skip navigation

Motzko eager to get to work as new Gophers coach

03/29/2018, 4:00pm CDT
By Let's Play Hockey

“We are going to do it the right way.”

Those were the words of newly hired University of Minnesota head hockey coach Bob Motzko as he addressed the media during his first press conference since being named to replace longtime coach Don Lucia earlier this week.

Motzko said he hoped to continue the rich tradition that is Golden Gopher hockey with the goal of winning a national championship.

“The history and the tradition of Gopher hockey is one of the greatest in the country. It’s part of the culture and the fabric of this state,” he said. “College hockey has never been stronger in the state of Minnesota and we have to embrace that.”

Motzko takes over for Lucia, who in his 19 years won two national titles (2002, 2003) and made the finals in another (2014). Lucia leaves the program as its winningest head coach with 457 victories. Motzko served under Lucia as an assistant during the Gophers’ back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003. He is also a former player.

Motzko said he was blown away by the number of e-mails and text messages he received from Gopher alumni after he was named head coach.

“Their importance to this program is unmeasurable,” he said of the alumni. “We need to build this together. We need to enjoy this together. We need to celebrate this great university and this program together. I look forward to a very healthy and strong relationship with our alumni as we move forward.”

Motzko leaves behind a successful program at St. Cloud State University, where the Huskies entered the post-season as the No. 1-ranked team in the country before losing to Air Force in the opening round. He hopes to get the Gophers back to the top now as their head coach.

He said the team is going to do things right on and off the ice.

“We are going to do it the right way,” he said. “We will be strong in the classroom and strive to be outstanding citizens and we are going to play the game the right way. We are going to be fast and we are going to be skilled and we are going to have a whole lot of toughness when we play this sport.”

He said the team will play with humbleness and humility when they roll up their sleeves and go to work.

“I’m not one for the microphone,” he said. “I’m excited to get started. I’m a hockey coach. I’m ready to get to work.”

Top Stories

  • Teaching crossovers

  • 12/21/2017, 9:45am CST , By Andy Ness
  • Crossovers are one of the most important skating skills there is for many reasons.
  • Read More


Tag(s): State Of Hockey  News