The 2023–24 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey season was the 103rd season of play for the program and 34th in the Big Ten. The Golden Gophers represented the University of Minnesota in the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, played their home games at 3M Arena at Mariucci and were coached by Bob Motzko in his 6th season.
| 2023–24 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey season | |
|---|---|
 | |
| NCAA Tournament, Regional Final | |
| Conference | 3rd Big Ten |
| Home ice | 3M Arena at Mariucci |
| Rankings | |
| USCHO | #7 |
| USA Today | #7 |
| Record | |
| Overall | 23–11–5 |
| Conference | 13–7–4 |
| Home | 14–6–1 |
| Road | 7–4–4 |
| Neutral | 2–1–0 |
| Coaches and captains | |
| Head coach | Bob Motzko |
| Assistant coaches | Steve Miller Ben Gordon Brennan Poderzay |
| Captain(s) |
|
| Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey seasons « 2022–23 2024–25 » | |
Season edit
While Minnesota had only lost a handful of players in the offseason, the top half of the defense had been completely removed. The Gophers were also having to contend with the loss of top prospect, Logan Cooley who had changed course during the offseason and signed professionally. The loss of so much offense was a hurdle the team had to overcome but the addition of two 1st-round draft picks was expected to offset some of the departures. The most stable part of the roster was in goal where Justen Close had returned for his fifth season and was expected to carry the water once more.
The Gophers got a scare in the first game, needing overtime to take down St. Thomas, but the defense soon righted itself and Close posted consecutive shutouts to get the team the #1 ranking early in the season. A scoring lull at the end of October resulted in three consecutive losses for Minnesota but afterwards the team recovered. From the beginning of November until the end of the season, Minnesota lost only one every four or five games and their consistency was remarkable. While the remade defense was nearly as good as it had been the year before, the offense took the biggest dip with the Gophers scoring 30 fewer goals. That, however, did not mean that the Gophers couldn't score, just that the team wasn't about to dominate the competition as much as they had in '23.
Minnesota's schedule was rife with ranked teams and that provided the team some leeway in their record. Even with 9 losses, the Gophers strength of schedule enabled the team to remain in the top-10 for most of the season. By the start of the postseason, Minnesota was 8th in the PairWise and guaranteed a spot in the NCAA tournament. Depending on their performance in the conference tournament, the team could receive anything from a 1st- to a 3rd-seed and they began their title chase against Penn State. The first game was a rather pedestrian affair that saw Minnesota's superior talent carry them to an easy win. The Nittany Lions fought back in the rematch and forced Close to perform under pressure by firing 48 shots on goal. The barrage resulted in a tie entering the third but, despite their best efforts, Penn State could not get a lead in the game. With just over a minute remaining in the game, Aaron Huglen tipped a Brody Lamb shot into the Penn State cage and the Gophers escaped with a win.[1]
The semifinal match against Michigan promised to be a barn-burner with two of the nation's #4 offense coming to town. Both teams had already punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament but that would not stop the old rivals from slugging it out with Minnesota looking for revenge against the team that robbed them of the past two Big Ten championships. Against all predictions, Michigan put up a solid defensive effort and for a team that allowed over 3 goals against per game, the Gophers were caught off-guard. Minnesota was unable to respond to the counterpunching style that Michigan was suddenly employing and they found themselves down by a pair entering the third period. It wasn't until Close was pulled for an extra attacker that the team managed to break through. Jimmy Snuggerud's 21st came with 90 seconds left on the clock but Minnesota was unable to get the equalizer and they were bounced out of the conference tournament.[2]
The Gophers ended tied for 6th in the PairWise and received a #2 seed for the tournament. They were sent to the West regional and faced Omaha in the first round. Though the Mavericks were technically the host team, both campuses weren't far away and the Gophers had plenty of fans in attendance. The raucous crowd watched a fairly even game with both teams starting slow before picking up the pace in the second period. Minnesota fell behind twice but Close prevented Omaha from pulling away. in the latter part of the game, Jaxon Nelson turned into the hero. He first tied the match on a one-timer from the slot and then scored the winning goal by deflecting a Bryce Brodzinski shot from the top of the crease. The final four minutes saw a furious comeback attempt from the Mavs but the Gopher defense collapsed around Close and they were able to eke out a 3–2 win.[3]
In the Regional Final, Minnesota faced Boston University, the #2 team in the nation who possessed the top prospect for the upcoming NHL Draft. Despite being the underdog, Nelson and Brodzinski again sparked the Gopher's offense and staked the team to a 2-goal lead in the first period. However, BU could not be denied and the lead was cut in half before the end of the period. The Terriers' offense took over in the middle frame, scoring twice in just over 4 minutes to take the lead. Huglen tied the game near the mid point but BU pulled ahead for a second time before intermission. Both teams attacked throughout the third but neither could find the goal. Minnesota was forced to pull Close in their pursuit of the tying goal but that only served to allow two empty-net goals from Boston University and Minnesota's season came to a close.[4]
Departures edit
| Player | Position | Nationality | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owen Bartoszkiewicz | Goaltender |  United States |
Returned to juniors (Youngstown Phantoms) |
| Logan Cooley | Forward | United States |
Signed professional contract (Arizona Coyotes) |
| Brock Faber | Defenseman | United States |
Signed professional contract (Minnesota Wild) |
| Ryan Johnson | Defenseman | United States |
Graduation (signed with Buffalo Sabres) |
| Matthew Knies | Forward | United States |
Signed professional contract (Toronto Maple Leafs) |
| Jackson LaCombe | Defenseman | United States |
Signed professional contract (Anaheim Ducks) |
| Colin Schmidt | Forward | United States |
Graduation (retired) |
| Matt Staudacher | Defenseman | United States |
Graduate transfer to Northeastern |
Recruiting edit
| Player | Position | Nationality | Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathan Airey | Goaltender |  Canada |
20 | Cochrane, AB |
| Axel Begley | Defenseman | United States |
19 | Mahtomedi, MN |
| Jimmy Clark | Forward | United States |
19 | Edina, MN; selected 213rd overall in 2023 |
| Nick Michel | Forward | United States |
24 | Waconia, MN; transfer from Saint John's |
| Oliver Moore | Forward | United States |
18 | Mounds View, MN; selected 19th overall in 2023 |
| Sam Rinzel | Defenseman | United States |
19 | Chanhassen, MN; selected 25th overall in 2022 |
| Max Rud | Defenseman | United States |
20 | St. Cloud, MN |
Roster edit
As of August 30, 2023.[5]
| No. | S/P/C | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
|
Justen Close | Graduate | G | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1998-05-20 | Kindersley, Saskatchewan | Kindersley (SJHL) | — |
| 4 | 
|
Mike Koster (C) | Senior | D | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2001-04-13 | Chaska, Minnesota | Tri-City (USHL) | TOR, 146th overall 2019 |
| 5 |
|
Sam Rinzel | Freshman | D | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2004-06-25 | Chanhassen, Minnesota | Waterloo (USHL) | CHI, 25th overall 2022 |
| 6 |
|
Cal Thomas | Sophomore | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2003-05-08 | Maple Grove, Minnesota | Chicago (USHL) | ARI, 171st overall 2021 |
| 7 |
|
Aaron Huglen | Junior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2001-03-06 | Roseau, Minnesota | Fargo (USHL) | BUF, 102nd overall 2019 |
| 9 |
|
Nick Michel | Graduate | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1999-03-16 | Waconia, Minnesota | Saint John's (MIAC) | — |
| 10 |
|
Connor Kurth | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 2003-07-30 | Lindstrom, Minnesota | Dubuque (USHL) | TBL, 190th overall 2022 |
| 11 |
|
Oliver Moore | Freshman | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2005-01-22 | Mounds View, Minnesota | NTDP (USHL) | CHI, 19th overall 2023 |
| 13 |
|
Garrett Pinoniemi | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2001-07-15 | Mound, Minnesota | Sioux Falls (USHL) | — |
| 15 |
|
Max Rud | Freshman | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2003-09-17 | St. Cloud, Minnesota | Sioux Falls (USHL) | — |
| 17 |
|
Brody Lamb | Sophomore | 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) | Senior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2001-04-03 | Edina, Minnesota | Des Moines (USHL) | — |
| 19 |
|
John Mittelstadt | Sophomore | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2001-10-27 | Eden Prairie, Minnesota | Green Bay (USHL) | — |
| 20 |
|
Luke Mittelstadt | Sophomore | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2003-01-22 | Eden Prairie, Minnesota | Madison (USHL) | MTL, 197th overall 2023 |
| 22 |
|
Bryce Brodzinski (C) | Graduate | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2000-08-09 | Blaine, Minnesota | Blaine (USHS–MN) | PHI, 196th overall 2019 |
| 23 |
|
Jimmy Clark | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2004-09-24 | Edina, Minnesota | Green Bay (USHL) | MIN, 213th overall 2023 |
| 24 |
|
Jaxon Nelson (C) | Graduate | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | 2000-03-30 | Magnolia, Minnesota | Omaha (USHL) | — |
| 26 |
|
Carl Fish | Senior | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 1999-11-09 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Bismarck (NAHL) | — |
| 27 |
|
Charlie Strobel | Sophomore | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2001-07-09 | Stillwater, Minnesota | Trail (BCHL) | — |
| 29 | 
|
Nathan Airey | Freshman | G | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2003-04-24 | Cochrane, Alberta | Cranbrook (BCHL) | — |
| 30 |
|
Zach Wiese | Sophomore | G | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 2002-01-02 | Owatonna, Minnesota | Rochester (NA3HL) | — |
| 33 |
|
Axel Begley | Freshman | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 2003-12-16 | Mahtomedi, Minnesota | Wisconsin (NAHL) | — |
| 71 |
|
Ryan Chesley | Sophomore | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 2004-02-27 | Mahtomedi, Minnesota | NTDP (USHL) | WSH, 37th overall 2022 |
| 77 |
|
Rhett Pitlick | Junior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 2001-02-07 | Plymouth, Minnesota | Tri-City (USHL) | MTL, 131st overall 2019 |
| 81 |
|
Jimmy Snuggerud | Sophomore | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2004-06-01 | Chaska, Minnesota | NTDP (USHL) | STL, 23rd overall 2022 |
Standings edit
| Conference record | Overall record | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | W | L | T | OTW | OTL | 3/SW | PTS | GF | GA | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | |||
| #5 Michigan State †* | 24 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 52 | 92 | 69 | 38 | 25 | 10 | 3 | 147 | 117 | ||
| #11 Wisconsin | 24 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 50 | 81 | 57 | 40 | 26 | 12 | 2 | 128 | 81 | ||
| #7 Minnesota | 24 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 80 | 65 | 39 | 23 | 11 | 5 | 135 | 100 | ||
| #4 Michigan | 24 | 11 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 85 | 77 | 41 | 23 | 15 | 3 | 169 | 125 | ||
| Notre Dame | 24 | 9 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 31 | 66 | 62 | 36 | 15 | 19 | 2 | 101 | 98 | ||
| Penn State | 24 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 27 | 62 | 92 | 36 | 15 | 18 | 3 | 113 | 130 | ||
| Ohio State | 24 | 4 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 50 | 94 | 38 | 14 | 20 | 4 | 100 | 124 | ||
| Championship: March 23, 2024 † indicates conference regular season champion * indicates conference tournament champion Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll; updated April 11, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||
Schedule and results edit
| Date | Time | Opponent# | Rank# | Site | TV | Decision | Result | Attendance | Record | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibition | |||||||||||
| October 8 | 6:00 pm | Bemidji State* | #3 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Exhibition) | BTN+ | Wiese | W 5–2 | 8,289 | |||
| Regular Season | |||||||||||
| October 13 | 7:30 pm | vs. St. Thomas* | #2 | Xcel Energy Center • Saint Paul, Minnesota | Fox 9 | Close | W 6–5 OT | 11,376 | 1–0–0 | ||
| October 14 | 6:00 pm | St. Thomas* | #2 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | Fox 9+, BTN+ | Close | W 3–0 | 9,862 | 2–0–0 | ||
| October 20 | 7:00 pm | at #5 North Dakota* | #1 | Ralph Engelstad Arena • Grand Forks, North Dakota (Rivalry) | Fox 9, Midco | Close | W 4–0 | 11,616 | 3–0–0 | ||
| October 21 | 6:00 pm | at #5 North Dakota* | #1 | Ralph Engelstad Arena • Grand Forks, North Dakota (Rivalry) | Fox 9+, Midco | Close | L 1–2 | 11,636 | 3–1–0 | ||
| October 26 | 8:00 pm | #14 Wisconsin | #1 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Rivalry) | BTN | Close | L 2–5 | 8,461 | 3–2–0 (0–1–0) | ||
| October 27 | 8:00 pm | #14 Wisconsin | #1 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Rivalry) | BTN | Close | L 2–3 | 10,363 | 3–3–0 (0–2–0) | ||
| November 3 | 7:00 pm | #14 Minnesota Duluth* | #6 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Rivalry) | Fox 9+, BTN+ | Close | W 5–1 | 10,739 | 4–3–0 | ||
| November 4 | 7:00 pm | #14 Minnesota Duluth* | #6 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Rivalry) | Fox 9+ | Close | T 3–3 OT | 7,345 | 4–3–1 | ||
| November 10 | 6:00 pm | at #8 Michigan | #6 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, Michigan (Rivalry) | BTN+ | Close | W 4–3 | 5,800 | 5–3–1 (1–2–0) | ||
| November 11 | 6:00 pm | at #8 Michigan | #6 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, Michigan (Rivalry) | BTN+ | Close | T 2–2 SOL | 5,800 | 5–3–2 (1–2–1) | ||
| November 17 | 7:00 pm | #17 Notre Dame | #6 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | Fox 9, BTN+ | Close | L 2–4 | 9,741 | 5–4–2 (1–3–1) | ||
| November 18 | 7:00 pm | #17 Notre Dame | #6 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | Fox 9+, BTN+ | Close | W 4–1 | 9,538 | 6–4–2 (2–3–1) | ||
| November 24 | 7:00 pm | #7 Michigan State | #8 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | Fox 9+, BTN+ | Close | T 3–3 SOL | 10,392 | 6–4–3 (2–3–2) | ||
| November 26 | 1:00 pm | #7 Michigan State | #8 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | BTN | Close | W 6–5 OT | 8,494 | 7–4–3 (3–3–2) | ||
| December 1 | 5:00 pm | at #18 Penn State | #7 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | BTN+ | Close | W 4–1 | 6,300 | 8–4–3 (4–3–2) | ||
| December 2 | 5:00 pm | at #18 Penn State | #7 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | BTN | Close | L 3–6 | 6,421 | 8–5–3 (4–4–2) | ||
| December 8 | 5:30 pm | at Ohio State | #10 | Value City Arena • Columbus, Ohio | BTN | Close | W 5–4 | 4,376 | 9–5–3 (5–4–2) | ||
| December 9 | 7:00 pm | at Ohio State | #10 | Value City Arena • Columbus, Ohio | BTN | Close | T 1–1 SOL | 4,140 | 9–5–4 (5–4–3) | ||
| January 1 | 2:00 pm | USNTDP* | #9 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Exhibition) | BTN+ | Airey | W 3–2 | 10,095 | |||
| January 7 | 5:00 pm | #20 Colorado College* | #10 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | Fox 9+, BTN+ | Close | L 4–6 | 9,490 | 9–6–4 | ||
| January 8 | 7:00 pm | #17 Colorado College* | #12 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | Fox 9+, BTN+ | Close | W 6–2 | 7,369 | 10–6–4 | ||
| January 12 | 7:00 pm | Robert Morris* | #12 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | Fox 9+, BTN+ | Airey | W 4–2 | 8,449 | 11–6–4 | ||
| January 13 | 5:00 pm | Robert Morris* | #12 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | Fox 9+, BTN+ | Close | W 4–1 | 9,475 | 12–6–4 | ||
| January 19 | 7:00 pm | Ohio State | #10 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | Fox 9, BTN+ | Close | W 5–2 | 10,037 | 13–6–4 (6–4–3) | ||
| January 20 | 7:00 pm | Ohio State | #10 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | BTN | Close | W 6–3 | 9,594 | 14–6–4 (7–4–3) | ||
| January 26 | 5:00 pm | at #8 Michigan State | #9 | Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan | BTN+ | Close | L 2–3 | 6,555 | 14–7–4 (7–5–3) | ||
| January 27 | 3:00 pm | at #8 Michigan State | #9 | Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan | BTN | Close | W 5–1 | 6,555 | 15–7–4 (8–5–3) | ||
| February 2 | 7:00 pm | at #4 Wisconsin | #9 | Kohl Center • Madison, Wisconsin (Rivalry) | BTN+ | Close | W 2–1 OT | 13,498 | 16–7–4 (9–5–3) | ||
| February 3 | 7:00 pm | at #4 Wisconsin | #9 | Kohl Center • Madison, Wisconsin (Rivalry) | BTN+ | Close | T 1–1 SOL | 15,359 | 16–7–5 (9–5–4) | ||
| February 9 | 6:00 pm | Penn State | #8 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | FS1 | Close | W 3–0 | 10,750 | 17–7–5 (10–5–4) | ||
| February 10 | 3:00 pm | Penn State | #8 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | BTN | Close | W 3–0 | 10,560 | 18–7–5 (11–5–4) | ||
| February 16 | 6:30 pm | Notre Dame | #8 | Compton Family Ice Arena • Notre Dame, Indiana | Peacock | Close | L 1–6 | 5,264 | 18–8–5 (11–6–4) | ||
| February 17 | 5:00 pm | Notre Dame | #8 | Compton Family Ice Arena • Notre Dame, Indiana | Peacock | Close | W 3–2 OT | 5,326 | 19–8–5 (12–6–4) | ||
| March 1 | 7:30 pm | #16 Michigan | #8 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Rivalry) | BTN | Close | W 6–2 | 9,854 | 20–8–5 (13–6–4) | ||
| March 2 | 7:30 pm | #16 Michigan | #8 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Rivalry) | BTN | Airey | L 5–6 OT | 10,564 | 20–9–5 (13–7–4) | ||
| Big Ten Tournament | |||||||||||
| March 8 | 6:00 pm | Penn State* | #8 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Quarterfinal Game 1) | FS2 | Close | W 5–1 | 4,296 | 21–9–5 | ||
| March 9 | 3:30 pm | Penn State* | #8 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Quarterfinal Game 2) | FS2 | Close | W 3–2 | 5,363 | 22–9–5 | ||
| March 16 | 8:00 pm | #11 Michigan* | #6 | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Semifinal) | BTN | Close | L 1–2 | 10,336 | 22–10–5 | ||
| NCAA Tournament | |||||||||||
| March 28 | 7:30 pm | vs. #11 Omaha* | #7 | Denny Sanford PREMIER Center • Sioux Falls, South Dakota (West Regional Semifinal) | ESPNU | Close | W 3–2 | 5,691 | 23–10–5 | ||
| March 28 | 5:30 pm | vs. #2 Boston University* | #7 | Denny Sanford PREMIER Center • Sioux Falls, South Dakota (West Regional Final) | ESPNU | Close | L 3–6 | 6,113 | 23–11–5 | ||
| *Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Central Time. Source:[6] | |||||||||||
Scoring statistics edit
| Name | Position | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhett Pitlick | LW | 39 | 19 | 17 | 36 | 14 |
| Bryce Brodzinski | RW | 39 | 14 | 22 | 36 | 18 |
| Jimmy Snuggerud | RW | 39 | 21 | 13 | 34 | 42 |
| Oliver Moore | C | 39 | 9 | 24 | 33 | 8 |
| Jaxon Nelson | C | 39 | 19 | 12 | 31 | 6 |
| Sam Rinzel | D | 39 | 2 | 26 | 28 | 20 |
| Brody Lamb | RW | 39 | 12 | 15 | 27 | 6 |
| Aaron Huglen | C/W | 37 | 13 | 8 | 21 | 21 |
| Connor Kurth | F | 37 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 14 |
| Luke Mittelstadt | D | 38 | 2 | 18 | 20 | 14 |
| Mason Nevers | C | 35 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 12 |
| Michael Koster | D | 33 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 4 |
| Jimmy Clark | C/LW | 39 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 4 |
| Cal Thomas | D | 38 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| Ryan Chesley | D | 39 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 19 |
| Justen Close | G | 38 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Charlie Strobel | C | 29 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 17 |
| Garrett Pinoniemi | C | 35 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Carl Fish | D | 38 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 15 |
| John Mittelstadt | F | 33 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Nathan Airey | G | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Axel Begley | D | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Max Rud | D | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 135 | 225 | 360 | 256 |
Goaltending statistics edit
| Name | Games | Minutes | Wins | Losses | Ties | Goals Against | Saves | Shut Outs | SV % | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justen Close | 38 | 2233:07 | 22 | 10 | 5 | 88 | 1052 | 4 | .923 | 2.36 |
| Nathan Airey | 3 | 129:54 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 45 | 0 | .865 | 3.23 |
| Empty Net | - | 11:12 | - | - | - | 5 | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 39 | 2374:13 | 23 | 11 | 5 | 100 | 1097 | 4 | .916 | 2.53 |
Rankings edit
| Poll | Week | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 (Final) | ||
| USCHO.com | 3 (10) | 2 (18) | 1 (33) | 1 (42) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 | – | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | – | 7 | |
| USA Today | 2 (6) | 1 (17) | 1 (23) | 1 (33) | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | – | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
Note: USCHO did not release a poll in weeks 11 or 25.[8]
Note: USA Today did not release a poll in week 12.
References edit
- ^ "Highlights: Gopher Men's Hockey Sweeps Penn State in Big Ten Quarterfinals". YouTube. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ "Minnesota vs Michigan - NCAA College Hockey - Highlights - March 16, 2024". YouTube. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ "Minnesota vs Omaha - NCAA College Hockey - Highlights - March 28, 2024". YouTube. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ "Boston University vs Minnesota - NCAA College Hockey - Highlights - March 30, 2024". YouTube. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ "2022–23 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". University of Minnesota Athletics. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- ^ "2023-24 Men's Hockey Schedule". Minnesota Golden Gophers. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
- ^ "Univ. of Minnesota 2023-2024 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
- ^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.