Gopher Hockey Recruiting

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Motzko only got the job in 2026 because it was his retirement tour.
 

Decided it would be fun for myself to keep track of what I think the lineup could be given the roster at the moment as players come and go. It’ll be interesting to see it evolve over the offseason. Currently I’d have it like this:

Ziemer - Humphreys - Mooney
Moore - Ludtke - Cullen
Hendrickson - Clark - Kvasnicka
Moe - Cullen - Pritchard
Extra: Pahlsson, Falloon, Harris, Townsend

Whipple - Gruba
Rombach - Harper
Phillips - McLaughlin
Extras: Rud, Begley

Forwards would probably look a little better than last year. Defense, wow it’s crazy that that is the core currently lol
 



Since the Gophers don't really get elite goalies, I wouldn't be surprised if a guy like this to-be 25 year old comes in to compete with Luca for a year. And I think he'd have a real chance at taking the job.
www.eliteprospects.com

Lassi Lehti - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Lassi Lehti, 2001-11-29 Espoo, FIN Finland. Most recently in the NCAA with Univ. of Alaska-Fairbanks. Complete player biography and stats.
www.eliteprospects.com www.eliteprospects.com
 


Apparently this guy is probably in. Bottom pairing maybe replacing Mclaughlin/Gruba.
www.eliteprospects.com

Axel Löfgren - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Axel Löfgren, 2005-06-22 Luleå, SWE Sweden. Most recently in the USHL with Fargo Force. Complete player biography and stats.
www.eliteprospects.com www.eliteprospects.com
 

bonin21 said:
Apparently this guy is probably in. Bottom pairing maybe replacing Mclaughlin/Gruba.
www.eliteprospects.com

Axel Löfgren - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Axel Löfgren, 2005-06-22 Luleå, SWE Sweden. Most recently in the USHL with Fargo Force. Complete player biography and stats.
www.eliteprospects.com www.eliteprospects.com
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Seems random, not sure if he’s any good or not but he’ll be a 21 year old freshmen, hopefully he fits in the bottom pair role nicely.
 


Good pickup in a trade for Grimes. And Huff for Phillips trade will be fine, too.

Huff: 9th in D points per game USHL
Lofgren: 12th in D points per game USHL

Grimes: 14th in D points per game USHL
Phillips: Just gets penalties
 



After everything I’ve seen and heard from people who watched Lofgren’s game closely this year, I’m starting to believe I’m underestimating the pickup. Sounds like he could be a monster who eats minutes after he gets his feet under him in college.
 

I really wonder if the non grads are able to enter the portal for the Gophers despite what we've been told. Feels like even with coaching change they are making them go in at the same time. The coaching change thing makes sense for changes after the window, of course.
 

bonin21 said:
I really wonder if the non grads are able to enter the portal for the Gophers despite what we've been told. Feels like even with coaching change they are making them go in at the same time. The coaching change thing makes sense for changes after the window, of course.
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They could be waiting for the one on one meeting with Larson this week since he mentioned he’s doing them this week, but who knows. I’ve heard there’s 5 more players confirmed leaving so far.
 

Also, I’ve heard there’s already 7 new players expected to transfer/flip here come Monday. Very interested to see who it is.
 



Monday is when the portal opens for everyone so ya, like I said
 

cheeseburgerphil26 said:
Also, I’ve heard there’s already 7 new players expected to transfer/flip here come Monday. Very interested to see who it is.
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Any sense if we are getting a net upgrade? Not overly worried as there are only a few guys I’d be upset about losing.
 

Gophers1992 said:
Any sense if we are getting a net upgrade? Not overly worried as there are only a few guys I’d be upset about losing.
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I was given vague details but I think it’ll just be someone who can somewhat challenge Di Pasquo, no one crazy. I think Di Pasquo can be really good with a d core that’s not abysmal.

Also don’t get the sense we’re losing anyone to get upset over, but probably will be one little surprise.
 

If your number one is Luca you have to have someone competing with him. Only if you have Augustine/Ivankovic/Gajan/Hrabal can you not care about your other goalies.

They need a solid goalie pickup. This late they won't get a superstar. There's one in the portal already that might be about as good as it gets.
 

cheeseburgerphil26 said:
I was given vague details but I think it’ll just be someone who can somewhat challenge Di Pasquo, no one crazy. I think Di Pasquo can be really good with a d core that’s not abysmal.

Also don’t get the sense we’re losing anyone to get upset over, but probably will be one little surprise.
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I should say a net upgrade in terms of the overall roster change not “in the net”.

I am terrible with words lol
 


Are you seriously asking if we will get a net upgrade from the worst team in 50 years and a coach that was checked out
 

bonin21 said:
Are you seriously asking if we will get a net upgrade from the worst team in 50 years and a coach that was checked out
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Fair enough I guess I just have no idea if any of the incoming guys are any good or what. Larson is somewhat of an unknown with regards to recruiting ability. But yeah I get it, would be pretty tough to get worse.
 

Gophers1992 said:
Fair enough I guess I just have no idea if any of the incoming guys are any good or what. Larson is somewhat of an unknown with regards to recruiting ability. But yeah I get it, would be pretty tough to get worse.
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Thing to note: Larson was supposedly the biggest recruiter on the staff for those UMD natty teams.
 

bonin21 said:
Wouldn't that be fun. Guessing the Gophers will get one of the "other guys", like
www.eliteprospects.com

Tarin Smith - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Tarin Smith, 2006-03-24 Porcupine Plain, SK, CAN Canada. Most recently in the WHL with Everett Silvertips. Complete player biography and stats.
www.eliteprospects.com www.eliteprospects.com
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Some things are predictable. Follows the Gophers now.
 

Smith (L -6'2") - Henricks (R - 6'4")
Whipple (L - 6'2") - Rombach (L - 6'6")
Lofgren (L - 6'4") - Huff (R - 6'2")
7th and 8th D

2026 or 2027 (this could round out your D for 2026)
Harper (R)
Laylin (R)

Cut ties:
Gruba
McLaughlin
Begley
Rud
Phillips
 
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bonin21 said:
Smith (L -6'2") - Henricks (R - 6'4")
Whipple (L - 6'2") - Rombach (L - 6'6")
Lofgren (L - 6'4") - Huff (R - 6'2")
7th and 8th D

2026 or 2027 (this could round out your D for 2026)
Harper (R)
Laylin (R)

Cut ties:
Gruba
McLaughlin
Begley
Rud
Phillips
Click to expand...
Any general scouting report on those potential incoming D? I admittedly know nothing about them.
 

Tony Liebert

@TonyLiebert
·
16h


BREAKING: 05-born defenseman Axel Lofgren has flipped his college commitment from UMass to Minnesota.6-foot-4, Sweden native has 33 points (10 G, 25A) in 56 games with the Fargo Force (USHL) this season.
 

Gophers1992 said:
Any general scouting report on those potential incoming D? I admittedly know nothing about them.
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Still just an evolving prediction at this point. Smith will be the best D instantly if they get him. Not one of the big four first rounders out of the WHL but that might mean they get two years out of him.

Above is not the 2023 Gopher D unit but it's a tournament D unit.
 

bonin21 said:
Still just an evolving prediction at this point. Smith will be the best D instantly if they get him. Not one of the big four first rounders out of the WHL but that might mean they get two years out of him.

Above is not the 2023 Gopher D unit but it's a tournament D unit.
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Didn't realize Smith is Dupont's D partner too....
 


bonin21 said:
Wouldn't get my hopes up it'll be a massive NIL bidding war.
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While I think that is most likely the case, I’d have to think some of the first overall pick guys won’t just look for the highest NIL package. They already know they’re gonna make all that money in the NHL right after, and they’ll still be treated like kings on campus anywhere they go. Also, I think the Gophers have more spending ability than Motzko made it look with his philosophy.

Things going for the Gophers in the DuPont sweepstakes: it’s clear we’re recruiting him (he’s following us), his d partner now follows us (and we’re the only college team he follows) who is very good in his own right, and his girlfriend is coming to play hockey at Mankato next year. The tradition, facilities, and the buddy/girlfriend factor could be enough to move the needle even if we pay him a little less than the others.
 

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