The Western College Hockey blog recently rated the top freshmen coming into the CCHA and WCHA.

Three young Gophers were among the top 10.

Defenseman Nick Leddy of Eden Prairie was rated No. 4. WCH wondered if he would get a lot of ice time with all the veteran defensmen the Gophers have. Don’t think that will be a problem. A D-man that can move the puck and has the skating skills Leddy have will get his ice time.

No. 6 was forward Zach Budish of Edina. WCH wondered if he would be rusty after not playing all last season because of knee surgery. Maybe early, but not for too long. He has been working out and skating all summer. He will give Gophers some much needed muscle. I expect him to be one one of U’s top two lines.

No. 10 was defenseman Seth Helgeson, 6-5, 220 who played in USHL last season. WCH blog called him a defensive defenseman. He, too, should be a big boost against physical opponents.

So who were the three Best of the West rookies according to WCH?

1. Defenseman Dylan Olsen of UMD

2. Goalie Mike Lee of St. Cloud State

3. Forward Kyle Palmieri of Notre Dame

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 at 9:55 pm and is filed under Gophers men's hockey. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.