Gophers plan to hold off on NHL dreams

Minnesota men’s hockey will see sophomore Jordan Schroeder as well as four incoming freshmen be early picks in the National Hockey League Draft on June 26 and 27, in the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.
Schroeder is expected to be a sure first-round pick. Incoming freshmen Nick Leddy , Zach Budish , Josh Birkholz and Seth Hegelson are all expected to go in the second and third rounds.
Despite the high draft expectations this year, the athletes all plan to fulfill their original dreams of playing for the Gophers.
“Playing in Minnesota, wearing the ‘M,’ there is a lot of pride, and you kind of grow up dreaming to play there,” Schroeder said. “It’s a little bit of a dream of mine coming true, so I’m definitely honored to wear it.”
The incoming freshmen, all having grown up in Minnesota, shared this same mentality about playing for the Gophers. While they all mentioned wanting to play in the NHL one day, they are more focused on what it will be like to play for Minnesota next season.
“It’s going to be great to step on the ice and see all the fans and all the people that come and watch,” Hegelson said. “It’s all about the school, to play for my teammates, play for the Gophers.”
Head coach Don Lucia sees playing in the NHL as a longer-term goal for his younger athletes.
“These kids have potential, and they come to college to develop that potential,” Lucia said. “The hardest part is just keeping focused on where they’re at today and not where they’re going to be tomorrow.”
Hegelson said he plans to play hard for Minnesota, with thoughts of a professional career in background.
“Obviously I’m going to be working hard to get there, but my first priority will be Minnesota.”
Birkholz described playing in the NHL as an entirely different chapter of his life. He said he is trying to focus on playing his best hockey and enjoying his time at Minnesota.
Lucia said the athletes look forward to college hockey because of the pride involved in the program and the success they’ve had over the years.
“They want to be a part of that tradition. They want to add to the tradition and hopefully hang some banners,” Lucia said.
Having just finished his freshman year, Schroeder has already experienced much of the tradition that the incoming freshmen are looking forward to experiencing.
“Being at home in Minnesota and getting to know everyone was definitely a big part of my freshman year,” Schroeder said. “This year I want to come back and help the team have a better season.”
Lucia said every indication about Schroeder has him coming back to Minnesota to play his sophomore year.
“Jordan had an outstanding year, he’s very mature and he was ready to step in with his background,” Lucia said. “He was obviously ready to be a first-line player, and he’s certainly going to be one of our key guys this upcoming season.”
Assistant coach John Hill also said he expects Schroeder back, but expressed that it wasn’t a guarantee.
“We’ll know more next week when we know who has drafted him and if there was any conversation about signing a contract with them,” Hill said.
Hill described Schroeder as an elite hockey player in terms of his work ethic and said Schroeder gave them a true number one line, playing alongside Ryan Stoa and Jay Barriball .
“My plan is to come back next year, but you never know,” Schroeder said. “I have to wait and see who I get drafted by and what the team wants and I have to make a decision as well.”
Lucia and Hill agreed that it is uncertain how long players will stay with the program, so the coaches must take the draft into consideration when looking forward to the upcoming season.
“All we do is try to make sure that we’re aware down the road of how this might impact us,” Hill said. “It’s like juggling balls as to when kids are going to leave and sign.”
While some athletes have left the hockey program earlier than expected, Hill said it is still exciting to coach players off to their professional careers.
“We’re excited for the players because we know that it’s a big moment in their life and obviously for their sake you hope that they go,” Hill said.