Last week was a memorable time for the Minnesota hockey community as five Gophers were selected to play in the NHL during last week’s draft in Montreal.
The Gophers had three athletes drafted in the first round, setting a program record for the most first round picks since 2006.
At Thursday night’s draft, center Logan Cooley was drafted third overall by the Arizona Coyotes. Cooley is the second highest drafted Gophers hockey player ever. Cooley is known as an elite skater, a two-way, playmaking center and he was No. 2 in Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters.
The second Gopher to be drafted was right-wing Jimmy Snuggerud. Snuggerud was drafted 23rd overall by the St. Louis blues, becoming the 11th Minnesota player to be selected by the Blues.
Snuggerud scored 63 points in 59 games including seven power-play goals while playing in the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. He is also the sixth father/son Gophers’ duo to be drafted. His father Dave Snuggerud was drafted in 1987 by the Buffalo Sabres.
Just two picks after Snuggerud, defensemen Sam Rinzel was drafted 25th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. Rinzel hails from Chaska High School and will play next season with Waterloo in the United States Hockey League before (USHL) joining the Gophers for the 2023-24 season.
The second round of the NHL draft began Friday morning when the Washington Capitals selected defenseman Ryan Chelsey, 37th overall. He was also part of the U.S. National Team Development Program and scored 29 points in 59 games for the under-18 team last season.
Finishing off the Gophers’ picks was forward Connor Kurth. Kurth was selected 192nd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He played in 52 games and scored 15 goals and 41 points for the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL.
While nothing is confirmed, the Gophers plan to open their season on Oct. 1 at the Mariucci arena against Lindenwood. Cooley, Snuggerud, Chelsey and Kurth will all wear the Maroon and Gold at Mariucci this fall. Rinzel will soon join them in 2023.
