University of Minnesota defenseman Dave Fischer was selected by the Canadiens with the 20th overall pick in the 2006 Entry Draft.

This Gopher has the goods
By Russ Cohen | NHL.com Correspondent
Aug. 23, 2006

The Minnesota Golden Gophers had a very successful showing at the 2006 Entry Draft. Erik Johnson was selected first, Phil Kessel was picked fifth, Kyle Okposo seventh, and then Dave Fischer was taken 20th overall by the Montreal Canadiens.

By the time Fischer had a chance to talk about it, the story already had a familiar ring to it as he was the last piece of Minnesota's first-round puzzle.

"There are a lot of high-quality players that I will be playing with and against and living with," Fischer said. "I only foresee the next three or four years as a time for me to excel and get better."

Any time a player can work with some of the best, young talent in the world it is an exciting proposition. Fischer will get plenty of ice time with three of the top 10 picks and he could be paired with the No. 1 overall pick.

"I'd sure like to play with Erik next year, I really would," Fischer said before Johnson announced he would be returning to college this season.

The Montreal Canadians have a storied history and have been building a winner for years now. The Habs have a strong American connection with players like Chris Higgins and Mike Komisarek. Those players could be a source of comfort to Fischer when he does make the jump to the NHL.

When Fischer does make it to Montreal, one change will be in uniform number. Fischer has grown accustomed to wearing No. 9 during his playing days. In Montreal, that's not an option, as Hall of Famer Maurice "The Rocket" Richard" wore No. 9 with distinction and it now hangs in the rafters of the Bell Centre.

Fischer switched to defense five seasons ago and the move has paid handsome dividends. He has already won the "Mr. Hockey Award" and Associated Press Player of the Year honors, to name a few, so he seems to have made the correct career choice.

"I always knew I would be a defenseman," Fischer said. "That's what I was most comfortable at and that's where I made the biggest impression. Growing up in Apple Valley (Minnesota), we always kind of had a shortage of forwards and I always saw the ice well, good stickhandler and a good playmaker, and so I played forward a lot. I think it helped me a lot moving to 'D' as well understanding what a forward's mentality is as well and it also gets you involved in the play as well."

Fischer said he would like to pattern himself after New Jersey Devils defenseman Paul Martin.

"I'd love to say a Paul Martin," Fischer said. "He was a U of M player and I loved watching him play and watching him in New Jersey. He brings poise and the ability to bring the puck out of the zone, patience, playmaking ability. If I could play like Paul Martin I would be real happy."

The Canadians are building a young, fast team and having offensive defensemen like Fischer will really make them a force to be reckoned with in the future. There always will be a need for stay-at-home defenders, but offensive defenseman are usually more valuable to a club because of the extra time that they get on the ice especially on the power play. Fischer has all of the tools to be on a top pairing for the Canadians and now he will take the next few years to try and win the Frozen Four, and play for Team USA in the World Junior Championships.