Congratulations to the No. 2 ranked Minnesota Gophers who swept Michigan at home this past weekend. This was the first time they have swept Michigan since December 5/6, 1986. Gophers won 5-3 on Friday with goals from Justin Kloos (@jkloos15), Hudson Fasching (@Hfasching22), Taylor Cammarata (@Cammy12Scores), Seth Ambroz (@Ambroz17), and Gabe Guertler (@gabeguerts8). This was Guertler's first collegiate goal, very special for him.
Gabe Guertler (27)
They completed the sweep on Saturday with a 4-1 victory with goals from Sam Warning, Connor Reilly (@CReilly81), Nate Condon (@Condo16, who is now 37-59--96, four points away from 100 career points), and Hudson Fasching.
Adam Wilcox and Hudson Fasching earned B1G weekly honors as the Number One and Number Two Stars, respectively.
The Gophers are off this week, they return next weekend for their last home series of the season. They play Penn State on Friday February 28 at 8:00 PM and Saturday March 1 at 6:00 PM. You can catch Friday night's game on BTN and Saturday night's game on NBCSN. You can also listen to both games on 1500 ESPN.
Gopher Hockey is often associated with the tradition it holds in the state of Minnesota. Gopher Hockey has provided a family and a community for coaches, players, and fans alike. Everyone says the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree and that is certainly true for some current Gopher Hockey players and coaches.
Although Don Lucia played college hockey for the University of Notre Dame, he became head coach of the Minnesota Gophers during the 1999-2000 season. He has two daughters and two sons. One of his sons, Tony (@tLUCCI_12), played college hockey for the University of Minnesota, while Mario (@MLucia2293) plays for Lucia's alma mater, Notre Dame. While Tony was at Minnesota during the 2007-2010 seasons, he played in 160 games. His overall record was 34-48--82 and he captained the Gophers during the 2009-2010 season.
The Potulny Brothers
Assistant Coach, Grant Potulny (@potulny), was a former Gopher Hockey player before becoming a coach at the University. Grant played during the 2001-2004 seasons at Minnesota while his younger brother Ryan followed suit and played during the 2004-2006 seasons. Grant played in 146 games and was 68-48--116, and his brother Ryan played in 100 games and was was 68-50--118.
The Potulny Brothers
Assistant Coach, Grant Potulny (@potulny), was a former Gopher Hockey player before becoming a coach at the University. Grant played during the 2001-2004 seasons at Minnesota while his younger brother Ryan followed suit and played during the 2004-2006 seasons. Grant played in 146 games and was 68-48--116, and his brother Ryan played in 100 games and was was 68-50--118.
The Parenteau's
Senior defenseman Jake Parenteau (@jacobjames6) is related to two former Gophers. His father, Tom Parenteau, played for Minnesota during the 1982-1985 seasons. His uncle, Mike Anderson, played for the Gophers during the 1982-1986 seasons. Tom played in 95 games as a Gopher and was 12-41--53 during his time here. His uncle Mike played in 110 games as a Gopher and was 18-28--46. As a senior, Jake has played in 102 career games so far and is 4-15--19 during those games.
Senior defenseman Jake Parenteau (@jacobjames6) is related to two former Gophers. His father, Tom Parenteau, played for Minnesota during the 1982-1985 seasons. His uncle, Mike Anderson, played for the Gophers during the 1982-1986 seasons. Tom played in 95 games as a Gopher and was 12-41--53 during his time here. His uncle Mike played in 110 games as a Gopher and was 18-28--46. As a senior, Jake has played in 102 career games so far and is 4-15--19 during those games.
The Reilly Family
Not only do the three Reilly brothers play for the Gophers, but their father, Michael Reilly, also did. Michael Reilly played for the Gophers during the 1980-1981 seasons. He played in 36 games and was 9-12--21 during that time. His three sons now play for the Golden Gophers. Connor and Ryan (@rreilly08), the twins, attend the University of Minnesota alongside their younger brother Mikey (@mreilly93). Connor missed last season due to an injury, but has played in 26 games and is 5-5--10 so far in his collegiate career. Ryan has played in 13 games and is 1-1--2 in his career. Mikey has played in 67 games so far in his collegiate career and is 11-25--36. As described by all three of them, it's an amazing experience playing on the same team as their brothers, and it's great that they're able to share this experience together.
The Reilly Brothers
The Bischoff's
Freshman Jake Bischoff (@jakebischoff22) followed in the footsteps of his father, Grant. Grant Bischoff played for the University of Minnesota during the 1988-1991 seasons. During his time at the U, he played in 180 games and was 80-81--161. Jake, in his first year, has played in 24 games and is 3-4--7 thus far in his collegiate career.
Freshman Jake Bischoff (@jakebischoff22) followed in the footsteps of his father, Grant. Grant Bischoff played for the University of Minnesota during the 1988-1991 seasons. During his time at the U, he played in 180 games and was 80-81--161. Jake, in his first year, has played in 24 games and is 3-4--7 thus far in his collegiate career.
The Brodzinski's
Michael Brodzinski (@Mbrodzinski20), a freshman on the Gopher Hockey team, chose the University of Minnesota path. Mike, his dad, originally chose this path as well. Mike played for the Gophers during the 1984 season. He played in 1 game and had 1 assist during that game. He then transferred to St. Cloud State University, where Michael's brother, Jonny, currently attends college and plays hockey. Michael Brodzinski has played in 19 games and is 5-5--10 so far in his collegiate career.
Michael Brodzinski (@Mbrodzinski20), a freshman on the Gopher Hockey team, chose the University of Minnesota path. Mike, his dad, originally chose this path as well. Mike played for the Gophers during the 1984 season. He played in 1 game and had 1 assist during that game. He then transferred to St. Cloud State University, where Michael's brother, Jonny, currently attends college and plays hockey. Michael Brodzinski has played in 19 games and is 5-5--10 so far in his collegiate career.
Lettieri (And Nanne's)
Vinni Lettieri's father, Tino, is a former professional soccer player. Although Vinni (@19Lettieri95) played soccer and hockey growing up, he chose hockey as his focus before his junior year of high school. Lettieri is no stranger to the hockey world as his grandfather is the Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne (@lou_nanne). Lou Nanne played for the Gophers during the 1961-1963 seasons. He played in 81 games and was 22-52--74 with the Gophers. Nanne went on to compete in the 1968 Olympics. He also played, managed, and coached the NHL's Minnesota North Stars. Nanne's son and Lettieri's uncle, Marty, also played for the Gophers. Marty played for the Gophers during the 1986-1988 seasons. Marty was 9-12--21 during his time as a Gopher. Lettieri, a freshman on the team, has played in 26 games so far this season and is 1-5--6 in his collegiate career.
As kids grow up, they idolize their heroes. Oftentimes these heroes are someone in their family. Many of these players and coaches are at Minnesota continuing on their family name. The family ties that are currently present in the Gopher Hockey community alone is amazing. So many great players and coaches have been produced from this hockey family. The Minnesota Hockey culture has brought so many people together over the years between the coaches, players, and the fans. Whenever asked about Gopher Hockey, many people bring up the culture and atmosphere of the program. It's amazing to see how many families have experienced this and have kept the Gopher Hockey tradition alive.
Always remember,
Family > Everything
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