Michael Shibrowski, goalie for the USHL Des Moines Buccaneers, has committed to the University of Minnesota for the 2011-2012 season. The 20-year-old Edina, Minn. native was voted the Buccaneers team MVP, but will most likely serve as back up to starter Kent Patterson.

Patterson will be a senior and is coming off a breakout junior campaign in which he too captured team MVP honors, as well as an All-WCHA second team selection.

Patterson claimed the No. 1 goaltending position last season thanks to consistent play and an injury to senior Alex Kangas.  Kangas had started all four seasons at Minnesota but graduates this year, leaving little experience behind Patterson and explaining the addition of Shibrowski.

The other rostered Minnesota goalies are senior Jake Kremer and sophomore Alex Fons; both have yet to appear in a game.

In other team news:

Senior forward Tyler Matson was named team captain for the upcoming 2011-12 season.  Matson will be one of seven seniors next season and succeeds former high school (Academy of Holy Angels) teammate Jay Barriball for the position.

Matson played in 33 games in 2010 scoring 10 goals and adding 3 assists.