A look at the Gophers recruits and how they fared this past season:
A statistical look at the U's hockey recruits
12 players in the USHL this season have either signed or committed to the U as well as defenseman Chris Rial of Kenai River of the NAHL.
Player/team Size Gms G-A--Pts. +/- ratings
Christian Isackson, S.F., RW 6-0, 184 68 20-32--52 +7
Sam Warning, Cedar Rapids, LW 5-9, 175 64 28-22--50 +16
Seth Ambroz, Omaha, RW 6-2, 211 59 26-22--48 +2
Connor Reilly, Sioux Falls, C 5-11, 164 70 18-28-46 +4
Travis Boyd, U18 U.S. team, LW 5-10, 176 52 11-21--32 ---
Kyle Rau, Sioux Falls, C/LW 5-8, 158 21 11-11--22 +9
Ryan Reilly, Sioux Falls, W 5-7, 158 44 5-9--14 -4
Defensemen
Ben Marshall, Omaha 5-10, 166 59 11-23--34 +17
Blake Thompson, Waterloo 6-3, 220 60 5-18--23 -13
Chris Rial, Kenai River 6-5, 205 59 14-12--26 -9
Goalies W L OL GAA save pct.
Adam Wilcox, Green Bay 16 6 1 2.20 .922
Mike Shibrowski, Des Moines 21 16 5 2.59 .912
Joel Vienneau, Muskegon 18 21 4 3.62 .892
Notes: Sam Warning, who signed with the Gophers last month, helped Cedar Rapids set a team record for victories (42) and tie its record for points (90). The RoughRiders won the Anderson Cup, which goes to the USHL team with the most points during the regular season.
Travis Boyd helped the U.S. national team win the IIHF under-18 world championships in Germany last month. He had two goals ans four assists in six games. The U.S. beat Sweden 4-3 in overtime on April 24 in the title game.
Adam Wilcox is the only Gophers' recruit whose team is still playing in the USHL playoffs. Wilcox is the backup goalie for Green Bay which faces Dubuque for the Clark Cup. Wilcox has not played in any of the Gamblers' playoff games so far. It appears Wilcox will play another season in the USHL and the Gophers will bring in Mike Shibrowksi who committed to the U of M last month.
Chris Rial of Kenai River, the Gophers' lone NAHL recruit, is from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has been showing more of an edge this season, according to his players, his assistants and himself. Vikings fans need know “I got it in me,” he said.