University of Minnesota Athletics
Rinkside: Brodzinski Thrives in New Role
11/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
By Brian Deutsch, GopherSports.com
Nine games into his junior campaign and Gopher Hockey's Michael Brodzinski finds himself in unfamiliar territory as one of Minnesota's leaders on the blue line and in the locker room.
It's a new role for the San Jose Sharks prospect, and one he's thrived in.
A native of Ham Lake, Minn., Brodzinski is tied with fellow junior Hudson Fasching for the team scoring lead with eight points (two goals, six assists) on the season -- a figure that also stands first among all Big Ten defensemen.
Understandable considering Brodzinski's expanding role and responsibilities in the Gophers lineup.
With Ben Marshall graduating and both Brady Skjei and Mike Reilly signing NHL contracts after last season, the doorway opened for Brodzinski -- along with fellow junior defensemen Jake Bischoff and Nick Seeler -- to earn more ice time for the Maroon & Gold including a chance for Brodzinski to step into Reilly's role on the Minnesota power play.
"It's absolutely something I wanted to do entering this year. Mike Reilly really set the bar high for our defensive group last year," Brodzinski, who has 35 points in 71 career games at Minnesota, said. "It's nice to have an opportunity to step into that kind of role and have an impact on both ends of the ice. The team's counting on me to produce, and it's great to have a chance to contribute like this."
And with No. 7 St. Cloud State coming to town this weekend, Brodzinski will have another unfamiliar experience -- facing off with the Huskies for the first time in his career without his brother, Jonny, in the SCSU lineup.
It'll be a different experience, Brodzinski, who was drafted seven picks ahead of his brother in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, noted. Just not one that will affect how he approaches the series.
"It doesn't lose anything in terms of importance for me personally. It's another big series for us, and we need to come out ready to battle," he said. "They're a tough team...always have been."
Gophers coach Don Lucia echoed Brodzinski's words when previewing the Huskies this week.
"It will be a good measuring stick," Lucia said. "St. Cloud will be the best team we've seen this year."
Bristedt Breaking Out
A year ago, Gophers forward Leon Bristedt was still adjusting to pretty much everything in his new surroundings.
A new country. A new school (including learning in a new language). Not to mention a new team with new systems, coaches and players he had never worked with before the day he arrived on campus.
Despite all the changes, Bristedt managed a more than satisfactory rookie season with the Gophers in 2014-15 -- leading the freshmen class with 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 35 games.
"It was a completely different situation from what I was used to. Everything was tough. Everything was new," Bristedt said. "It just took time...maybe a little longer than I thought it would, but I feel like I'm starting to get to where I know I can be as a player now."
Now in his second season with the Gophers, Bristedt's acclimation has shown on the ice as the sophomore forward has emerged as one of the team's top scoring threats.
Bristedt was held off the scoresheet in the Minnesota State finale on Nov. 14, snapping his career best five-game point streak and his four-game goal scoring streak -- also a career best.
Worth noting -- Bristedt's five goals during his four-game scoring streak equaled his season total from last year's freshman campaign.
Woog Honored by Wild
Gophers legend Doug Woog was honored by the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night ahead of the team's meeting with Vancouver at Xcel Energy Center.
The Minnesota All-American and later coach gave the "Let's Play Hockey" cheer along with his grandchildren.
The honor is the latest in a lengthy string for Woog. South St. Paul voted to rename Wakota Arena in his honor earlier this year. (Doug Woog Arena)
Thanksgiving Update
The Maroon & Gold will practice at Mariucci Arena on Thursday morning before many players celebrate Thanksgiving with loved ones.
However, not all team members have that opportunity -- chiefly the non-Minnesota Gophers.
Among them...Anchorage, Alaska native Eric Schierhorn will join Brent Gates Jr., whose family is coming into town for the weekend from Michigan, for a family meal.
Also noteworthy, Bristedt -- Minnesota's only international player -- will be joining Vinni Lettieri's family for the Thanksgiving festivities.
"His mom invited me to come, which was really nice of her," Bristedt said. "I'm looking forward to seeing an American-Italian Thanksgiving. I'm actually really excited."
