Thomas Vanek

Class:
Sophomore
Position:
F
Hometown:
Graz, Austria
High School:
O'Gorman HS
Prev School:
Sioux Falls (USHL)

• Drafted No. 5 overall in the first round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres
• Signed three-year, entry-level NHL contract with the Buffalo Sabres on September 7, 2004
• Made NHL debut October 5, 2005
• Inducted into IIHF Hall of Fame Class of 2026
• Second in Gophers history for single-season goals by a freshman (31 in 2002-03)
• Third in Gophers history for single-season points by a freshman (62 in 2002-03)
• 10th in Gophers history for career points per game (1.36)
• 43rd in Gophers history for career goals (57)

2003-04 | SOPHOMORE
Second Team All-American
All-WCHA Second Team
• Paced the Gophers with 51 points on 26 goals and 25 assists across 38 games played
• Guided the team to a WCHA Final Five title and an appearance in the second round of the NCAA Midwest Regional
• Finished the year with three game-winning goals and six power-play tallies
• Posted 34 points in 26 WCHA outings

2002-03 | FRESHMAN
WCHA Rookie of the Year
Minnesota's John Mariucci MVP
Minnesota's Frank Pond Rookie of the Year
Minnesota's Tom Mohr Playoff MVP
All-WCHA Second Team
WCHA All-Rookie Team
• Helped the Gophers win the second of back-to-back NCAA Championships and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Frozen Four played in Buffalo, N.Y.
• Led the team behind a breakout freshman campaign with 31 goals, 31 assists, and 62 points in 45 appearances
• Seven of his goals came on the power play, while five served as the game winner
• Had a team-leading 33 points in 28 games during WCHA play
• Scored the winning goal in both games at the NCAA Frozen Four against Michigan in overtime of the semifinals and versus New Hampshire in the title game
• Was the nation's highest scoring rookie, finishing one goal shy of John Mayasich's program record of 32 goals by a freshman
• Became the first freshman to lead the Gophers in scoring since 1969-70