Minnesota star forward Jimmy Snuggerud has announced he is returning to the Gophers for his Junior season.
Minnesota star forward Jimmy Snuggerud announced today that he will be coming back to the Gophers for his Junior season despite the chance of turning pro.
"I am excited to announce I'm coming back to the University of Minnesota next season," Snuggerud said in the team's 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."
Snuggerud, 19, was the St. Louis Blues' 23rd overall pick in the 2022 draft and has spent the last two seasons at the University of Minnesota where he has put up back-to-back 20-goal seasons.
The Minnesota native joined Nick Bjugstad, Ryan Potulny, Thomas Vanek, Troy Riddle, and Erik Westrum as the only Gophers to score 20 or more goals in back-to-back seasons since 2000.
Only Snuggerud and Vanek accomplished that milestone in their first two collegiate seasons.
There was a thought Snuggerud might turn pro and sign with the St. Louis Blues but he decided today that he will return to the Gophers instead.
"I watched Brock Faber come back for his junior year," Snuggerud said. "I feel like I can take the same path as Brock to the NHL, and help the Gophers win a national championship."
As for the Blues?
“After talking to Jimmy and his family the past couple days, the organization fully supports his decision to commit to another season at the University of Minnesota," St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong said in a team release.
"We look forward to watching his continued development towards becoming a solid contributor for the St. Louis Blues in the future by playing a lead role for the Golden Gophers against top college competition next year."
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