While three University of Minnesota hockey players left campus early to sign professional contracts, Hudson Fasching stayed behind.
The big, blond Buffalo Sabres prospect suddenly finds himself one of the most experienced skaters on the roster.
With the Gophers opening their season against Vermont at 7 p.m. Saturday at Mariucci Arena, Fasching will have to grow into his own for the Gophers to succeed.
"Hudson, we need him to have a big year," coach Don Lucia said. "From an offensive standpoint, he needs to be able to go to the next level."
Fasching, a 6-foot-2, 207-pound junior forward from Burnsville, enters the season as an assistant captain.