Gophers' Hoeffel works for bigger role

Marlin Levison, Associated Press - Ap

Gophers forward Mike Hoeffel, left, scored on Alaska Anchorage goalie Bryce Christianson on Sunday at Mariucci Arena.

The Gophers forward has grown physically, but is also expanding his game.

By ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ, Star Tribune

Last update: November 6, 2009 - 12:18 AM

After growing an inch and adding 10 pounds since last season, Gophers junior forward Mike Hoeffel is 6-3 and 205 pounds, an imposing figure on the ice. Almost the same size as Ryan Stoa.

He is also playing left wing on Jordan Schroeder's line, same as Stoa did last season, so comparisons are almost inevitable.

"If I could do half what Ryan did last year, I would be happy with that," Hoeffel said. "He was such a phenomenal player for us last year."

Stoa scored 24 goals and had 45 points last season and was a coaches' first-team All-America. He signed with the Colorado Avalanche this past offseason and is playing for the team's AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. He and Hoeffel occasionally call each other to talk about mutual hockey pals and their NHL fantasy league teams.

"I don't have studs like [Alexander] Ovechkin," Hoeffel said. "I just have a bunch of solid guys."

Which is how Hoeffel views himself: "Every day I try to work on little things. I stay committed, have fun and stick to the plan."

It's been ever so with Hoeffel, described by teammates as humble, funny, ever smiling. Even as a mite, Hoeffel was eager to wake up for 7 a.m. practices in Shoreview. "He got right up and wanted to go," said his father, Tom Hoeffel. "He loved going to the rink."

He still does. As a U freshman, Mike Hoeffel was coming off knee surgery the previous March but still was sixth on the team in scoring with nine goals and 19 points. Last season he started slowly, ended strong with 12 goals, six on power plays, and 20 points.

"Hopefully if I go out and take baby steps to improve and get better, good results will come," Hoeffel said.

Coach Don Lucia is counting on that, too, going into the Gophers' series at Wisconsin this weekend. "[Hoeffel] is a guy who is going to score some goals," Lucia said. "He should have had a goal [last] Friday that didn't count. Hopefully he can continue to score at a high level."

Officials waved off a Hoeffel goal against Alaska Anchorage because the Seawolves' net had come off its moorings.

Hoeffel has three goals, including one shorthanded, and one assist. He leads the Gophers with 17 shots on net.

"He can be a 20-plus goal scorer this year for sure," Schroeder said.

Finding goal scorers has suddenly become a bigger issue for the Gophers. Senior winger Jay Barriball, who has 102 career points, is having season-ending knee surgery today.

"We are going to miss Jay a ton," Hoeffel said. "He's a huge part of this team, a leader and a big spark offensively."

Losing Barriball does not necessarily increase expectations for Hoeffel and Schroeder. "To be honest, it puts more pressure on some of the other players to have to step up," Lucia said.

More goals from any source, of course, would be welcome. Even after scoring nine goals in sweeping Alaska Anchorage last weekend, the Gophers are still averaging only 2.0 goals per game. Three shutout losses squish the average.

The Badgers' strength is their defensemen. Three are first-round NHL draft picks, two are second-rounders. All are about 6-2, 200.

"Wisconsin has only given up two power-play goals in the season," Lucia said. "They are great at blocking shots and they have good goaltending."

Hoeffel has heard all that, but he believes his coaches can devise a winning strategy. "If we stick to the plan," Hoeffel said, "get pucks in and get behind them, play physical and wear them down in the offensive zone, that might be our route to have success against them."

Plus a few goals per game.

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