The Minnesota Golden Gophers men’s ice hockey program has long been a cornerstone of collegiate hockey, renowned for developing players who excel at the professional level. With a legacy that includes five NCAA championships and over 40 Frozen Four tournament appearances, the Gophers have been a significant contributor to the NHL talent pool.
Here, we spotlight five of the most distinguished Minnesota Golden Gophers who have made significant impacts in the NHL:
1. Neal Broten
Neal Broten’s legacy is deeply intertwined with American hockey history. He was instrumental in leading the Gophers to the 1979 NCAA championship and even won the inaugural recipient of the Hobey Baker Award in 1981, honouring the nation’s top college hockey player. Transitioning to the NHL, Broten achieved a career-high 105 points during the 1985-86 season, marking the first time an American-born player surpassed the 100-point threshold in the NHL. Beyond the NHL, Broten was a pivotal member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic “Miracle on Ice” team, further cementing his place in hockey lore.
2. Phil Kessel
Phil Kessel’s tenure with the Golden Gophers was brief but impactful. Playing during the 2005-06 season, he showcased his offensive prowess by leading all NCAA freshmen in scoring (51 points), which led to his selection as the fifth overall pick by the Boston Bruins in the 2006 NHL Draft. In the NHL, Kessel became renowned for his natural goal-scoring ability. He achieved consecutive 30-goal seasons with both the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs and played a crucial role in securing back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
3. Blake Wheeler
Blake Wheeler’s journey with the Gophers spanned from 2005 to 2008, during which he developed into one of the nation’s top power forwards. His collegiate career was highlighted by scoring the overtime game-winning goal in the 2007 WCHA Final Five championship game, a moment etched in Minnesota hockey history. Selected fifth overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2004 NHL Draft, Wheeler’s NHL career flourished with the Atlanta Thrashers, who later became the Winnipeg Jets. As the Jets’ captain, Wheeler has consistently led by example, achieving a career-high 91 points in the 2017-18 season, including an NHL-best 68 assists.
4. Thomas Vanek
Hailing from Austria, Thomas Vanek made a significant impact during his time with the Golden Gophers from 2002 to 2004. His freshman year was particularly remarkable, as he led the team in goals (31), assists (31) and points (62) and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2003 NCAA Frozen Four, propelling Minnesota to a national championship. Vanek was selected fifth overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2003 NHL Draft, where he would become one of the league’s most consistent offensive threats, recording multiple 40-goal seasons with the Sabres.
5. Erik Johnson
Erik Johnson’s tenure with the Gophers was brief yet impactful. In Johnson’s sole 2006-07 season at Minnesota, he led all WCHA rookie defensemen with 4 goals and 24 points in just 41 games, earning him WCHA All-Rookie Team honours. His undeniable talent as a freshman ultimately led Johnson to get drafted first overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2006 NHL Draft, becoming the first Golden Gopher and Minnesota native to be taken first overall. Spending the majority of his career with the Colorado Avalanche, Johnson has been one of the league’s elite defensemen for over a decade and was instrumental in the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup win.
Future Golden Gophers Set to Play in the NHL
The Minnesota Golden Gophers have a storied tradition of developing players who make significant impacts in the NHL. As the 2024-25 season unfolds, here’s a look at some of the standout Golden Gophers players poised to make the leap to professional hockey:
Jimmy Snuggerud (Right Wing, #81)
If you were betting on which Gopher would be the safest wager to make an NHL impact, Jimmy Snuggerud would be near the top of the board. A former first-round pick (23rd overall) by the St. Louis Blues in the 2022 NHL Draft, Snuggerud’s combination of skill, hockey IQ, and finishing ability makes him a strong favourite to become a top-six forward in the near future.
Oliver Moore (Center, #11)
With elite speed and playmaking skills, Oliver Moore is the kind of player that sports betting sites would label a high-upside pick for the future. A first-round selection by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2023, Moore has quickly shown why he’s viewed as a top NCAA prospect. If you’re looking for a Calder Trophy futures bet down the line, Moore is a name worth tracking.
Matthew Wood (Left Wing/Center, #91)
At 6’4” and 205 pounds, Matthew Wood brings a physical presence that NHL scouts look for in an elite prospect. The Nashville Predators took him off the board early in the 2023 draft, and it’s easy to see why. While he’s still refining his game at the collegiate level, his size and instincts make him an intriguing prospect for any Predators fan wagering on the future of their franchise.
Sam Rinzel (Defenseman, #2)
Smooth-skating defensemen with size and skill are always a good bet in today’s NHL, and Sam Rinzel fits that mould perfectly. A 2022 Chicago Blackhawks draft pick, Rinzel has continued to elevate his game, showing strong two-way ability and impressive poise. Chicago fans hoping for a resurgence in the future might want to keep Rinzel in mind when sizing up their team’s odds.