Ballard Selected 11th Overall in NHL Draft; Two Others Chosen

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Ballard Selected 11th Overall in NHL Draft; Two Others Chosen

6/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Athletics

Defenseman Keith Ballard was selected with the 11th overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft in Toronto. Also selected on the first day of the draft were Barry Tallackson in the second round by New Jersey and Mike Erickson in the third round by the Minnesota Wild.

Ballard was a WCHA All-Rookie selection last season after collecting 10 goals and 13 points in his rookie campaign. He was also the lone player from the WCHA to be named to the U.S. Junior National Team. Tallackson tied Ballard for the team rookie scoring lead with 13 goals and 10 assists. Erickson played in only nine games before suffering a season-ending injury early in the season.

Ballard was the second collegiate player to go in the draft behind Michigan's Eric Nystrom who was selected 10th by the Calgary Flames. Tallackson joins teammates Paul Martin, Matt DeMarchi and Troy Riddle as property of the New Jersey Devils.