BLOG: Where does Sampo Ranta's season stack up among recent forward greats?

If you've been following me on Twitter (@gopherstate), you probably noticed how each time Minnesota junior forward Sampo Ranta scores I point out his consistency. Of the Gophers' 13 regular-season series, Ranta scored in 11. This week he has goals in both of Minnesota's Big Ten conference tournament OT wins, including the GWG against Michigan State. 

At this point, Minnesota has the luxury of going into a weekend believing Ranta, who has 18 goals in 28 games this season, will score at least one goal. It speaks to the Finn's growth and development to reach the point where he has a season-long consistency. Throughout his first two seasons, there were moments mixed with stretches where Ranta's goal-scoring disappeared.

Among men's hockey players appearing in at least 20 games, only Wisconsin's Cole Caufield (.93) and Army's Colin Bilek (.86) have higher goals per game played outputs this season than Ranta's .64 goals per game. Caufield's total is beyond impressive - in the last 20 years, the Badger sophomore is tied with former Gopher Ryan Potulny (2005-06) for the highest goals per game played in one season.

Note: I am using goals per game played because, 1) No team is playing a full season, and 2) Each team plays a different amount of games. 

But where does Ranta's season rank among Minnesota players and the Big Ten? Pretty high.

Using Potulny's benchmark season as a baseline for Minnesota players, only Ryan Stoa (24 goals in 36 games) in 2008-09 has higher goals per game played numbers than Ranta, whose season is the highest by a Gopher in the Big Ten era. 

Highest goals per game played (since 2006-07)

• Ryan Stoa (.66 in 2008-09)
• Sampo Ranta (.64 in 2020-21)
• Nick Bjugstad (.625 in 2011-12)
• Travis Boyd (.59 in 2014-15)
• Rem Pitlick (.55 in 2018-19)
• Leon Bristedt (.55 in 2015-16)
• Hudson Fasching (.54 in 2015-16)
• Tyler Sheehy (.526 in 2016-17)
• Kyle Rau (.512 in 2014-15)
• Vinni Lettieri (.5 in 2016-17)

As for the Big Ten? Since the Big Ten began sponsoring men's hockey in 2013-14, only four players have more goals per game played, including Caufield. Two were on the CCM Line.

Highest goals per game played among Big Ten players:

Cole Caufield, Wisconsin (.93 in 2020-21)

Kyle Connor, Michigan (.89 in 2015-16)

Tyler Motte, Michigan (.84 in 2015-16)

Nick Schilkey, Ohio State (.77 in 2016-17)

Sampo Ranta, Minnesota (.64 in 2020-21)

Luke Kunin, Wisconsin (.63 in 2016-17)

Tony Calderone, Michigan (.62 in 2017-18)

Ranta and Caufield face off for the Big Ten Conference Tournament championship tonight (Tuesday, March 16, 2021) at 8:00 pm ET/7:00 pm CT on BTN.

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