Robbie Stucker commits to Minnesota

Defenseman Robbie Stucker verbally committed Christmas Day to Minnesota.

Proud and excited to announce my commitment to further my education and hockey career at The University of Minnesota! @GopherHockey #SKI-U-MAH〽️

— Robbie Stucker (@Rob_Stucks3) December 25, 2017

Stucker, a native of St. Paul and 1998 birth year, previously was committed to Colorado College.

The 19 year-old currently plays for the USHL Chicago Steel (whose associate coach Ben Gordon previously was Minnesota's Director of Operations), where he has 3 goals and 12 points in 21 games. That total is tied with several players, including new Minnesota freshman Clayton Phillips, for the seventh-most points by a USHL defenseman. Prior to this season, Stucker played high school hockey at St. Thomas Academy.

With Phillips coming in this semester and Nate Knoepke departing for the USHL to get more playing time, the Gophers had an opening for 2018-19 with no defensive commits. Stucker, a right-handed shot listed at 6'3", 185 lbs, fills that role.

Stucker is a 2017 Columbus Blue Jackets 7th round pick. For more on his recent development, Alison Lukan interviewed Stucker earlier this month for The Athletic.

Recent Gopher men's hockey verbal commitments:
-Jared Moe - New Prague
-Joe Miller - Minneapolis
-Noah Tussey - Stillwater
-Nick Williams - Edina
-Rhett Pitlick - Chaska
-Jake Braccini - Buffalo
-Chaz and Cruz Lucius

Jared Moe commits to Minnesota

New Prauge, MN's Jared Moe verbally committed Wednesday (November 15, 2017) to Minnesota.

Proud and excited to announce my commitment to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way! #Gophers 〽️

— Jared Moe (@MoeJared) November 15, 2017

The 1999 born Moe, currently playing goaltender for Waterloo of the USHL where he's teammates with commits Sam Huff and Garrett Wait, fills a need in the Gopher pipeline. Prior to Wednesday, Minnesota did not have a goalie verbally committed for the future.

Listed at 6'3", 205 lbs, Moe is splitting time in net with Philadelphia Flyers draft pick and former UND goaltender Matej Tomek. When he plays, he has been one of the USHL's top goaltenders in the opening two months of the season. (One scout I spoke with called him a "top-three goalie in the league this season.") Moe is second in the league behind Tri-City's Filip Larsson in both save percentage (.946%) and GAA (1.44 goals per game). He has two shutouts for the Black Hawks in seven appearances.

Moe played high school hockey at Holy Family prior to Waterloo. He is expected on campus in fall 2019 once current starting goaltender Eric Schierhorn graduates.

Recent Gopher men's hockey verbal commitments:
-Joe Miller - Minneapolis
-Noah Tussey - Stillwater
-Nick Williams - Edina
-Rhett Pitlick - Chaska
-Jake Braccini - Buffalo
-Chaz and Cruz Lucius

Noah Tussey and Joe Miller commit to Minnesota

Author's note: This might be old news for some, but I wanted to give Tussey and Miller their moment nonetheless. Sorry for the lateness.

The Gophers picked up a pair of verbal commits Saturday (October 28, 2017) from 2002-born Minnesota forwards. Both Noah Tussey and Joe Miller made their announcements via Twitter.

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Honored to announce my commitment to play hockey at the University of Minnesota. Can’t wait to wear the maroon & gold! #Gophers 〽️

— Noah Tussey (@noah_tussey7) October 28, 2017

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Proud to announce my commitment to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota! Can't wait to represent my home state! 〽️ #gophs pic.twitter.com/KyeDwUcQhi

— Joe Miller (@Jhmiller10) October 28, 2017

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Tussey, a Stillwater native, is considered to be one of the top players in the state among his age group. He's a top-end skater with good hands and ability to score. He'll be going to Stillwater for high school.

Miller, not to be confused with this Joe Miller, hails from Minneapolis. He played club hockey for the Minnesota Blades (the youngest on the team) and will play high school hockey for Blake. He's another player skilled with the puck despite his 5'5", 120 lbs stature. Obviously players as young as Miller and Tussey can and will grow in size - as an example, Rem Pitlick was 5'3" when he committed to Minnesota.

Both players are expected on campus in 2021 at the earliest. They join defensemen Nick Williams and Jake Ratzlaff as 2002-born Gopher verbal commits.


Recent Gopher hockey verbal commitments:
-Nick Williams - Edina (men's)
-Rhett Pitlick - Chaska (men's)
-Jake Braccini - Buffalo (men's)
-Chaz and Cruz Lucius (men's)
-Aaron Huglen - Roseau (men's)

Nick Williams commits to Minnesota

The Gophers picked up its second verbal commitment in a week Tuesday (October 17, 2017) when Edina, MN native Nick Williams announced his intentions to play at Minnesota via Twitter.

Proud to announce my commitment to play hockey at the University of Minnesota! Thanks to everyone who has helped me get here! #Gophers〽️

— nick williams (@nick_williams65) October 18, 2017

Williams is a 2002-born defenseman who most recently played for the Edina 14U AA Bantams. He continues an Edina D pipeline to the Gophers. Other players to come from the program or slated to down the line include Ryan Zuhlsdorf, Tyler Nanne, Clayton Phillips, Jake Boltmann and Ben Brinkman.

He joins Rosemount's Jake Ratzlaff as 2002-born verbal commitments the Gophers have received.


Recent Gopher hockey verbal commitments:
-Rhett Pitlick - Chaska (men's)
-Jake Braccini - Buffalo (men's)
-Chaz and Cruz Lucius (men's)
-Aaron Huglen - Roseau (men's)
-Audrey Wethington - Blake (women's)
-Tella Jungels - Edina (women's)

Rhett Pitlick commits to Minnesota

Minnesota picked up a verbal commitment this week from Chaska, MN native Rhett Pitlick.

The HS sophomore forward did not, as is the custom, announce his decision on Twitter and thank everyone who helped him along the way. The Gopher Hockey Blog did confirm with sources that Pitlick committed, however. (Assistant coach Scott Bell also did his usual "hooked them" tweet and Chaska Boys Hockey tweeted out congratulations for the 2001-born Pitlick.)

Congratulations to sophomore Rhett Pitlick on his commitment to the University of Minnesota. Well done Rhett! #notwitter pic.twitter.com/nCIm8IPIxl

— Chaska Boys Hockey (@CHSboyshockey) October 13, 2017

A Gopher hockey legacy, Pitlick's parents were both athletes at the University of Minnesota. His father Lance played for Minnesota from 1986-1990 while Rhett's mother Lisa was a gymnast. His cousin Tyler played at Minnesota State before going on to an NHL career.

Older brother Rem, who was 5'3" when he committed before growing, is currently a sophomore forward with the Gophers.

Playing varsity at Chaska as a freshman (along with fellow Minnesota commit Mike Koster), Pitlick the younger scored 12 goals and 10 assists in 23 games.

Rhett was drafted 102nd overall by the Bloomington Thunder (now Central Illinois Flying Aces) in May's USHL Phase 1 Draft. Central Illinois also drafted Gopher commits Jake Braccini and Jake Boltmann.

The earliest he would likely be on campus is 2020.

Recent Gopher hockey verbal commitments:
-Jake Braccini - Buffalo (men's)
-Chaz and Cruz Lucius (men's)
-Aaron Huglen - Roseau (men's)
-Audrey Wethington - Blake (women's)
-Tella Jungels - Edina (women's)

Jake Braccini commits to Minnesota

Buffalo, MN native Jake Braccini has become the fourth person in a week to verbally commit to play men's hockey at Minnesota.

Proud to announce my commitment to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota. Thanks to everyone who's helped me get here #gophs 〽️

— Jake Braccini (@BracciniJake) September 5, 2017

The 2001-born forward had one of the top Bantam seasons among Minnesota players in his age group and attended the national Select 16 Camp in Amherst, NY this summer.

Listed at 5'11" 175 lbs, Braccini was the sixth overall pick in May's USHL Phase 1 Draft by the Bloomington Thunder (since re-named the Central Illinois Flying Aces). Adding Braccini means the Gophers have three verbal commits among the top 10 picks.

From Chris Dilks of SB Nation College Hockey:

Jacob Braccini-Buffalo HS-Braccini is a strong, athletic skater, with explosive quickness. If his hockey sense can match his physical abilities, he could be a home run pick.

(Full disclosure: I've also been a writer for SB Nation College Hockey.)

Braccini is expected to spend his sophomore year playing high school hockey for Buffalo. While most 16 year-olds do not play full-time in the USHL, Central Illinois did keep Braccini on its affiliate list for next season. (For that matter, fellow Minnesota commit Jake Boltmann also has his rights held by Central Illinois.) He is among those listed participating in the Minnesota HS Elite League this fall.

Recent Minnesota hockey commits:

-Chaz and Cruz Lucius (men's)
-Aaron Huglen (men's)
-Audrey Wethington - Blake (women's)
-Tella Jungels - Edina (women's)
-Jake Ratzlaff (men's)

Chaz and Cruz Lucius verbally commit to Minnesota

Minnesota picked up a pair of verbal commitments Thursday (August 31, 2017) from Blaine, MN brothers Chaz and Cruz Lucius, The Gopher Hockey Blog can confirm.

Congratulations to Chaz and Cruz Lucius on committing to play DI hockey at the University of Minnesota! #GoGophers @GopherHockey pic.twitter.com/SMDuYKodAL

— Gentry Academy (@gentry_academy) August 31, 2017

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Landed two big ones today! Welcome to the #Gophers! #PrideOnIce pic.twitter.com/KAOiaYyBBo

— Scott Bell (@MNCoachBell) August 31, 2017

(Side note: I'm taking delight in the fact Scott Bell seems to be the first member of the Gopher hockey coaching staff to enjoy utilizing Twitter.)

A month after Jake Ratzlaff became the first 2002-born player to verbally commit to the Gophers, Don Lucia and company are moving past that barrier. Chaz is born in 2003. Cruz is even younger, born in 2004, while playing up on the 2003 Minnesota Blades. At 13, Cruz is the third-ever to commit to a men's D1 hockey program at that age.

By committing now, the two, both forwards who have been dominant at younger levels, become two of the youngest in Minnesota history. The Gophers had two players commit before turning 15 prior to the Lucius brothers.

Currently there is only one person throughout college hockey even born in 2003 with a men's hockey verbal commitment. Red Savage did so earlier this month after he joined his two older brothers in choosing Miami.

Aaron Huglen Commits To Minnesota

When it comes to Aarons from Roseau playing men's hockey at the University of Minnesota, Mr. Broten and Mr. Ness appear to have company.

Roseau, MN junior forward Aaron Huglen is the latest player to verbally commit to the Gophers. He announced his decision Tuesday (August 29, 2017).

pic.twitter.com/IcYqxS3Gnu

— Aaron Huglen (@aaronhuglen_8) August 29, 2017

Roseau, home to Neal, Paul and Aaron Broten, along with being a 2500 person town regularly capable through the decades of contending for a Class AA state title, has not been a Gopher hotbed of late despite history. Huglen would be the first men's player from there, or Northwest Minnesota for that matter, to play for the Gophers since Aaron Ness did in 2008-2011. His uncle, Mark Huglen, played one season at Minnesota (1981-1982) before transferring to North Dakota.

Listed at 5'9", Huglen finished his sophomore season sixth on the Rams in scoring with 24 points (8G-16A) in 25 games.

From Chris Dilks of SB Nation College Hockey in May 2017:

Aaron Huglen-Roseau HS-Huglen is almost impossible to stop when he’s bringing the puck down the wing 1-on-1. He’s got very good speed and elite ability to stickhandle through defensemen while at top speed. He’s still a bit raw, but has good upside if he can add more dimensions to his game.

(Full disclosure: I've been a writer for SB Nation College Hockey).

The 2001-born Huglen was drafted in the 3rd round (43rd overall) of the 2017 USHL Phase 1 Draft by the Fargo Force. He becomes the fifth Gopher commit in his age group among the top 100 picks.

Huglen would be eligible to play for Minnesota in 2019-2020 at the earliest.

Jake Ratzlaff commits to Minnesota

Minnesota has received its first verbal commitment from a player born in 2002. Rosemount, MN defenseman Jake Ratzlaff announced his decision Thursday (July 20, 2017) that he intends to play hockey for the Gophers.

Honored & excited to announce my commitment to play hockey at the University of Minnesota!! Thanks to everyone that helped me! #gogophers 〽️

— Jake Ratzlaff (@ratzlaff_15) July 20, 2017

Ratzlaff, who shoots right, is also the first verbal since Scott Bell was hired as Minnesota's assistant coach in June. He spent this week among the best in his age group participating in USA Hockey's Boys Select 15 Camp.

A physically developed player for his age, he would be eligible to arrive on campus in fall 2020 at the earliest.

Ratzlaff joins others making a verbal commitment prior to suiting up in a high school hockey game. While being a move that becomes more and more frequent as the recruiting game gets younger and younger, the Gophers technically held off compared to recent years. Normally the team's first in an age group ends up coming earlier in the spring than after Model and Select Camps.

Recent first verbal commitments to Minnesota by birth year:
2002: Jake Ratzlaff (7/20/17)
2001: Kaden Bohlsen (4/18/16)
2000: Jaxon Nelson (4/16/15)
1999: Brannon McManus (4/27/14)

Cullen Munson commits to Minnesota

Janesville Jets (NAHL) forward and Edina, MN native Cullen Munson verbally committed to Minnesota. Munson announced his decision via Twitter and The Gopher Hockey Blog confirmed.

Excited to announce my commitment to play hockey at the University Of Minnesota! Thank you to everyone for supporting me. @GopherHockey

— Cullen Munson (@cullen_munson) May 31, 2017

Munson had previously verbally committed to Army in 2014. The 21 year-old used up his junior eligibility this past season, meaning he will be playing for the Gophers in 2017-18.

“It’s a dream come true for a kid from Minnesota,” Munson told the Jets' website. “It’s amazing.”

High school teammates at Edina (MN-HS) with current Gophers Ryan Zuhlsdorf and Tyler Nanne, where they won a Class AA state championship, he spent the past three seasons in Janesville. Munson finished 2016-17 tied for second in points with 55 (20G-35A) in 56 games and third on the Jets in goals. Janesville won the NAHL's Midwest Division regular season title. The team continued its run in the postseason, advancing to the four-team Robertson Cup championship.

Listed at 5'11", 190 lbs, Munson is a speedy, two-way player. He comes to Minnesota next season filling a hole as the team's 15th forward. It allows Sam Huff to not be rushed to college, like Luke Notermann was in 2016-17 coming directly out of high school, and develop with time in juniors.

Huff is just finishing his senior year of high school and could use a year in the USHL with Waterloo, the team which drafted him in the USHL Phase 2 Draft's opening round rather than struggle for playing time.

Another option for that spot would be another onetime Edina forward, and Munson high school teammate, Garrett Wait, who signed a letter of intent to play at Minnesota in November 2015. The expectation is that Wait also spends another year in the USHL with Waterloo, however. Wait can do so since as a 1998-born he has junior eligibility remaining.

With Munson coming in, and if Wait and Huff go to juniors, Minnesota's 2017-18 freshman class consists of four forwards - Munson, Brannon McManus, Casey Mittelstadt and Scott Reedy - to replace five graduating seniors. The Gophers had 16 forwards on the 2016-17 roster.

BLOG: Sam Huff commits to Minnesota

Gopher hockey picked up a verbal commitment Tuesday (March 21) from Maple Grove senior forward Sam Huff. The 1998-born Huff announced his decision via Twitter.

Excited to announce I've committed to play college hockey at the University of Minnesota! Thanks to all who've helped! #Gophers 〽️

— sam (@samhuff22) March 21, 2017

Huff, listed at 6'1", 180 lbs, finished the year with 69 points (23G-46A) in 28 games with the Crimson. Prior to that he had 15 points (8G-7A) in the Elite League. Huff will likely be on campus in 2018 or 2019 after some time in juniors to prepare for college.

BLOG: Gopher commit notes on Casey Mittelstadt, Mat Robson and Grace Zumwinkle

March is here and so are a number of awards for Minnesota commits.

Penticton (BCHL) goaltender and Minnesota commit Mat Robson was named the BCHL Player of the Week after stopping 79 of 81 shots over 3 games. Throughout February the 20 year-old Toronto native - he would the first Canadian to play for Minnesota since 2006 - went undefeated in 10 games, had a .962 save percentage and three shutouts (he has a league-best six on the season). His .930 save percentage and 1.94 GAA in 49 games this season is second in the league.

For more on Robson I wrote a feature for the St. Paul Pioneer Press on the goaltender back in December.