Gaber puts NHL aspirations on hold

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This article was published 27/03/2023 (900 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Riese Gaber would have been one of the most sought-after NCAA free agents at the conclusion of the 2022-23 hockey season.

That all changed last week when the 23-year-old forward from Gilbert Plains announced he was delaying his pro aspirations by returning to the University of North Dakota for his senior season.

On March 4, the Fighting Hawks were hosting the Omaha Mavericks in their final regular-season home date at Ralph Engelstad Arena and the junior right-winger admitted he got emotional, believing it to be his college swan song.

“I was definitely leaning towards the fact that I would be signing an NHL contract and was also emotional because it could have been my last night at the Ralph but also I know how crappy of a feeling it was for our seniors who really knew it was gonna be their last (game),” said Gaber.

On March 17, UND was denied a trip to the national championship as a result of a 3-2 overtime loss to St. Cloud State (Minn.) in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference semifinals.

Gaber did not register a point in UND’s finale but he did finish the season with 37 points, including a career-high 20 goals, in 39 games.

“I was hoping to have a better year,” said Gaber, who attended development camp with the Boston Bruins last year. “Obviously, my goal scoring was there but I just think, all-around, I have another level. I can score at an even higher rate. And the leadership aspect — I’ll take on a bigger role of that next year — and I think that’s an exciting opportunity.”

To make his decision, Gaber consulted with trusted advisors such as former Fighting Hawks teammates Shane Pinto and Jake Sanderson, now members of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, head coach Brad Berry and ex-UND defenceman Christian Wolanin, who has played 16 games with the Vancouver Canucks this season.

“(Wolanin) said it’s always gonna be tough to leave this place but in the end, you’ve just got to do what’s best for your hockey career and whatever’s going to give you the best chance to move on,” said Gaber.

Berry believed Gaber had room to grow by staying in Grand Forks for another year.

“There are some situations where players have good years, but at the end of the day they probably have more to give to try to get that body of work to where you more certainty to play in the NHL, which is so tough to do,” said Berry, who will be starting his ninth season as UND’s head coach in fall.

“I think Riese Gaber had a really good year and it was one of those things where he could have signed and I think he might have had some success with an NHL team, provided they gave him an opportunity. But Riese has always been a guy that’s had patience to his game and his process and his path.”

Gaber also understands his route to pro hockey will require some physical alteration. He will not be able to add to his 5-8 frame but he aims to get stronger and heavier.

“Ideally, if I could get to a 170 (pounds) that would be nice,” said Gaber. “That’s about eight pounds so if I could get over that barrier, I think that’d be a good step for me.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca