UPDATE: Nanne 'Couldn't See Leaving Minnesota'

junior and boys hockey standout Louie Nanne confirmed Thursday that he has given a verbal commitment to the University of Minnesota to attend the school and play collegiately for the Golden Gophers.

"It's really nice," Nanne said of the prospective opportunity to play with his home state team. "I wanted to stay close to home, there was the possibility of going to school out east, perhaps Boston College or Harvard, but I couldn't see leaving Minnesota."

He will be a third-generation skater for the Gophers. His grandfather, Lou Nanne, and his father, Marty Nanne, both played for the U of M. Lou Nanne also was a player and general manager for the Minnesota North Stars.

"It's great to be part of this, with my grandpa and dad having gone to the U," the youngest Nanne said, noting he is looking forward to studying at the university. "The Carlson School of Business and the medical school are very appealing to me."

Nanne is expected to play his junior year with the Hornets this season. The forward scored 13 goals and 16 assists last year and helped the Hornets reach the Class AA state tournament. Edina finished the state tourney .

This season, he will wear the Captain's "C".

"I'd like to take more of a leadership role on the team," he said. "I'd like to lead by example and with us having a younger team this year, I hope to be a mentor."

He was  and competed in the Czech Republic and Slovakia on Aug. 8-13. He scored one goal and added two goals in the tournament, and the team took fifth place—winning one game in regulation, two games in overtime and losing one game.