This time last year, the Gophers men's hockey team seemed to have all the answers. Ranked No. 1 with big expectations, Minnesota seemed without a significant weakness.
No so this year.
Nine players are gone, and with them went more than half of the team's points and a goaltender who started 38 of 39 games. In their place, 10 freshmen.
Minnesota is still expeted to be strong, ranked No. 9 to open the season, but there is considerable uncertainty heading into Saturday's season opener against Vermont at Mariucci Arena.
"There's so many more question marks," coach Don Lucia said.