By Ryan Falk
Murphy News Service
The Gopher men’s hockey team saw its captain, Kyle Rau, come back for his senior year instead of going to the NHL after a disappointing end to last season
“Last year was unfortunate,” Rau, a senior, said.
Rau said his goal is to lead his team back to the Frozen Four Championship game this season and he says last year has taught him what it takes to return.
“You realize how hard we worked and now we can be alright through the ups and downs because you never know what’ll happen once you get to the playoffs,” Rau said.
Rau’s return this season brings up many similarities with his senior year of high school in Eden Prairie. He chose to finish his senior year instead of leaving early to play for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL and helped Eden Prairie to a state championship.
“I felt it was right and it was what my heart was in,” Rau said of making the decisions to return to Eden Prairie and the Gophers.
Rau wants to replicate the success of his return in Eden Prairie with his return to the Gophers.
“It (winning the Frozen Four) would mean a lot because we work so hard and we have a big fan base,” Rau said.
Rau returns as one of the faces of this No. 1-ranked Gopher team. It is something he doesn’t take for granted.
“It’s cool and an honor and it’s something I don’t take lightly,” Rau said.
Rau comes from a hockey family. His brother Chad played in the NHL. Rau said growing up in such an athletic environment was fun and helped him refine his skills.
“We had a hockey rink in the back yard. It’s where I honed my skills and played with my brothers,” Rau said.
Those skills helped Rau to be a standout at Eden Prairie High School for head coach Lee Smith.
“It was a pleasure to have someone who worked hard, was a good leader and a clutch performer,” Smith said.
Smith saw the talent that helped to set Rau apart from other players his age.
“He’s ahead of other players on the ice with his hockey sense,” Smith said. “You can’t coach the inner drive he has that separates him.”
His hockey sense and inner drive would help him in 2011 when the Florida Panthers chose him with the 91st selection in the NHL entry draft. Getting drafted is a dream for many young hockey players, but it was Rau’s reality.
“It was a lot of fun,” Rau said, “it’s something you work for and it’s a huge honor.”
Smith said watching Rau get drafted made him feel great.
“It’s an honor to coach players that get drafted,” Smith said, “it’s definitely a highlight.”
Smith said it was no surprise to him that Rau has NHL potential, who, in his junior season had 38 goals, 39 assists and 77 points.
Smith said Rau’s talent is matched by his personality.
“He’s a great locker room guy and he has fun,” Smith said, “he’s awesome to coach on your bench.”
Reporter Ryan Falk is studying journalism at the University of Minnesota