saturday:
1st period:
*Go Ryan! X2
*Taylor Matson is my unsung hero so far this year.
*Cade Fairchild looked great, moving the puck and deking guys out
2nd Period:
*Why is the ref calling interference on hits.. they are hits... THIS IS HOCKEY!
*Carmen had a ton of shots
Aaron Ness falls a lot. He didn't have as much of a problem in the third... I'm guessing skates
*Alex was a GOD!!!
*Badgers= when it isn't working, the puck ain't going in...
*R.J. Anderson and Kevin Wehrs are beasts this year. They are always protecting Alex which I think is awesome.
3rd Period:
*What the hell was the ref doing when Patrick White was getting punched in the back of the head!
*Totally blew our power play we were supposed to have on the 5 minute major..
*The ref needs glasses, these penalties are stupid, on BOTH sides
* I don't remember the last time I saw so many checking from behind penalties
*Aaron Ness is constantly getting knocked over.. and thrown into benches...

FRIDAY @ Wisconsin
1st Period Scoring
WISC: Podge Turnbull Rom Gorowsky/Patrick Johnson

1st Period Penalties:
WISC: Jordy Murray Hooking
Matt Thurber Roughing
Tom Gorowsky Hooking

MINN: Justin Bostrom Checking from Behind
Sam Lofquist Roughing

2nd Period Scoring:
WISC: Brendan Smith Michael Davies/Jamie McBain
MINN: Ryan Stoa Jay Barriball/Nico Sacchetti

2nd Period Penalties:
MINN: Sam Lofquist Hooking
Mike Hoeffel Holding the Stick
Jordan Schroeder Interference
Cade Fairchild Cross-Checking
Ryan Flynn Slashing
Cade Fairchild Interference
Kevin Wehrs High Sticking

WISC: Sean Dolan Hooking
Michael Davies OI?
Jordy Murray Interference
Ryan McDonagh High Sticking
Blake Geoffrion Interference

3rd Period Scoring:
MINN: Sam Lofquist Nico Sacchetti/Patrick White

3rd Period Penalties:
WISC: Ryan McDonagh Slashing
Patrick Johnson Holding
Derek Stepan Hooking

MINN: Tony Lucia Hooking

SAVES:
Alex Kangas 18 Saves
Shane Connelly 34 Saves

SATURDAY @ Wisconsin
1st Scoring
Minn:
Ryan Stoa -
Ryan Stoa Jay Barriball/Mike Hoeffel

1st Penalties:
Minn: Mike Carmen Boarding
Tony Lucia Roughing
Ryan Flynn Slashing
Justin Bostrom Roughing
Kevin Wehrs Roughing
Nico Sacchetti Hooking
Mike Carmen Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Wisc: Brendan Smith Roughing
Cody Goloubef Cross-Checking
Matt Thurber Roughing
Andy Bohmbach Roughing
Tom Gorowsky Roughing
Blake Geoffrion Slashing
Brendan Smith Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Patrick Johnson Boarding

2nd Scoring:
Minn: Mike Hoeffel Cade Fairchild

2nd Penalties:
Wisc: Sean Dolan Charging
Podge Turnbull Interference
Brendan Smith Elbowing


Minn:Ryan Flynn Holding
Patrick White Checking from Behind

3rd Scoring:
MINN:
Tony Lucia Mike Carmen
Jay Barriball -

WISC:
Matt Thurber Derek Stepan/Ryan McDonagh
Podge Turnball -

3rd Penalties
Sean Dolan Roughing
John Mitchell Roughing
Sean Dolan Roughing
John Mitchell Roughing
Ryan Little Roughing
Ryan Little Roughing
Ryan Little Interference
Ben Grotting 5 Min Major/ Disqailification

Nico Sacchetti Roughing
Nico Sacchetti Roughing
Cade Fairchild Roughing
Cade Fairchild Roughing
David Fischer Roughing
David Fischer Roughing
David Fischer IG?
Patrick White Roughing
R.J. Anderson Interference
Tony Lucia Tripping


Saves:
Alex Kangas 36 Saves
Shane Connely 23 Saves

Roster/ Schedule

I haven't put these up here yet and I figured it would be a good idea. So here you go!

6   R.J. Anderson D 6-0 197 Sr. Lino Lakes, Minn.  (Centennial HS)
26   Jay Barriball F 5-9 156 Jr. Prior Lake, Minn.  (Academy of Holy Angels)  (Sioux Falls - USHL)
14   Justin Bostrom F 5-9 172 Sr. Vadnais Heights, Minn.  (Mounds View HS)  (Sioux City - USHL)
16   Mike Carman F 6-0 175 Jr. Apple Valley, Minn.  (Academy of Holy Angels)  (USNDT)
24   Michael Dorr F 5-10 180 Fr. Roseville, Minn.  (Roseville HS)  (Des Moines - USHL)
28   Cade Fairchild D 5-11 186 So. Duluth, Minn.  (Duluth East HS)  (USNDT)
20   David Fischer D 6-3 192 Jr. Apple Valley, Minn.  (Apple Valley HS)
25   Drew Fisher F 6-3 207 So. International Falls, Minn.  (Moorhead HS)  (Sioux Falls - USHL)
22   Ryan Flynn F 6-3 210 Jr. Lino Lakes, Minn.  (Centennial HS)  (USNDT)
21   Jake Hansen F 6-2 182 Fr. White Bear Lake, Minn.  (White Bear Lake HS)  (Sioux Falls - USHL)
11   Mike Hoeffel F 6-2 190 So. North Oaks, Minn.  (Hill-Murray HS)  (USNDT)
33   Alex Kangas G 6-2 190 So. Rochester, Minn.  (Rochester Century HS)  (Indiana - USHL)
30   Jake Kremer G 6-1 190 Fr. Eden Prairie, Minn.  (Eden Prairie HS)  (Bismarck - NAHL)
18   Nick Larson F 6-1 180 Fr. Stillwater, Minn.  (Hill-Murray HS)  (Omaha - USHL)
3   Sam Lofquist D 6-1 190 Fr. Faribault, Minn.  (Shattuck St. Mary's)  (USNDT)
12   Tony Lucia F 6-0 175 Jr. Plymouth, Minn.  (Wayzata HS)  (Omaha - USHL)
9   Taylor Matson F 6-0 185 Fr. Mound, Minn.  (Academy of Holy Angels)  (Des Moines - USHL)
15   Joe Miller F 5-11 195 Fr. Plymouth, Minn.  (Wayzata HS)  (Sioux City - USHL)
10   Aaron Ness D 5-10 170 Fr. Roseau, Minn.  (Roseau HS)
35   Kent Patterson G 6-1 180 Fr. Plymouth, Minn.  (Blake School)  (Cedar Rapids - USHL)
13   Nico Sacchetti F 6-0 186 Fr. Virginia, Minn.  (Virginia HS)  (Omaha - USHL)
27   Brian Schack D 6-2 225 Jr. Lino Lakes, Minn.  (Totino-Grace HS)  (Southern Minnesota - NAHL)
19   Jordan Schroeder F 5-8 165 Fr. Prior Lake, Minn.  (St. Thomas Academy)  (USNDT)
32   Grant Scott D 6-3 205 Fr. Sewickley, Penn.  (Shady Side Academy)  (USNDT)
29   Ryan Stoa F 6-3 217 Jr. Bloomington, Minn.  (Bloomington Kennedy HS)  (USNDT)
2   Kevin Wehrs D 5-9 165 So. Plymouth, Minn.  (Wayzata HS)  (Cedar Rapids - USHL)
7   Patrick White F 6-1 190 So. Grand Rapids, Minn.  (Grand Rapids HS)  (Tri-City - USHL)


SCHEDULE:


Date Opponent Location Time (CST) Results Media
  Fri, Oct 10  Univ. of British Columbia (exhibition) Mariucci Arena   7:07 PM
  Fri, Oct 17  St. Cloud State * at St. Cloud, Minn.   7:07 PM
FSN
  Sat, Oct 18  St. Cloud State * Mariucci Arena   7:07 PM
FSN
  Fri, Oct 24  Wisconsin * at Madison, Wis.   7:07 PM
FSN
  Sat, Oct 25  Wisconsin * at Madison, Wis.   7:07 PM
Big Ten Network
  Fri, Oct 31  Minnesota State * Mariucci Arena   7:07 PM
FSN
State of Minnesota Hockey Showcase   Sat, Nov 01  Minnesota Duluth vs. St.Cloud State * at Xcel Energy Center   4:07 PM
  Sat, Nov 01  Minnesota State * at Xcel Energy Center   7:37 PM
FSN
  Fri, Nov 07  New Hampshire Mariucci Arena   7:07 PM
FSN
  Sat, Nov 08  New Hampshire Mariucci Arena   6:07 PM
FSN
  Sat, Nov 15  Michigan Tech * Mariucci Arena   1:07 PM
FSN
  Sun, Nov 16  Michigan Tech * Mariucci Arena   1:07 PM
FSN
  Fri, Nov 21  Denver * at Denver, Colo.   8:37 PM
FSN
  Sat, Nov 22  Denver * at Denver, Colo.   8:07 PM
FSN
  Fri, Nov 28  Michigan Mariucci Arena   7:07 PM
Big Ten Network
  Sat, Nov 29  Michigan State Mariucci Arena   7:07 PM
Big Ten Network
  Sat, Dec 13  Colorado College * Mariucci Arena   7:07 PM
FSN
  Sun, Dec 14  Colorado College * Mariucci Arena   4:07 PM
FSN
Dodge Holiday Classic   Fri, Jan 02  Northeastern vs. Western Michigan at Mariucci Arena   4:07 PM
  Fri, Jan 02  Brown Mariucci Arena   7:07 PM
FSN
  Sat, Jan 03  Brown vs. Northeastern/W. Michigan at Mariucci Arena   4:07 PM
  Sat, Jan 03  Northeastern/W. Michigan Mariucci Arena   7:07 PM
FSN
  Fri, Jan 09  North Dakota * at Grand Forks, N.D.   7:37 PM
FSN
  Sat, Jan 10  North Dakota * at Grand Forks, N.D.   7:07 PM
FSN
  Fri, Jan 16  St. Cloud State * Mariucci Arena   7:07 PM
FSN
  Sat, Jan 17  St. Cloud State * at St. Cloud, Minn.   5:07 PM
FSN
  Fri, Jan 30  Minnesota State * at Mankato, Minn.   7:37 PM
FSN
  Sat, Jan 31  Minnesota State * Mariucci Arena   6:07 PM
FSN
  Fri, Feb 06  Wisconsin * Mariucci Arena   7:07 PM
Big Ten Network
  Sat, Feb 07  Wisconsin * Mariucci Arena   7:07 PM
FSN
  Fri, Feb 13  Alaska Anchorage * Mariucci Arena   7:07 PM
FSN
  Sat, Feb 14  Alaska Anchorage * Mariucci Arena   7:07 PM
FSN
  Fri, Feb 20  Colorado College * at Colorado Springs, Colo.   8:37 PM
FSN
  Sat, Feb 21  Colorado College * at Colorado Springs, Colo.   8:07 PM
FSN
  Fri, Feb 27  Minnesota Duluth * Mariucci Arena   7:07 PM
FSN
  Sat, Feb 28  Minnesota Duluth * Mariucci Arena   6:07 PM
FSN
  Fri, Mar 06  Michigan Tech * at Houghton, Mich.   6:07 PM
FSN
  Sat, Mar 07  Michigan Tech * at Houghton, Mich.   6:07 PM
FSN
WCHA First Round   Fri, Mar 13  TBA TBA   TBA
FSN
  Sat, Mar 14  TBA TBA   TBA
FSN
  Sun, Mar 15  TBA TBA   TBA
FSN

WCHA Final Five   Thu, Mar 19  TBA at Xcel Energy Center   7:07 PM
FSN
  Fri, Mar 20  TBA at Xcel Energy Center   2:07 PM or 7:07 PM
FSN
  Sat, Mar 21  TBA at Xcel Energy Center   2:07 PM or 7:07 PM
FSN
NCAA Regional   Fri, Mar 27  TBA Mariucci Arena   TBA
ESPNU
  Sat, Mar 28  TBA Mariucci Arena   TBA
ESPNU
NCAA Frozen Four   Thu, Apr 09  TBA at Washington, D.C.   TBA
ESPN2
Sat, Apr 11  TBA at Washington, D.C.   TBA ESPN

Gophers open season, WCHA with sweep

So I guess really the Gophers were back last weekend (since I'm behind). But no matter what weekend it really was the Gophers played great this weekend. Both first periods they came out fired up and energized. I really like when tDon starts the all junior line of Lucia-Carmen-Flynn. They always seem to get three shots on their first shift. They looked good this weekend. Actually the whole Junior class did with Mike Carmen, Tony Lucia, Ryan Stoa, and Jay Barriball pitching in goals. I agree with Don Lucia when he says the Junior class needs to lead the team. I thought they definitly did this weekend. Other topics, Special teams were great, The Gophers had a nice power play. They have guys such as Jordan Schroeder and Aaron Ness that can move the puck, and it's already helped. The Gophs move the puck a lot better this year, I have also noticed they shoot more. The only thing that I see a lot of is players dinking around trying to dangle through three players. The Gophs are good at dump and chase, they should try that a little more than trying to do it all themselves. We killed a lot of penalties this weekend, specificly Friday. I have no idea what game the refs were watching but it wasn't ours. I'm not just saying this for the Gophers, there were a couple questionable calls on both sides. The new rules, some are okay others I don't like. I HATE THE ICING RULE! I always thought that was lame. It takes away from the game anyway, nothing exciting happens when the teams are gased. The ref rule we kind of had a taste of last year. I don't mind it so much, but the whole protecting the skaters thing gets old when there is a penalty every two seconds. When that happens it's not a hockey game, it's a basketball game. On the topic of the protecting the skaters thing, that doesn't really work if you call hooks, slashes, and trips but you don't call CHECKING FROM BEHIND! It doesn't work that way, you don't just watch for the little things that slow a guy down, you also look for the major things that could send him to the hospital! End of rant. Anyway the Gophers are playing the Badgers next(Tonight =p). This should be a good series hopefully. The Badgers may be 0-4 but it never matters how bad these teams are, they always find a way to make it a good series!

GOPHERS @ ST.CLOUD FRIDAY
1st Period Scoring:
MINN: Tony Lucia Mike Carmen/Ryan Flynn
SCSU: John Swanson Jared Festler/Sam Zabkowicz

1st Period Penalties:
SCSU: Chris Hepp Interference
Garret Roe Slashing
Travis Novak Tripping
David Carlisle Roughing

MINN: Mike Carmen Slashing
Cade Fairchild Interference
Jay Barriball Roughing
Mike Hoeffle FM... I don't know what that means.

2nd Period Scoring:
MINN Ryan Stoa Jorda Schroeder/David Fischer

2nd Period Penalties:
SCSU Chris Hepp Tripping

MINN: Jake Hansen Cross-Checking
Mike Carmen Hooking
Tony Lucia Boarding
Cade Fairchild Cross-Checking

3rd Period Scoring:
MINN: Mike Carmen Jordan Schroeder/Ryan Stoa
SCSU: Garret Raboin Garret Roe/Jared Festler

3rd Period Penalties:
SCSU: Aaron Marvin Tripping
Jared Festler Hooking

MINN: Patrick White Tripping
Mike Carmen Interference
Mike Hoeffel Charging
R.J. Anderson Hooking

SAVES:
Alex Kangas 22 Saves
Jase Weslowsky 32 Saves

Three Stars
1. Ryan Stoa
2. Mike Carmen
3. Jordan Schroeder

GOPHERS VS ST. CLOUD SATURDAY
1st Period Scoring
MINN: Mike Carmen Ryan Flynn

1st Period Penalties:
MINN: Mike Hoeffel Hooking
Mike Carmen Boarding
Ryan Flynn Roughing
Ryan Stoa Interference

SCSU: Brent Borgen Tripping
Garret Roe Kneeing... =)
Aaron Marvin Cross-Checking
Ryan Lasch Slashing
David Carlisle Holding

2nd Period Scoring:
NONE

2nd Period Penalties
SCSU: Ryan Peckskamp Hooking
Ryan Lasch Holding

3rd Period Scoring:
MINN Jay BarriballJordan Schroeder/Ryan Stoa
SCSU: Drew LeBlanc Travis Novak

3rd Period Penalties
MINN: Jay Barriball High Sticking
Tony Lucia Tripping

SCSU: Aaron Marvin Slashing

Saves:
Alex Kangas 27 Saves
Jase Weslowsky 28 Saves

Three Stars
1. Alex Kangas
2. Jay Barriball
3. Jase Weslowsky

GOPHER HOCKEY IS BAAAAAACCCCKK!!

Thank the lord that hockey is back. I don't care about football. I do like the twins but I still prefer Gopher hockey anyday. So the Gophers had their exhibition game against UBC. I was at the game and overall I thought we looked good. We definitly had problems finishing, but that will come with timing and getting back into playing games. The freshman who impressed me the most was hands down Aaron Ness, with Jordan Schroeder being the next best. Aaron Ness is fast. He may be small but he sure makes up for it with skill and speed. The two on one that they were scored on was no big deal. Yeah, it was a short handed goal but he was making calls as to who should take who. Jordan Schroeder was also making plays and skating very well. I thought that David Fischer and Kevin Wehrs looked fantastiv out there. David Fischer has really improved. I personally nver thought there was anything wrong with him. Yeah he makes questionable plays and he's not an offensive minded D. There is nothing wrong with that. I think people are so critical of him because we are used to watching players like Mike Vannelli and alex Goligoski. Anyway, we had many power play oppertunities. We didn't score on any of them but it already looked substantionally better than last year, not that that takes much. Overall we look like we will be having a fun year of Gopher hockey. Here's to a Frozen Four berth!

GOPHER VS UBC
First Period Scoring
Minn: Ryan Flynn Mike Carman/R.J. Anderson

First Period Penalties:
Minn: Mike Carman Holding
Michael Dorr Interference
UBC: Darrel May Tripping
Scott Lynch Tripping

Second Period Scoring:
Minn: R.J. Anderson Tony Lucia/Mike Carman
Patrick White -

Second Period Penalties:
UBC: John Flatters Holding
Matt Pepe Roughing
Matt Pepe Slashing
Matt Allen Hooking

MINN: Nico Sacchetti Slashing

Third Period Scoring
UBC: Tyler Ruel -

Third Period Penalties
Minn: Ryan Flynn Cross-Checking
David Fischer Unsportsmanlike Conduct

UBC: Darrell May Unsportsmanlike Conduct

SAVES
Alex Kangas 10 saves
Kent Patterson 5 saves
Gerry Festa 19 Saves
Franceis Thuot 22 Saves

SHOTS:
UBC: 16
MINN: 44

SENIORS, SENIORS!

I'm so ready for hockey to start it's unbelievable. The start of a new season brings the hope for another national championship, another chance to be the best in the nation. In the years that have followed the two national championships, we have put together great teams that have made it so close yet so far. This year it maybe a different story. With the likes of Aaron Ness, Taylor Matson, and Jordan Schroeder, the Gophers look to make it to the Frozen Four after a three-year absence. Although with this new season we have new talent coming in, we are losing some players, that maybe wouldn't be considered standouts, but important none the less. Now lets take a look back at our departing seniors.

Brent Solei: First off what a classy guy. He comes in from Elk River high school knowing that he will only be a practice goalie. Maybe even an exhibition goalie. He never complained, he took his role on the team, and made the best of it. When I see people like Brent and then people, I’m sure I don’t have to say who, bitch about the ice time they get, it pisses me off. You may have been drafted in the first round, but if your not playing good then you don't deserve to play. I'm just going to leave it at that, because this is about Brent.

Although Brent wasn't brought here to be a game goalie he got his chance this year. Brent was a great team player and the way he interacted with the guys was awesome. He may not have been our number one goalie but he was still a great Gopher and he still will be missed.

Ben Gordon: Ben Gordon ,what isn't there to say about him. I think he was underrated. I always enjoyed watching him play with Blake Wheeler and Jay Barriball. I think he played the role that the coaching staff wanted him to. His role, to me, was more to set up players, be on the power play, but at the same time to score goals. Ben came through multiple times when the Gophers needed a goal. Not just this year but previous years also. This year he was asked to step up as a leader and he did. He was ranked second on the team in scoring with 15 goals to add up to 29 points on the season. With the year the Gophers had, Ben did great.

Mike Howe: Mike was sick a lot his freshman year but came back to assist on Barry Tallackson's overtime goal to send the Gophers to their most recent Frozen Four appearance. Mike was a consistent player. You could expect the status quo from him, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In his defense, he did have many health problems in his years as a Gopher. He missed seven games his Freshman year with an illness. He had a knee injury when the Gophers went to the West regional in 2007 and this past year he suffered a concussion. But despite all of that, he was a great player. We rarely ever think of the third and fourth line players as amazing players. But just because they aren't goal scorers or top line people doesn't mean they don't make their impact on the team. Even a little play can make an impact in the game. Those little impacts that Mike made in his years were what made him a great hockey player and what got him the unsung hero award this year. Mike was also a great student and a great guy.

Evan Kaufmann: Evan was one of my favorite Gopher players to watch. I was always confident in him and his play. He had great hands, great skills, and a great shot. He was never a top line kind of player but he still was one of the best players on the team this past year. He put his senior leadership out on the ice, consistently being a great player. The most important thing about Evan is that he was put into roles that didn't quite fit him, yet he still succeeded. I loved watching how hard Evan played and how much he loved to play hockey. Those are the kind of players that you want on your team. Along with being a great player he was also a great student.

Derek Peltier: Derek was our captain this year. If you would have told Gopher fans a couple years ago I doubt anyone would have believed it. Even last year, before the departure, people would have though Alex Goligoski was it. When Goligoski went pro, it left Derek as a great candidate. Despite the criticism that Derek got this year, he stepped up. With out a doubt he became a leader and held on through a bumpy season. When he was here, he wasn't a goal scorer, when you look at his stats; his overall points consisted of 15 goals and 58 assists. Most coaches will say assists are more important than goals. This year a huge burden was put on his shoulders to lead the team and the young defensive core. When the season started off slow many people questioned if Peltier had it in him, if he was the right choice for captain. As soon as he adjusted to playing against the top lines; Derek because a consistently, hard checking, moving people out of the way, defensemen. He was put into roles he probably wouldn't have been if it there had been no early departures. Much like the other seniors in his class, Derek did what was asked of him and played hard, well, and with pride of being a Minnesota Golden Gopher.

Tom Pohl: Tom Pohl will probably not be remembered for his play on the ice. He will most likely be remembered for the career-ending check during the WCHA play-offs in Mankato. Pohl suffered a fractured skull and underwent surgery the same night. Although it's sad that Pohl had to end his career that way, it may have fueled the Gophers end of the season run. Pohl was an outstanding student and he was the most carefree guy on the Gopher roster. He never complained about his lack of playing time nor did he ever make a fuss about where he played. He was just happy to be a Gopher. Even after the career-ending hit, Pohl never blamed or lashed out at the Mankato player who hit him. Tom was an outstanding person who was well like by his teammates and coaches. He was the free spirit of the locker room, the one who was still thankful and humble even after his horrific injury.

All the seniors this year brought their own ingredient to the mix that makes up a team. Although they will all be missed and remembered individually in different ways; as a whole, the class of 2008 will be remembered for their spirit, pride, and their will to stick together when nothing is going as planned.

Bickel signs with the Ducks

I have to admit I laughed when I read that on GPL. Bickel? I mean I get how he was a 21 year old freshman and all.. but he didn't do that great for us this year. Then again he was asked to be a better defenseman than he was. But still. I don't understand first of all why everyone is leaving college so early. The money will be there when your done, and what happens if you get hurt? No college degree and your left with dittly. I was just looking at the signing bonus he got. He got the same amount of money that Erik Johnson got for signing. Or maybe it was Kyle Okposo. $85,000. I love how Lucia was quoted as saying Bickel would be a four year maybe captain for the Gophers. Totally putting on the guilt there. I don't get why he signed to play in the minors. I mean i honestly don't think he will be missed that much but hey what do I know. But we do have some defensemen coming in that are highly talented, most notable Aaron Ness. Maybe Bickel sensed that he wouldn't be such an impact player. I don't know. What ever happens for him , best of luck. Another player gone and another point for the NHL.

BICKEL ARTICLE FROM PIONEER PRESS:

Gophers' Bickel turns pro, surprising Lucia

No one, not Don Lucia and not Stu Bickel himself, expected Gophers defenseman Bickel to sign a pro contract and leave the University of Minnesota men's hockey team after one season.

"It was a surprise to me, the offer that they made," Bickel said after signing a three-year free-agent contract with the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. "It was tough to turn down."

Bickel, a 21-year-old from Chanhassen who was not drafted, signed a deal reportedly worth the maximum, including an $85,000 signing bonus and a two-way contract that will pay him approximately $67,500 if he plays, as expected, for the Ducks' American Hockey League affiliate in Des Moines, Iowa.

"Whatever level I end up at, I'm just going to continue to improve," said Bickel, a bruising 6-foot-3, 210-pounder who had one goal and six assists for the Gophers in his first season. "I think I will begin my development in the American League."

Lucia, the Gophers' coach, said he was surprised to learn that the Ducks had made an offer to Bickel.

"When we were recruiting Stu, we thought he'd be a four-year guy and a captain for us," Lucia said. "He had a great year for us; he exceeded all our expectations this year. We're going to miss him.

"It's hard for me when it looks like a guy will play in the minors. I hope it works out for him."

A forward who converted to defense after a season with the Southern Minnesota Express of the NAHL and played one season with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the U.S. Hockey League, Bickel will be playing for his sixth team in six seasons. Before going to the NAHL, he played his senior season at Eden Prairie High School and his junior season at Minnetonka High School.

Bickel joins Blake Wheeler and Jeff Frazee as players to leave Minnesota with eligibility remaining since the end of the past season.

Lucia said the Gophers expect to have eight defensemen next season: R.J. Anderson, Cade Fairchild, Kevin Wehrs, David Fischer, Aaron Ness, Brian Schack, Sam Lofquist and Grant Scott.

Wheeler, the Gophers' leading scorer last season, signed with the Boston Bruins. Terms were not disclosed.

Wheeler had announced he was turning pro after three seasons at Minnesota. He was drafted fifth overall by Phoenix in 2004 but didn't sign with the Coyotes. Last season, he led the Gophers in scoring with 15 goals and 20 assists. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Wheeler finished his college career with 42 goals and 54 assists in 127 games.

Frazee, who had one year's eligibility left, signed with New Jersey after last season and played for the Devils' minor league team in Lowell, Mass.