Seth Ambroz has come a long way since he was a 15-year-old kid who could barely look Gophers hockey coach Don Lucia in the eye.

"He was very socially awkward," Lucia said. "He didn't say much and had a hard time ... really being comfortable just talking."

Six years later, Ambroz, a junior forward from New Prague, has morphed into one of the most vocal leaders on the No. 1-ranked team in the nation.

And his teammates can't get him to shut up, especially before games.

"He's really hyped up before the games," senior defenseman Jake Parenteau said. "We can't ever get him to be quiet ... and we tell him, but he doesn't care. That's the way he gets ready. He's got to talk."

Ambroz let his play do most of the talking a week ago in a two-game series sweep of Wisconsin. In the first Big Ten series ever for Minnesota (11-2-1), he scored four goals, including both game-winners.

Now Ambroz, considered more of a hard-nosed grinder entering the season, leads the team with seven goals and is just two goals and two assists shy of matching his career highs.

"It's really nice seeing some of the harder work in the offseason paying off," he said. "It's still early in the year, and hopefully I can keep it going. I don't want to hit any rough patches."

Ambroz said he was shy growing up but started to shed that persona during his time in the United States Hockey League. He admitted he was a little shy in his first season with the Gophers, but he has found his niche as a third-year veteran.

"I don't know if I've ever been around a player that has grown so much as a person," Lucia said.

Ambroz said he had to earn his stripes as a leader, but now that he has them, he's leading with his own style.

"We've got a young team -- a lot of quiet guys -- and I just like to either joke around or just get them to smile," Ambroz said. "I like being talkative and having fun. I think it's good for a team to have fun."

It's been all fun for the Gophers up to now. Minnesota plays at Michigan State on Friday and Saturday and then takes the rest of the month off for winter break.

"I'm just doing my thing," Ambroz said. "I don't know if it's good or bad thing, but I'm just having fun. That's what it's all about."