Alt signs the papers to become a Gopher

2:45 p.m. is not the best time to visit Cretin-Derham Hall, the St. Paul Catholic school power on Albert St.

Teens are everywhere, leaving school. Some are dressed in uniforms because they play baseball or softball. But I made my way through the crowded hallways on Tuesday, past the cafeteria to the commons area. There at a long table, 6-3, 200-pound Mark Alt sat down in a chair and quickly signed his name on a couple papers.

And the deed was done.

For the next season, or two, or three or four -- you never know with hockey players, especially high NHL draft picks -- will play hockey for the Gophers.

"it is relieving, it has been a long road. I am glad to be a Gopher," Alt said.

"I went down to Iowa to get one last look at that and, on the way back, I made me decision and knew what I wanted to do," said Alt, who visited Iowa from April 16-18.

Alt, the son of former NFL lineman John Alt, led the Raiders to the Class 5A state title in football. He was the team's quarterback.

Alt said he hopes to be the big defenseman the Gophers are looking for. He said he wants to step up his defensive game "and be that guy for them."

Jim O'Neill, the Raiders hockey coach, watched Alt sign. "It's exciting to have him stay close to home and get a chance to watch him," O'Neill said. "He is the kind of guy that [the Gophers] need, he is a bigger defenseman and moves the puck good. It will be fun to watch him."

One of O'Neill's former defensemen, Ryan McDonagh, has developed into one of the best in college hockey. McDonagh will be the captain of the Wisconsin Badgers next season as a senior. He was tri-captain of a Badgers team which reached the NCAA title game this season.

"They are different players," O'Neill said when asked to compare the two. "Ryan was probably a little more defensive-oriented. And he has become more of a shutdown defenseman. Mark gets around the rink a lot more. He is going to have to learn the defensive side a little better, obviously. But he has got a lot of skills and he can really motor around the rink, And he is going to be a big kid when he is done."

His dad John, is 6-8 and played at about 300 pounds. He was an offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1984-96, or 13 seasons, and made two Pro Bowls.