The Gophers were strong again last season, losing 6-3 the Boston University in the NCAA quarterfinals. Another NHLer-to-be, Snuggerud, was back in 2023-24; then, surprisingly, he returned again for this junior year rather than sign with St. Louis.
As this season approached, Motzko was declaring that “this group is special.” He went so far as to suggest the defense, led by sophomore Sam Rinzel, could compare with the crew from two years ago.
Faber, LaCombe and Johnson? Really, Bob?
“He’s optimistic about this team for good reason — their recruiting has been outstanding — but I don’t know if any college team is going to equal what the Gophers had with those defensemen,” Louie Nanne said. “I mean, Faber … he walked into the NHL and was very good immediately.”
Nanne wasn’t complaining; rather, more celebrating that Motzko could be feeling this good about his seventh version of Gophers.
Don Lucia left after the 2017-18 season and athletic director Mark Coyle recruited Nanne to join him in the search for a new coach.