Junior defenseman Brady Skjei suffered another injury last weekend at Michigan State and could miss at least a couple games in the New Year.
The Gophers' only first-round NHL draft pick was injured (upper-body) late in Saturday night's shootout loss that officially ended in a 3-3 tie at Munn Arena. Coach Don Lucia announced the injury Monday night on his weekly radio show on 1500 ESPN and said the Gophers could be spread thin for the annual Mariucci Classic held the first weekend of the New Year.
Hudson Fasching, Ryan Collins and Leon Bristedt were each selected to IIHF World Junior Championship preliminary rosters and will miss the Mariucci Classic if selected to represent their country in the Dec. 26-Jan. 5 tournament in Canada. Lucia said if the trio and Skjei are gone it could lead to a difficult weekend for the No. 7 Gophers.
Skjei was playing in just his fourth game since returning from a lower-body injury he suffered on Nov. 1. He missed four games and an exhibition before returning on Nov. 28 against Boston College.
The Gophers staff confirmed the injury to the Star Tribune, but couldn't provide any more details on how long Skjei could be sidelined.
The Gophers get three weeks off for winter break before returning to action against Merrimack on Jan. 2.
