Gophers coach Bob Motzko: ‘There will be times this year I will need my players more than they need me’

Minnesota Gophers men’s hockey head coach Bob Motzko met with the media Monday afternoon.

After the tragic passing this summer of his son, Mack, Motzko admitted that being at the rink can be therapeutic.

"Coming to the office, being around the players, with what we are going through, any distraction we can get is good," Motzko told reporters, via Zoom.

Motzko added, "The world that I had before, no longer exists. We have to do a lot of rebuilding. When I come to the rink and get around my staff, it is familiar territory. There will be times this year I will need my players more than they need me, especially early in the year. It is a great outlet for me right now."

***CLICK ON THE VIDEO BOX ABOVE TO HEAR FROM MOTZKO***

Motzko also talked about his team’s biggest question marks, the goaltender position, the transfer portal, how he views the high expectations for this season, and more.

Motzko noted that his team is 100 percent vaccinated to protect vs. Covid-19.

The Gophers open their season Oct. 2 with a home series vs. Alaska.