“Minnesota Athletics: Thriving University Sports Program”

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The University of Minnesota men’s hockey team, coming off an NCAA runner-up finish and its second-straight Big Ten Conference championship, has been selected as the top team in the 2023-24 preseason poll. The poll was conducted by the league’s coaches. Additionally, six Golden Gophers were honored as Preseason All-B1G selections. Jimmy Snuggerud and Luke Mittelstadt made the first team, while Bryce Brodzinski, Mike Koster, and Justen Close earned second-team honors. Ryan Chesley received an honorable mention.

Snuggerud returns to the team as the defending B1G scoring champion, sharing the title with Logan Cooley last season. Snuggerud had a 50-point campaign during his freshman year, recording a point in 29 of 40 games played. Mittelstadt stood out in the national semifinals, scoring two goals, including the game-winner, and was named to the NCAA Frozen Four All-Tournament Team. Brodzinski, the second-leading scorer for the team, had 31 points last season and was selected as an alternate captain. Koster will serve as team captain for his senior season, and Close was a Mike Richter Award Semifinalist last year. Chesley made an immediate impact as a freshman, reaching double-digit points in 36 games played.

The Preseason All-Big Ten First Team includes players from Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio State. The Second Team features players from Michigan, Minnesota, and Notre Dame. Honorable mentions include players from Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Penn State, and Ohio State.

In the preseason poll, Minnesota was voted as the top team, followed by Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State, and Ohio State.