Taylor Matson, one of seven Gophers who will be seniors next season, was voted the team's captain.
He succeeds Jay Barriball, a former teammate of his at Holy Angels Academy. Matson played junior hockey for Des Moines of the USHL.
Other projected seniors next season are forwards Jake Hansen (11 goals), Nick Larson (five), Joe Miller (none) and Nico Sacchetti (three); and goalies Kent Patterson and Jake Kremer.
The team's top returning scorer will be Erik Haula, who had six goals and 18 assists for 24 points as a freshman.
"It is a tremendous honor to be named captain of men's hockey aty the University of Minnesota and one I take very seriously," Matson said in a news release the university sent out.
"A lot of great players have held this responsibility before me, and I will do my best to lead and make sure that the team is ready to play every night."
Hmm. That last part of his quote is interesting. Early in the season and again in the first game against Alaska Anchorage in the playoffs, the Gophers came out flat. They had a losing record at home, 9-10-3, which is practically unheard of.
If he can get the Gophers to play hard at the start of every game, he will be off to a great start as captain.