Gophers at a glance
Coach: Bob Motzko, second year
2018-19 season: 18-16-4, 11-10-3 Big Ten, third place; missed NCAA tournament.
Key losses: F Rem Pitlick (21 goals, 24 assists, 45 points), F Tyler Sheehy (12-29-41), G Mat Robson (14-12-4, 2.78 GAA, .921 save %).
Key returnees: F Brannon McManus (14-12-26), F Sammy Walker (10-16-26), F Blake McLaughlin (5-15-20).
Key newcomers: D Ryan Johnson (first-round draft pick, Buffalo), D Jackson LaCombe (second-round draft pick, Anaheim), F Ben Meyers (33 G, 32 A at USHL Fargo), G's Jack LaFontaine (2.19 GAA, .923 save % at Penticton of BCHL) and Jared Moe (2.79 GAA, .907 save % at Waterloo of USHL).
Key dates
Sunday: Exhibition vs. Mount Royal (5 p.m.); Oct. 11-12: Season-opening series at Colorado College; Oct. 18-19: Home-opening series vs. Niagara; Oct. 25-26: Home-and-home series vs. NCAA champion Minnesota Duluth; Nov. 28-29: Home series vs. North Dakota; Dec. 28-29: Mariucci Classic with Gophers vs. Bemidji St. and Minnesota State Mankato vs. St. Cloud State first round.
