USA Hockey Magazine

42 // AUGUST 2022 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM As it turned out, Blatherwick's coaching proved more valuable than the 18-year-old right-winger imagined. "Jack is around 80 years old and I've been with him four or five years," Snuggerud said. "I really made a jump in my game with his help. I became a faster north-south skater." Growing up, Snuggerud saw more than his share of games. His father and grandfa- ther are long-time Minnesota season ticket h o l d e r s. B u t i t wa s t h e f a m i l y t r a d i t i o n that ultimately swayed him to stick close to home. "It's cool to know the history of him and to know my grandpa played there also," he said. "I would dream of being a Gopher. But once it came to making a college decision, it wasn't always Minnesota." The highlight of the younger Snuggerud's hockey career was getting drafted. A close second was getting to carry on the family tradition at Minnesota. "I think it's cool to keep the hockey blood driving," Jimmy said. "Hopefully, one day my kids will go there, too. But I'm not going to force them. My dad didn't force me. Every time I step on the ice it will mean that much to my grandpa and my dad to have them watching me and know that they have played there before." The youngster understands the pride and the pressure of skating in front of friends and family when he slips on a Minnesota jersey. "He absolutely loves to watch me play," S n u g g e r u d sa i d o f h i s g r a n d f a t h e r, w h o played at the U in the early and mid-1960s. "He is 86 and still playing. He just leads by example for me by how much you can love the game for that much of your life. He shows how to live your life. I hope to be doing that, too. What I have taken from him: I want to play as long as I can. I guess you can say I want to play hockey until I die." Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko, who is in his fifth season with the Gophers, gets excited talking about his latest recruiting class, especially his new right winger. He raves about the intensity level of his play, not to mention his solid two-way game, eye-catching shot and hockey IQ. "The biggest thing is his motor and work ethic," Motzko said. "Of course, he has the skill and talent, but what a rare combination when you get a kid that young that plays so bloody hard shift after shift. He makes play- ers around him better because of the way he grinds and the hardness in his game." Snuggerud will be heading off to college with a big dose of confidence. He shined at the Blues' four-day minicamp in mid-July and for the U.S. National Under-17 (15 goals, 17 assists in 32 games) and Under-18 teams (24, 39, 63). U18 head coach Adam Nightingale said the lanky forward was the most improved player at the NTDP over the past two seasons as he gained about 25 pounds. " H e c a m e i n a b o y a n d l e f t a m a n ," explained Nightingale, who is now the head coach at Michigan State. "He has a unique drive to be a world-class player. He can really strip guys of the puck. He has a world-class shot and release. When you combine all that, he is a really g ood player. He has a unique release and the puck really explodes off his stick." I t m a y s t i l l b e a f e w y e a r s before another Snugg erud strides onto NHL ice, but he is ready to show that he is ready to make an impact at Minnesota. "I would say he'll spend two years in college and I tend to be conservative," s a i d K y l e Wo o d l i e f , owner of the Redline R e p o r t , a n i n d e p e n - dent scouting service on draft prospects. "He has all the pro capa- bilities. St. Louis drafted him at 23. We had him ranked at 16. I think that's really good value."P To m Wo rg o i s a f re e - lance writer based in Annapolis, Md.

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