Eden Prairie native Kyle Rau announced Thursday that he will return to his captain’s chair for his senior season with the Gophers.
Rau led Minnesota with 40 points (14 goals, 26 assists) last season – a season that ended with a 7-4 defeat at the hands of upstart Union in the NCAA National Championship game.
“I love playing hockey at Minnesota and wearing the Maroon & Gold,” Rau said in a statement, per the Pioneer Press. “Deep down, I know that we have unfinished business here. With the talent we have coming back and the new guys coming in, I think we can have a really special season next year. I’d also like to thank the Florida Panthers. They are a great organization, and I appreciate their understanding of my decision.”
According to GopherSports.com, Rau is Minnesota active career scoring leader with 123 points (47 goals, 76 assists) and he’s racked up at least 40 points in each of his three years at the U.
Rau was selected by the Florida Panthers 91st picked (third round) in the 2011 NHL Draft.
Minnesota, the defending Big Ten champion, opens the 2014-15 season October 10th in South Bend, Indiana at the Ice Breaker Tournament.
