Posted on 07/07/2006 9:11:05 AM PDT by Rakkasan1
ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues’ President John Davidson announced today that defenseman Erik Johnson will attend the University of Minnesota in the fall.
“We feel this is a win-win situation for Erik to be going to an excellent hockey program to continue his development,” said Davidson. “This is beneficial for his career, short term and long term, to play for the Gophers. He will have an opportunity to compete for an NCAA National Championship (in St. Louis in April of 2007), play in the World Junior Championships and enjoy university life.”
Johnson, 18, was the first overall selection by the Blues in last month’s NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver, British Columbia. A native of Bloomington, MN., Johnson has spent the previous two years with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, MI.
Yes!
After losing several good players, the Gophers need to re-build some and Johnson could be a great player.
Another chapter in the storied hockey history of the University of Minnesota.
I may need to practice my traffic signal pole climbing for next year's championship riot. :)
In the hockey world, the NCAA has such an advantage over other developmental leagues. Teams can draft players who are planning to attend NCAA programs, and wait four years to sign them, ensuring that they will have the player during his prime years before potentially losing him to restricted free agency. Players drafted from Europe and other leagues must be signed within 2 years of being drafted.
Also pinging Hat-Trick for the Hockey List Ping
I love his guitar playing!
and the cheap-ass Wild are finally spending near the salary cap.
Where's the Frozen Four this year? I have better chances of getting tickets to that than a Boston College Home Game.
Lots of homegrown talent in the Land of 10,000 rinks. Glad to see that the Av's picked up former Gopher/Hobey Baker winner Leopold from Calgary, only to watch them lose Blake back to LA. Wonder if the Kings fans will continue to boo him every time he touches the puck.
Freep mail/ping airborne or Hat-Trick if you want on or off the Hockey Ping List.
Midwest Regionals - March 23-24
Van Andel Arena
Grand Rapids, MI
Northeast Regionals - March 24-25
Verizon Wireless Arena
Manchester, NH
West Regionals - March 24-25
Pepsi Center
Denver, CO
Frozen Four - April 5 & 7
Savvis Center
St. Louis, MO
Read on the Hurricanes msg board today that the other future defensive star, Jack Johnson, and the hurricanes ain't exactly seeing eye to eye - but that was only a rumor.
Has anyone heard anything on that?
One of my most vivid memories of growing up in MN in the 60s was watching the high school State Hockey Tournaments. Watching teams from "The Range" take on the "city" teams. Classic games involving Warroad, Roseau, International Falls, St. Paul Johnson. Great memories. And of course I went to "the U" so the memories continued. Go Gophers.
Don't forget the battles of Greenway and Grand Rapids coming down to state and eating everyones candy.
???? what does that mean???
A co-worker of mine has ref'd the semi's and final's of that tournament in recent years. He says it's the best gig he's worked. 18,000 fans packing the XCEL Center for a high-school hockey game.
The sooner he leaves Ann Arbor for the NHL the better. That way I won't have to watch him when he comes to Omaha.
The other rumor was that the Hurricanes tried to trade him to Pittsburgh for Jared Staal but the Pen's wanted Andrew Ladd thrown into the deal so no go.
It has been an interesting offseason for the Blues. Vet FA signings, new ownership, JD, number one pick, etc.
Are any Freepers on HFboards.com (hockey site)?
I've lurked there but never posted. (I bet it's pretty lonely being a Flyers fan in MA LOL)
I am a contrarian by nature, can't you tell? :-)
Actually yes - in fact I was going to say something but then didn't :)
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