Vinni Lettieri's return this weekend is doubtful. The Gophers sophomore forward hasn't practiced all week after being hit in the helmet with a puck during Sunday's 4-2 victory over Notre Dame.

Lucia said Lettieri likely won't play this weekend. The team wouldn't give more details on the extent of the injury other than it was upper-body.

After Sunday's game Lucia said the forward would be under close observation. Lettieri was struck in the head when he lowered his body to block a shot during a penalty kill. He was attended to for several minutes and had to be helped off the ice. He wouldn't return to the game.

"Vinni has not practiced this week so he's looking doubtful for the weekend as well, so it's an opportunity for somebody else," Lucia said. "It's an opportunity for [Christian] Isackson to maybe step up into the role as a senior. He should be able to carry that for us and we'll continue to get other guys into our lineup. That's what you have a team for. You're going to have injuries throughout the year."

This the third injury the Gophers have suffered over the last two weeks. Senior forward Travis Boyd and junior defenseman Brady Skjei were sidelined with lower-body injuries against St. Cloud State.

Skjei is expected back around Thanksgiving and Boyd sometime in December.

Lettieri had replaced Boyd at center in the Gophers' third line. With Isackson moving into the role now, Lucia will have to dig deeper into his bench to fill out the fourth line.

• The Gophers chose not to announce any signings during Wednesday's early national signing day. Lucia said he wanted to make sure everything was signed and received before commenting on the incoming recruits.

That didn't keep future Gophers from celebrating the day on Twitter. Lakeville North product Jack Sadek retweeted a picture of him signing his scholarship on Wednesday morning.