University of Minnesota Athletics
Leddy and Schroeder Go in NHL Draft First Round
6/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
For the fourth time in six years the University of Minnesota had two players selected in the first round of the National Hockey League Entry Draft as Nick Leddy and Jordan Schroeder each went among the top picks.
The Gophers have now had 10 first-round picks since 2004 and eight players selected in the first round in the past four years. They also had two players selected in the first round in 2007 and 2004 and had four first-round picks in 2006. Leddy and Schroeder were among the first three American-born players chosen in the draft.
An incoming freshman for the Gophers, Leddy was selected by his hometown team when the Minnesota Wild made him in the 16th player chosen overall. Leddy is the third Gopher player to be drafted by the Wild, joining Danny Irmen in 2003 and Mike Erickson in 2002. Both Irmen and Erickson were third-round picks.
Leddy led Eden Prairie High School to the Minnesota Class AA state championship last winter and received the state’s Mr. Hockey award. A 5-11, 180-pound defenseman, Leddy had eight goals and 29 assists for 37 points in 25 games this past season.
Schroeder went 22nd overall to the Vancouver Canucks and joins current Gophers’ junior Patrick White as Canucks’ first-round selections. White was taken 25th by Vancouver in the 2007 draft. The Canucks also took current Gopher sophomore Taylor Matson in the sixth round in 2007. The only other Gophers to be chosen by Vancouver were Sean Fabian in 1987 and John Labatt in 1983.
A 5-8, 180-pound forward, Schroeder finished second in scoring for the Gophers this past season with 13 goals and 32 assists for 45 points in 35 games. He was the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Year and a second-team all-conference selection. Schroeder was also named the Inside College Hockey National Rookie of the Year and finished third in the nation in scoring as the only freshman among the top 40 scorers.
Leddy and Schroeder give the Gophers four current players who have been drafted in the first round. In addition to White, senior David Fischer was the top choice by the Montreal Canadiens in 2006. Rounds 2-7 will be conducted on Saturday.
