Sources: Leddy, Birkholz to Leave Minnesota

According to WCCO, the Blackhawks are aiming to sign Gopher defenseman Nick Leddy. Leddy, a Freshman last year, was Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey his Senior year of High School, and followed that up by being drafted by the hometown Minnesota Wild in the NHL Draft. Midway through last season Leddy was traded to the Blackhawks, and while it wasn’t a change of scenery, Leddy reacted as if it were, having a wonderful second half of the season. He was probably the best Gopher defenseman in the second half of the year, and undoubtedly would have been their best one this coming season. His loss is a huge blow for the already struggling Gopher program.

Also reported by sources is that Josh Birkholz, who had 5 goals and 6 points in 36 games as a Freshman, will be leaving for the WHL. Birkholz would have been the 6th leading returning goal scorer on the 2010-11 team.