Minnesota, Wisconsin's Best Rekindle Rivalry Friday

The longstanding Minnesota-Wisconsin men's hockey rivalry will add a new -- and old -- layer at Hockey Day Minnesota 2017 this weekend.
In addition to the Golden Gophers and Badgers' second Hockey Day clash in three years, alumni from each storied program will don their respective colors again for an exhibition contest Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Stillwater's Lowell Park, the site of this year's outdoor high school games. Minnesota's alumni roster includes the likes of national champions Nick Angell, Keith Ballard, Chris Harrington, Matt Koalska, Jordan Leopold, Pat O'Leary, John Pohl, Troy Riddle and Erik Wendell, while title holders Adam Burish and Davis Drewiske are among the former Wisconsin players scheduled to participate.

The longstanding Minnesota-Wisconsin Border Battle men's hockey rivalry will add a new -- and old -- layer at Hockey Day Minnesota 2017 this weekend.
In addition to the Golden Gophers and Badgers' second Hockey Day clash in three years, alumni from each storied program will don their respective colors again for an exhibition contest Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Stillwater's Lowell Park, the site of this year's outdoor high school games. Minnesota's alumni roster includes the likes of national champions Nick Angell, Keith Ballard, Chris Harrington, Matt Koalska, Jordan Leopold, Pat O'Leary, John Pohl, Troy Riddle and Erik Wendell, while title holders Adam Burish and Davis Drewiske are among the former Wisconsin players scheduled to participate.
"It's going to be really cool," said Pohl, who played on Minnesota's 2002 national championship team. "Selfishly, for me, it's just going to be great to spend a night with my college buddies.
"Now, when you throw on top of it the fact that it's Gophers vs. Badgers, possibly toward the end it could get more competitive than an alumni game probably should get. That's definitely a possibility."
It's a rivalry built on the backs of legendary coaches Herb Brooks and Bob Johnson, dating back to the 1970s. Together, Minnesota and Wisconsin have combined for 11 national crowns. According to the Gophers' sports information department, they lead the all-time series 164-90-23.
Full alumni game rosters, including years letters were earned, are listed below (subject to change):
Minnesota
Coaches:
Wisconsin
Coach:
- Jeff Sauer, former Badgers head coach