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Minnesota Women's Hockey 2025-26

eastcoastgopher said:
Nicole Haase says she's hearing Natalie Darwitz and Bethany Brausen as candidates. I'm someone who doesn't believe Muzz will say yes. I would like Boom May and Shari Dickerman to be considered, but with most of Minnesota's coaching openings under Coyle it seems he knows who he wants.
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What has Natalie Darwitz been up to since leaving the Frost?
 
Would Muzz say yes? That depends on to what extent tOSU has delivered on promises made to her along the way. Reasons she might:
  • If she is going to ever move, this would seem like the time, rather than five years from now;
  • She chose Minneapolis twice before;
  • While its popularity has grown in Columbus, hockey matters to a greater extent in Minny;
  • She's been a part of 5 national titles at UM, so there will always be a little Gopher in her.
Reasons she wouldn't:
  • She knows for a certainty she can win titles at tOSU;
  • Less pressure to stay at a program where they wouldn't ever fire her for being non-competitive, because her worst year figures to be better than anything her predecessors managed;
  • Proximity to Toronto, which is both a recruiting hotbed and her hometown;
  • She believes all the nonsense about the charm of her current home rink;
  • Having seen both athletic departments, tOSU has advantages.
Some possible high school coach standouts (not proven recruiters):
  • Sami Reber;
  • Krissy & John.
Other intriguing former Gopher options besides Darwitz and Brausen:
  • While Mira is the more cerebral option, Noora has more of a Muzz personality that might fit better in the city;
  • Lee Stecklein (with the right assistants, she would win right away.)
 
ARM said:
  • While its popularity has grown in Columbus, hockey matters to a greater extent in Minny;
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I've been wondering (even before today) about the falloff in attendance at Ridder: how much of it has to do with the PWHL Frost being an alternative, and if so, would Muzerall - or anyone else - be able to reverse the trend?
 
robertearle said:
I've been wondering (even before today) about the falloff in attendance at Ridder: how much of it has to do with the PWHL Frost being an alternative, and if so, would Muzerall - or anyone else - be able to reverse the trend?
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I’m sure it’s some of it but I think they are also 2 different fanbases.

Lots of new hockey fans in the pw. And diehards of the sport too.

A college attracts diehards for that school, college hockey fans, families, little girls who dream of playing college, parents who like getting their kids on a college campus
 
robertearle said:
I've been wondering (even before today) about the falloff in attendance at Ridder: how much of it has to do with the PWHL Frost being an alternative, and if so, would Muzerall - or anyone else - be able to reverse the trend?
Click to expand...
There is always a lot of competition for the ticket-buying sports fan in the Twin Cities. I'm not sure that there is a 100% overlap with any fanbase, as Lindsay says. Yes, there's overlap with MN Frost fans, but there is also overlap with Gopher VB and other women's sports. HS hockey fans. The people who go to 1 Twins and 1 Wild game a year. It isn't like a crowd in Madison where a higher percentage of the same core of fans fill the rink for most games. Youth teams are a big part of it, and maybe the coaches didn't want to watch the recent Gophers, because they'd just learn bad habits. If they start working hard and play more disciplined hockey, it will solve some problems immediately.
 
Does anyone have access to Kalshi or Polymarket to see if there's a line on "Will Muzzy be the next coach of Gophers womens ice hockey?" I'd probably go with yes at anything under 65 cents or so . . .
 
ARM said:
There is always a lot of competition for the ticket-buying sports fan in the Twin Cities. I'm not sure that there is a 100% overlap with any fanbase, as Lindsay says. Yes, there's overlap with MN Frost fans, but there is also overlap with Gopher VB and other women's sports. HS hockey fans. The people who go to 1 Twins and 1 Wild game a year. It isn't like a crowd in Madison where a higher percentage of the same core of fans fill the rink for most games. Youth teams are a big part of it, and maybe the coaches didn't want to watch the recent Gophers, because they'd just learn bad habits. If they start working hard and play more disciplined hockey, it will solve some problems immediately.
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One thing that is puzzling is why they can't get more students to attend games?
 
Arreis said:
One thing that is puzzling is why they can't get more students to attend games?
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It's not for lack of trying. I spent a number of years with the booster club and that was something Gopher marketing would focus on at times. Students are busy. When they do attend a sport, it tends to be those with the highest profile, unless it is something they played in HS. The niche seems to be that it is a better fit for some families with young children. The venue is smaller/cheaper than alternatives, and you can get up close and personal with players and Goldy. Old people like me also tend to like the relaxed atmosphere, but as recent years have proved, we don't like to show up to watch undisciplined hockey.
 
eastcoastgopher said:
Judging from social media, a lot of Gopher fans are going to be disappointed when the next coach isn't Muzerall. On this site, it's gonna be mostly Badger fans.
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Honestly, her at Minnesota is more concerning than her staying at tOSU.

I feel like having access to Minnesota as a recruiting grounds and a better arena makes her more dangerous as an opposing coach/program leader.

I'd like to see her go to the PWHL.
 
Gurth 2.0 said:
Honestly, her at Minnesota is more concerning than her staying at tOSU.

I feel like having access to Minnesota as a recruiting grounds and a better arena makes her more dangerous as an opposing coach/program leader.

I'd like to see her go to the PWHL.
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I told my wife yesterday it's cool that I can make 1 post and rile up 2 fan bases. My honest opinion is she needs to rot in Columbus, then get fed up with it and go to the PWHL. I don't want her anywhere near Rodentapolis.
 
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