Ryan Stoa, the Minnesota menâÄôs hockey teamâÄôs leading scorer and captain, has signed an entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche and will forego his senior season with the Gophers. âÄúIâÄôm really excited,âÄù Stoa said in a video interview with the Avalanche. âÄúItâÄôs a childhood dream come true.âÄù Stoa led the Gophers with 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points this season after missing all but two games last year due to a knee injury. âÄúRyan brings an element of size, skill and leadership to our organization,âÄù Avalanche Vice President of Hockey Operations Craig Billington said in a release. âÄúHe just completed a solid season at the University of Minnesota and we are excited for him to begin his pro career.âÄù He was named All-WCHA First Team and the conferenceâÄôs scoring champion last weekend. But his team was not as successful. Minnesota finished with a 17-13-7 overall record and missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2000. âÄúWhen the team doesnâÄôt win, it doesnâÄôt matter,âÄù Stoa said of his personal success. His new team hasnâÄôt played any better this year. Colorado, which drafted the Bloomington native 34th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, is ranked 29th out of 30 teams in the league with a 13-23-2 record and has lost five games in a row.