University of Minnesota Athletics
Around the Dasher: Justin Kloos
11/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
Nov. 18, 2015 
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) -- GopherSports.com checked in with Minnesota captain Justin Kloos for last weekend's "Around the Dasher" Q&A.
A junior forward from Lakeville, Minn., Kloos has come on strong for the Gophers as of late with all of his six points (three goals, three assists) coming in the last six games. Kloos was unable to find the net for the first six games of the year but now has a goal in three-straight games -- a new career best for the captain -- including a short-handed goal and a power-play goal last weekend against the Mavericks.
In 89 career games with the Gophers, Kloos has 70 points (32 goals, 38 assists) as the Maroon & Gold's active leading scorer.
GopherSports: You were named the captain of this team before the season started. How much does it mean to you to be recognized like that by the team and the coaching staff?
Justin Kloos: It's obviously a huge honor. I grew up as a huge fan of Gopher Hockey, and I have so much respect for this program - the tradition, the success, the national championships. I've wanted to be a part of this program since I was 10 years old. To be part of this team and to be a captain for the Gophers is one of the biggest honors I can imagine. I'm extremely, extremely grateful for this opportunity.
GS: How much did you learn from former captains like Kyle Rau and Nate Condon and how do you use that now that you are in their position?
JK: One thing I learned from both Kyle and Nate is that it's not always easy being a leader…especially when you are struggling individually or if the team is kind of struggling. Keeping a positive attitude is extremely important. Especially when you have so many young guys like we do. We need to keep a positive attitude and keep working every day of the season. I think that's the other lesson I learned from those two…their work ethic and determination were second to none. Seeing that really sets the tone for the team.
GS: Do you ever reach out to those guys for guidance or do they ever share their thoughts with you?
JK: I talk to Kyle quite a bit, and a lot of the captains from the last couple years have reached out with advice and well wishes. Rau has a lot of good advice, and he's a great example of how a captain at the University of Minnesota needs to carry himself on and off the ice. He's reached out a couple times, just saying "Remember to keep things simple…don't overthink things…just keep working hard and things will come." I really feel fortunate to have a couple of those guys that I looked up to in my first couple years here giving me advice even though they've moved on from the program.
GS: This year seems somewhat similar to your freshmen season with the Gophers in the sense that there are so many new players looking to fill open roles. Does it help that you guys have been through something like this before?
JK: Definitely. There are a lot of parallels between our freshman year and now our junior year - the real difference for us now is that our roles are reversed. Back then, we were like this year's freshmen with an opportunity to come in and grab some ice time right away…play a lot of big minutes every night in important roles. Now it's our job to make sure they don't put too much pressure on themselves. You're not going to make your college career in one game, and you aren't going to ruin it either.
GS: During the offseason, you took advantage of the University of Minnesota's study abroad program and visited Germany and Switzerland with Hudson Fasching and Brady Skjei. How did you enjoy that experience?
JK: It was a really fun experience and a great opportunity. Obviously, going with two of my best friends made it even better. It was nice to get away from the rink for a little while, and I'm pretty sure it was the first time any of us had gone overseas other than for hockey tournaments. It was a lot of fun to go over there and experience a new culture and, honestly, just get to be college kids for a couple weeks.
GS: Did you have a favorite part of the trip?
JK: We hiked up one of the smaller mountains in the Alps while we were there, and we found this nice little lake to hang out at. It was kind of a surreal moment for all of us to sit out on the water, surrounded by these incredible mountains and landscapes. It's something that I will remember for a long, long time.
A junior forward from Lakeville, Minn., Kloos has come on strong for the Gophers as of late with all of his six points (three goals, three assists) coming in the last six games. Kloos was unable to find the net for the first six games of the year but now has a goal in three-straight games -- a new career best for the captain -- including a short-handed goal and a power-play goal last weekend against the Mavericks.
In 89 career games with the Gophers, Kloos has 70 points (32 goals, 38 assists) as the Maroon & Gold's active leading scorer.
GopherSports: You were named the captain of this team before the season started. How much does it mean to you to be recognized like that by the team and the coaching staff?
Justin Kloos: It's obviously a huge honor. I grew up as a huge fan of Gopher Hockey, and I have so much respect for this program - the tradition, the success, the national championships. I've wanted to be a part of this program since I was 10 years old. To be part of this team and to be a captain for the Gophers is one of the biggest honors I can imagine. I'm extremely, extremely grateful for this opportunity.
GS: How much did you learn from former captains like Kyle Rau and Nate Condon and how do you use that now that you are in their position?
JK: One thing I learned from both Kyle and Nate is that it's not always easy being a leader…especially when you are struggling individually or if the team is kind of struggling. Keeping a positive attitude is extremely important. Especially when you have so many young guys like we do. We need to keep a positive attitude and keep working every day of the season. I think that's the other lesson I learned from those two…their work ethic and determination were second to none. Seeing that really sets the tone for the team.
GS: Do you ever reach out to those guys for guidance or do they ever share their thoughts with you?
JK: I talk to Kyle quite a bit, and a lot of the captains from the last couple years have reached out with advice and well wishes. Rau has a lot of good advice, and he's a great example of how a captain at the University of Minnesota needs to carry himself on and off the ice. He's reached out a couple times, just saying "Remember to keep things simple…don't overthink things…just keep working hard and things will come." I really feel fortunate to have a couple of those guys that I looked up to in my first couple years here giving me advice even though they've moved on from the program.
GS: This year seems somewhat similar to your freshmen season with the Gophers in the sense that there are so many new players looking to fill open roles. Does it help that you guys have been through something like this before?
JK: Definitely. There are a lot of parallels between our freshman year and now our junior year - the real difference for us now is that our roles are reversed. Back then, we were like this year's freshmen with an opportunity to come in and grab some ice time right away…play a lot of big minutes every night in important roles. Now it's our job to make sure they don't put too much pressure on themselves. You're not going to make your college career in one game, and you aren't going to ruin it either.
GS: During the offseason, you took advantage of the University of Minnesota's study abroad program and visited Germany and Switzerland with Hudson Fasching and Brady Skjei. How did you enjoy that experience?
JK: It was a really fun experience and a great opportunity. Obviously, going with two of my best friends made it even better. It was nice to get away from the rink for a little while, and I'm pretty sure it was the first time any of us had gone overseas other than for hockey tournaments. It was a lot of fun to go over there and experience a new culture and, honestly, just get to be college kids for a couple weeks.
GS: Did you have a favorite part of the trip?
JK: We hiked up one of the smaller mountains in the Alps while we were there, and we found this nice little lake to hang out at. It was kind of a surreal moment for all of us to sit out on the water, surrounded by these incredible mountains and landscapes. It's something that I will remember for a long, long time.
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