Edina Native Budish Named Gopher Hockey Captain

Former Edina hockey standout Zach Budish has officially been named captain of the University of Minnesota men's hockey team for the upcoming season.

Budish, a 2009 graduate, helped lead the Hornets to a Class AA state runner-up finish his junior year. He suffered a knee injury during the first round of 2008's high school football playoffs, which caused him to miss his senior year of hockey.

Now in his third year with the Gophers—he'll be a redshirt junior due to a knee injury his sophomore season—Budish will succeed departing captain Taylor Matson in leading the gopher hockey team. He served as an alternate captain last season as the Gophers advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four.

"It is exciting," Budish told GopherSports.com. "I grew up watching the Gophers and looked up to all the players, so it is just an honor to be named captain. You look back at some of the past captains and it is pretty humbling to be in the same group with those guys. I am excited for the leadership role, but it is not just me. We have a good group of six or seven guys that will be looked upon to lead."

Budish set career highs in goals (12), assists (23) and points (35) while playing in 43 games during the 2011-12 season for the Gophers.

Senior Seth Helgeson and junior Nick Bjugstad will serve as alternative captains for the 2012-13 season.

Coach Don Lucia said he's excited about all three of the team's captains for the upcoming season.

"They are not only outstanding students, but they represent Gopher Hockey the right way on the ice and in the community," Lucia said. "All three of them will be key players on our team in the upcoming season, and they are also some of the hardest workers we have."

Like Edina Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our daily newsletter