Sometimes Don Lucia has an easy job.

Consider recruiting. Jordan Schroeder always wanted to play for the Gophers. Aaron Ness, who was a North Dakota fan as a youngster, started looking at Minnesota as a bantam.

Schroeder and Ness each graduated from high school with 3.8 grade-point averages in three years and, despite other offers, fulfilled their dreams by signing with Minnesota.

They are among 12 freshmen on the Gophers roster, a program high in Lucia's 10th season as coach. Most of the freshmen are expected to play tonight when the team visits St. Cloud State in its season opener.

"I can't wait," Ness said.

Schroeder and Ness are the two youngest freshmen but probably the most ready for Division I hockey. Schroeder turned 18 on Sept. 29, five days before the start of preseason practices. Ness is 4 1/2 months older.

Inside College Hockey rates Schroeder the best forward among all incoming freshmen, Ness the best defenseman. The Gophers' recruiting class was rated second best in the nation by the online magazine, behind NCAA champion Boston College.

"[Schroeder and Ness] obviously are both elite players, one at forward and one at defense," Lucia said. "Neither is the biggest kid in the world, but both are highly skilled. They think the game at another level."

So Lucia decided to pair them up on the power play -- and off the ice. They are roommates.

"They knew each other a little bit," Lucia said. "And, with Aaron, I wanted to make sure his roommate was from the Twin Cities. So if [Aaron] wanted a place to go on Sunday afternoon, if Jordan was going home, he could tag along."