University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Announce Roster Personnel Changes
12/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) – Gopher Hockey head coach Don Lucia has announced the following roster personnel changes as the Maroon & Gold prepare for the second half of the season.
Minnesota has added defenseman Clayton Phillips to the 2017-18 roster while defenseman Nate Knoepke has decided to return to the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the second semester.
“Adding Clayton to our roster bolsters our depth on the blue line. He’s a dynamic player, and we are excited to welcome him to the Gopher Hockey program,” Lucia said. “At the same time, Nate expressed a desire for more playing time, which we certainly understand. He’ll have that opportunity with Sioux City, and the plan for him is to return to our program in the future.”
A native of Edina, Minn., Phillips joins the Gophers after spending parts of the last three seasons in the USHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks and the Fargo Force. The defenseman was named to the 2017 USHL All-Rookie Team with Fargo last year before being traded to Muskegon earlier this season. Phillips also spent two seasons at Edina High School and most recently helped the U.S. Junior Select Team to a silver medal at the 2017 World Junior A Challenge. He previously earned gold medals at the 2016 World Junior A Challenge and the 2015 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament as well as a silver medal at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.
A third round pick (93rd overall) by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Phillips will wear No. 6 for the Maroon & Gold.
A native of Farmington, Minn., Knoepke skated in two games as a freshman defenseman for the Gophers this season. He will continue his development with the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL and is eligible to rejoin the Gophers in the future.
Additionally, sophomore forward Luke Notermann has been cleared to return for the second half of the season.
Single-game tickets, season tickets and flexible Pick-Your-Packs are currently available at GopherSports.com, by calling 1-800-U-Gopher or by stopping by the ticket office at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
