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Minnesota Gophers Skate with MNSH

By Jared, 11/04/13, 4:00PM CST

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A usual Saturday morning at Mariucci Arena involves the Gophers men’s hockey team practicing hard or preparing for an upcoming game.

But last Saturday, sophomore defenseman Mike Reilly skated with a youth player from a special hockey team who held onto his stick for guidance, indicating that this morning practice was tamer than normal.

Fellow sophomore defenseman Brady Skjei pushed kids around the ice in a metal folding chair, a scene that starkly contrasts the usual smashing of bodies into the boards.

Minnesota could have spent its bye week resting, focusing on its health or practicing its special teams. Instead, the Gophers took some time after practice to skate with youth hockey players with disabilities at Mariucci Arena.

“They’ve had some tough draws in their lives,” junior forward Seth Ambroz said. “It’s really nice to get them out here … because you can tell they’re having fun.”

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