College hockey's list of early departures reached 30 this offseason without one of its biggest contributors. The Gophers avoided losing any of their elite talent to the professional ranks a year after being shaken up by early departures. Captain Kyle Rau returns for his senior season. Goaltender Adam Wilcox and defensemen Mike Reilly and Brady Skjei are back for their junior seasons. Hudson Fasching, who was part of a midseason NHL trade, returns for his sophomore season. Here's a look at how much the Gophers have lost over the past several seasons:
2014 offseason: No early departures.
2013: Nate Schmidt (jr.), Nick Bjugstad (jr.), Zach Budish (jr.), Erik Haula (jr.), Mark Alt (jr.).
2012: No early departures.
2011: Aaron Ness (jr.).
2010: Jordan Schroeder (so.), Nick Leddy (fr.).
2009: Ryan Stoa (jr.).
2008: Stu Bickel (fr.), Blake Wheeler (jr.), Jeff Frazee (jr.).
2007: Alex Goligoski (jr.), Erik Johnson (fr.).
2006: Kris Chucko (soph.), Danny Irmen (jr.), Phil Kessel (fr.), Ryan Potulny (jr.).
2005: No early departures.
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Sports
High Schools
Hamline Elite Meet, already in rare air, presents co-ed look for track
A mixed-gender relay, unavailable elsewhere in Minnesota, is back for the third time, and participation will be nearly tripled from where it started.
Sports
Bevy of defensive playmakers are available in Round 2 of the NFL draft after historic offensive run
The unprecedented run on quarterbacks, wide receivers and pass protectors in the NFL draft 's opening round pushed plenty of studly defenders down the board and allowed some of the top teams to select players who normally wouldn't fall to them.
Twins
Twins bring momentum on road despite Angels Stadium struggles
The Twins haven't won a series at Angels Stadium in five years, but the Angels have won just once in their last seven games.
Vikings
Neal: McCarthy mania sweeps through Vikings draft party
There was jeering, booing and yelping at U.S. Bank Stadium, where thousands of fans gathered for a Vikings draft party. And then J.J. McCarthy was picked and the mood changed.
Wolves
Pretty much a must-win Game 3 for Suns as series moves to Phoenix
If the Wolves win tonight, Phoenix will face a challenge that no team has ever met in a best-of-seven NBA playoff series.