[Gotham Dark Knight]

ANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- The NHL draft turned into a showcase for hockey in Minnesota. Bloomington native Erik Johnson became just the fifth American chosen first overall when the St. Louis Blues selected him Saturday.


Fellow Minnesota natives Kyle Okposo and Peter Mueller followed Johnson in the top 10 with Okposo going to the Islanders and Mueller to the Coyotes.
And the Minnesota Wild also made big new with a draft day trade, acquiring star forward Pavol Demitra from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for the 17th pick and top prospect Patrick O Sullivan. "It's a great day for USA hockey, as well as Minnesota," said Johnson, who played with both Okposo and Mueller in summer leagues growing up. "A lot of my buddies have just been selected and I just can't wait to congratulate them, it's just awesome."

The 6-foot-4, 222-pound Johnson spent last season with the U.S. National Team Development Program, recording 11 goals and 22 points in just 38 games with the under-18 team. He became the top-ranked prospect with a strong World Junior Championships in Vancouver in January




Good Day for American Hockey...and one suprised with the 1st overall pick?