Men's college hockey preview: How Minnesota’s D1 teams stack up
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Men’s college hockey returns Friday and Saturday, with five of Minnesota’s six Division 1 programs opening their seasons. Graduations, NHL signings and the transfer portal have reshaped team rosters. As the puck drops on the new season, here’s a look at who’s gone, who’s arrived, how many Minnesotans are on each squad, and where each team is projected to finish.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Gophers finished last season with a 25-11-4 record. Their campaign ended in the first round of the NCAA tournament, where they lost a heartbreaker to the University of Massachusetts, 5-4 in overtime. Minnesota starts the season ranked eighth overall in the national polls. The Gophers is projected to finish third in the conference, according to the Big Ten Hockey Coaches Preseason Poll.
Departing players from last season: D Ryan Chesley, C Aaron Huglen, D Mike Koster, F Connor Kurth, F Nick Michel, F Oliver Moore, F Mason Nevers, D Sam Rinzel, F Jimmy Snuggerud, G Liam Souliere, F Matthew Wood
Incoming freshman: F Tate Pritchard, D Jacob Rombach, F LJ Mooney, D Finn McLaughlin, F Javon Moore, F Teddy Townsend, F Mason Moe
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Transfer portal additions: Luca Di Pasquo (Michigan State), D Tanner Ludtke (Omaha)
Players from Minnesota on the roster: D Jacob Rombach (Blaine), F Brody Lamb (Byron), F Javon Moore (Carver), F Brodie Ziemer (Chaska), F John Mittelstadt (Eden Prairie), D Luke Mittelstadt (Eden Prairie), F Teddy Townsend (Eden Prairie), F Mason Moe (Eden Prairie), F Jimmy Clark (Edina), D Leo Gruba (Lake Elmo), F Tanner Ludkte (Lakeville), D Axel Begley (Mahtomedi), D Cal Thomas (Maple Grove), D John Whipple (Minnetonka), F Beckett Hendrickson (Minnetonka), F Graham Harris (Minnetonka), G Zach Wiese (Owatonna), F Tate Pritchard (Savage), F August Falloon (St. Cloud), D Max Rud (St. Cloud)
Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs
The Bulldogs finished last season with a 13-20-3 record. Their season ended in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference quarterfinals after being eliminated by Arizona State, leaving them short of an NCAA tournament appearance. Minnesota Duluth is unranked to start the season and is projected to finish sixth in the conference, according to the NCHC Preseason Media Poll.
Departing players from last season: F Luke Bast, F Kyle Bettens, D Aiden Dubinsky, D Will Francis, D Owen Gallatin, F Dominic James, G Klayton Knapp, F Carter Loney, F Anthony Menghini, F Joe Molenaar, F Matthew Perkins, G Zach Sandy, F Jack Smith
Incoming freshman: D Jake Toll, F Hunter Anderson, F Daniel Shlaine, G Cole Sheffield, D Grayden Siepmann
Transfer portal additions: F Scout Truman (UMass Lowell), F Kyler Kovich (Cornell), G Ethan Dahlmeir (Miami)
Players from Minnesota on the roster: D Adam Kleber (Chaska), D Ty Hanson (Hermantown), D Aaron Pionk (Hermantown), F Max Plante (Hermantown), D Joey Pierce (Hermantown), F Zam Plante (Hermantown), G Ethan Dahlmeir (Lakeville), F Harper Bentz (Moorhead), D Jake Toll (Rosemount), F Jayson Shaugabay (Warroad)
Minnesota State Mavericks
The Mavericks finished last season with a 27-9-3 record. Their season came to an end in the first round of the NCAA tournament, falling 3-2 in double overtime to Western Michigan. Western Michigan went on to win the national championship. Minnesota State starts the season ranked 18th overall in the national polls. The Mavericks are projected to finish second in the conference, according to a CCHA Preseason Coaches Poll.
Departing players from last season: D Luke Ashton, D Steven Bellini, F Kaden Bohlsen, F Brian Carrabes, F Adam Eisele, F Josh Groll, F Tyler Haskins, F Will Hillman, F Zach Krajnik, G Andrew Miller, F Brett Moravec, F Kade Nielsen, F Brenden Olson, F Rhett Pitlick, D Jordan Power, G Eli Pulver, F Sam Rice, F Luc Wilson
Incoming freshman: D Rylan Bonkowski, D Easton Hewson, D Liam Hupka, F Mason LeBel, F Reid Morich, F Jordan Ronn, D Bryce Strand
Transfer portal additions: F Alex Zetterberg (Boston University), F Tristan Lemyre (Western Michigan), G Max Beckford (Bentley), F Sawyer Scholl (Wisconsin), F Ean Somoza (Western Michigan), D Jacob Conrad (Lake Superior), F Felikss Gavars (St. Lawrence), F Jack Smith (Minnesota Duluth), F Liam Watkins (Omaha), F Charlie Lurie (Omaha)
Players from Minnesota on the roster: D Campbell Cichosz (Albert Lea), F Jakob Stender (Alexandria), G Matthew Syverson (Apple Valley), F Jordan Ronn (Champlin), D Liam Hupka (Minneapolis), F Charlie Lurie (Minnetonka), D Mason Wheeler (Rosemount), F Jack Smith (St. Cloud), D Evan Murr (Stillwater)
St. Cloud State Huskies
The Huskies finished last season with a record of 14-21-1. Their season ended in the first round of the NCHC quarterfinals after being eliminated by Western Michigan. St. Cloud State is unranked to start the season. The Huskies are projected to finish eighth in the NCHC Preseason Media Poll.
Departing players from last season: D Warren Clark, G Gavin Enright, D Karl Falk, D Josh Luedtke, F Nick Portz, G Isak Posch, D Colin Ralph, F Mason Salquist
Incoming freshman: G Yan Shostak, D Joe Belisle, D Tanner Henricks, F Noah Urness, F Aiden Welch, F Nolan Roed
Transfer portal additions: G Patriks Berzins (Maine), D Max Smolinski (RPI), D Finn Loftus (Massachusetts)
Players from Minnesota on the roster: F Gavyn Thoreson (Andover), F Barrett Hall (Apple Valley), D Finn Loftus (Blaine), F Austin Burnevik (Blaine), D Mason Reiners (Edina), D Joe Belisle (Hugo), F Noah Urness (Roseau), D Thor Byfuglien (Roseau), F Grant Ahcan (Savage), D Cooper Wylie (Stillwater), F Adam Ingram (West St. Paul), F Aiden Welch (White Bear Lake), F Nolan Roed (White Bear Lake)
St. Thomas Tommies
The Tommies finished last season with a record of 19-14-5. The Tommies season came to an end when they lost the Central Collegiate Hockey Association championship to Minnesota State and failed to grab an at-large bid for the NCAA tournament. St. Thomas starts the season ranked 19th overall in the national polls. The Tommies are projected to finish first in the conference, according to a CCHA Preseason Coaches Poll.
Departing players from last season: D Tobias Abrahamsson, F Ray Christy, D Grant Docter, F Ryder Donovan, D Ethan Elias, D Chase Foley, D Ethan Gauer, F Matthew Gleason, F Liam Malmquist, F J.D. Metz, F Nick Mikan, G Max Prazma, D Jake Ratzlaff, G Jake Sibell, F Alexander Tell, F Lucas Wahlin
Incoming freshman: D Bauer Berry, F Josh Giuliani, D Hayes Hundley, G Will Ingemann, F Colton Jamieson, F Attila Lippai, F Nathan Pilling, F Sam Ranallo, F Luke Schelter, F Lucas Van Vliet
Transfer portal additions: G Carsen Musser (Colorado College), Charlie Schoen (Arizona State), D Nick Williams (Michigan Tech), F Dylan Godbout (Ohio State), F Alex Gaffney (Harvard)
Players from Minnesota on the roster: F Charlie Schoen (Andover), D Mason Poolman (East Grand Forks), D Nick Williams (Edina), G Carsen Musser (Fairmont), F Jake Braccini (Hanover), D Carson Peters (Medina), G Will Ingemann (Plymouth), F Josh Guiliani (Plymouth), F Sam Ranallo (Rogers), D Chase Cheslock (Rogers), F Ryan O’Neill (Roseville), F Casy Laylin (St. Michael), Luc Laylin (St. Michael), F Lucas Wahlin (Woodbury), F Dylan Godbout (Woodbury)
Bemidji State Beavers
The Beavers finished last season with a disappointing 15-18-5 record. Their season ended in the CCHA semifinals, when they fell to Minnesota State, missing out on an NCAA tournament berth. Bemidji State is projected to finish sixth in the conference, according to a CCHA Preseason Coaches Poll.
Departing players from last season: D Rhys Chiddenton, D Tony Follmer, F Austin Jouppi, F Jackson Jutting, F Donte Lawson, G Mattias Sholl, F Jere Vaisanen
Incoming freshman: G Max Hildebrand, D Max Vig, D Ben Vigneault, F Oscar Karlsson, F Max Namestnikov
Transfer portal additions: F Vann Yuhas (Merrimack)
Players from Minnesota on the roster: D Mitch Wolfe (Andover), D Luke Roelofs (Mound), F Tory Lund (Sartell), F Adam Flammang (St. Michael),
