Gopher Hockey: Novak Chosen First In USHL Draft

Phase 1 of the USHL draft was completed tonight and Gopher Hockey recruit Tommy Novak was the first player chosen.

The Des Moines Buccaneers took the St. Thomas Academy forward at the third overall pick, but was the first player chosen in the draft.  Novak becomes the second Gopher Recruit in three years to be chosen first in the draft.  Taylor Cammarata was chosen first overall in the 2011 draft.  Cammarata had 93 points with Waterloo this season which led the USHL.

Novak was a sophomore this past season at St. Thomas Academy where he scored the game winning goal in the class A championship game with six seconds left.  Novak scored 28 goals and had 29 assists in his sophomore season at St. Thomas Academy.  Novak committed to the Gophers shortly after his season ended in March.

Novak could do a split season next year with Des Moines and play his junior year with St. Thomas Academy.  He could also wait for his senior year and play that entire season with Des Moines.  Teams will have their tryout camps in June and July where Novak could decide what he wants to do his Junior and Senior season.