Gophers Senior Class Review

With all due respect this year's class may end up being remembered more for what the Gophers didn't do rather than anything that was accomplished in their four years in the maroon and gold. Sure, there was leadership on the ice and certainly things behind the scene that have been solid contributions to the program, but Minnesota has fallen short of expectations now for the past three years.
Seniors Mike Howe and Ben Gordon scored the only goal in the 5-2 loss to Boston College, but it wasn't enough for the offensively challenged Gophers.

Here's a review of the seniors and their careers...

Ben Gordon

• Gordon was a model of consistency during his career finishing between 29 and 31 points for three of his four seasons.
• He played on a line with Blake Wheeler, which meant often tough match ups, but he took more shots on net than any other Gopher this year and finished second on the team in scoring with 15 goals and 14 assists.
• Senior season at International Falls Gordon led the state in scoring with 81 points and was a finalist as Mr. Hockey, which was won by St. Cloud State's Nate Dey.

Mike Howe

• Never did become the goal scorer that the Gophers thought they were getting. seven goals and 14 assists senior year and 32 career goals.
• Was named 2004 USHL player of the year while with River City Lancers.
• Had 61 goals and 59 assists in 108 career USHL games.

Evan Kaufmann

• Served as a faceoff and defensive center specialist while scoring nine goals and 10 assists this year, sixth on the team in points.
• Kaufmann's the kind of center that the Gophers need, but with more production around him on the wings.
• Was named to the USHL All-Rookie team when he scored 20 goals adding 30 assists with the Lancers.

Derek Peltier

• Peltier was the best senior, best defenseman and sometimes the best player this year for the Gophers while serving as the captain.
• Had his best offensive season with four goals and 17 assists.
• May have shown the Colorado Avalanche more ability this year. He's a 2004 sixt round draft pick of the Avs.

Tom Pohl

• Tom Pohl was a hard-working kid who become well-known around the country because of his head injury suffered in the opening round of the WCH A playoffs against Minnesota State Mankato.
• Pohl played in 34 games this year scoring one goal and assisting on five others. He finished his career with four career tallies.
• Pohl was an All-Star with the Tri-City Storm in the USHL and while a prep at Red Wing finished 29th in the state in scoring with 24 goals and 30 assists in 25 games.

Brent Solei

• Was a walk-on goaltender and only played in one career game, an exhibition game where he recorded 28 saves and a win against Wayne State.
• Before Minnesota Solei was named NAHL MVP while playing for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs . He had a .935 save pct and recorded seven shut outs and a 24-10 record.
• During his prep career at Elk River he won a state championship during his junior year and was named All-State honorable mention in his senior year.

On the end of the career.....

Howe:

It’s pretty emotional. The last four years have been years I’ll never forget. Losing the way we did today, we fought real hard, we just didn’t get a couple bounces to go our way. Playing for the University of Minnesota has meant the world to me. It’s sad to say goodbye this way.


Gordon:
For me, I guess the hardest part is saying goodbye to a lot of good friends that we’ve made over the years. I just want to say a special thanks to my class. They are some of my best friends in the whole world. I am so fortunate to get a chance to play for this school and with such a great coaching staff. I’ve loved it.