Wednesday was national signing day for high school football players. The Super Bowl is Sunday.
But, these days, football is far from Mark Alt's mind.
"[My life] is pretty much hockey now," Alt said.
The Gophers freshman defenseman was a standout high school football player, and his father was an All-Pro NFL player. Alt, who is 6-4 and 194 pounds, chose hockey.
"If I would say who has grown the most this year, it would be Mark Alt," Gophers coach Don Lucia said. "He has been on the ice for only one five-on-five goal against since, maybe, early December. And it is not like we are hiding him."
Alt had a 12-game streak with a plus-minus rating of zero or better until last Saturday.
At Cretin-Derham Hall, though, he was best known for other numbers, such as passing yards and touchdowns. Alt was an all-state quarterback as a senior for the Raiders, leading the St. Paul power to the Class 5A championship.
"It was more exciting for me watching him play football," said his father, John, who played 13 seasons as an offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs. "He was involved in every play and made things happen. But I've adjusted. I look at my job. I guarded the quarterback, and I was not much fun to watch. He guards the net. It's similar deal."