MINNEAPOLIS β For University of Minnesota forward Jimmy Snuggerud, there's "unfinished business."
After falling short of a national championship for the second straight year, the Chaska, Minnesota native announced he will return to campus next season for his junior year.
"I am excited to announce I'm coming back to the University of Minnesota next season," Snuggerud said in a press release. "It was a tough ending to this season, and I feel like we have some unfinished business to accomplish. I am committed to this team and excited for the opportunity next year with the Gophers. I watched Brock Faber come back for his junior year and I feel like I can take the same path as Brock to the NHL, and help the Gophers win a national championship."
Faber left the U after a heartbreaking loss in overtime to Quinnipiac in the national championship back in 2023. He joined the Minnesota Wild the next day, and is now one of the top rookies in the NHL.
Snuggerud, like Faber, is a first-round pick and will almost certainly make an immediate impact when he does decide to take his talents to the NHL. Snuggerud was selected No. 23 overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2022 draft, and has since helped lead the Gophers to a pair of appearances in the NCAA tournament, including a runner-up finish in 2023.
In two seasons with the Gophers, Snuggerud has compiled 84 points, including 42 goals and 42 assists in 79 games. He's a two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection, and helped lead the United States to a gold medal in the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship back in January.
Over the weekend, Minnesota's season ended in the Elite Eight following a 6-3 loss to Boston University.
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