University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Women's Hockey Signs Standouts Wall, Nichols and Wacker
11/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Wall, a defenseman from Churchville, N.Y., was the youngest member of the 2002 U.S. Olympic Team that earned a silver medal at Salt Lake City. Wall played in all five games, tallying an assist and had a team- best plus/minus rating of +11. She also played at the 2002 Four Nations Cup and was a member of the Team USA's Under-22 team that competed against Team Canada last August. In 2001, Wall led the Syracuse Stars to the 2001 USA Hockey Girls' 19-and-Under National Championship, notching 65 points in 63 games. Prior to her USA experience, Wall was a member of the Buffalo Regals Boys' Bantam Minor AAA team during the 1999-2000 season.
"Lyndsay is a special player, and someone we considered to be the top American defenseman in this year's recruiting class," Halldorson said. "She has the combination of size, skill, and composure that you don't often see at her age. We are fortunate to add such a talented player to our program."
Nichols, a Mt. Iron, Minn., native, has led the state of Minnesota in scoring the past two years as a member of Hibbing High School. In four years, Nichols has scored 201 goals and 131 assists for 332 points. She played on the varsity program as an eighth-grader, scoring 60 points and was named the team's most valuable offensive player of the year. As a junior in 2001-02, she led Hibbing to a second-place finish at the Minnesota Class A Championship and was the only junior on the all-state first team. Nichols is a four-year selection to the USA Hockey Junior Developmental Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y., and was one of the youngest members at the 2002 USA Hockey Festival.
"Andrea is another top recruit here in the U.S. and a tremendous player for Hibbing High School," Halldorson said. "Her speed, work ethic, and strong stick skills set her apart in this year's Minnesota senior class, and she will make an immediate contribution offensively. We love signing the best in the state and can't wait to get Andrea on the ice next fall."
Wacker, a native of York, Maine, is a forward who was a member of the 2000 and 2001 national championship Assabet Valley team. She also played on the York High School boys' team. As a junior, Wacker was a team captain and named the team's most valuable player. She aided York High School to a conference quarterfinal finish and had nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points. Wacker was a USA Hockey Developmental Camp selection last season.
"Becky is a hard-working forward who is a gifted student as well as a tough competitor on the ice," said Halldorson. "We're happy to bring in a player from the East Coast who will also help our program right away."
