Dave Preuss Passes Away

[Ignatius L Hoops]

David Preuss, former Gophers hockey player, dies at 56

Preuss made an immediate impression as a freshman, but his promising hockey career would end prematurely because of a freak injury.

www.startribune.com

David Preuss was one of the best athletes St. Thomas Academy has produced. He earned 10 letters in three sports at the private high school and had athletic scholarship offers from NCAA Division I programs in football and hockey.

College football powers like Ohio State and Southern California were among the schools recruiting him.

Preuss, who was also a skilled lefthanded pitcher in baseball, followed his heart and choose hockey for the sport he would play in college.

“He loved hockey,” said his sister, Adrianne Geisler.

Preuss, of Mendota Heights, died on May 30 after suffering a heart attack. He was 56.

After his senior year of high school, Preuss was chosen by the Minnesota North Stars in the second round of the 1981 NHL entry draft — the 34th player selected overall. He opted to play hockey for the University of Minnesota.

Preuss made an immediate impression as a freshman with the Gophers, but his promising hockey career would end prematurely because of a freak injury