Recent content from Randy Johnson
U men's hockey is NCAA bound, but others have work to do
St. Cloud State's game against Denver on Friday is must-win for the Huskies, and the Beavers need to defeat Michigan Tech that night to punch their NCAA ticket.
Gophers men's hockey loses to Michigan, comes up short of Big Ten title game
With Saturday's tournament loss — the third year in a row to Michigan — the Gophers now must wait until March 24 to find out where they'll be playing in the NCAA tournament.
You again? Gophers and Michigan reignite rivalry for Big Ten hockey tourney
Two teams brimming with NHL draft picks meet for their fourth consecutive year in the conference tournament.
Gophers' Chesley fits the profile of a certain NHL defenseman
The Gophers men's hockey team had big shoes to fill on the blue line after last season, and Ryan Chelsey has been a difference maker.
Gophers pro day: A time for prospects, hopefuls and surprises
Nine Gophers and seven small-college players went under the NFL microscope on Thursday.
Gophers men's hockey will play Michigan at home in Big Ten semifinals
Wisconsin's loss to Ohio State means the Gophers get one more home game this season Saturday night.
Huglen's late goal gives U men's hockey a postseason sweep over Penn State
Despite being outshot 35-7 over the final two periods, the Gophers advanced thanks in part to a pair of close calls and a deciding tally with 68 seconds to play.
Gophers wrestlers take momentum into Big Ten championships
The Gophers' Isaiah Salazar is seeded first at 184 pounds, and Michael Blockhus is seeded second at 157.
U men's hockey finds right combination to beat Penn State
After coach Bob Motzko switched up line combinations, the Gophers responded quickly and pulled away for a 5-1 rout.
U regents approve Fleck's updated contract after extended discussion
The 10-2 vote came after regents had discussed the value of big-money college football and a coach making $6 million per year while students and academic staff members struggle financially.
Gophers men's hockey opens postseason vs. Penn State
A strong second half has the Gophers poised to take their first step toward honing their game for a deep playoff run.
Gophers hockey senior Nelson aims for bountiful postseason harvest
The fifth-year senior and farm kid from southwestern Minnesota is heating up at tournament time.
Bogosian content to stay put on Wild's blue line
The veteran defenseman, who just inked an extension, reignited his career since coming over from Tampa Bay.
UW-River Falls women's hockey 28-0 with roster full of Minnesotans
Randy Johnson's College Hockey Insider: The top-ranked Falcons face reigning Division III women's champ Gustavus in the quarterfinals.
Gophers men's hockey edged 6-5 by Michigan after rallying to force OT
Minnesota scored five goals in the third period after giving up three in the first, but Seamus Casey's power-play goal in OT clinched the win for the Wolverines.
Connecting athletes to NIL money. Gophers boosters making it happen.
The name, image and likeness era has reshaped college sports — and created opportunities for passionate fans to get involved in ways that previously would have violated NCAA rules.
Gophers hockey routs Michigan 6-2 to clinch third place
Jaxon Nelson and Oliver Moore competed for a hat trick, with Nelson pulling it off in the third period, and the power play woke up at last.
Fleck to get bonuses added to contract after UCLA's pursuit
Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck can collect an additional $5.7 million if he stays through the 2029 season, pending Board of Regents approval.
'Don't you want disruption?' Cash for recruits could be game-changer at U.
Things might get wild, but a recent court ruling currently means the NCAA can no longer ban players from being paid in the recruiting process. Some Gophers boosters think it could level the playing field.
Gophers vs. Michigan to feature NHL draft picks aplenty
The Gophers will need a balanced defensive effort to secure at least a split against a team that's 14th in the PairWise Ratings.
Mavericks have CCHA title chance in first season without Hastings
College Hockey Insider: Bemidji State is trying to snap the Mavericks' run of six consecutive conference regular-season crowns under former coach Mike Hastings. The Beavers have a four-point lead heading into the big showdown.
Pitlick gives Gophers' top line a big boost next to Moore, Snuggerud
The Gophers men's hockey team has relied on Rhett Pitlick's line this season, and he has delivered with a team-high 32 points.
Playoff push: They're all big games, but Wild's next two top the list
Even if the Wild are trying to temper the urgency of upcoming games, including Thursday vs. Nashville, there's no doubt how important they are to playing in the postseason.
Wild's Rossi finds success — and name on scoresheet — on a new line
The center has four goals in five games to bolster the Wild's forward depth and is tied with Connor Bedard for rookie goals.
As hockey postseason approaches, St. Cloud State is in an odd place
College hockey insider: The Huskies are chasing the NCHC regular-season title but aren't doing nearly as well in the national picture.
Gophers men's hockey tops Notre Dame with overtime victory
Just 1:18 into the extra session, Jimmy Snuggerud ended his eight-game goal-scoring drought.
Shaw's return to Wild after fourth ACL tear 'feels like Christmas morning'
The two-way forward excelled on the penalty kill before crashing into the boards last April.
Gophers women's hockey braces for second tussle with defending champs
Wisconsin averages 5.4 goals per game and boasts the nation's top two highest-scoring players.
Gophers men's hockey hopes to keep rolling at Notre Dame
Randy Johnson's breakdown: Minnesota is playing its best hockey of the season and will try to keep it up on the final road trip of the regular season.
With concussion healed, Gophers hockey veteran Nevers hits stride
"For a long stretch, that wasn't the Mason Nevers we knew," Gophers coach Bob Motzko said of Nevers' first weeks back from injury.
Fleck posts message reaffirming commitment to Gophers
The Gophers football coach, whose name was connected to the UCLA vacancy, wrote on X that he is ready "for an ELITE 2024 season."
Clean sweep: Close, Gophers shut out Penn State again
Justen Close made 30 saves to cap an error-free weekend and reach 13 shutouts for his career, tying the program record.
Gophers' Fleck listed as a potential candidate for UCLA job
Chip Kelly left UCLA to become Ohio State's offensive coordinator. National writers quickly speculated P.J. Fleck could be a UCLA candidate.
Board of Regents approves contract extension for Gophers AD Coyle
Mark Coyle will receive annual raise of $324,000 and will make an average of $1.4 million per year.
Wild's Guerin named GM of U.S. Olympic men's hockey team
Bill Guerin, the Wild's president of hockey operations, was in a similar role for 2022, but the NHL pulled its players out of the Olympics.
Gophers hockey's 'old man' is back in a zone again for stretch run
Coach Bob Motzko said goalie Justen Close's emergence two seasons ago "is the craziest story in my coaching career."
Gophers men's hockey aims to keep building momentum vs. Penn State
Minnesota is on a 7-2-1 roll and looks to build on it against the Nittany Lions, a potential Big Ten tournament opponent.
Resurgent North Dakota aims to end Frozen Four drought
College Hockey Insider: Fighting Hawks coach Brad Berry added key pieces through the transfer portal and has the team riding a 16-4-1 stretch.
Motzko fumes over 'two horrendous calls' that kept U from sweeping Badgers
The Gophers had one goal overturned on video replay after a Wisconsin challenge. A second goal — late in the third period — was waved off on the ice
Gophers to pay new defensive coordinator $850,000 per year
Fleck promoted two members of his coaching staff and the Board of Regents released pending salary figures for his new defensive coordinator.
Gophers AD Coyle set to receive raise to $1.4 million per year
The new contract, pending Board of Regents approval, has a two-year extension that will keep Gophers AD Mark Coyle under contract through 2030.
Gophers women seeks another sweep against St. Thomas
Randy Johnson's breakdown: Minnesota begins the final month of the regular season in third place in the WCHA and looks to move up.
Gophers men's hockey travels to Wisconsin for key series
Randy Johnson's breakdown: Border rivalry takes on added meaning as Minnesota tries to avenge early-season sweep.
U's Moore shows why Blackhawks made him a first-rounder
Mounds View's Oliver Moore has been flourishing of late on the Gophers' top line and is showing his resilience, too.
Only Year 3, but St. Thomas already vying for a men's hockey title
College Hockey Insider: The Tommies are tied for the CCHA lead with this week's opponent, Minnesota State Mankato. They meet in a home-and-home series starting Friday.
Gophers football recruits Arizona long snapper, Rocori tackle
Andrew Trout, a 6-6 sophomore out of Rocori, is the first of P.J. Fleck's 2026 recruits, while Alan Soukup, out of Phoenix, Arizona, is a decommit from Indiana.
Gophers women's hockey looks to extend dominance vs. MSU Mankato
Randy Johnson's breakdown: Minnesota State kept things close when the teams met in November, but is 1-5 in recent WCHA play.
Gophers men's hockey set to face surprising Big Ten leader
Randy Johnson's breakdown: If the Gophers can avoid slow starts, they can continue to chip away at the Spartans' Big Ten lead.
U men's hockey sweeps Ohio State for fifth straight win
The Gophers put six goals past the Buckeyes to finish off their first conference sweep this season and make up ground in the Big Ten standings.
Gophers resume Big Ten hockey schedule with 5-2 victory over Ohio State
Rhett Pitlick had a hat trick and an assist, and Connor Kurth and Jimmy Snuggerud also scored for the Gophers.
U women's hockey coach will miss series at Bemidji State
Gophers coach Brad Frost won't be on the bench this weekend due to a medical situation but is expected to return for the Jan. 26-27 series against Minnesota State Mankato.
Gophers men's hockey vs. Ohio State series preview: Stretch of Big Ten games key to tournament hopes
Randy Johnson's analysis: The Gophers return to Big Ten play sitting in fourth place in the conference and need to string wins together to bolster their position in the PairWise Ratings.
Rinzel making strides on Gophers blue line as freshman
Former Chaska High School standout defenseman Sam Rinzel is showing why the Chicago Blackhawks made him a first-round NHL draft choice.
Wild's Brodin makes an immediate impact in his return from injury
Jonas Brodin had a big role in the Wild's 5-0 win over the New York Islanders after missing 17 games because of a thumb injury.
Ohio State pounces again to complete lopsided sweep over U women's hockey
The top-ranked Buckeyes outscored the second-ranked Gophers 13-1 in a brutally one-sided weekend at Ridder Arena.
No margin for error: Gophers men need a sweep against Robert Morris
Randy Johnson's analysis: One loss to Robert Morris would put a serious dent in the Gophers' NCAA tournament hopes. They should get a sweep.
Rebuilt U women's hockey team gets another shot at No. 1 Ohio State
After graduating 11 players, new roster pieces came together for a strong first half that included a close series against the Buckeyes.
Steveson won't wrestle for Gophers this season
The WWE prefers that Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA champion Gable Steveson focus on his pro wrestling career, Gophers coach Brandon Eggum said.
After 60 years, Nanne prepares last call at boys hockey state tourney
Lou Nanne, Minnesota hockey patriarch and analyst for the broadcasts since 1964, said he'll make the next one his last.
Fleck, Gophers face even more big decisions this offseason
Bowl win re-established Darius Taylor as the go-to running back. Now Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck needs a defensive coordinator and a starting QB.
Ten key Gophers for 2024, including a new QB and one crucial hire
After a flurry of roster moves following the end of the regular season, the Gophers have more to do now that the bowl game is over.
Bowl winners: 5 takeaways from Gophers' showing vs. Bowling Green
Darius Taylor was the biggest star, but the Gophers had other key contributors, including Jah Joyner, in the Quick Lane Bowl victory.
Gophers play in bowl game without four defensive starters but see RB Darius Taylor's return
Darius Taylor, a true freshman and Michigan native who leads Minnesota in rushing, was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
Taylor runs for 208 yards as U beats Bowling Green in Quick Lane Bowl
The Gophers' Cole Kramer threw for only 26 yards to Bowling Green QB Connor Bazelak's 221, but Darius Taylor put on a show in his hometown of Detroit.
Upset again? RJ's Gophers-Bowling Green Quick Lane Bowl pick.
The Gophers have a four-game losing streak and need to patch holes at QB and defensive coordinator against a Bowling Green team that beat them 14-10 as 31-point underdogs two years ago.
The 2023.5 season? That's how Fleck sees Quick Lane Bowl for Gophers
The glass-half-empty crowd might say Gophers coach P.J. Fleck is using the 2023.5 slogan to distance the team from its 5-7 record. The glass-half-full crowd might say it's a way to turn the page.
Gophers QB Kramer gets his shot; real-life matters can wait
The Gophers "were out of quarterbacks," as coach P.J. Fleck said, before they asked Cole Kramer to stay one more game and make his first career start.
Former Wayzata hockey standout Kvasnicka commits to Gophers
The Gophers men's hockey team landed a top recruit in Jacob Kvasnicka, who played varsity for Wayzata as a freshman before moving to the U.S. National Team Development Program.
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck waiting for right time to hire new D-coordinator
With Joe Rossi off to Michigan State, the Gophers need a new defensive coordinator, but coach P.J. Fleck said the rest of the defensive coaches are in place.
Gophers sign Perich, 24 others, snapping a frustrating losing skid
Four-star safety Koi Perich signed his national letter of intent Wednesday as college football's early signing period opened. Perich stayed true to his Gophers verbal commitment despite a late push by Ohio State.
Gophers clinging to top recruit Koi Perich with Ohio State in pursuit
The Gophers football team enters Wednesday's national signing day with one critical recruiting battle still publicly undetermined.
Meet the 2024 Gophers football recruiting class
The Gophers announced their 2024 recruiting class on Wednesday. Here is a look at the 19 high school seniors and six college transfers who joined P.J. Fleck's squad.
Transfer, please. Fleck adjusts his philosophy for recruiting QBs
As the national signing period opens Wednesday, the Gophers will officially add three quarterbacks, and two of them are arriving via the transfer portal.
Gophers prepare for bowl game amid transfer chaos, coaching changes
Gophers football players addressed the media Monday for the first time since the Nov. 25 loss to Wisconsin, which seemed like ages ago with all the developments since then.
Two players in portal say they'll join Gophers; another one backs out
A back-up quarterback at Fresno State and a Big 12 defensive back say they'll be coming to Minnesota while running back Trent Howland of Indiana changed his mind.