Looking at six future Gophers whose USHL seasons are over

Only one Gophers recruit -- goalie Adam Wilcox of Green Bay -- is still playing in the USHL playoffs.

So it's a good time to start ooking at how other Gophers-to-be in the USHL fared this seaosn:

There are two Gophers recruits at Omaha with Lancers. Both have signed and should be on 2011-12 roster ...

Seth Ambroz, 6-2, 211, right wing. In his third USHL year, he had 26 goals and 22 assists for 48 points in 59 games. He led Omaha in goals, was third on team in assists and first in points. He was a plus-2. Should come in as a top six forward for Gophers this coming season. ... turned 18 on April 1. Expected to go in second round of NHL draft next month at the X.

In three seasons at Omaha, Ambroz had 66 goals, 68 assists for 134 points in 186 games. His 24 goals this season was his USHL high; he had 27 assists and 49 points a year ago, which was bit better than this season, His center was Gophers freshman Erik Haula, so expect Don Lucia to try that combination at some point during the 2011-12 season.

Ambroz was among the 102 players invited to the NHL combine in Toronto later this month.

Ben Marshall, 5-10, 166, defenseman. Was named to all-USHL second team and its all-rookie team. Dynamic player. He led Omaha with a plus-17 ratings. He has 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points in 59 games. He was second on team in assists, fourth in points. Should be one of Gophers' top four D-men. ... Played for Mahtomedi High School, turns 19 on Aug. 30.

Omaha finished second in the Western Conference with a 34-19-7 record (third number is overtime shootout losses).

There are four Gophers recruits at Sioux Falls. Two will be on Gophers' 2011-12 roster ...

Kyle Rau, 5-8, 158 center/left wing: Rau led Eden Prairie to the Class 2A state title, then played 21 games for the Stampede, 11 in the regular season, 10 in the playoffs. He leads all USHL players in playoffs points with 12 (seven goals, five assists) in 10 games.

He had four goals and six assists in the regular season. So combining those numbers, he had 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in 21 games for Sioux Falls. He was a plus-9. He turns 19 on Oct. 24. Eligible for 2011 NHL draft. Should be top six forward for Gophers this season.

"We had no answer for him," Omaha coach Bliss Littler said after SIoux Falls swept the Lancers in three games in the second round. "He was the difference in the series. They're a totally different team with him in there. He basically gives them two (No. 1 caliber) lines."

Christian Isackson, 6-1/2, 184 right wing. In his first USHL season, the former St. Thomas Academy standout led the Stampede in assists and points (20-32--52) in 68 games. He had a plus-7 rating. Drafted in seventh round by Buffalo Sabres in 2010.

Gophers would appear to be loaded at right wing with Zach Budish, Seth Ambroz and Jake Hansen all probably ahead of Isackson, 19. Not sure where he will fit in.

Connor Reilly, 5-11, 164. He was second on Stampede in assists, third in scoring (18-28--46) in 70 games and had a plus-4 rating. Expected to join Gophers in 2012-13, unless several spots open up for this season.

Ryan Reilly, 5-7, 158. Connor's smaller twin brother. Had modest numbers (5-9--14) in 44 games and was a minus-4. Even a better bet to wait 'til 2012-13 before joining Gophers.

Sioux Falls finished third in the Western Conference with a 24-20-6 record for 74 points, one point behind Omaha.

There won't be any rule changes for men's hockey this coming season. That happens every other year. So what did the college coaches talk about in Naples, Fla., besides their golf games?

Hits to the head were one topic. Gophers coach Don Lucia said the referees' crackdown in that area was a positive for college hockey.

Another topic was how to improve the NCAA tournament. There is concern that some regionals don't draw well, Lucia said, and discussion about whether first-round games should be played at campus sites.

Coaches of teams who will play in the Big Ten Conference come 2012-14 also met separately. "Nothing major" happened there, Lucia said.