In what has been an interesting and bizarre three days, the Minnesota men’s hockey team has seen a player quit and another address his future with the program.

Assistant captain Jordan Schroeder addressed his future with the Minnesota program in a press release. The press release claims Schroeder "has been the center of several internet rumors over recent months regarding his future in college and professional hockey."

Multiple websites, including vancouversun.com and gopherpucklive.com have previously reported on Schroeder considering leaving the Gophers to join a professional league to prepare for his eventual entrance into the National Hockey League. Team spokesman Jim Strick said Schroeder felt a statement was needed to end any doubt as to his committment to the Gophers and to also stop the rumors from escalating.

Here is the full statement from Schroeder, as announced in the press release:

“I am fully committed to this team and university, I have no intention of leaving college early to play pro hockey. It is unfortunate that these rumors continue to come out and I have no idea where they begin. I think it’s important for me to publicly state that I am going nowhere. I am dedicated to this team and plan to help us reach our goals for the remainder of this season and future years.”

The press release comes just days after sophomore Sam Lofquist abruptly quit the Minnesota program to play in the Ontario Hockey League. Strick said Schroeder will likely not address further questions regarding the issue, and will stick with the statement he made in today’s press release.

Minnesota will host No. 7 Bemidji State in a two-game series beginning Saturday at 7:30 p.m.