Former Minnesota men’s hockey player Nate Hagemo was arrested Saturday for suspicion of drug-related charges.
Hagemo, 21, is being held without bail at the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Adult Detention Center in Minneapolis after he and another male were arrested for probable cause involving drug paraphernalia.
The incident began Saturday afternoon when police were dispatched to check on a car parked in a known drug area.
After receiving consent to search the vehicle, police arrested the pair when they discovered paraphernalia and possible drug substances.
Minneapolis police Sgt. Jesse Garcia cannot comment on the specifics of the drugs in question until the city chemists release their findings.
Garcia did say that the paraphernalia “was that of someone using heroin.”
“It’s a sad situation, where someone with so much talent and so much going for him would waste it,” Garcia said. “Hopefully this is a wake-up call for him to change some things in his life and move forward.”
Hagemo played 30 games for the Gophers in the 2004-2005 season when he tallied 10 points (two goals, eight assists).
He also suffered a shoulder injury that season that continued to hinder his playing ability and eventually led to his retirement from hockey after making just three appearances during the 2005-2006 season.
“I’m definitely disappointed to hang up the skates, but I felt this was the right decision, both for myself and for Gopher hockey,” Hagemo said at the time. “We did everything we could to get back to 100 percent, but my shoulder just wasn’t getting any better. I can’t thank the entire team and staff enough for the support they have given me the last two years.”
After ending his career, Hagemo’s scholarship was still honored by the University, although a spokesman for the men’s hockey team couldn’t confirm whether he was enrolled at the time of his arrest.
University records show Hagemo was enrolled in classes for fall 2007, but did not register for spring semester.
A stand-out at the Academy of Holy Angels, Hagemo was an integral part of the Stars’ state championship team in 2002 before joining the United States National Development Team for two seasons.
Greg Trebil, Hagemo’s coach at Holy Angels, described the 21-year-old as a “great kid,” although he admitted he has not spoken to Hagemo in several years.
Trebil described Hagemo’s hockey talent as “exceptional” – pointing to his willingness and ability to switch to defense in his one season with Holy Angels.
Professional teams also spotted Hagemo’s potential – he was drafted 58th overall in 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Hagemo’s family, as well as Gophers coach Don Lucia, declined to comment.
