University of North Dakota goaltender Zane Gothberg has legally changed his name in order to pay tribute to his mother and grandmother, two women who played a big role in his life.
Boston Bruins prospect changes name to honor influential womenZane Gothberg is no more. Say hello to Zane McIntyre.
According to an official release, the University of North Dakota netminder has legally changed his name to carry on the maiden name of his mother and grandmother:
“My grandmother and my mother have been very influential in my life,” McIntyre said. “With the passing of my grandmother and my mother getting re-married, as well as my sister getting married, I’ve made the personal choice to carry on the family name in their honor.”
McIntyre, who also played for the amazingly named Thief River Falls Prowlers in high school, was taken 165th overall by the Boston Bruins in 2010. He played two seasons in the United States League with Fargo before heading to the University of North Dakota, where he helped backstop the squad to the Frozen Four semifinal this past season.
While it is rare for a hockey player to take on his mother's maiden name, it is not unprecedented. For instance, St. Louis Blues left winger Magnus Paajarvi is the son of agent Gunnar Svensson and was known as Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson when Edmonton drafted him 10th overall in 2009. For the sake of jersey brevity, he shortened it when he came to North America. His older brother Bjorn, who plays for Malmo back home in Sweden, goes by "Svensson."
McIntyre returns to North Dakota for his junior year and with another strong squad in front of him, it wouldn't be surprising if you hear his (new) name a lot in 2014-15.