The Gophers might have to wait longer than expected to implement highly touted prospect Rem Pitlick into their system.
Pitlick told the Local Sports Journal in Muskegon, Mich., that he is "99 percent sure" he'll return to the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL next season and delay enrolling at Minnesota.
Pitlick already signed his National Letter of Intent to play college hockey and was expected to add offensive depth to the Gophers' 2016-2017 roster. He leads the USHL with 43 goals and 81 points.
"You know people don't say 'Oh dang, I wish I would have rushed it,' " Pitlick told the Local Sports Journal. "It's 'Oh dang, I wish I would have stayed back. So I don't really want to have that regret later in life that I wish I would have stayed another year and helped my development. You just mature a little bit more. There's really no rush. I'm 18 years old, I have some time."
Pitlick is likely under the counsel of his father Lance, a former long-time NHL defenseman and Gophers standout that was drafted by the Minnesota North Stars. Pitlick's cousin, Tyler, also plays professional hockey and spent time with the Edmonton Oilers, last season.
Pitlick grew up in Plymouth, but is a Shattuck-St. Mary's product and has played the last two seasons in the USHL. Despite Pitlick's ability to score and use his hands well, size has always been a concern. However, he's shown significant physical growth over the past season. He said he started the summer weighing 170 pounds and is now above 190 and stands 5-foot-9.
Gophers coach Don Lucia last week alluded to his desire to have Pitlick in maroon and gold next season. Lucia didn't mention Pitlick by name during the coach's final weekly radio show of the season on ESPN 1500, but the reference was obvious while discussing the incoming class.
"We know for sure Ryan Zuhlsdorf … and Ryan Lindgren will be coming in on the backend, next year," Lucia said. "Upfront, we're still a little unsure with a couple guys. We're hoping one guy accelerates and comes in here. And another player has had a great year in the USHL and looks like we're hopeful he's going to come in and play real significant minutes for us next year, as well.
"If we don't get hit and we just lose one player [to the pros], I think we'll be in pretty good shape next year and be able to take another step as far as our team is concerned. … We need to get the scoring depth."
Having to wait on Pitlick would hurt the Gophers' depth and the opportunity to produce a breakout star. Last year's USHL scoring leader was Kyle Connor, who went onto be the Big Ten Player and Freshman of the Year. He led college hockey with 35 goals and 71 points. Connor totaled 80 points in his final year in the USHL and was a first-round pick (17th overall) in the 2015 draft.
Pitlick is also draft eligible this year, but will likely be a late-round draft selection if he is picked up.
North Dakota freshman standout Brock Boeser was the third-leading scorer in the USHL, last season. Gophers juniors Taylor Cammarata and Justin Kloos were the top two scorers, respectively, during the 2012-2013 USHL season. Kloos has since matured into one of the Gophers' top offensive producers, while Cammarata has struggled to keep pace with his USHL numbers.
Pitlick still has five games remaining to add to his massive USHL scoring totals. Once his season is over, the Gophers will likely pursue that one-percent window and try convincing Pitlick he's ready for college hockey.
The other forward Lucia alludes to on his radio show is Eden Prairie star Casey Mittelstadt. He is only a high school junior, but could be position to accelerate his education and enroll at Minnesota in the fall. Mittelstadt totaled 25 goals and 59 points this season while leading the Eagles to a runner-up finish in the Class 2A Boys' State Hockey tournament.