"Locked Out" NHL Gophers Return to Minnesota

Even though they're former Gopher hockey players, and they're from two teams I am not all that fond of, Keith Ballard who's from the Vancouver Canucks and Paul Martin who's from the Pittsburgh Penguins; they both did a pretty good job in this video and it's very funny. Thank God the NHL is back on.

Keith Ballard ‘was sleeping 16-18 hours a day' due to concussion

Associated Press Photo

Here is a story about former Golden Gopher and current Vancouver Canucks Keith Ballard and what he has gone through with a concussion that he suffered earlier this season playing for the Vancouver Canucks.

Elliott Pap, Vancouver --- Ballard, 29, participated in the Canucks' morning skate prior to their game against the Los Angeles Kings and talked later about what he has endured since his last lineup appearance Feb. 7 against Nashville.

It may provide some insight into what Daniel is facing, or has faced, since Duncan Keith's cheap-shot elbow took him out last Wednesday in Chicago.

“I had a lot of different stuff,” Ballard said. “I had dizziness and a lot of headaches during the day. I was sleeping 16-18 hours a day and, when I tried to do some light workouts, I ended up getting real sick and I'd be in bed for four days. By around the end of February, we almost had no choice but to just shut me down and not do anything. At that point, I couldn't get through a day without a lot of symptoms.”

According to Ballard, he was initially injured Feb. 5 in Colorado.

Brad Marchand racks up the penalty minutes.

I will give you the first call, it was a penalty as Brad Marchand pulled down Canucks defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, it also appears like he helped a bit too. On the next moved that ended up being a penalty the whistle has already blown when Daniel Sedin came flying in on Marchand...So what was Marchand supposed to do just let Sedin blow him up. I say good for Marchand.

Keith Ballard check on Jamie McGinn

Wow!!! I have to say, what a beautiful old style hip check by former Minnesota Gopher and Vancouver Defenseman Keith Ballard. Ballard had been a healthy scratch for most of the Stanley Cup Playoffs; Ballard's benching went back to game two of  the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Blackhawks where he was replaced in the line up by Canucks rookie defenseman Aaron Rome. Ballard was given a second chance today when Aaron Rome was injured in game three on a check by Jamie McGinn.

Keith Ballard Hip Check Jordin Tootoo

This happened back on April 28 during game one of the Vancouver and Nashville series. Check out this awesome hip check by former Gopher defenseman Keith Ballard, I have watched video quite a few times and there is no reason in my humble opinion why this should be a penalty. Ballard

Milan Mikhalek hit on Keith Ballard

Check out this hit by the Senators Milan Mikhalek on former Gopher and current Vancouver Canucks forward Keith Ballard, the hit caused an injury to Ballard's leg and he will probably be out of action for 2-4 weeks. From looking at the video it would appear to be a slew foot. What do you think?

Keith Ballard traded to the Canucks

Former Gopher Keith Ballard was traded to the hated Vancouver Canucks, so now Wild fans will probably boo him when he comes to the Xcel Energy Center.

LOS ANGELES -- After two seasons with the Panthers, Keith Ballard is moving once once more.

The former Phoenix Coyote is off to Vancouver after Dale Tallon traded him west for forward Steve Bernier and the No. 25 pick in tonight's draft.

This trade is not official nor has it been announced.

This is an obvious salary dump, with Ballard making $4.2 million in each of the next five seasons.

Bernier, who scored 11 goals with 11 assists in 59 games for the Canucks last season, is making $2 million next season and is a restricted free agent in 2011. [Miami Herald]