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Thursday, June 23, 2011

Carrying On

Thought we might take a look at this year's National Hockey League Draft, given the fact that it's taking place in St. Paul at Xcel Energy Center.  A place our Mavericks are familiar with having played a trio of WCHA Final Five games there (1999-00 vs. Minnesota and 2002-03 vs. Minnesota and Minnesota-Duluth), along with a regular-season game vs. Minnesota in 2004-05 and again vs. the Golden Gophers in Nov. of 2008 in the WCHA Minnesota College Hockey Showcase.

While no current Mavericks are expected to be selected this year, a total of 12 former and/or current members of the purple and gold have been chosen, beginning with defenseman Tom Anderson when he was picked in the seventh round, 111th overall by the California Golden Seals back in 1974.

A few notables regarding MSU's draft history.  Of the 12 selections, four have played in the NHL (Tim Jackman, David Backes, Travis Morin and Jon Kalinski). Forward Tyler Pitlick owns the distinction as the highest MSU draftee at #31 and in Justin Jokinen, one is a current Maverick. Ten of the draftees were native Minnesotans and two were Canadians (Chad Brownlee and John Kalinski).

SIDEBAR - Brownlee's recently-completed video for his new single Carried Away is available here.

Here's a look at MSU's draft history over the years.

 

Name
Yrs @ MSU
Drafted By
Year
Round
#
Tom Anderson*
1975-77
California
1974
7th
111
Eric Burrill*
1990-92
NY Rangers
1987
9th
178
Dan Brettschneider*
1989-92
Washington
1987
12th
240
Tim Jackman
2000-02
Columbus
2001
2nd
38
Jake Brenk*
2000-05
Edmonton
2001
5th
154
David Backes*
2003-06
St. Louis
2003
2nd
62
Chad Brownlee*
2003-07
Vancouver
2003
6th
190
Travis Morin
2003-07
Washington
2004
9th
263
Jon Kalinski
2005-08
Philadelphia
2007
6th
152
Andrew Sackrison*
2007-11
St. Louis
2006
5th
124
Justin Jokinen*
2008-SA
Buffalo
2008
4th
101
Tyler Pitlick
2009-10
Edmonton
2010
2nd
31











*selected while a member of high school or junior team










Lots of 2011 NHL Draft coverage available here.

Enjoy the weekend. It's great to be a Maverick!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Super Bowl Hardware

As mentioned in the previous post, former Maverick offensive lineman Adrian Battles received his Super Bowl ring today.  This is what it looks like.

Didja Know?

A few things about Minnesota State Athletics you might not have been aware of.

Elisha McSweeny
The National Basketball Association draft is slated for June 23rd.  And although no Minnesota State players will be selected this year, MSU has had one player chosen in the annual event, which has been held every year since 1947.  Center/foward Elisha McSweeney was picked in the tenth round (171st overall) by Cleveland in 1976. 

The Green Bay Packers are doling out Super Bowl championship rings tonight (Thursday, June 16) at a ring ceremony. Former Minnesota State offensive lineman Adrian Battles, who played for the Mavericks from 2005-09 and was a member of the Packers' practice squad during their 2011 championship run, will be a recipient of a ring.

The 1979-80 Maverick men's hockey team that captured the NCAA Division II national championship scored 293 goals in 40 games.  Turns out that's an all-division record with MSU's 293 besting the 292 goals scored by the University of Maine in 1992-93.  Plattsburgh State, with 290 goals in 1985-86, owns the Division III mark.

It's great to be a Maverick!