Some recent features on the Minnesota men's and women's hockey teams that I wrote over at SB Nation College Hockey. These are highlights. There are several more that are over on the site that were not used.
Before heading to his second WJC camp, Ryan Collins had another reunion
http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/big-ten/2015/12/18/10589556/gophers-hockey-ryan-collins-billet-family-world-juniors-2016
December is a busy time of the year for Minnesota men's hockey defenseman Ryan Collins.
The sophomore has finals, his second straight World Juniors camp, the tournament itself if he makes Team USA, and is trying to help lead the Gophers to a fast start in the Big Ten conference standings. Collins also was able to meet with his billet family who housed him in Ann Arbor for two seasons, a moment that was very important to him.
This was a fun story to write because it came naturally and was able show the importance billet families play and the person behind the equipment.
High school linemates Kelly Pannek, Caitlin Reilly showcase Minnesota's offensive depth
http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/womens-hockey/2015/12/4/9849226/gophers-hockey-kelly-pannek-caitlin-reilly-offensive-depth
One aspect of the Minnesota women's hockey team that has led the Gophers well in recent years has been its offensive depth. Behind the team's top line, which features three of the top-five scorers in college hockey this season, are two talented ones beneath it.
I spoke with high school linemates and sophomores Kelly Pannek, who was riding an 18 game point streak at the time (it ended that weekend as the Gophers got swept by #1 Wisconsin), and Caitlin Reilly, about the importance of the team's depth, Reilly joining Minnesota after transferring, and more. Pannek centers the team's second line while Reilly, who gave up special teams play and playing time at Penn State to return home, is on Minnesota's third line.
Also this might be the first-ever interview with one of the Reilly siblings - of which there have been 4 at Minnesota in the past 4 years - to not ask a question about the others.
Michigan native Brent Gates Jr. returns home this weekend
http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/big-ten/2015/12/11/9893204/gophers-hockey-michigan-native-brent-gates-jr-returns-home-minnesota-anaheim-ducks
Michigan native Brent Gates Jr. returned to his home state in December when the Gopher freshman faced the Wolverines. Gates is the first Michigander to ever play for Minnesota in its 95 year history. The Grand Rapids, MI native regularly spent his development going from the western side of the state to the eastern side (Detroit area) of the mitten.
It's not a short stretch either, as I learned doing the drive from Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids and back to Detroit last weekend. Gained a ton of respect for Gates' dedication after the fact.
A secret college hockey doubleheader
http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/big-ten/2015/11/25/9801390/a-secret-college-hockey-doubleheader
College hockey struggles for TV attention. The sport doesn't help itself when five of the six games in my market one weekend were unable to be found on a TV listing.
Game recaps:
And lastly, here is a pair of different game recaps. The first comes from Minnesota's 3-2 overtime win over Ohio State on December 4th where the Early November references run high. The second is more of a column, as the Gophers fell 3-2 in overtime to Minnesota State on November 14th when leading 2-0 with 4 minutes remaining.
http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/big-ten/2015/12/4/9852910/big-ten-hockey-minnesota-ohio-state-final-score-3-2-hudson-fasching
http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/big-ten/2015/11/14/9737354/gophers-hockey-on-losing-nonconference-momentum-and-a-two-goal-lead
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