Gophers coach Don Lucia said Tuesday that his program is much better prepared this year for the surprise loss of players like Stu Bickel than in other recent seasons.

Bickel, who would have been a sophomore defenseman, signed with the Anaheim Ducks this week.

“We’ve recruited enough guys,” Lucia said. “We still have 27 players.”

Indeed, the Gophers are bringing in 12 freshmen, including three defensmen. That has to be one of the U’s largest recruiting classes. At least two are walk-ons.

The freshmen D coming in are Aaron Ness of Roseau, and Sam Lofquist and Grant Scott of the national development team in Ann Arbor, Mich.

“We’re trying to get the numbers back up, we’ve tried to protect ourselves,” Lucia said. “The big beneficiary of Stu leaving might be Grant Scott. He’s a big strong kid who can play that type of role. So he might step in.

“It might also open the door for Brian Schack. We need a guy back there who is a little bit physical.”

Bickel certainly was that. The 6-3, 210-pound Bickel led the Gophers in penalties with 42. Scott is almost the same size. He is 6-3, 205. He is beleived to be Minnesota’s first recruit from Pennsylvania. His hometown is listed as Sewickley, Pa.

Schack, a junior, is also big. He is 6-2, 225 but on many weekends last season he was inactive.

The veteran defensemen coming back are senior R.J. Anderson, junior Dave Fischer and sophomores Cade Fairchild and Kevin Wehrs.

So the defense, even without Bickel, should be improved. Captain Derek Peltier, who was a senior, is the only other loss.

Lucia said Bickel talked with him last week about possibly turning pro.

“He was one of those guys, unheralded coming in, not a highly regarded player who had converted to play defense a couple years ago,” Lucia said. “He signs with Minnesota and played a big role for us.

“We would have loved him to stick around a little longer, but he made a decision in his best interests. That’s the nature of where things are.”

Lucia said he expects all the other players on the Gophers current roster — which can be found on www.gophersports.com — to stay.

“The rest of the guys will all be back,” Lucia said, “and I’m happy for Stu.”

Bickel is the fourth Gopher underclassmen to leave the program since last December when forward Kyle Okposo, a sophomore, signed with  the New York Islanders. Since the season ended, junior goalie Jeff Frazee has signed with the New Jersey Devils and junior forward Blake Wheeler with Boston.

“It’s hard to build a team” with so many players leaving, Lucia said.

At least he has reinforcements, with 27 players expected to report. Last season, with injuries to forwards Ryan Stoa (knee) and Tom Pohl (head) and the loss of Okposo, the Gophers were down to 20 healthy bodies at least one weekend late in the season.

Lucia probably likes the idea of more competition for playing spots, too.

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