Brock Faber returning to the University of Minnesota

LA Kings fans will have to wait at least one more year before seeing Brock Faber join the organization professionally.

In what came as a bit of a surprise to some in the hockey world on Monday, particularly fans of the LA Kings, standout prospect Brock Faber decided he will return to school for the 2022-23 season.

The following statement was released today by Brock Faber in response to questions about his future career plans:

“𝐈’𝐦 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤.”#Gophers x #PrideOnIce pic.twitter.com/yKEJzn4yzO

— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) April 11, 2022

Faber, still only 19 years old, just finished his sophomore season at the University of Minnesota where he was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. In 32 games he recorded 12 assists and 34 points.

His Golden Gophers lost in overtime to Minnesota State in the semi-finals of the Frozen Four. Minnesota is expected to have one of the top teams in the country again next season, allowing Faber another shot at a National Championship.

Drafted in the 2nd Round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Faber is known as one of the best defenseman prospects in the NHL. In his latest NHL Pipeline Rankings, The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler ranks Faber 3rd amongst defensemen and 7th overall in a loaded LA Kings prospect pool.

A native of Minnesota, Faber also represented the United States in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. In four games for Team USA, Faber picked up an assist while being highly regarded as one of the best defensemen on the team.

Though the news may come as a disappointment for Kings fans, Faber is still very young. With his defensive play already among the best in the country, another year in college could help him continue to develop the offensive part of his game. He will have the opportunity to sign his entry-level contract in Los Angeles again after his Junior season ends in 2023.

UPDATE

This report is quite shocking. Faber was reportedly offered a spot start in Minnesota, and he turned it down.

Hearing that @LAKings offered Brock Faber a lineup spot to make his NHL debut on Sunday in Minnesota. He said no thanks, and will return to @GopherHockey next season instead.

— Jess Myers (@JessRMyers) April 12, 2022

(Main photo credit: Star Tribune)