Knoepke, who appeared in 2 games for Minnesota during the first half of the season, is expected to join the Musketeers after the holiday break, per team release. No team held the 18 year-old's rights as he was not selected by any team in May's Phase 2 Draft.
Seen as Minnesota's highest-profile freshman defenseman for the 2017-18 season, Knoepke had been unable to crack the Gopher lineup his first semester. The team has utilized 7 defensemen at times this season, but it has been fellow freshman Sam Rossini who has gotten more opportunities.
Going to the USHL will give the 6'3", 196 lbs defenseman more playing time and a chance to showcase himself to draft teams. Passed over in the 2017 NHL Draft despite being seen as a 3rd-7th round pick, Knoepke was listed as a C ranked player by NHL Central Scouting this fall in their Players to Watch list for the 2018 NHL Draft.
Sioux City, currently last place in the USHL's Western Conference, already has another ex-collegian with junior experience in goaltender Matt Jurusik, formerly of Wisconsin.
Barring a move between semesters or adding Curtis Simonson (who was dropped from the roster after last season), the Gophers will have 7 defensemen for the rest of the season. Only 6 will be available for next weekend's series against Army. Sophomore Ryan Lindgren is currently, along with Casey Mittelstadt, participating with Team USA's quest to win a second straight World Juniors gold medal.
The Farmington, MN native spent two years prior to joining the Gophers with the US National Team Development Program. He verbally committed to Minnesota in May 2015.
Is the plan for him to return to Gophers next year, or leaving program for good?
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