Welcome to The U

The Gopher Hockey season is just one month away, and we have some people that need an introduction and a warm welcome to the program. They are entering a program with a lot of history and tradition, and I hope they fall in love with it as much as both past and current players, coaches, and fans have.

Leon Bristedt (No. 18) - Waxholm, Sweden

Leon Bristedt (@Leonbristedt) enters Minnesota as a freshman forward. He was the first Swedish player to commit to Minnesota, soon followed by Robin Höglund who will also be a freshman this year. For the past three seasons he has skated with Linköping, one of the top clubs in Sweden. Bristedt was not selected in the 2013 NHL Draft, but he was ranked 68th amongst European prospects in Central Scouting's final rankings. He was ranked 24th amongst European prospects in Central Scouting's final rankings prior to the 2014 NHL Draft.

Ryan Collins  (No. 6) - Bloomington, Minnesota

Ryan Collins (@Ryan_Collins_6) is a freshman defenseman from Bloomington, MN. For the last two seasons he has played for the U.S. National Development Team (USNTDP) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 2012 he helped Benilde-St. Margaret's to the Minnesota Class AA Title. Collins was the first Gopher to be taken in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was chosen 47th overall in the second round. Collins will join two other Blue Jackets prospects on the Gophers - Seth Ambroz (@Ambroz17) and Mikey Reilly (@mreilly93).

Jack Glover (No. 3) - Golden Valley, Minnesota

Jack Glover (@JackGlover8) from Golden Valley, MN will be a freshman defenseman for the Gophers as well. He has been Ryan Collins' teammate on both the Benilde-St. Margaret's state championship team and the U.S. National Development team. In 2012-2013, Glover's first year with the USNTDP, he was the leading goal scorer amongst the defensemen on the team. Glover was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2014 NHL Entry draft. He is just the third Gopher to be drafted by the Jets and the first since they relocated to Winnipeg.

Robin Höglund (No. 29) - MöIndal, Sweden

Robin Höglund (@Hoogi19) hails from MöIndal, Sweden. The incoming freshman will be a forward for Minnesota. Last season he played in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) with the Janesville Jets. Höglund committed just months after Bristedt did. Höglund said his goal when he came to the United States was to play college hockey at the highest level possible and he found it with the Gophers.

Steve Johnson (No. 4) - Excelsior, Minnesota

Steve Johnson (@Steviej5) a native of Excelsior, MN will be another freshman defenseman for the Gophers. Last season he skated with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Before playing in the USHL, Johnson played for the Aberdeen Wings in the (NAHL) where he scored 23 points - six goals, 17 assists. Johnson played high school hockey at Minnetonka where current Gopher Vinni Lettieri (@19Lettieri95) played and Gopher recruit Jack Ramsey (@Ramsey_16) played. Johnson was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

Nick Lehr (No. 34) - Roseville, Minnesota

Nick Lehr (@LehrBear) will join Adam Wilcox and Ryan Coyne (@rmcoyner) as a goalie for Minnesota. For the last three seasons he has played in the NAHL with the Austin Bruins. Last season he had a .932 save percentage and was a big reason why the Bruins had a winning season. Lehr replaces the graduated Michael Shibrowski (@shibby_01).

Mitch Rogge (No. 27) - Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Mitch Rogge makes the 15th forward on the Minnesota Gophers roster. Rogge played high school hockey for Eden Prairie and was a part of the 2009 state championship team with current Gopher Kyle Rau (@KyleRau). Rogge spent three years in the NAHL before going to Sacred Heart University last year. Rogge should help fill the gap that the former Number 27, Gabe Guertler (@gabeguerts8), left when he was granted his release over the summer.

Nick Seeler (No. 12) - Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Nick Seeler makes one more defensemen for Minnesota. According to NCAA transfer rules, he must sit out the 2014-2015 season. He will still have two years of eligibility remaining after he sits this season out. In high school, Seeler helped Eden Prairie win a pair of state championships in 2009 and 2011. He will join Rogge and Rau at Minnesota who he played with in high school. Seeler spent a year in the USHL and two seasons with the University of Nebraska - Omaha Mavericks. Seeler was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

The wait for the Gopher Hockey season is almost over. Here's to hoping that this year will bring as many memories as last year. With six seniors and eight new additions to the roster, it should be a great season in the making.