Kyle Rau is the Gophers' lone unanimous Big Ten player to watch, as chosen by conference coaches in the first year of Big Ten hockey, and coach Don Lucia is expecting big things from his junior. He might even move Rau to center to help get him get the puck more.
"That was always his natural position. We need Kyle to score. He's our Leading returning scorer and we need the puck on his stick as much as we possibly can," Lucia said Thursday morning at Big Ten media day. "And that why we're really strongly considering moving him back to center so he has more touches."
With Rau, Adam Wilcox, Mike Reilly as the Gophers players to watch, Big Ten coaches voted the Gophers to finish second in the inaugural season. Wisconsin is projected to finish first.
Lucia also addressed losing five players to the NHL and the impact that will have in his team. However, he's seen that his team can make plays in the few days of practice, but said that will need to translate into five-on-five.
2013-14 BIG TEN PRESEASON POLL
1. Wisconsin
2. Minnesota
3. Michigan
T4. Michigan State
T4. Ohio State
6. Penn State
2013-14 BIG TEN PRESEASON PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mac Bennett, D, Michigan
