Mittelstadt: Obviously, the skill is amazing, but, the heart, the compete level every practice is amazing. I think the talent is going to come out even more with just that high work ethic.

Gruba: This summer I was working upstairs with Cal Dietz. I've was here just about every day on campus, taking classes and working out. There's a reason why everyone comes to Dieter. He does such an amazing job and I'm just lucky to have the opportunity to train with him.

Motzko acknowledged that last year was a bit of an exodus: I never hold it against these guys, it's just part of the world that we have to live in right now. No one feels sorry for the Gophers... we like what we've got coming back, it's just we're not as set in spots.

One mea culpa on the show introducing the newcomers... for some reason I said Javon Moore played with the NTDP... there has been a trend of NTDP/Gophers connections playing an extra year somewhere else, Moore stayed with Minnetonka all the way through and then played a post draft year in the USHL.

No real update given, but Motzko said it didn't look good and they'll know more once they get into the week.