Former Gopher hockey coach Glen Sonmor, now a radio analyst on Gopher games, was asked if Minnesota misses Tyler Hirsch, the senior forward who left the team in late December after a career of developments that reportedly provoked the coaching staff. “I am afraid they have missed him, particularly on the power play. . . . He’s an outstanding offensive talent,” Sonmor said. “He was as great a passer of the puck on the power play that I have seen in a long time.”
The Gophers were No. 1 in the country and building on a long winning streak when Hirsch was playing. They are no longer No. 1, although they still lead the WCHA standings and are ranked No. 2 nationally. Sonmor said the Gophers particularly miss Hirsch’s assists, and the absence of his offense has contributed to the team’s more recent struggles (losing four of six games during a January stretch). Hirsch had 18 assists in 15 games.
Does not having Hirsch diminish the team’s national championship goal? “It would be an easier task with him there than without him,” Sonmor said. “No doubt about it.”
With or without Hirsch, much of the Gophers’ playoff success will be determined by the goal tending. “When I look at the strengths of this team, I think the goal keeping is a real strength of it,” Sonmor said.
In contrast to the past, coach Don Lucia has played two goalies this season, Jeff Frazee and Kellen Briggs. Both have been impressive. Sonmor said Lucia doesn’t necessarily have to pick one for the playoffs, noting that Denver won consecutive national championships using two goalies.
Sonmor is hoping both freshmen stars Erik Johnson and Kyle Okposo say no to the NHL and return next season. Both can potentially benefit from another season of college hockey where they can become even more dominant players and increase their confidence. Okposo can particularly gain from another year of physical maturity.
Johnson, the No. 1 pick in last year’s NHL draft, is the most ready of the Gopher freshmen to move on to the pros. “He’s the real deal,” Sonmor said. “There’s no question about it.”
Okposo? “I think that would be a real mistake for that young man to go,” Sonmor said. “And I don’t think he will go. I think that he is very education oriented. And his comments seem to be along that line. . . . I hope in his wisdom he delays it a little bit.”