Minneapolis, MN – The Minnesota Golden Gophers men’s hockey team has unleashed a seismic 2025 recruiting class, cementing their status as a Big Ten juggernaut under Coach Bob Motzko. This group, featuring five NHL draft picks from the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Entry Draft, blends raw talent with the program’s relentless culture, setting the stage for a championship run.
Leading the charge is Jacob Rombach, a Wayzata, Minn., native selected 35th overall by Nashville. The dynamic forward tallied 45 points in high school and shone internationally with five points at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship. Joining him is Mace’o Phillips, a physical defenseman drafted 80th by Calgary, known for his punishing style and bronze medal at the same U18 tournament. Mason Moe (90th, New Jersey), LJ Mooney (113th, Montreal), and Jacob Kvasnicka (202nd, NY Islanders) round out the draft class, each bringing speed, skill, and Minnesota grit.
Motzko’s “Ski-U-Mah” ethos prioritizes character over flash, and this class embodies it. Rombach’s leadership, paired with Phillips’ tenacity, complements local talents like Moe, who racked up 43 points with Sioux Falls in the USHL. These recruits join a program fresh off a 2024-25 season with a Big Ten title share and NCAA Tournament berth, poised to dominate at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
With Motzko, the 2023 Spencer Penrose Award winner, steering the ship, the Gophers’ 2025 class isn’t just chasing wins—it’s forging a legacy. As they gear up for their October 3-4 opener against Michigan Tech, this squad is ready to make the State of Hockey proud.
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