University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, November 8
Ann Arbor, MI
5:30 PM
University of Minnesota
at
Michigan
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Goaltender
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Goaltender
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Goalie
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Defense
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Forward
/ Men's Hockey
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Gophers, Wolverines to Meet in Ann Arbor
11/6/2019 11:18:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- After playing five of the last six games at 3M Arena at Mariucci, the Gophers hit the road for a two-game series this weekend for the first time since opening the season at Colorado College -- traveling to Michigan for a Big Ten showdown series at Yost Ice Arena. The conference rivals open things up on Friday, Nov. 8 5:30 p.m. CT (TV: Big Ten Network; Radio: 1130 KTLK-AM/103.5 FM; Stream: FOX Sports App) before closing out the series on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 4:00 p.m. CT (TV: Big Ten Network; Radio: 1130 KTLK-AM/103.5 FM; Stream: FOX Sports App).
Against the Wolverines/Mariucci-Renfrew Trophy
The University of Minnesota enters this weekend's series at Michigan with a 149-128-16 all-time record against the Wolverines but a 49-70-6 record on the road against Mel Pearson's squad. With a 4-1-1 overall record against Michigan in 2018-19, the Maroon & Gold went 2-1-1 against Michigan in the regular season last year to reclaim the Mariucci-Renfrew Trophy -- a traveling trophy between the two programs named for legendary coaches John Mariucci and Al Renfrew. Pride on Ice has claimed the Mariucci-Renfrew Trophy in eight of the last nine season series between the two squads. Junior forward Brannon McManus leads all active Gophers with eight points (five goals, three assists) in 10 career games against Michigan while junior defenseman Tyler Nanne has five points (one goal, four assists) in 10 career games against the Wolverines.
Last Time Out: Notre Dame Series
Last weekend marked the first week of Big Ten play for the conference with Notre Dame claiming four out of six points over the Gophers at 3M Arena at Mariucci. The weekend started on a high-note for the Maroon & Gold with Minnesota winning its first 3-on-3 overtime period after losing three-straight 3-on-3 competitions during the 2018-19 season (all four games were officially recorded as 2-2 overtime ties). The Irish got the last laugh on Saturday with a 5-3 win although freshman forward Jack Perbix recorded his first collegiate goal and freshman forward Jaxon Nelson recorded his first collegiate point with an assist in the loss.
LaFontaine Faces Off Against Former Squad
Junior goaltender Jack LaFontaine spent two seasons at Michigan to start his collegiate career, playing in 22 games for the Wolverines during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. LaFontaine then spent a season with the Penticton Vees in the BCHL, earning the league's Top Goaltender Award in 2018-19 and finishing as a finalist for the CJHL's Top Goaltender Award. LaFontaine has followed in the footsteps of Gopher Hockey alum and current Minnesota Wild prospect Mat Robson, who also transferred out of college hockey to find success with Penticton in the BCHL before joining the Gophers. Both goaltenders are natives of Mississauga, Ont.
Two High School Greats in One Class
Two Gopher Hockey freshmen forwards may have flown under the radar compared to Mr. Hockey Award winners, NHL prospects and state champions, but both Jaxon Nelson and Ben Meyers rank among the top-10 all-time scorers in Minnesota high school hockey history. Nelson currently ranks fifth in state history with 290 career points while playing for Luverne High School. and Meyers currently ranks eighth in state history with 278 career points while playing for Delano High School. Nelson also holds the state high school record with 78 goals during the 2015-16 season.
Nanne, Walker Tabbed Team Captains
Senior defenseman Tyler Nanne and sophomore forward Sammy Walker have been voted to serve as team captains for the Gophers for the 2019-20 season. The pair are the 171st and 172nd players in University of Minnesota history to wear letters, dating back to the first season of play in 1921-22 when Chet Bros led the Maroon & Gold. Nanne, the first third-generation player in Pride on Ice history, is also the second Gophers captain in his family following his grandfather -- All-American Lou Nanne -- in 1962-63.
Big Ten Preseason Information
The University of Minnesota has been predicted to finish fifth in the 2019-20 Big Ten Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll with the complete order as followed: Penn State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan and Michigan State. The Gophers, who have won four regular-season conference championships in the six-year history of the Big Ten, are the only program in the league to win multiple conference crowns. Additionally, Sammy Walker was named as a Preseason Second Team All-Big Ten selection by the conference coaches. Walker was named the 2019 Big Ten Freshman of the Year after leading all conference rookies with 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) last season.
Youthful Excitement
The Maroon & Gold will field a youthful roster for the 2019-20 season with 19 of the team's 27 players listed as either a freshman or sophomore. The Gophers will also bring in 12 newcomers to the locker room -- 11 freshmen and junior transfer Jack LaFontaine in net. Breaking things down, the 11 freshmen are comprised of two goaltenders (Justen Close, Jared Moe), three defensemen (Ryan Johnson, Jackson LaCombe, Matt Staudacher) and six forwards (Bryce Brodzinski, Ben Meyers, Jaxon Nelson, Jack Perbix, Jonny Sorenson, Noah Weber).
Statistically Speaking
According the College Hockey Inc., the University of Minnesota will field both the youngest team in college hockey (average age of 20 years, 240 days) and the biggest team in college hockey (average weight of 193.89 pounds) this season. The Maroon & Gold will also be the eighth tallest team in college hockey this year (average height of 6-00.67). All statistics are as of Oct. 1, 2019.
Follow the Golden Gophers on TV
The University of Minnesota once again boasts college hockey's best television broadcast schedule with 31 of 34 regular-season games available in the Minnesota/Twin Cities market (more games may be added at a later date). FOX Sports North leads the way in Gopher Hockey coverage with 19 games scheduled to be broadcast on the network while the Big Ten Network will currently air 10 Minnesota contests in 2019-20. FOX9+ will pick up the Gophers' road game at Minnesota Duluth while NBC Sports will broadcast the series opener at Notre Dame. Visit GopherSports.com to view the complete and up-to-date Gopher Hockey schedule.
Gopher Hockey Notes and News
Fourteen Gophers on the 2019-20 roster have been drafted by NHL teams including 2019 first rounder and incoming freshman defenseman Ryan Johnson (31st overall by Buffalo). Johnson, whose father Craig also played for the Gophers before an NHL career, is the 21 Gopher Hockey prospect selected in the first round...freshman forward Bryce Brodzinski was also drafted in 2019, part of an eventful offseason that included being named the 2018-19 All-USA Boys Athlete of the Year and the 2019 Mr. Hockey Award. The 35th Mr. Hockey Award recipient, Brodzinski is the 24th Gopher Hockey prospect to win the honor...the University of Minnesota Board of Regents has approved a renovation project for 3M Arena at Mariucci with over 11,000 square feet of team space impacted including a state-of-the-art weight room, a new 'M' Club alumni room and a remodeled office suite. The project is anticipated to begin in late 2019...sophomore forward Sampo Ranta recorded four goals and six points at the 2019 World Junior Summer Showcase, tying for the goal scoring lead and ranking second among all skaters in points scored...former Gopher Hockey assistant coach Jack Blatherwick will receive the NHL's Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the U.S. on Dec. 12 as part of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Celebration.
Against the Wolverines/Mariucci-Renfrew Trophy
The University of Minnesota enters this weekend's series at Michigan with a 149-128-16 all-time record against the Wolverines but a 49-70-6 record on the road against Mel Pearson's squad. With a 4-1-1 overall record against Michigan in 2018-19, the Maroon & Gold went 2-1-1 against Michigan in the regular season last year to reclaim the Mariucci-Renfrew Trophy -- a traveling trophy between the two programs named for legendary coaches John Mariucci and Al Renfrew. Pride on Ice has claimed the Mariucci-Renfrew Trophy in eight of the last nine season series between the two squads. Junior forward Brannon McManus leads all active Gophers with eight points (five goals, three assists) in 10 career games against Michigan while junior defenseman Tyler Nanne has five points (one goal, four assists) in 10 career games against the Wolverines.
Last Time Out: Notre Dame Series
Last weekend marked the first week of Big Ten play for the conference with Notre Dame claiming four out of six points over the Gophers at 3M Arena at Mariucci. The weekend started on a high-note for the Maroon & Gold with Minnesota winning its first 3-on-3 overtime period after losing three-straight 3-on-3 competitions during the 2018-19 season (all four games were officially recorded as 2-2 overtime ties). The Irish got the last laugh on Saturday with a 5-3 win although freshman forward Jack Perbix recorded his first collegiate goal and freshman forward Jaxon Nelson recorded his first collegiate point with an assist in the loss.
LaFontaine Faces Off Against Former Squad
Junior goaltender Jack LaFontaine spent two seasons at Michigan to start his collegiate career, playing in 22 games for the Wolverines during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. LaFontaine then spent a season with the Penticton Vees in the BCHL, earning the league's Top Goaltender Award in 2018-19 and finishing as a finalist for the CJHL's Top Goaltender Award. LaFontaine has followed in the footsteps of Gopher Hockey alum and current Minnesota Wild prospect Mat Robson, who also transferred out of college hockey to find success with Penticton in the BCHL before joining the Gophers. Both goaltenders are natives of Mississauga, Ont.
Two High School Greats in One Class
Two Gopher Hockey freshmen forwards may have flown under the radar compared to Mr. Hockey Award winners, NHL prospects and state champions, but both Jaxon Nelson and Ben Meyers rank among the top-10 all-time scorers in Minnesota high school hockey history. Nelson currently ranks fifth in state history with 290 career points while playing for Luverne High School. and Meyers currently ranks eighth in state history with 278 career points while playing for Delano High School. Nelson also holds the state high school record with 78 goals during the 2015-16 season.
Nanne, Walker Tabbed Team Captains
Senior defenseman Tyler Nanne and sophomore forward Sammy Walker have been voted to serve as team captains for the Gophers for the 2019-20 season. The pair are the 171st and 172nd players in University of Minnesota history to wear letters, dating back to the first season of play in 1921-22 when Chet Bros led the Maroon & Gold. Nanne, the first third-generation player in Pride on Ice history, is also the second Gophers captain in his family following his grandfather -- All-American Lou Nanne -- in 1962-63.
Big Ten Preseason Information
The University of Minnesota has been predicted to finish fifth in the 2019-20 Big Ten Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll with the complete order as followed: Penn State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Minnesota, Michigan and Michigan State. The Gophers, who have won four regular-season conference championships in the six-year history of the Big Ten, are the only program in the league to win multiple conference crowns. Additionally, Sammy Walker was named as a Preseason Second Team All-Big Ten selection by the conference coaches. Walker was named the 2019 Big Ten Freshman of the Year after leading all conference rookies with 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) last season.
Youthful Excitement
The Maroon & Gold will field a youthful roster for the 2019-20 season with 19 of the team's 27 players listed as either a freshman or sophomore. The Gophers will also bring in 12 newcomers to the locker room -- 11 freshmen and junior transfer Jack LaFontaine in net. Breaking things down, the 11 freshmen are comprised of two goaltenders (Justen Close, Jared Moe), three defensemen (Ryan Johnson, Jackson LaCombe, Matt Staudacher) and six forwards (Bryce Brodzinski, Ben Meyers, Jaxon Nelson, Jack Perbix, Jonny Sorenson, Noah Weber).
Statistically Speaking
According the College Hockey Inc., the University of Minnesota will field both the youngest team in college hockey (average age of 20 years, 240 days) and the biggest team in college hockey (average weight of 193.89 pounds) this season. The Maroon & Gold will also be the eighth tallest team in college hockey this year (average height of 6-00.67). All statistics are as of Oct. 1, 2019.
Follow the Golden Gophers on TV
The University of Minnesota once again boasts college hockey's best television broadcast schedule with 31 of 34 regular-season games available in the Minnesota/Twin Cities market (more games may be added at a later date). FOX Sports North leads the way in Gopher Hockey coverage with 19 games scheduled to be broadcast on the network while the Big Ten Network will currently air 10 Minnesota contests in 2019-20. FOX9+ will pick up the Gophers' road game at Minnesota Duluth while NBC Sports will broadcast the series opener at Notre Dame. Visit GopherSports.com to view the complete and up-to-date Gopher Hockey schedule.
Gopher Hockey Notes and News
Fourteen Gophers on the 2019-20 roster have been drafted by NHL teams including 2019 first rounder and incoming freshman defenseman Ryan Johnson (31st overall by Buffalo). Johnson, whose father Craig also played for the Gophers before an NHL career, is the 21 Gopher Hockey prospect selected in the first round...freshman forward Bryce Brodzinski was also drafted in 2019, part of an eventful offseason that included being named the 2018-19 All-USA Boys Athlete of the Year and the 2019 Mr. Hockey Award. The 35th Mr. Hockey Award recipient, Brodzinski is the 24th Gopher Hockey prospect to win the honor...the University of Minnesota Board of Regents has approved a renovation project for 3M Arena at Mariucci with over 11,000 square feet of team space impacted including a state-of-the-art weight room, a new 'M' Club alumni room and a remodeled office suite. The project is anticipated to begin in late 2019...sophomore forward Sampo Ranta recorded four goals and six points at the 2019 World Junior Summer Showcase, tying for the goal scoring lead and ranking second among all skaters in points scored...former Gopher Hockey assistant coach Jack Blatherwick will receive the NHL's Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the U.S. on Dec. 12 as part of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Celebration.
Follow Men's Hockey
Men's Hockey Tickets
Experience the excitement and tradition connecting generations of Gopher fans! Create memories for a lifetime with your friends and family while you root for your Golden Gophers. Get Tickets
Support Men's Hockey
Support the University of Minnesota Men's Hockey program. Your support helps our student-athletes succeed athletically, academically, and socially. It takes just seconds to make a monthly or one-time donation. Thank you for your support! Give Now
2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule
Monday, August 11
Herb Brooks Statue
Wednesday, August 06
Meet the Newcomers: Teddy Townsend
Friday, July 18
Meet The Newcomers: Jacob Rombach
Friday, July 11