Highly touted recruit Rem Pitlick has told the Gophers coaching staff he intends on joining the program this season and enrolling in classes this fall, a source close to the team confirmed to the Star Tribune.
The decision comes as somewhat of a surprise after Pitlick announced in March he was "99 percent sure" he would return for another season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL.
The change of heart, though, is surely welcomed by the Gophers. Pitlick was the 2016 USHL Player of the Year after leading the league with 46 goals and 43 assists in 56 games. The forward's goal total ranks third on the all-time USHL list.
In June, Pitlick was drafted in the third round (No. 76 overall) by Nashville in the NHL draft and was later invited to the U.S. national junior team evaluation camp. He also took part in his first NHL developmental camp with the Predator's top prospects.
It is possible Pitlick's growth during the offseason helped changed his mind. He told USHL.com he added 10 pounds of muscle this summer despite labeling himself a "late bloomer."
He said "I think I've always been on a little bit longer of a development path. I've been a late bloomer kind of my whole life. I'm getting a little bit bigger and more on a level playing field with everyone else in terms of size and that sort of thing, and I think college, I have four years when I get there, versus if I went major junior or something like that, I only have two years left before playing pro hockey. I think college is a little bit longer, more time to develop, gives me a better chance to be more of an established pro if I get to that point."
Also, last month Muskegon coach Todd Krygier took a job as an assistant at Western Michigan.
NHL central scouting's Greg Rajanen described Pitlick as "a speed guy; shifty and elusive with the puck. He is a solid point producer and very hard to handle off the rush. He has a chance to play at the next level with his overall skill package and skating ability."
Pitlick's father Lance is a former long-time NHL defenseman and Gophers standout that was drafted by the Minnesota North Stars. Pitlick's cousin, Tyler, also plays professional hockey and spent time with the Edmonton Oilers, last season. Pitlick grew up in Plymouth and is a Shattuck-St. Mary's product.
