Local notebook: Kangas mulls Division I hockey offers
Sat, Mar 4, 2006
Prior to playing in last year's Class AA boys state hockey tournament, Alex Kangas was barely a blip on the recruiting screen for most top-flight college hockey programs. Now he is almost a cinch to land a Division I scholarship.
The Rochester Century grad had a standout state tournament in goal in 2005. Now, after a stellar season with Sioux Falls (S.D.) of the United States Hockey League (a junior amateur league), Kangas is being sought by some of the elite hockey programs in the nation.
This weekend he is visiting Minnesota. He has already had a recruiting stop at North Dakota. He has also had talks with St. Cloud State, Michigan State and Boston College.
"My top two choices are North Dakota and Minnesota," Kangas said. "Growing up in Minnesota, you always want to be a Gopher. But I'm weighing my options; I have a lot to think about."
Both Minnesota and North Dakota currently are playing junior goalies. So Kangas might play one more year of junior hockey. Or, his decision could be altered if one of the colleges loses a goalie to the pro ranks.
"It's probably two years from now," he said of college. "But if one signs and goes pro, it would be next year."
Kangas is 18-6-1 in goal this season with Sioux Falls. He has a 2.02 goals-against average and an outstanding .930 save percentage. He was a league all-star and at the midway point of the season was rated as the 13th best North American goalie by NHL Scouting Services.
"It's kind of new," Kangas said of all the attention he's been getting. "It's a dream come true. Hopefully, it gets me to the highest level possible, hopefully the NHL."
