![Former University of Minnesota Gopher Rem Pitlick playing in his first NHL game for the Nashville Predators. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@startribune.com – St. Paul, MN – March 25, 2019, Xcel Energy Center, NHL, Hockey, Minnesota Wild vs. Nashville Predators](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/I2PN3YGYTN6267PGZOGC7MFR3A.jpg?&w=1080)
Former Gophers standout Rem Pitlick made his NHL debut with the Predators in Monday's 1-0 victory over the Wild at Xcel Energy Center, three days after he signed a two-year, entry-level contract Friday to forgo his final year of college eligibility.
"It's super exciting, and I'm really grateful for this opportunity," the Plymouth native said. "It's pretty cool that I'm able to make my debut at home in front of my friends and family, so it's going to be awesome."
Pitlick paced the Gophers in scoring each of the past two seasons, racking up 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points. Against the Wild, the forward played 9 minutes, 43 seconds without registering a point or a shot on goal. He got called for a delay of game penalty in the third period, but it coincided with a holding minor on the Wild's Marcus Foligno.
A third-round pick, 76th overall, by Nashville in 2016, the 21-year-old Pitlick led the Predators onto the ice for their pregame skate — taking a few solo turns before his teammates joined him.
"I've already learned so much, and it's been an amazing experience," Pitlick said. "I'm just looking forward to taking more in."
