June 6, 2007
Okposo Returning; Carman to Sit Out
CHN Staff Report
MINNEAPOLIS — At least one blue chip player has decided to stay with the Gophers, unlike last season's exodus and this year's loss of freshman Erik Johnson.
Kyle Okposo announced today he will return to the Golden Gophers for his sophomore season. Okposo, a center, was the No. 7 overall draft pick of the New York Islanders at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
"After meeting with the Islanders to discuss my future, I felt it was in my best interest to return for my sophomore year," Okposo said. "This is where I want to be to develop into a better player. I'm enjoying my time as a Gopher and am looking forward to helping us defend our WCHA Championships."
At the same time, the team announced that sophomore-to-be Mike Carman will sit out the first half of next season. No specific reason was given for the decision. Carman will rejoin the Gophers at the Dodge Holiday Classic on Dec. 29-30, 2007.
Carman appeared in 41 games last season (9-11—20) to rank fourth among rookies in scoring. He led the team with three shorthanded goals and ranked tied for second with three game-winning goals. Carman was a member of the U.S. World Junior team, which won a bronze medal, as were Johnson and Okposo.
Okposo earned All-WCHA Second Team and WCHA All-Rookie Team honors last season with totals of 19-21—40 to rank second on the team in scoring. Okposo was second on the team in goals and finished tied for third in the WCHA in freshman scoring.
"We're obviously very happy that Kyle elected to return," Minnesota coach Don Lucia said. "We're looking forward to having him be a key player for us next season. I believe Kyle made the right decision and that he is best served coming back to develop, both as a person and an athlete."
