 Things turned around for the Gophers in the 1969–70 season, as Sonmor led the team to its first WCHA Championship in 16 seasons, finishing with a 21–12–0 record.In the process, Sonmor was named the WCHA Coach of the Year.The following season, the Gophers ended a 10-year NCAA Tournament drought, along with capturing a WCHA Tournament Championship.