Recent Minnesota-born defensemen drafted in NHL first round

Last update: January 8, 2009 - 9:20 PM

MAKING A MARK

At least one Minnesota-born defenseman has been selected in the first round of the NHL draft in each of the past seven years. Eden Prairie's Nick Leddy could keep the string going in 2009. Here's the recent selections:

2008: Jake Gardiner, Minnetonka, 17th pick, by Anaheim

2007: Ryan McDonagh, St. Paul, 12th, Montreal

2006: Erik Johnson, Bloomington, first,

St. Louis; David Fischer, Apple Valley, 20th, Montreal

2005: Brian Lee, Moorhead, ninth, Ottawa; Joe Finley, Edina, 27th, Washington; Matt Niskanen, Virginia, 28th, Dallas

2004: A.J. Thelen, Savage, 12th, Wild

2003: Mark Stuart, Rochester, 21st, Boston

2002: Keith Ballard, Baudette, 11th, Buffalo

Recent Prep Sports stories

All metro volleyball team - January 8, 2009

All metro volleyball team - Members of the All-Metro Volleyball Team answer questions such about their game and other interests. More

Most recent member videos

Most recent member photos

Latest High School Sports News

Recent Minnesota-born defensemen drafted in NHL first round

More from Prep Sports

MAKING A MARK

Recent Prep Sports stories

Comment on this story | Be the first to comment | Hide reader comments

Post your comment:

Title (Optional)

Your comments: