Coach Don Lucia of the Gophers confirmed Wednesday that junior Jeff Frazee won’t be back next season. He has signed with New Jersey.

Freshman Alex Kangas started every game the second half of the season and proved he can handle the workload. He even played in 16 OTs. “We feel good the way Alex played,” Lucia said. “He is going in as the No. 1 goalie next year.”

But every team needs a backup and a practice goalie is desireable, too.

The name I have been hearing the most is Kent Patterson of the USHL’s Cedar Rapids team. … The Gophers have not made any inquiries about Joe Philippi, who led Hill-Murray to the Class 2A state title. He is going to play for Team Minnesota in the upcoming Chicago Showcase, still looking for a scholarship.

The Gophers are bringing in at least 10-11 freshmen next season. “It is what it is, with guys leaving,” Lucia said. “It’s more freshmen than we like to have on a regular basis.”

But Lucia is upbeat. He expects a great offseason and is encouraged that the team learned how to win this spring.

The freshmen and older players will all be working out and goint to summer school, he said. Lucia also has somebody in mind to come in to replace Frazee.

On Wednesday, Lucia was conducting postseason reviews with some of his players. It’s a process which overlaps two weeks.

LUCIA: GO IRISH

His sentimental favorite in the Frozen Four which starts tonight in Denver is Notre Dame, his almost mater. Assistant coach Mike Guentzel’s son, Ryan, also plays for the Irish.

If Notre Dame can’t win it, Lucia said, he has to pull for his league, meaning North Dakota. “It will be a great game between them and Boston College,” Lucia said. “Notre Dame will be a big underdog to Michigan.”

NESS SIGNS

On Wednesday, the Gophers also signed their ninth player for the 2008-09 season. And this was a big signing, defenseman Aaron Ness of Roseau.

Ness’ Rams won the Class 2A state title last year and also qualified for the state tournament this season. He had 28 goals and 44 assists this season and 44 goals and 100 assists in his three-year varsity career.

His teams were 82-10 and made three consecutive state trips.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Aaron join our program,” Lucia said in a U press release.  “He’s a dynamic defenseman who should be able to step right in and be in the mold of some of the great defensemen who played here in the past.”

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 at 11:21 pm and is filed under Gophers men's hockey. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.