Local players in the pros

Gophers in the AHL playoffs: Ness and Boyd (Hershey), Alt (Lehigh Valley), Helgeson (Albany), Bickel (San Diego), Holl (Toronto).

Edit: I posted this list earlier? :shock: I meant to just look it over and post it later as apart of a larger post. Wow. Guess I need to finish the post now. :shock:

I’ve been thinking of Minnesotans and the silver stick mark the last couple years now thanks to Matt Cullen nearing retirement and the large amount of talent the state has been sending to the show since the cancelled season. Below are two lists I made of the players I either feel have a decent chance to join the club at some point in the future or are already at least halfway there, divided into groups of both career length and likelihood (IMO) that they’ll reach the special figure. The first list is the one I made last summer and the second one is the updated version, both with the number of games played and the age of the player listed alongside. Twenty-six total players are listed on the pte-season list with twenty-seven on the updated, numbers that was inconceivable during the cancelled season and quite unlikely during any other era in history. I count at least a dozen that played in the NHL this season that have (again, IMO) a better than fifty percent chance of eventually reaching that celebrated milestone, obviously significantly more than the eight that currenty have reached. The most number of eventual silver stickers playing in the NHL in a season is six from 1991-1997, with Jamie Langenbrunner replacing Dave Christian in ’94 joining Phil Housley, Neal Broten, Mike Ramsey, Bret Hedican and Paul Ranheim.

Several factors are considered when grouping players like talent level, number of games in, age, and how well I believe a player will age — based primarly on a combination of likely degradation of skill, health issues, and recent play. Am I missing somebody you think should be listed? Have I listed a player incorrectly? Do you agree or disagree with my groupings? Discuss away and let me know.

1000 GAME MINNESOTANS IN THE NHL: 2016-2017 (START OF SEASON)

Already There (1)

Matt Cullen (1294) (01/10/2012) [Pittsburgh]

Getting There Quickly (3)

Zach Parise (761@32) (Sometime in 2019–Injury free in spring, health problems in fall) [Minnesota]

Paul Martin (775@35) (Sometime in 2019–Injury free in spring, health problems in fall) [San Jose]

David Backes (727@32) (2019-2020) [Boston]

500 Games In, Good, and Still Young (4)

Blake Wheeler (615@30) [Winnipeg]

Erik Johnson (529@28) [Colorado]

Kyle Okposo (529@28) [Buffalo]

T.J. Oshie (523@30) [Washington]

Young, Good, and Well On Pace (4)

Nick Leddy (417@25) [NY Islanders]

Derek Stepan (434@26) [NY Rangers]

Justin Faulk (326@24) [Carolina]

Ryan McDonagh (390@27) [NY Rangers]

Experienced Prospects: Talented, and Career Ahead (3)

Nick Bjugstad (215@24) [Florida]

Brock Nelson (235@25) [NY Islanders]

Jake Gardiner (325@26) [Toronto]

Baby Prospects: Talented Beginners (3)

Brady Skjei (7@22) [NY Rangers]

Hudson Fasching (7@21) [Buffalo]

Mike Reilly (29@23) [Minnesota]

NHL Debuts In Waiting: Call-ups/End Of Season Signings (2)

Jack Dougherty (AHL@21) [Nashville]

Brock Boeser (NCAA@19) [Vancouver]

500 Games In, Clock Ticking, But Still Plenty Of Time (3)

Dustin Byfuglien (678@31) [Winnipeg]

Matt Niskanen (655@30) [Washington]

Alex Goligoski (562@31) [Arizona]

500 Games In, But Likely Closer To the End than 1000 Games (3)

Tom Gilbert (637@33) [Los Angeles]

Mark Stuart (631@32) [Winnipeg]

Pat Eaves (545@32) [Dallas]

1000 GAME MINNESOTANS IN THE NHL: 2016-2017 (END OF SEASON)

Already There (1)

Matt Cullen (1366) (01/10/2012) [Pittsburgh]

Getting There Quickly (3)

Zach Parise (830@33) (Fall 2019) [Minnesota]

Paul Martin (856@36) (Sometime in 2019–Injury free in spring, health problems in fall) [San Jose]

David Backes (801@33) (2019-2020) [Boston]

500 Games In, Good, and Still Young (5)

Blake Wheeler (697@31) [Winnipeg]

Erik Johnson (575@29) [Colorado]

Kyle Okposo (594@29) [Buffalo]

T.J. Oshie (591@31) [Washington]

Derek Stepan (515@27) [NY Rangers]

Young, Good, and Well On Pace (3)

Nick Leddy (498@26) [NY Islanders]

Justin Faulk (401@25) [Carolina]

Ryan McDonagh (467@28) [NY Rangers]

Young Veterans: Talented, and Career Ahead (3)

Nick Bjugstad (280@25) [Florida]

Brock Nelson (316@26) [NY Islanders]

Jake Gardiner (407@27) [Toronto]

Baby Prospects: Talented Beginners (3)

Brady Skjei (87@23) [NY Rangers]

Hudson Fasching (17@22) [Buffalo]

Mike Reilly (46@24) [Minnesota]

NHL Debuts: Call-ups/End Of Season Signings (2)

Brock Boeser (NCAA-9@20) [Vancouver]

Jake Guentzel (AHL-40@23) [Pittsburgh]

500 Games In, Clock Ticking, But Still Plenty Of Time (3)

Dustin Byfuglien (758@32) [Winnipeg]

Matt Niskanen (733@31) [Washington]

Alex Goligoski (644@32) [Arizona]

500 Games In, But Likely Closer To the End than 1000 Games (4)

Tom Gilbert (655@34) [Washington]

Mark Stuart (673@33) [Winnipeg]

Pat Eaves (624@33) [Anaheim]

Matt Hendricks (521@36) [Edmonton]

1000 GAME MINNESOTANS IN THE NHL: 2016-2017 (PERSONAL ANALYSIS)

Already There (1)

Matt Cullen (1366) (01/10/2012) [Pittsburgh]

Getting There Quickly (3)

Zach Parise (830@33) (Fall 2019) [Minnesota]

•While his offensive skills are obviously in decline, Parise plays a strong defensive game bolstered by his impeccable work ethic, strong skating ability, awareness, and leadership that can drastically prolong his career. Expect Parise to reach one-thousand games and well more.

Paul Martin (856@36) (Sometime in 2019–Injury free in spring, health problems in fall) [San Jose]

•Martin is certainly aging and his skills have diminished slightly in the last couple seasons, he remains one the brightest defensemen in the game today as well as a strong skater and passer. He may retire soon after, but expect Martin to reach the one-thousand game mark.

David Backes (801@33) (2019-2020) [Boston]

•The beating that Backes has taken over his eleven seasons in the league appear to have taken a toll as the warrior has clearly lost a stride and some of his puck skills in recent years. However, similarly to Parise, Backes plays a strong defensive game and can likely add value and retain a job for the next three seasons until he reaches one-thousand games.

500 Games In, Good, and Still Young (5)

Blake Wheeler (697@31) [Winnipeg]

•Barring a catastrophe or boredom, Wheeler should cruise to well over the one-thousand game mark. He’s played five fewer games than scheduled during his nine seasons and one of those was the result of a trade, and is in the peak of his career as one of the best wings in the game. His speed, size, and puck-skills all should age well as he nears the mark.

Erik Johnson (575@29) [Colorado]

•A series of knee injuries should spell concern, but Johnson still remains one of the best pure skaters in the game despite them. One of the better right-handed defensemen in the game when healthy, the powerful Johnson’s awareness and passing should keep him in the game long enough to surpass one-thousand games, although his skating and size combination alone should do the trick.

Kyle Okposo (594@29) [Buffalo]

•Never the fastest skater in a league more dominated by speedsters everyday, Okposo is somewhat of a throwback with his strong physical play. A bull on the puck, his speedmay suffer beforehand, but his ability to break [strike]tackles[/strike] checks should keep him employed in the league long enough to reach one-thousand games.

T.J. Oshie (591@31) [Washington]

•Likely the funnest player to watch on the list, Oshie plays a skill game predicated on quickness and puck-handling. The end will likely come quick as those skills erode, but he’ll likely keep them long enough to play in one-thousand games.

Derek Stepan (515@27) [NY Rangers]

•The fastest (so far) on the list to five-hundred games, Stepan seems likely to reach the thousand game plateau. However, a choppy skating stride and diminutive body could spell an earlier than planned exit from the league. Over five-hundred games before twenty-seven gives him an enormous start to the milestone and not one that should be bet against.

Young, Good, and Well On Pace (3)

Nick Leddy (498@26) [NY Islanders]

•Two more games and will surpass Stepan as youngest listed to five-hundred games. Excellent skating and passing ability, and a strong head for the game make Leddy’s chances quite high to double that mark.

Justin Faulk (401@25) [Carolina]

•He narrowly misses Leddy’s pace in early playing time and has a similar talent level. Something drastic needs to happen in order for him to not reach the one-thousand game milestone.

Ryan McDonagh (467@28) [NY Rangers]

•Shoulder problems lessen his likelihood, and his age may make it close, but as the smartest player listed and strong skating ability and defensive play, I’m guessing his chances of receiving a silver stick ceremony are better than fifty percent.

Young Veterans: Talented, and Career Ahead (3)

Nick Bjugstad (280@25) [Florida]

•A miserable season marred by injury and lack of production pose doubt, but the talent is unquestionably present to be a high-impact player for a long time.

Brock Nelson (316@26) [NY Islanders]

•Inconsistent band erratic are currently used to describe Nelson, but there’s no question the skill is present to succeed and play one-thousand games.

Jake Gardiner (407@27) [Toronto]

•The definition of an offensive defenseman, Gardiner has been heavily scrutinized for his lack of play in his own end. However, the offensive talent is certainly present to earn a silver stick.

Baby Prospects: Talented Beginners (3)

Brady Skjei (87@23) [NY Rangers]

•He’s one of the best pure skaters in the game, and he’s large. This defenseman is playing the fifteen seasons necessary to reach the milestone.

Hudson Fasching (17@22) [Buffalo]

•He’s big and skates reasonably well. The big question mark is if his ancillary skills ate good enough to reach one-thousand games.

Mike Reilly (46@24) [Minnesota]

•Defensively non-existant, but an offensive dynamo, Reilly’s big tests are to see if he can pack on enough muscle to overcome a feeble frame to defend the large forwards that come his way.

NHL Debuts: Call-ups/End Of Season Signings (2)

Brock Boeser (NCAA-9@20) [Vancouver]

•A good shooter and excellent around the net, Boeser has a chance to be a thirty goal scorer in the NHL for years to come. His likelihood to reach a thousand games likely relies on reaching that potential.

Jake Guentzel (AHL-40@23) [Pittsburgh]

•Quick, smart, and energetic, Guentzel has had a charmed life so far in the NHL. He hasn’t shown the skills to drive play and carry a line and he likely won’t be playing with Sidney Crosby for the next dozen seasons, either.

500 Games In, Clock Ticking, But Still Plenty Of Time (3)

Dustin Byfuglien (758@32) [Winnipeg]

•A player unlike any the NHL has ever seen with his style at his size, Byfuglien skates around the rink like no 250+ pound player ever has. However, he also struggles skating backward and has a reputation for dumb play and a defensive liability. The stress his knees endure from propelling that weight forward leaves me skeptical about his chances to play in one-thousand games.

Matt Niskanen (733@31) [Washington]

•Niskanen is a player who is above average at many things but good at none. When his skating and puck skills erode, I suspect he’ll be playing outside this NHL in a few years.

Alex Goligoski (644@32) [Arizona]

A late start to his NHL career likely cost Goligoski a silver stick. Despite being an excellent skater and puck handler throughout his career, age will likely catch-up in the next couple years as he ages. A reputation as a defensive liability will likely stop teams from pursuing him when his skills erode shy of one-thousand games

500 Games In, But Likely Closer To the End than 1000 Games (4)

Tom Gilbert (655@34) [Washington]

•A solid, but far from special, skater Gilbert spent his prime in Edmonton to start his big-league career. Lately he’s applying his trade in the AHL.

Mark Stuart (673@33) [Winnipeg]

•Stuart has always been on the slower side who relies on outstanding balance and ice smarts to succeed in the NHL. However what little skating or puck-handling ability are gone making him a frequent healthy scratch.

Pat Eaves (624@33) [Anaheim]

•A career year won’t be enough to play until a thousand. Expect a significant drop within the next couple seasons.

Matt Hendricks (521@36) [Edmonton]

•A once quick player has lost a couple steps. Retirement in immediate question.

Watching Skjei a little bit in their series with the Canadiens, the kid is playing like a vet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r93hIW9v3mI

Does anybody know if Cammy did anything with that tryout he got for AHL?

It’s probably just a Black Ace thing, but Tommy Vannelli was called up by the Blues.

any update on Nate Schmidt injury from this past weekend?

I think he was practicing today.

any update on Nate Schmidt injury from this past weekend?

I think he was practicing today.

I found this.

Media Notes

Nate Schmidt joined WTOP 103.5 FM today at 10:40 a.m.

Is their a podcast to listen to of that?

Figured I’d find an update, and I did, about halfway down, towards the bottom without comments.

– Nate Schmidt says he’s healthy after absorbing a dirty knee-on-knee hit from Leo Komarov. Schmidt also left practice early due to an equipment issue.

Holl scores in triple overtime to send the Toronto Marlies past Albany Devils in the first round of their AHL playoff series and move them onto the next round.

Brady Skjei making up for a pretty bad game so far — lack of focus. Good goal after review. 2 goals for on ice with McDonagh, notable because Skjei’s playing with Smith and McDonagh with Girardi. Both GF on the continuation of a power play.

Hockey-Reference has a stat called Point Shares that is designed to be a player rating system. I don’t agree with the ratings/rankings, but I made a list to compare to my rankings just for fun and thought I’d share. Some players’ order was interesting to say the least.

TOP MINNESOTAN MARKS IN NHL HISTORY-CAREER (REGULAR SEASON-THROUGH 2016-2017

20 POINT SHARES

001 170.7 Phil Housley; South Saint Paul, South Saint Paul HS, LD, NHL: 1982-2003 (HHOF-2015, USHHOF-2004)

002 95.5 Frank Brimsek; Eveleth, Eveleth HS, G, NHL: 1939-1943, 1945-1950 (HHOF-1966, USHHOF-1973)

003 89.7 Reed Larson; Minneapolis, Minneapolis-Roosevelt HS, RD, NHL: 1976-1990 (USHHOF-1996)

004 85.0 ZACH PARISE; Bloomington, Shattuck-Saint Mary’s Prep, LW, NHL: 2005-2017

005 78.1 Mike Ramsey; Minneapolis, Minneapolis-Roosevelt HS, LD, NHL: 1979-1997 (USHHOF-2001)

006 73.5 DUSTIN BYFUGLIEN; Roseau, Roseau HS, RW/D, NHL: 2005-2017

007 71.6 PAUL MARTIN; Elk River, Elk River HS, LD, NHL: 2003-2004, 2005-2017

008 67.3 Jamie Langenbrunner; Cloquet, Cloquet HS, RW, NHL: 1994-2004, 2005-2013

009 63.3 Neal Broten; Roseau, Roseau HS, LC, NHL: 1980-1997 (USHHOF-2000)

010 62.8 MATT CULLEN; Moorhead, Moorhead HS, LC, NHL: 1997-2004, 2005-2017

011 61.8 Jon Casey; Coleraine, Grand Rapids HS; G; NHL: 1983-1984, 1985-1986, 1987-1997

012 60.6 BLAKE WHEELER; Plymouth, Breck HS, RW, NHL: 2008-2017

013 59.1 DAVID BACKES; Spring Lake Park, Spring Lake Park HS, RC, NHL: 2006-2017

014 57.2 Sean Hill; Duluth, Duluth-East HS, RD, NHL: 1992-2004, 2005-2008

015 56.7 ALEX GOLIGOSKI; Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids HS, LD, NHL: 2007-2017

016 55.9 Bret Hedican; North Saint Paul, North HS, LD, NHL: 1991-2004, 2005-2009

017 54.4 Dave Christian; Warroad, Warroad HS, RW, NHL: 1979-1994 (USHHOF-2001)

[tab]25[/tab] 54.4 Tom Kurvers; Bloomington, Bloomington-Jefferson HS, LD, NHL: 1984-1995

019 53.2 MATT NISKANEN; Mountain Iron, Virginia HS, RD, NHL: 2007-2017

020 51.5 T.J. OSHIE; Warroad, Warroad HS, RW, NHL: 2008-2017

021 51.0 Mike Karakas, Eveleth, Eveleth HS, G, NHL: 1935-1940, 1943-1946 (USHHOF 1973)

022 49.4 RYAN MCDONAGH; Arden Hills, Cretin-Derham Hall HS, LD, NHL: 2010-2017

023 46.9 Jason Blake; Moorhead, Moorhead HS, LW, NHL: 1998-2004, 2005-2012

024 43.5 Jordan Leopold; Golden Valley, Robbinsdale-Armstrong HS, LD, NHL: 2002-2004, 2005-2015

[tab]25[/tab] 43.5 DEREK STEPAN; Hastings, Shattuck-Saint Mary’s Prep, RC, NHL: 2010-2017

026 42.6 Jim Johnson; New Hope, Robbinsdale-Cooper HS, LD, NHL: 1985-1998

[tab]25[/tab] 42.6 Mark Parrish; Bloomington, Bloomington-Jefferson HS, RW, NHL: 1998-2004, 2005-2011

028 42.5 Damian Rhodes, Richfield, Richfield HS, G, NHL: 1990-1991, 1993-2002

029 41.9 KYLE OKPOSO; Saint Paul, Shattuck-Saint Mary’s Prep, RW, NHL: 2007-2017

030 40.8 ERIK JOHNSON; Bloomington, Academy of Holy Angels HS, RD, NHL: 2007-2008, 2009-2017

031 40.0 TOM GILBERT; Bloomington, Bloomington-Jefferson HS, RD, NHL: 2006-2017

032 39.9 Gary Sargent; Bemidji, Bemidji HS, LD, NHL: 1975-1983

033 38.4 NICK LEDDY; Eden Prairie, Eden Prairie HS, LD, NHL: 2010-2017

034 34.1 JUSTIN FAULK; South Saint Paul, South Saint Paul HS, RD, NHL: 2011-2017

035 33.0 Keith Ballard; Baudette, Lake of the Woods HS, LD, NHL: 2005-2015

036 31.0 Aaron Broten; Roseau, Roseau HS, LC/W, NHL: 1980-1992 (USHHOF-2007)

037 29.7 Joel Otto; Elk River, Elk River HS, RC, NHL: 1984-1998

038 29.6 Trent Klatt; Brooklyn Park, Osseo HS, RW, NHL: 1991-2004

039 29.1 Dave LangevinSaint Paul, Hill-Murray HS; LD, WHA: 1976-1979, NHL: 1979-1987 (USHHOF-1993)

040 28.8 Tommy Williams; Duluth, Duluth-Central HS, RW, NHL: 1961-1972, 1974-1976, WHA: 1972-1974

041 27.5 JAKE GARDINER; Minnetonka, Minnetonka HS, LD; NHL: 2011-2017

042 25.6 PATRICK EAVES; Faribault, Shattuck-Saint Mary’s Prep, RW, NHL: 2005-2017

043 25.5 Tom Preissing, Rosemount, Rosemount HS, RD, NHL: 2003-2004, 2005-2010

044 25.0 MARK STUART; Rochester, Rochester-Lourdes HS, LD, NHL: 2005-2017

045 24.8 Russ Anderson; Minneapolis, Minneapolis-Washburn HS, LD, NHL: 1976-1985

[tab]25[/tab] 24.8 JUSTIN BRAUN; Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake HS, RD; NHL: 2010-2017

047 24.2 Mark Pavelich; Eveleth, Eveleth HS, RC, NHL: 1981-1987, 1991-1992

048 22.2 Bob Mason, International Falls, International Falls HS, G, NHL: 1983-1991

049 21.6 Paul Holmgren; Saint Paul, Saint Paul-Harding HS, RW, NHL: 1975-1985

[tab]25[/tab] 21.6 Doc Romnes; White Bear Lake, White Bear Lake HS, LW, NHL: 1930-1940 (USHHOF-1973)

051 21.4 Derek Plante; Cloquet, Cloquet HS, LC, NHL: 1993-2001

[tab]25[/tab] 21.4 Dave Tanabe, White Bear Lake, Hill-Murray HS, RD, NHL: 1999-2004, 2005-2008

053 21.3 JAMIE MCBAIN; Edina, Shattuck-Saint Mary’s Prep, RD; NHL: 2009-2017

054 21.1 Paul Ranheim; Edina, Edina HS, RW, NHL: 1988-2003

To Watch For 2017-2018 (3)

19.6 ANDERS LEE, Edina, Edina HS, LW, NHL: 2012-2017

17.1 BROCK NELSON, Warroad, Warroad HS, LW/C, NHL: 2012-2017

12.2 NICK BJUGSTAD; Blaine, Blaine HS, RC; NHL: 2012-2017

Notes

University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Men’s Hockey Alumnus Link

ACTIVE ANYWHERE IN 2016-2017

Positions are G, D, C, and W. The hand listed is the stick of the player, not the position. Some players played their off-hand side.

Below is the remainder of those above 3.0.
[hide]055 19.8 Jim Korn; Hopkins, Hopkins-Lindbergh HS; NHL: 1979-1985, 1986-1990

056 19.6 ANDERS LEE, Edina, Edina HS, LW, NHL: 2012-2017

057 18.6 Chris Dahlquist; Fridley, Fridley HS, LD, NHL: 1985-1996

058 18.4 Bill Nyrop, Edina, Edina HS, LD, NHL: 1975-1978, 1981-1982 (USHHOF 1997)

059 17.6 Neil Sheehy, International Falls, International Falls HS, RD, NHL: 1983-1990, 1991-1992

060 17.1 BROCK NELSON, Warroad, Warroad HS, LW/C, NHL: 2012-2017

061 16.9 Corey Millen; Cloquet, Cloquet HS, RC, NHL: 1989-1997

062 16.5 Pete LoPresti, Eveleth, Eveleth HS, G, NHL: 1974-1979, 1980-1981

063 16.3 Tom Chorske; Minneapolis, Minneapolis-Southwest HS, RW, NHL: 1989-2000

064 15.8 Lance Pitlick, New Hope, Robbinsdale-Cooper HS, RD, NHL: 1994-2002

065 15.1 PETER MUELLER, Boomington, Breck HS, RW, NHL: 2007-2010, 2011-2012

066 14.6 Cully Dahlstrom; Minneapolis, Minneapolis-South HS, LC, NHL: 1937-1945 (USHHOF-1973)

067 14.5 Shjon Podein; Rochester, Rochester-John Marshall HS, LW, NHL: 1992-2003

068 14.3 Scot Kleinendorst, Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids HS, LD, NHL: 1982-1990

069 13.9 Doug Zmolek, Rochester, Rochester-John Marshall HS, LD, NHL: 1992-2000

070 13.4 Andrew Alberts, Eden Prairie, Benilde-Saint Margaret’s HS, LD, NHL: 2005-2014

071 13.2 Jack Hillen, Minnetonka, Academy of Holy Angels HS, LD, NHL: 2007-2015

072 13.0 Don Jackson, Bloomington, Bloomington-Kennedy HS, LD, NHL: 1977-1987

073 12.9 Dean Talafous; Hastings, Hastings HS, RW, NHL: 1974-1984

074 12.4 Al Hangsleben, Warroad, Warroad HS, LD, WHA: 1974-1979; NHL: 1979-1982

075 12.2 NICK BJUGSTAD; Blaine, Blaine HS, RC; NHL: 2012-2017

076 11.6 Bryan Erickson; Roseau, Roseau HS, RW, NHL: 1983-1988, 1990-1994

077 11.4 Tom Pederson, Bloomington, Bloomington-Jefferson HS, RD, NHL: 1992-1997

078 11.3 Joe Michelletti, Hibbing, Hibbing HS, LD, WHA: 1976-1979; NHL: 1979-1982

079 11.2 Craig Johnson; Saint Paul, Hill-Murray HS, LW, NHL: 1994-2004

080 11.1 Craig Norwich, Edina, Edina HS, LD, WHA: 1977-1979; NHL: 1979-1981

[tab]25[/tab] 11.1 NATE SCHMIDT, Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud-Cathedral HS, LD, NHL: 2013-2017

082 10.9 Bob Paradise, Saint Paul, Cretin HS LD, NHL: 1971-1979 (USHHOF 1989)

083 10.4 Steve Jensen; Minneapolis, Robbinsdale-Armstrong HS, LW, NHL: 1975-1982

084 10.2 Jim McElmury, Cottage Grove, LD, NHL: 1972-1973, 1974-1978

085 10.1 Sam LoPresti, Eveleth, Eveleth HS, G, NHL: 1940-1942 (USHHOF 1973)

[tab]25[/tab] 10.1 Kurt Sauer, Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud-Apollo HS, LD, NHL: 2002-2004, 2005-2010

[tab]25[/tab] 10.1 Robb Stauber, Duluth, Duluth-Denfeld HS, G, NHL: 1989-1990, 1992-1995

088 10.0 John Mariucci, Eveleth, Eveleth HS, LD, NHL: 1940-1942, 1945-1948 (USHHOF 1973)

[tab]25[/tab] 10.0 Chris McAlpine, Roseville, Roseville HS, RD, Roseville, Roseville HS, NHL: 1994-1995, 1996-2003

090 9.8 Ben Clymer, Bloomington, Bloomington-Jefferson HS, RW/D, NHL: 1999-2004, 2005-2007

091 9.2 Erik Rasmussen; Saint Louis Park, Saint Louis Park HS, LW, NHL: 1997-2004, 2005-2007

092 8.5 ALEX STALOCK, South Saint Paul, South Saint Paul HS, G, NHL: 2010-2011, 2012-2017

093 8.4 Steve Christoff, Richfield, Richfield HS, RC, NHL: 1979-1984

094 8.2 MIKE LUNDIN, Apple Valley, Apple Valley HS, LD, NHL: 2007-2013

095 6.8 Mike Sauer, Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud-Tech HS, RD, NHL: 2008-2009, 2010-2012

096 6.7 BRANDON BOCHENSKI, Blaine, Blaine HS, RW, NHL: 2005-2010

097 6.6 BRADY SKJEI, Lakeville, MN, Lakeville-North HS, LD, NHL: 2015-2017

098 6.4 Jon Rohloff, Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids HS, RD, NHL: 1994-1997

099 6.2 Scott Bjugstad, New Brighton, Irondale HS, LW/C, NHL: 1983-1992

100 6.1 RYAN CARTER; White Bear Lake, White Bear Lake HS, LC/W, NHL: 2006-2016 (Health Issues)

101 6.0 DEREK FORBORT, Duluth, Duluth-East HS, LD, NHL: 2015-2017

102 5.8 Bill Baker, Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids HS, LD, NHL: 1980-1983

103 5.7 Stan Gilbertson, Duluth, LW, NHL: 1971-1977

104 4.8 Henry Boucha, Warroad, Warroad HS, RC, NHL: 1971-1977, WHA: 1975-1976 (USHHOF 1995)

[tab]25[/tab] 4.8 Brian Lee, Moorhead, Moorhead HS, RD, NHL: 2007-2013

106 4.7 Virgil Johnson, Minneapolis, Minneapolis-South HS, LD, NHL: 1937-1938, 1943-1945 (USHHOF 1974)

107 4.5 MATT HENDRICKS; Blaine, Blaine HS, LC/W, NHL: 2008-2017

108 4.4 Paul Broten, Roseau, Roseau HS, RW, NHL: 1989-1996

[tab]25[/tab] 4.4 JAKE GUENTZEL, Woodbury, Hill-Murray HS, NHL: 2016-2017

110 4.1 JORDAN SCHROEDER, Prior Lake, MN, Saint Thomas Academy HS, RC/W, NHL: 2012-2017

111 3.7 Rob McClanahan, Saint Paul, Mounds View HS, RC, NHL: 1979-1984

112 3.8 Tom Gorence, Saint Paul, Saint Paul Academy HS, RW, NHL: 1978-1984

113 3.4 John Gruden, Hastings, LD, NHL: 1993-1996, 1998-2000, 2003-2004

114 3.3 Darby Hendrickson; Richfield, Richfield HS, LC, NHL: 1993-2004

115 3.1 Dan Hinote; Elk River, Elk River HS, RW, NHL: 1999-2004, 2005-2009

[tab]25[/tab] 3.1 JEFF TAFFE, Hastings, Hastings HS, LC/W, NHL: 2002-2004, 2005-2012

UNCONFIRMED

Would be 76th — 11.9 Leroy Goldsworthy*, Two Harbors, RW, NHL: 1929-1931, 1932-1939[/hide]

Skjei x2 today. He’s everywhere

He’s picked his game up drastically since he was Vined for the goal.

Minnesota with 3, the USA with 4 for the blue shirts and the team still [strike]may[/strike] did lose.

Brady 3rd star of the game.

Skjei x2 today. He’s everywhere

He’s picked his game up drastically since he was Vined for the goal.

Minnesota with 3, the USA with 4 for the blue shirts and the team still [strike]may[/strike] did lose.

Brady 3rd star of the game.

Skjei had a bad gap on one play but other than that he was a beast today. Given his size and skill he has the makings of a pretty solid NHL star.

Four days, where does the time go?! Sorry I’m a little late, started this and got caught up with other things to do.

Skjei was the only reason I watched the game and spent the first 40 minutes concentrating specifically on him, so I probably caught things others didn’t. He made some pretty bizarre decisions in the first half of the game, mostly getting himself caught up ice in transition plays. There were several instances where he was mixed up in altercations in the offensive end with the play in his; if a goal had been scored, he would rightly have been called out for being partly responsible. There were others where he was soft on the puck and gave the puck away. From his first goal on, he was all over the ice in a good way. Too bad his team couldn’t play with a lead in Ottawa.

On a side note, I’ve now seen two holding calls go against him these playoffs that I don’t think were penalties. One against Montreal and the other last night. Both very similar plays, they look to me like he simply recovers from behind, gains position, and leverages the puck-carrier down. (Both also ended a NYR PP.) I wonder if his skating and recoverability actually work as detriments as they can make plays look like hold/hooking calls where none exist. I also wonder if that played in his head during that Hoffman goal in game 2 where he was afraid of getting called in a similar play.

Edit: Arcticle on Skjei.

USA Hockey opens their Worlds slate today against the host Germany. Only Gopher alum on the team is Bjugstad––he’s the second-line right wing, on a line with Dylan Larkin and Brock Nelson.

Holl scores in triple overtime to send the Toronto Marlies past Albany Devils in the first round of their AHL playoff series and move them onto the next round.

Mr. Clutch

I guess he’s leading the team in scoring these playoffs

https://twitter.com/steveburtch/status/861040462119006212

Skjei joins Bjugstad at the Worlds.

With Casey Mittelstadt expected to be drafted in the top ten and some others from the state highly touted, I though I’d piece together a little list of the highest draft picks in recent history. It should be pretty self-explanatory, and I can update after the draft if requested to. I highly recommend looking at the format and notes at the bottom of the list to understand it; it is meant to be entered as data in a table, and I wish I had one to present it in. The pertinent (teams/position) information listed is as of drafted, not necessarily now. The predominant draft league is the one the player plays the highest percentage of the season in with the team listed as the final team in that league; I did have trouble wording that in the format given. I hope this clears up any confusion or misinformation that any have had recently about these players/drafts.

FIRST ROUND OR HIGHEST DRAFTED SINCE 2001

2017

2016

1st, 19th: Keiffer Bellows; LW; Edina, Edina HS; USNTDP: Under 18; New York Islanders

1st, 25th: Riley Tufte; LW; Ham Lake, Blaine HS; MSHSHL: Blaine HS; Dallas Stars•

[highlight=gold][highlight=gold][highlight=gold][highlight=gold][highlight=gold][highlight=gold][highlight=gold]No Gophers Taken[/highlight]

Format

Round, Overall: Player; Position; Hometown, Minor; Predominant Draft League: Last Draft Team; NHL Draft Team

TOP TEN OVERALL PICKS FROM THE STATE OR GOPHERS

1st, 1st, 2006: Erik Johnson; RD; Bloomington, Academy of Holy Angels HS; USNTDP: Under 18; Saint Louis Blues

Link

Non-Minnesotan Gopher

Positions are G, D, C, and W. The hand listed is the stick of the player, not the position. Some players played their off-hand side.

•Drafted after playing season in the Minnesota State High School Hockey League. Otherwise known as drafted out of high school.

[highlight=gold]Highest Gopher taken if none qualified to be listed[/highlight] (Top list only)