PLUS: MN Wild Preview
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— 2017-18 COLLEGE HOCKEY PREVIEW EDITION —
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VOL. 6, ISSUE 1
COLLEGE PREVIEWS:
EVERYONE’S LOSS NORTH DAKOTA WOMEN’S PROGRAM FOLDS, TO THE DETRIMENT OF HOCKEY
MEN’S COLLEGE: ww GOPHERS SEEK HOMETOWN
FROZEN FOUR ww BULLDOGS LOOK TO YOUTH ON BLUE LINE ww BITZER HAS BEMIDJI STATE IN BUSINESS IN WCHA
WOMEN’S COLLEGE: ww OLYMPICS TEST DEPTH OF GOPHERS’ SQUAD
ww BULLDOGS SEEK
REPLACEMENT FOR ROONEY ww NORTH DAKOTA’S LOSS IS HUSKIES’ GAIN
Newsstand price $4.95
Display until 12/31/17
FROM OUR PUBLISHER
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elcome to another season of hockey coverage by the Staff here at MHM, a staff that I consider the best in the hockey business. We are excited to be back for another season and have some great news. We are a finalist for the Minnesota Magazine of the year for Special Sections. On November 2nd, we will find out if our February Issue from last season is judged the best by our peers, as selected by the Minnesota Magazine Publishers Association. Please enjoy this issue that features a lot of what is going on at the College level. This year, we will have both NCAA championships decided in Minnesota and we will be beefing up our coverage. Who will be the last team standing is very uncertain, but with these previews, you will see it could very well be a Minnesota team. The college game is as strong as ever and we will do our best to bring you the stories and photos that this important segment of the hockey scene deserves. For this season, you will see some additions to our highly talented staff, including recently inducted Hall of Fame writer John Gilbert, who will be joining us once again. John is unique in that he was instrumental in getting the original magazine off the ground 30 years ago. He will be covering the Duluth area as well as doing a column. Not only have we added more great writers, but we also have added more print issues and will be distributing our print product around the state after inking a deal with Dakota News, the largest magazine distributor in the Midwest. In the cities, you will find us at Lunds, Cubs and Byerly’s, along with your favorite stores where magazines are sold. To our Readers and Sponsors, THANK YOU! Without your support, none of this would be possible. If you like what you see, please tell others, if you don’t please tell me, and I will be happy to investigate what is the issue. Sincerely,
Scott Tiffany
President & Founder MinnesotaHockeyMagazine.com scott.tiffany@minnesotahockeymagazine.com phone: 715.222.6460
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Publisher
Tiffany Media Company Founder & President Scott Tiffany scott.tiffany@mnhockeymag.com (715) 222-6460 Sr. Vice President/GM Bill Rossini bill@mnhockeymag.com
Staff
President Scott Tiffany Executive Editor Brian Halverson Contributors Bruce Brothers Tim Kolehmainen Dustin Nelson Eric Vegoe Jim Hoey Joel Badzinski Vineeta Sawkar Branby Chief Photographer Jeff Wegge Photo Contributors Jonny Watkins Brent Cizek Tim Kolehmainen Design/Production Tim Kolehmainen Social Media Manager Scott Ludwig Advertising advertise@mnhockeymag.com Website minnesotahockeymag.com E-Mail info@mnhockeymag.com
Cover photos by Jeff Wegge
MINNESOTA HOCKEY MAGAZINE
FALL ISSUE 2017
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TABLE OF CONTENTS — COLLEGE HOCKEY PREVIEW —
2017-18 Men’s Preview HIGH ‘X’PECTATIONS
University of Minnesota captain Tyler Sheehy and his Gophers’ teammates hope to take advantage of a hometown Frozen Four. •
PAGE 10
YOUTH MOVEMENT FOR BULLDOGS
Mikey Anderson and Dylan Samberg are the next generation of top defenseman at Minnesota Duluth, taking over for a group that brought the Bulldogs to the verge of a national title. •
PAGE 14
AROUND THE STATE
St. Cloud State is poised for improvement after rare transition season under coach Bob Motzko. Blend of solid veterans and rookies has Minnesota State poised to return to the top of the WCHA. Bemidji State and Michael Bitzer won’t sneak up on anyone this winter.
2017-18 Women’s Preview EVERYONE’S LOSS
A former “hockey school” begins its first season without a women’s program. The University of North Dakota’s program is no more, to the detriment of all of women’s college hockey.
• PAGE 40
OLYMPICS TEST DEPTH
The University of Minnesota must overcome graduation losses and the absence of several key Olympians this season.
• PAGE 44
AROUND THE STATE
With Maddie Rooney off with Team USA, Minnesota Duluth must replace its stalwart in goal. St. Cloud State reloads with transfers from North Dakota. Veterans boost hopes at Minnesota State, while Bemidji State looks for newcomers to boost scoring.
Pro Hockey WILD PREVIEW
Minnesota’s NHL fans optimistic a new season can bring a longer playoff run than last year’s five-game ouster.
• PAGE 62
Junior Hockey IN THE BLOOD
For many coaches at the Junior level, winning isn’t everything. Love of the game means plenty to the true blue bloods.
MINNESOTA HOCKEY MAGAZINE
• PAGE 68
John Gilbert BULLDOGS ELITE
Hall of Fame hockey writer John Gilbert joins the MHM staff with a return to prominence for the Minnesota Duluth men.
• PAGE 32
And more!
Additional features on Hall of Famer Bill Nyrop, John Gilbert’s long history with MN Hockey Mag, and great offers from all our sponsors throughout the fall issue of the Minnesota Hockey Magazine.
FALL ISSUE 2017
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