Gopher Hockey: Michael Brodzinski Leaves Gophers to Sign Pro Contract with San Jose

Gopher Hockey junior defenseman Michael Brodzinski signed an amateur try out contract with the San Jose Sharks on Thursday and will not return to the Gophers for his senior season. He will be on an amateur tryout contract for the remainder of this season, and then his rookie three year contract will begin with the 2016-17 season. He will join the Sharks’ American Hockey League franchise, the Barracuda who share a rink with the parent club.

Brodzinski was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team this season after finishing with career bests of eight goals and 13 assists. He finishes his Gopher career having played three seasons, but being an everyday defenseman the past two seasons. He scored the first hat trick by a defenseman in Big Ten history this past season in the Gophers 9-2 blowout win in Madison. Brodzinski will join his brother Jonny in the AHl. Jonny played three seasons for St. Cloud State and now plays for the LA Kings AHL affiliate.

Brodzinski becomes the second Gopher to leave the program early this season following Hudson Fasching. Fasching signed with Buffalo last week and while up with the big club has yet to make his NHL debut with the Sabres.

Good luck to Michael in the pro ranks.