New Minnesota Gophers head coach Brett Larson has secured a high-profile addition to his inaugural roster, landing defenseman Evan Murr from Minnesota State. The move, reported Monday, signals a decisive shift in how the program intends to utilize the transfer portal to rebuild its defensive core.
The Evan Murr transfer to the Gophers brings a proven, All-American talent back to his home state. A native of Stillwater, Minnesota, Murr enters the program with one year of eligibility remaining, providing an immediate veteran presence for a blue line currently undergoing a significant transition.
COMMITMENT: Minnesota State D transfer Evan Murr will transfer to the Gophers, according to multiple reports.
He earned 2nd-Team All-American honors after recording 30 points (10G, 20A) in 2025-26. HUGE pickup. One year of eligibility remaining. https://t.co/WQzAYPOz2b pic.twitter.com/1XvSAd5j0X
— Tony Liebert (@TonyLiebert) April 13, 2026
Murr arrives in Minneapolis as one of the most decorated defenders in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). A two-time CCHA Defenseman of the Year and a 2025-26 second-team All-American, he established a reputation at Minnesota State for consistent offensive production from the back end.
A Record of Consistency
Throughout his three seasons with the Mavericks, Murr demonstrated a steady upward trajectory in his game. He began his collegiate career as a reliable contributor and evolved into a primary offensive engine for his team, peaking during the 2025-26 campaign.
| Season | Goals | Assists | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman | 6 | 20 | 26 |
| Sophomore | 7 | 20 | 27 |
| Junior (2025-26) | 10 | 20 | 30 |
At 23 years old, Murr’s maturity and experience will be critical for Larson. He is expected to step immediately into a leadership role, serving as the most experienced defensive option on a roster that is seeing a surprising amount of turnover.
Revamping the Gophers’ Blue Line
The acquisition of Murr comes at a time of necessity. On Monday, the Gophers saw three notable defensemen—Leo Gruba, Max Rud and Finn McLaughlin—exit the program via the transfer portal. This exodus creates a void in depth and experience that Larson must fill before the next season begins.
To balance the losses, the Gophers are relying on a blend of returning veterans and high-ceiling newcomers. The defensive rotation is expected to include returns from Jacob Rombach, John Whipple, and Axel Begley. The program is integrating incoming freshmen Mace’o Phillips and Axel Lofgren into the system.
By adding an All-American like Murr, the Gophers are not merely replacing lost numbers but upgrading the overall quality of their top-pairing options. His ability to move the puck and contribute on the power play provides a dimension that was missing in recent rotations.
A Strategic Shift Under Brett Larson
The aggressive pursuit of Murr highlights a departure from the roster-building philosophy of the previous regime. Under former head coach Bob Motzko, the program was often criticized for a conservative approach to the transfer portal, adding only two traditional transfers during the last offseason.
Larson appears to be embracing a more modern, aggressive strategy. By targeting top-tier talent available in the portal, the new staff is signaling that they will look to acquire elite players from any level to accelerate the program’s return to prominence.
While Murr is the first major splash, he is unlikely to be the last. Reports indicate that the Gophers remain strongly linked to other defensive targets, including Tanner Henricks from St. Cloud State and Tarin Smith from the WHL. If these additions materialize, the Gophers’ defensive unit will look entirely different from the one that took the ice last year.
The integration of an experienced, homecoming player like Murr allows Larson to establish a culture of accountability and high performance from day one. For the Stillwater native, the move represents a return to his roots; for the Gophers, it represents a new era of roster management.
The program will continue to monitor the transfer portal as the window remains open for further additions. The next official roster update is expected following the conclusion of the spring training cycle and the formal enrollment of incoming freshmen.
Do you think the Gophers’ new approach to the transfer portal will pay off this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
