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Brodzinski chooses Gophers

By David La Vaque, Star Tribune, 11/05/11, 9:38AM CDT

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Blaine defenseman Michael Brodzinski verbally commits to Minnesota


Michael Brodzinski

Mike Brodzinski split his college hockey career with two seasons at Minnesota followed by two seasons at St. Cloud State.
 
Hopefully he kept supporter apparel from both schools because he will need all of it now. On Thursday night, his son Michael, a junior defenseman at Blaine, committed to the Gophers. Older brother Jonny, a forward, previously committed to St. Cloud State and plans to join the Huskies next season.
 
Michael picked the Gophers over Nebraska-Omaha. His short list of schools also included North Dakota and St. Cloud State.
 
Brodzinski, who measures 5-11, 180 pounds, scored 14 goals and added 17 assists for the Bengals last season. He scored an overtime goal in the section finals to send the Bengals to their sixth consecutive Class 2A state tournament.
 
“The coaches have said his pro potential is better than 90 percent of the '95s [birth year] because of his size,” Mike Brodzinski said. “And he’s only going to get bigger.”
 
Brodzinski emerged as one of the state’s promising young defensemen as a sophomore last season. USA Hockey officials also noticed, offering Brodzinski a spot on the National Team Development Program Under-16 team.
 
He elected to return for his junior season at Blaine and has been playing in the Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey Hockey League this fall. Brodzinski scored five goals and added 11 assists in 23 games for Team Northwest, and was selected to play in the Elite League's Bauer National Invitiational Tournament Nov. 4-6 in New Hope.
 
Mike said the future is uncertain but Michael has the option to play in the USHL at some point or remain at Blaine through his senior season.
 
“The Gophers coaches said it was up to him,” Mike said. “They said he could come in as a true freshman without playing in the USHL at all.”

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2011-12 Minnesota High School Division I Recruits

Name High School Year Pos. College Verbal Commit
Spencer Bell Maple Grove Senior F Wisconsin Yes
Grant Besse Benilde-St. Margaret's Junior F Wisconsin Yes
Jake Bischoff Grand Rapids Junior D Minnesota Yes
Michael Brodzinski Blaine Junior D Minnesota Yes
Andrew Commers St. Thomas Academy Senior F RPI Yes
Jordan Gross Maple Grove Junior D Notre Dame Yes
Jake Guentzel Hill-Murray Junior F Nebraska-Omaha Yes
Blake Heinrich Hill-Murray Junior D Minnesota-Duluth Yes
Christian Horn Benilde-St. Margaret's Senior F Minnesota Yes
Adam Johnson Hibbing Junior F Minnesota-Duluth Yes
Justin Kloos Lakeville South Senior F Minnesota Yes
Dan Labosky Benilde-St. Margaret's Junior F Colorado College Yes
Vinni Lettieri Minnetonka Junior F Minnesota Yes
Eli May Eagan Senior D Minnesota State Yes
Will Merchant Eagan Senior F Maine Yes
Lou Nanne Edina Junior F Minnesota Yes
Grant Opperman Breck Senior F Dartmouth Yes
Judd Peterson Duluth Marshall Senior F St. Cloud State Yes
Matt Pohlkamp Brainerd Senior F Bowling Green Yes
Jake Randolph Duluth East Senior F Nebraska-Omaha Yes
Charlie Sampair Hill-Murray Senior F Minnesota-Duluth Yes
Joe Schuldt Minnetonka Senior D Michigan Tech Yes
Eric Schurhamer St. Thomas Academy Senior D Maine Yes
Dylan Steman Maple Grove Senior F Michigan Tech Yes
Jared Thomas Hermantown Senior F Minnesota-Duluth Yes
Dom Toninato Duluth East Senior F Minnesota-Duluth Yes
Hunter Warner Eden Prairie Sophomore D Minnesota State Yes
Sam Wolfe Eagan Senior D Maine Yes
Michael Zajac Eagan Senior F Princeton Yes