University of Minnesota Athletics
BALLARD NAMED TO 2002 UNITED STATES NATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY TEAM
12/5/2001 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Ballard is in his first season with the Golden Gophers. He is the leading rookie defenseman scorer in the league and ranks fifth overall among WCHA defensemen with four goals and eight assists. The preseason WCHA Rookie of the Year, Ballard is the lone representative from the WCHA.
The team will assemble in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Dec. 16 in preparation for the 2002 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. On Dec.19, the squad travels to Switzerland for exhibition games on Dec. 21 versus Switzerland, and Dec. 22 against Sweden, before beginning competition at the IIHF World Junior Championship on Dec. 25 against host country and defending champion, the Czech Republic.
Ballard will miss the Mariucci Classic on Dec. 28-29, but should arrive back in the Twin Cities in time to compete for the Golden Gophers in their league series against North Dakota, Jan. 5-6.
