Freshmen Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux are leaving the Gophers women’s hockey team and transferring to the University of North Dakota. The Lamoureux twins led the nation in scoring and helped lead the Gophers to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association title and an appearance in the NCAA semifinals. Gophers head coach Brad Frost said one of the reasons they are leaving is to be closer to home. Their family lives in Grand Forks. In addition to the vicinity, the women have family ties to the UND hockey program. Their brother, Jean-Philippe, and father Pierre both played hockey for UND, and their other brother Pierre currently plays for the Fighting Sioux. Coaching issues originally deterred the two from UND, leading them to the University of Minnesota. Frost said he was shocked by the news when he found out the Lamoureux twins called him. âÄúI think I was silent actually because I wasnâÄôt expecting it,âÄù he said. âÄúIt was just a real surprise.âÄù Losing the twins wonâÄôt affect the team much next season, Frost said. The team was anticipating the two would leave to play for the 2010 U.S. Winter Olympic team. Despite seeing two of the teamâÄôs best players leave, Frost said he doesnâÄôt expect to see recruiting efforts hindered by their decision to transfer. âÄúI think thereâÄôs still many people who believe in what weâÄôre doing here at Minnesota,âÄù he said. âÄúIâÄôm going to continue to do things the way I do them and think of whatâÄôs best for our team and for our program, and I think people will continue to be attracted to that.âÄù