It was just a few years ago, when the Gophers felt they had all the pieces. Brock Faber, Matthew Knies and Logan Cooley were among players who held off beginning their pro careers to make a run at a trophy. And they nearly pulled it off, losing to Quinnipiac in overtime in the 2023 title game. Huglen had seven goals and 10 assists in 38 games that season.
That team had top-shelf talent, as Wild fans see now with Faber. This edition of the Gophers is considered to be deeper. Jimmy Snuggerud was second in points for the national runners-up in 2023. Snuggerud, Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel are first-round draft picks. A fourth first-rounder, Matthew Wood, transferred in from Connecticut. The defense is just as stacked, led by Rinzel, an excellent offensive defenseman who is maturing physically.