Continued: Gophers defenseman signs deal with Ducks

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Stu Bickel, a 21-year-old who just finished his freshman year with the Gophers hockey team, has signed a three-year, two-way deal with the NHL's Anaheim Ducks.

Bickel, a forward-turned-defenseman, led the Gophers in penalty minutes last season. His deal is for the maximum allowed by the league's collective bargaining agreement. That means a yearly bonus of $85,000. If Bickel were to play in the NHL for the entire length of the deal, it would be worth $2,625,000. But his pro career will likely start in the American Hockey League, where his yearly salary would be $62,500.

"They offered a couple weeks ago," said Bickel, an undrafted free agent. ''I wanted to take some time, not make any quick decisions. I thought about it long and hard. In the end, I thought it was the right decision."

But it's also clear he will be missed. "It's a big blow," Gophers coach Don Lucia said. "He was our most physical player. We thought he'd be around and be a captain down the line."

In 45 games, Bickel had one goal and six assists for the Gophers. He assisted on the Gophers' only goal during the WCHA Final Five game against Denver.

Bickel, who played high school hockey at Minnetonka and Eden Prairie, came to the Gophers from the USHL.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD

U women get commitment

Leah Cotton, a 5-8 point guard from Olathe Christian School in suburban Kansas City, Kan., has made a verbal commitment to the Gophers women's basketball team, according to Olathe coach Gary Newsome. Cotton averaged 17.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season, leading Olathe to a 32-2 record and a second consecutive Kansas Christian Athletic Association state title.

Cotton is the third player to commit to the Gophers for the 2009-10 season, joining 6-6 Amber Dvorak of Hinckley and 6-4 Katie Loberg of Princeton. With Emily Fox heading into her senior year, the Gophers have been looking for backcourt talent in the 2009-10 recruiting class.

Newsome said Cotton has pure point-guard skills, making players around her better. Olathe is 65-3 the past two seasons.

DENNIS BRACKIN

Womack sparks Saints

Josh Womack went 3-for-5 with a triple, two RBI and three runs scored as the St. Paul Saints defeated the Sioux Falls Canaries 8-2 Tuesday night in an American Association game at Midway Stadium.

Pichi Balet, who had missed more than a month of the season because of a broken bone in his foot, returned and went 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Saints.

The teams play again at 7:05 tonight in St. Paul. Mitch Wylie (0-2, 3.60 ERA) will pitch for the Saints against Ben Moors (5-3, 5.65).

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