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GOPHER MEN AND WOMEN THE MAROON AND GOLD'S RESURGENCE reignited the fire surrounding Gopher hockey last season. With a MacNaughton Cup in hand and a Frozen Four appearance under their belt, the returning roster is stacked with talent, mostly developed right here in Minnesota Hockey's community-based associations. With a glut of high-end defensemen, four 40-point scorers and another bright recruiting class, the Gophers are widely viewed as the team to beat this season. Next door, the Gopher women look to defend Eriah Hayes (LaCrescent) scored 13 goals as a junior for the Mavericks last season. WJC: HOUSLEY 6. Ufa, Russia. As usual, several Minnesotans will vie to make this team. Tournament play begins December 26 and culminates with the gold-medal game on January 5. You don't want to miss it. AT THE HELM Arguably one of the greatest Americans to play the game, South St. Paul's Phil Housley will be Team USA's head coach at this winter's World Junior Championships in 7. their third NCAA Championship after beating Wisconsin for the title last spring. Get tickets for a weekend series rematch against Bucky on Dec. 1-2 at Ridder Arena. HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA: GRAND RAPIDS CAN YOU BELIEVE it will be the sixth-annual Hockey Day Minnesota this year? Soak in the State of Hockey's culture with this all-day, midwinter classic on January 19, 2013. HIGH SCHOOL GAMES (Pokegama Lake, Grand Rapids) Eagan vs. Hibbing (boys) Benilde-St. Margaret's vs. Grand Rapids (boys) Hibbing vs. Grand Rapids (girls) COLLEGE GAME Gophers vs. North Dakota, Mariucci Arena NHL GAME Minnesota Wild vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, Xcel Energy Center 4. HAVE YOU HEARD of the Minnesota Warriors? You should. Their program has been organized for U.S. Military personnel, wounded, injured or disabled veterans of the U.S. Military, so they can reintegrate into civilian life through hockey and camaraderie. Spend Veterans Day on November 11 at the Vadnais Sports Center, where the Minnesota Warriors will be hosting a special event with the Minnesota Chapter of NHL Alumni. There will be a split-squad game in which members of the Warriors and NHL Alumni are divided into two equal teams to face off with each other. The Warriors will also induct a fallen U.S. Military service member into the "Hall of Honor" during a pre-game ceremony. There will be a silent auction to help raise money for the Warriors' initiatives. Visit MNWarriors.com for updated news, event information and ways to get involved. OCTOBER.2012 // MINNESOTAHOCKEYJOURNAL.COM 07 5. MINNESOTA WARRIORS