University of Minnesota Athletics
Freshman Faceoff: Jack Sadek
9/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
As we get closer and closer to the 2015-16 Gopher Hockey season, we continue our "Freshman Faceoff" series today with incoming defenseman Jack Sadek.
A native of Lakeville, Sadek spent the last three years with Lakeville North High School and helped the Panthers to three-straight state tournament berths. In a prep career that spanned 92 games with 56 points (15 goals, 41 assists), Sadek capped his high school days by helping Lakeville North to the 2015 MSHSL Class AA state title with a perfect 31-0 record. The defenseman was named to the all-tournament team and was also a Minnesota Mr. Hockey finalist. A third-generation Gopher, Sadek was selected in the seventh round (204th overall) by the Minnesota Wild in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
You have a lot of connections to the University of Minnesota plus you're from nearby Lakeville, but what made you want to be a part of Gopher Hockey?
It's obviously an elite program in college hockey, and I'm excited to be a part of it. My dad and my grandfather were both quarterbacks for the football team here, and my mom went here too. It's kind of a family thing for us.
Let's talk about last season. You graduated after a stellar season at Lakeville North High School...a perfect season actually. What was it like to go unbeaten to close out your prep career?
Two years ago, we lost to Edina and got pounded in the championship game, so we wanted to take care of business last year. We came out really strong and carried the momentum through the whole season. We were very proud to go 31-0 last season, and it was awesome to end the season with a state title.
And then you we were selected by the Minnesota Wild at the NHL Entry Draft over the summer. How did it feel to be drafted by your hometown team?
It was a great experience. I think growing up playing high school hockey, coming here to the University of Minnesota and then getting drafted by the Wild, it was kind of the Minnesota dream. It's pretty cool to be able to stay in Minnesota all the way through my playing career.
With your dad and grandfather both playing football at the University of Minnesota and then becoming coaches, did you ever think of playing football?
There for a little bit, but I think I stopped playing in like seventh grade. I was a quarterback, but I knew my future was in hockey.
All of these family members came to the University of Minnesota, but then your sister went to Ohio State to play hockey. Are you still on speaking terms with her?
Yeah, we are still on speaking terms. We support each other either way. It'll be great when we go to Columbus or when they come here to play.
Brady Skjei is your cousin and also wore No. 2 for the Gophers. Is that why you took that number?
Well, they gave me three numbers to choose from, and it was 2, 5, and 7. I didn't want Mikey Reilly's number or Kyle Rau's number, so I figured I might as well keep No. 2 in the family.
You were able to go to the draft when Brady was drafted and experience that with him. How else have you learned from him?
I try to take tips from him and learn as much as possible. I've heard from people that we kind of skate the same and play the same game. We both like to skate the puck up. It was pretty cool going to the draft with him...obviously, it was a great experience.
Do you remember when you learned to skate? Have a favorite memory?
We had a rink really close to our house. I think it all started there. I was probably like three or four when my dad brought me there.
What are you interested in off the ice?
I like to golf a lot, and I played baseball until my junior year. Otherwise, I like to go out on the boat, wakeboard, ski, surf.
You already took a couple classes in the summer, and now you're into your first full year. How are you liking it so far?
I'd been around before -- Brady was helpful showing me some stuff around here, what to do, where to go. I am excited to meet some new people and have a ton of fun my freshman year.
| Previous Freshman Faceoff Features | |||
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| Ryan Norman | |||
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| Brent Gates Jr. | Jack Ramsey | Tommy Novak | |
