Catching up on Gophers -- in offseason

The Gophers men's hockey team did well in the latest academic progress report, scoring 990 out of a possible 1,000. It measures if players are graduating and if players who transfer are academically eligible when they do.

Reached by phone, Gophers coach Don Lucia said he has always emphasized academics and that new academic adviser Chris Cords is good at what he does.

Lucia said what also has helped is having incoming recruits take summer classes. It helps him adjust to college and the U. He has been asking freshmen to go to summer school for several years and, he said, a lot of the returning players attend, too. The expense is covered for players on scholarship.

That way, they can take 13 credits, the minimum required to be a full-time student during the school year, and still be on pace to graduate. He said all six seniors on the 2009-10 graduated this spring.

GARDINER UPDATE

One freshman still in limbo is Max Gardiner, who was a senior forward at Minnetonka. He is still waiting to see if a roster spot opens for him. Otherwise, he will play in the USHL at Des Moines. It's beginnnig to look doubtful that any of the returning Gophers will sign now.

Lucia said he has not made a decision on Gardiner yet. Gardiner said Lucia told him he would let him know one way ot the other by July 1 -- or shortly after the NHL draft in late June.

Gotta come up with a catchy nickname for forwards Jared Larson of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs and Tom Serratore of the Youngstown Phantoms and defenseman Jake Parenteau of the Alaska Avalanche. All are recruited walk-ons who have been admitted to the U for next school year.

"We're excited all of them will be part of our program," Lucia said. "All bring something. They're older. They have [19]89 birthdays. We always have such young teams, that's an extra benefit. They will not be measured by goals and assists. They will get up on people.

"What we have done, is tried to add depth to the team. The last couple years we have been caught short. We are shooting for a roster of 28 players."

Looking at present roster, there are 11 forwards with eligibility left, five defensemen and three goalies. So that's 19 players, so Lucia will bring in at least nine.

Here's who is coming:

Seth Ambroz, Omaha Lancers

Erik Haula, Omaha Lancers

Nate Condon, Fargo Force

Nick Bjugstad, Blaine

Jared Larson, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Defensemen:

Nate Schmidt, Fargo Force

Mark Alt, Cretin-Derham Hall

Jake Parenteau, Alaska Avalanche

That's nine incoming players. Red Line Report, an independent international scouting service has rated the Gophers' class the nation's best.

Jake Youso. a forward from International Falls, signed with the Gophers in November 2008, but might never play for them. He has played two years of juniors, one at Des Moines, one at Owatonna, and the Gophers still have don't have a spot from him.

His father Brian said Jake will probably make a decision in about a month whether he will stay committed to the U or look at other colleges.

He realizes he has to play juniors this season, but he is not sure where. He may try out with a few USHL teams rather than return to the Owatonna Express in the NAHL, although that is a possiblity, too.