NHL draft comes calling for 5 Gophers (CBS Interactive U-WIRE)
July 3, 2009
(CSTV U-WIRE) MINNEAPOLIS—More University of Minnesota hockey players saw their dreams of becoming professionals become a closer reality this weekend.
Five Gophers were drafted in the 2009 NHL Draft last Friday and Saturday, including two players drafted in the first round.
Incoming freshman Nick Leddy was taken 16th overall by the Minnesota Wild. A few picks later, the Vancouver Canucks landed sophomore Jordan Schroeder with the 22nd pick.
“You look forward to this your whole life,” Schroeder said. “Getting an opportunity to go up on stage is a good feeling.”
On the second day of the draft, incoming freshmen Zach Budish (Edina, Minn.), Josh Birkholz (Maple Grove, Minn.) and Seth Helgeson (Faribault, Minn.) were drafted. All four of the incoming freshmen draftees, including Leddy, have signed letters of intent to play for the Gophers in 2009.
Leddy (Eden Prairie, Minn.) was named Mr. Hockey in 2009 , helping lead Eden Prairie High School to a Class AA championship . The defenseman said he was speechless when he saw his draft position and is thrilled to be drafted by the hometown team.
“Of course they’re my favorite team because I’m from Minnesota,” he said. “It’s an unbelieivealbe feeling to be drafted by [the Wild].”
Leddy said he will try to jump to the professionals as soon as he’s ready. While that could be as early as 2010, Gophers head coach Don Lucia said he thinks Leddy will need to become stronger to play in the NHL.
“He’s got potential, but he’s got to get stronger physically, and he’s got to prove to be a player at our level before he’s ready for the next level,” Lucia said.
The coaches don’t do anything to convince the players to stay at the college level, Lucia said. He said he hopes the players stay to receive an education but understands that he can’t stop them when they’re ready for the next step.
“When you’re ready to play in the NHL, I’ll drive you to the airport so you can get on the plane and go,” he said.
Looking toward next season, Lucia said the Gophers will try to use some of the incoming freshmen to fill the void left by players such as forward Ryan Stoa and Justin Bostrom leaving. The team will also turn to Schroeder as a primary offensive target, he said.
Schroeder, who was named National Rookie of the Year by College Hockey News and Inside College Hockey , had to wait until after his freshman year to be drafted. Players must be 18 before Sept. 15 of the draft year to be drafted. Schroeder said he took summer classes to accelerate his schooling to play a year in college to help show NHL teams that he’s ready for the professional level.
“Playing college a year early and being able to prove that I could play in college had a big impact,” he said. “It gives teams a good sense of how ready I am.”
Schroeder said he is glad to be drafted by the Canucks because they always have a team pushing to make the playoffs.
With the most recent draft class, Minnesota has now had 23 players drafted in the NHL draft in the past four seasons.
Lucia said players wanting to play for the NHL or the American Hockey League is something he has to deal with year after year, but he said college hockey is a good way to help them prepare for the next step.
“You have to be ready physically and you have to be ready mentally, because once you leave here it’s strictly business,” Lucia said.
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