With nine freshmen and five sophomores on the roster, the University of Minnesota hockey team will learn as it plays but former Minnesota North Stars and Gopher coach Glen Sonmor bubbles with excitement when he talks about the 2006-2007 team. He describes the Gophers as “exciting and fun every night,” a team deserving of its 11 game winning streak and speculation that it will play for the national championship. “There’s no question this will be one of the teams you have to contend with,” Sonmor said.
Are there specific things fans can watch to see if the Gophers are progressing toward their full potential? “That they continue to compete with the intensity they compete with now,” Sonmor said. “That they can continue to show their depth with four lines, and it always comes down to the goal keeping.”
Sonmor, who provides color commentary on Gopher games for WCCO Radio, is ecstatic about the “phenomenal freshman crop,” describing the class as talented and deep, the best in school history. That class, of course, is led by defenseman Erik Johnson, “the best 18-year-old player in the world,” according to Sonmor.
How can Johnson improve? “Just get used to doing everything quicker than he has done in the past,” Sonmor answered. He agrees with near consensus discussion that Johnson will play only one season at Minnesota before joining the St. Louis Blues. Still he sees an upside to playing one more season with the Gophers. “I think it’s great (for development) if a player can be dominant for awhile,” he said.