TORONTO -- Three Minnesota forwards were selected on the first day of the 2002 NHL draft on Saturday.

Keith Ballard was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres with the 11th overall pick, Barry Tallackson went in the second round with the 53rd overall pick by the New Jersey Devils and Michael Erickson was taken in the third round by the Minnesota Wild.

Ballard, a 19-year-old forward from Baudette, Minn., was the second collegiate player to go in this year's draft behind Michigan's Eric Nystrom, who was selected 10th by Calgary.

Ballard was a WCHA All-Rookie selection last season after scoring 10 goals and notching 13 assists in his freshman season for the NCAA Champion Golden Gophers. He also was the lone player from the Western Collegiate Hockey Association to be named to the U.S. Junior National Team.

Tallackson, the state's highest-ranked player, wasn't taken until the second round. The 19-year-old St. Paul-native had 13 goals and 10 assists last season and was ranked 17th among North American skaters.

Erickson, 19, appeared only in nine games for the Gophers due to injury. He scored one goal and had two assists. Wild chief scout Tommy Thompson said Erickson showed no lingering effects during workouts.

"We're very excited to have Mike,'' Thompson said.