From the Minnesota Daily earlier this week. The Daily's WCHA award nominees are at the end of the article. Enjoy! -Carol Headline: State hockey tourney features four U recruit Publish Date: 03/09/1994 David Jackson <W0I>Staff Reporter Before the Gopher-St. Cloud State hockey game Saturday at the National Hockey Center, Elk River and Moorhead staged one of the great high school hockey battles of recent memory in the Section 8AA finals. The two teams played 77 minutes and two seconds before Moorhead defenseman Rob Gramer scored 1:02 into the fourth overtime. One of the happiest players in the winning locker room was senior forward Ryan Kraft, who will play for the Gophers next season. ``When you play that long, it comes down to who wants it the most. And we both wanted it badly,'' said Kraft, who will play in the state tournament for the third straight year. Indeed, Kraft played a key role in the win, taking a breakaway pass late in the third overtime and forcing Elk River defenseman Matt Taus to hook him down for a penalty. Late in the ensuing power play, Gramer scored the winning goal. Kraft said he chose Minnesota because of the Gophers' team unity. ``The team camaraderie was the big thing,'' he said. ``They're so together. That's what it means to be a Gopher the most.'' And Kraft, one of the Spuds' tri-captains, will bring a variety of skills to the Gopher team next year. ``He's a great goal scorer, but he's also a great playmaker,'' Moorhead coach Terry Cullen said. ``He's played a lot on the wing and he plays in the middle very well.'' The state tournament, which begins today at the St. Paul Civic Center, will feature four Gopher recruits: Kraft, Bloomington Jefferson defenseman Mike Crowley, South St. Paul forward Jason Seils and Duluth East forward Clint Johnson. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Johnson back in town Former Gopher forward Craig Johnson paid a visit to Mariucci Arena Tuesday, sharing memories of his experience with Team USA. ``The coaches were great instructors,'' Johnson said. ``And playing against that kind of competition had to be constructive. Some of the other teams had so much experience. That's what we lacked. ``But we have no regrets. Just playing was a thrill. The greatest moment was walking into the opening ceremonies with the crowd waving flags. You realize that what you've worked for all along is finally there.'' Johnson, who has a year of eligibility remaining with Minnesota, is unsure whether he will return for a final season or sign with the NHL's St. Louis Blues, who hold his draft rights. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WCHA awards One writer's ballot for the all-WCHA teams: Forward -- Chris Marinucci, UMD. The leading scorer in the conference, Marinucci should be league MVP despite the Bulldogs' seventh-place finish. Consider where they might have been without his 30 goals and 30 assists. Forward -- Mike Harding, Northern Michigan. He's the biggest reason the Wildcats have the best power play in the conference. He's an unselfish player who uses his size to his advantage. Forward -- Kelly Fairchild, Wisconsin. He and teammate Andrew Shier both deserve this spot. Fairchild gets the nod because his speed game fits in better with the other two forwards on the team. Defense -- Chris McAlpine, Minnesota. Think he's not valuable? Consider that the Gophers were outscored 24-13 in the five games he missed. Defense -- Shawn Reid, Colorado College. Team captain of the group that went from worst to first in a year. Reid scored twice in the game that clinched the MacNaughton Cup. Goalie -- Grant Sjerven, St. Cloud State. Gets the nod over Wisconsin's Jim Carey because Carey's supporting cast is better. Most Valuable Player -- Marinucci. Coach of the year -- Don Lucia, Colorado College. From the start, Lucia made the Tigers believe they could win, and they did. Rookie of the year -- Dean Seymour, Northern Michigan. Earns the nod over North Dakota's Landon Wilson on the basis of his six more points and 115 fewer penalty minutes. Carol S. White BITNET: c-whit@uminn1 University of Minnesota internet:[log in to unmask] Office of the Registrar (612) 625-8517 GO Gophers!!!