Nate Condon and Kyle Rau were named captains of the Gophers men's hockey program for the 2013-14 season, coach Don Lucia announced Monday.

"I'm excited for both Nate and Kyle to serve as captains this season," Lucia said. "They're both deserving of this honor, and they are both the kind of player you want in this role. They're good students, they're hard workers on and off the ice, and they are great representatives of our hockey program and the University of Minnesota."

Condon, a senior forward from Wausau, Wis., is Minnesota's most experienced player, having suited up for 118 games with 78 points and 31 goals in three seasons. Condon has played in 117 consecutive games, missing just one game in his college career. Picked in the seventh round of the 2008 NHL draft by the Avalanche, Condon posted career bests as a junior last season with 31 points, 12 goals and plus-15 rating.

Rau will start his junior season as the Gophers' top returning scorer after recording 40 points and 15 goals in 40 games last season. The Eden Prairie native scored seven game-winning goals (tied for most in the nation) as a sophomore, and Minnesota was 23-2-1 when Rau notched a point. In 80 career games, the forward has 83 points, 33 goals and 50 assists — all three statistics rank first among active Gophers. Rau was selected 91st overall in the 2011 NHL draft by the Florida Panthers.

Staff Reports