Step aside, University of Michigan draft class of 2021, it is time for the University of Minnesota to dominate the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft. 

Based on Bob McKenzie's final draft ranking (which, if you aren't aware, is a consensus ranking built through surveying ten NHL scouts' rankings of the players), the Minnesota Golden Gophers have the potential for four first-round picks this year. 

Four selections in the opening round would tie the school's record of first-round picks in one draft that was set back in 2006. 

The projected first-round selections are Logan Cooley (C, ranked #3 on the final ranking), Jimmy Snuggerud (RW, #17), Ryan Chesley (D, #25), and Sam Rinzel (D, #31). The first three listed have all signed their NLIs and will be freshmen on the roster this upcoming season, with Sam Rinzel expected to play in the USHL for the Waterloo Black Hawks in 2022-23 and join the Gophers the following season. 

While first-round picks do not equate to National Championships, there is no doubt they drive more interest and excitement in the program. "There is no question that this will have a major impact for the program," Motzko told gophersports.com in a recent article. "We're going to have a little hype this year and a target on us, but this is a big-time class with character and talent." 

That big-time freshman class also includes two draft re-entry eligibles, forward Connor Kurth and defenseman Luke Mittelstadt. Both players are projected to be drafted in rounds 2-7 on day two after highly successful seasons in the USHL, with Kurth being the 2022 USA Hockey Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year award winner and placing on the All-USHL Second Team, and Mittelstadt making the All-USHL First Team. 

While the Golden Gophers freshman class of 2006 features the most recently successful NHLers, totaling 2,970 NHL games played, 1,849 total points, and now three Stanley Cup Championships, the potential for success in this 2022 group is high, no matter where they end up getting selected. 

It continues to be an exciting time to be a Golden Gopher fan.