Gophers hockey signs six in early signing period

Don Lucia unveiled the Gophers' early signing class on Wednesday afternoon and it features two players with roots outside of Minnesota.

North Carolina native Logan Halladay and Wisconsin native Tommy Novak are among the class of six that signed National Letters of Intent or a Financial Aid Tender. Minnesotans Ryan Norman (Maplewood/Shattuck-St. Mary's), Jack Ramsey (Chanhassen/Penticton-BCHL), Jack Sadek (Lakeville/Lakeville North High School) and Tyler Sheehy (Bunsville/Waterloo-USHL) complete the group.

Halladay will be the first Gophers hockey player from North Carolina and Novak the first player from Wisconsin since Nate Condon.

Ramsey signed a letter of intent last fall, but deferred enrollment to play an extra year in the BCHL. He signed a Financial Aid Tender to reaccept the scholarship offer and should be on the Gophers' roster next season.

Halladay and Sheehy are among other likely commitments to be on campus next fall, but needs could change after graduation and potential early departures.

Here's a look at the signees thanks to the Gophers athletic staff:

Logan Halladay | Goalie | Cary, N.C. | Bloomington (USHL)
Currently playing with Bloomington in the USHL with 10 games under his belt this season…spent the 2013-14 season with the Janesville Jets in the NAHL and posted a .932 save percentage and a 2.26 GAA while winning 18 of 31 games…earned the 2013-14 NAHL Academic Achievement Award…played with Gopher forward Robin Höglund at Janesville…previously played with the Waterloo Blackhawks, the Chicago Young Americans and the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes…listed on the NHL Central Scouting Services Preliminary 2015 Players to Watch List.

Tommy Novak | Forward | River Falls, Wis. | Waterloo (USHL)
Currently skating with Waterloo alongside fellow signee Tyler Sheehy…has tallied 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 18 games…helped the U.S. win a gold medal at the 2014 Five Nations Tournament and a bronze medal at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Tournament…Novak led all skaters with 11 points (five goals, six assists) at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament…previously spent three seasons at St. Thomas Academy and tallied 65 goals and 86 assists in 75 high school games…participated in the 2014 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game…listed on the NHL Central Scouting Services Preliminary 2015 Players to Watch List.

Jack Ramsey | Forward | Chanhassen, Minn. | Penticton (BCHL)
Currently in his second season with the Penticton Vees…has tallied 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in 28 games this season after recording 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 57 regular-season games last year…added eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 11 playoff games last year…competed in the 2013 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game…previously skated at Minnetonka High School for two seasons with Gophers Steve Johnson and Vinni Lettieri…selected 208th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the seventh round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft…father, Mike, played for the Gophers and was part of the Miracle on Ice team at the 1980 U.S. Winter Olympic Games before a lengthy NHL playing and coaching career…sister, Rachel, skates for the Gopher women's hockey team.

Jack Sadek | Defense | Lakeville, Minn. | Lakeville North High School
Currently in this third season at Lakeville North High School…led Lakeville North to the 2014 Minnesota Class 2A state championship game with two goals and two assists in the postseason after recording four goals and nine assists in 25 regular-season games…had three points (two goals, one assist) in 25 regular-season games in 2012-13 and then added three more assists in the playoffs…listed on the NHL Central Scouting Services Preliminary 2015 Players to Watch List…cousin of Gopher defenseman Brady Skjei.