Rhett Pitlick, who tied for the team leading in scoring for the Gophers in the 2023-24 season, has enrolled at Minnesota State University, Mankato and will play for the Mavericks in the 2024-25 season, coach Luke Strand announced Saturday.
Former Gopher Rhett Pitlick will play hockey for Minnesota State Mankato this season
The left winger tied for Minnesota’s scoring lead in the 2023-24 season.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
September 21, 2024 at 4:51PM
Pitlick, a left winger who has one year of eligibility remaining, played three seasons for the Gophers, helping them reach two NCAA Frozen Fours, one national championship game and a third regional final. Last season, he had 19 goals and 17 assists, sharing the scoring lead with Bryce Brodzinski and earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. Pitlick, 23, had 35 goals and 44 assists in his Gophers career.
A fifth-round selection of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2019 NHL draft, Pitlick parted ways with the Gophers after the 2023-24 season. He did not sign with Montreal and became a free agent when his rights expired this summer. Without a contract with an NHL organization, Pitlick opted for one final collegiate season with Minnesota State.
Gophers coach Keegan Cook and standout Julia Hanson understand the team must be consistent now if it wants to become an NCAA tournament host for the first time since 2022.
