University of Minnesota Athletics
GOLDEN GOPHERS SIGN SIX TOP RECRUITS TO HOCKEY TENDERS
11/20/2000 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Keith Ballard, a 5'11", 200-pound defenseman from Baudette, Minn., is spending this season with the Omaha Lancers in the United States Hockey League. This season through 16 games with the Lancers, he leads the team in scoring with nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points. Ballard played last season in the United State Junior Development program in Ann Arbor, Mich. He had 12 goals and 21 assists in 58 games and led all defensemen in scoring.
Mike Erickson is a 6'2", 180-pound forward from Eden Prairie High School in Eden Prairie, Minn. Erickson was an All-State, All-Metro and All-Conference selection during his junior season. He led the State Class AA in scoring with 38 goals and 25 assists for 63 points. A two- year letterwinner and team MVP last year, Erickson has amassed career totals of 62 goals, 43 assists and 105 points. He is also the starting quarterback for the Eden Prairie football team which is unbeaten and has advanced to the state finals.
Jake Fleming, a 5'9", 170-pound center from Osseo, Minn., is spending this season with the Omaha Lancers in the United State Hockey League. He has tallied five goals and six assists through 15 games this season with the Lancers. Fleming played last season in the United States Junior Development program in Ann Arbor, Mich. He had nine goals and 18 assists, which ranked sixth on the team. Fleming also spent time with the team during the 1998-99 season.
Garrett Smaagaard, a 5'11", 165-pound forward from Eden Prairie High School in Eden Prairie, Minn., joins teammate Mike Erickson in signing with the Golden Gophers. Smaagaard earned All-Metro and All-Conference laurels during his junior campaign and tallied 22 goals and 36 assists for 58 points. A two-year letterwinner, he has career totals of 41 goals, 60 assists and 101 points. Smaagaard is also a starting defensive back and wide receiver for the Eden Prairie football team which is unbeaten and has advanced to the state finals.
Barry Tallackson is a 6'4", 192-pound forward from St. Paul, Minn., who is playing with the United States Junior Development program in Ann Arbor, Mich. He leads the team with 12 goals in 23 games this season. Tallackson has spent two years in Ann Arbor and tallied 14 goals and six assists in 53 games last season. He played at St. Paul Johnson as a sophomore.
Travis Weber, a 5'11", 205-pound goaltender from Hibbing, Minn., is playing with the United States Junior Development program. Last year, he posted a team-best 2.73 goals-against-average and .894 save percentage in Ann Arbor, Mich. This season, Weber was in goal as the team defeated then-sixth ranked Michigan State 6-4.
"We are extremely pleased with the quality of student-athletes we are bringing into this program," said Golden Gopher Head Coach Don Lucia. "All six of these recruits have impressive credentials, not to mention, all are excellent students. We look forward to having this group join our program and help us attain our goal of returning to the upper echelon of college hockey."
