University of Minnesota Athletics
MHK: Golden Gopher Men's Hockey Signs Five Top Recruits
11/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
R.J. Anderson is a 5-11, 180-pound defenseman from Lino Lakes, Minn. Anderson is entering his senior season at Centennial High School. En route to helping the Cougars to the 2004 Class AA State Championship, Anderson led the state's defensemen in scoring with 29 goals and 56 assists for 85 points. His 56 helpers led all Minnesota high school players. Anderson was named AP and St. Paul Pioneer Press all-state, Minneapolis Star Tribune all-metro and all-North Suburban Conference. An offensive blueliner with great vision and puck skills, Anderson led his team's defensemen in scoring in his sophomore season with six goals and 33 assists.
Justin Bostrom, a 5-9, 170-pound forward from Vadnais Heights, Minn., is in his first full season with the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He is yet to see action this year as he is recovering from a bout with mononucleosis. In 13 games last season with the Musketeers, Bostrom tallied two goals and four assists. Prior to his tenure in the USHL, Bostrom excelled at Mounds View High School. He was named AP and Pioneer Press all-state honorable mention, second team Star Tribune all-metro and all-Suburban East Conference in both his sophomore and junior seasons. Last season, Bostrom led the team in scoring with 24-35--59 after finishing eighth in the state in scoring during his sophomore year with 37-32--69. This past summer, Bostrom was a member of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team that captured the gold medal at the Under-18 Junior World Cup.
Jeff Frazee, a 6-0, 190-pound goaltender from Burnsville, Minn., joins the Golden Gophers from the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich. A member of the NTDP Under-18 Team this season, Frazee holds a 5-2-0 record with a 2.65 goals-against average and a .915 saves percentage. Earlier this season, Frazee turned aside 20 shots as Team USA beat Sweden, 1-0, to win gold at the 2004 U18 Four Nations Cup in Ann Arbor. Rated as one of the top goaltender prospects in the nation, Frazee attended the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, Minn., during his freshman and sophomore seasons. In 2002 -03, he posted a 14-1-1 record and was named all-Missota Conference en route to leading the Stars to third place at the 2003 Class AA Minnesota State Tournament. Frazee had a perfect 6-0-0 record in his freshman year at Holy Angels.
Ryan Stoa is a 6-2, 193-pound forward from Bloomington, Minn. A teammate of Frazee in the U.S. National Team Development Program, Stoa is currently fourth on the team in scoring with six goals and eight assists in 15 games. Earlier this season, he helped lead the U.S. Under-18 Team to the gold medal at the Four Nations Cup in Ann Arbor. He also helped the Under-17 Team capture gold at the 2003 U17 Four Nations Cup. During the 2003-04 season, Stoa tallied 25 goals and 21 assists for 46 points to finish fourth on the team in scoring. Prior to his time in Ann Arbor, Stoa attended Bloomington Kennedy High School. During his sophomore season, he had totals of 14-22--36 and was named all- Lake Conference honorable mention.
Blake Wheeler joins the Maroon and Gold as a 6-4, 185-pound forward from Plymouth, Minn. Earlier this summer at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Wheeler became the highest drafted high school player since 1983 when the Phoenix Coyotes selected him fifth overall. He was the first American selected at the Draft and joined Thomas Vanek as the highest NHL pick for a Golden Gopher. Wheeler is currently in his first season with the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers. In 16 games this season, he is 16th in the league in scoring with seven goals and seven assists. Prior to joining the Gamblers, Wheeler was a standout player at Breck High School in Golden Valley, Minn. Last year in his junior season, he led the state in scoring with 45-55--100 and led the Mustangs to the Class A State Championship. He was named AP and Pioneer Press all-state, Star Tribune all-metro and all-Tri Metro Conference. In his sophomore season, Wheeler had totals of 15-27--42 and was named all-conference in the team's 20-6-0 campaign. Wheeler also played tight end for Breck's football team, collecting 50 receptions for 800 yards in his junior season. He won both the state hockey and football championships that season, and was selected as the MVP for both championship teams.
"We are extremely happy with the student-athletes that we are bringing into the Golden Gopher hockey program," Minnesota Head Coach Don Lucia said. "All five of these recruits are welcomed additions to our team, and bring impressive credentials, both on and off the ice. The outstanding skill, competitiveness and work ethic that these five individuals possess will be a great fit for Minnesota Hockey."
