Despite rumors to the contrary, Gopher netminder Jeff Frazee will be a part of the 2006-2007 University of Men's Hockey Program.  Said assistant coach Mike Guentzel, "I'm not sure where those reports came from, but Jeff Frazee will definitely be on the team (next season)." Guentzel also confirmed to Quick Facts that Tyler Hirsch, who redshirted last season, will definitely be on the team next year as well. Guentzel said that the Gopher staff would be scouting Model Camp, USHL camps and the USA Hockey Select Festivals this summer, keeping an eye on possible prospects for future seasons as well as for possible replacement players should any other Gophers leave the program for professional ranks this summer.  At risk to leave are Blake Wheeler, a first round pick of the Coyotes last year, Phil Kessel, projected to be a first round pick this year, and incoming freshman defenseman Erik Johnson, who at present, is the projected first overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft.  Guentzel said that while currently each of those players are expected to play for the Maroon & Gold next season, the staff will be prepared to replace them if necessary.
 
Travis Richards may be one game away from the official end of his professional hockey playing career.  Richards is still listed as a member of the Grand Rapids Griffins but has not played for several months due to a back injury.  Richards instead has been behind the bench and in the dressing room helping to coach the Griffins to the AHL Conference Final.  Unfortunately, the Griffins are on the ropes down 3-0 in the series against the Milwaukee Admirals for the chance to compete for the Calder Cup.  Game 4 is Wednesday night. Nate DiCasmirro of the Griffins has 3 goals and 3 assists in the playoffs and his teammate, defenseman Clay Wilson has three assists and a +4 rating.
 
Dan Carlson who played last year with EHC München in Germany will play for the Coventry Blaze in the UK next season.
 
Tyler Palmiscno who played in the Netherlands with Heerenveen Flyers last season and was one of the leading scorers in the league has signed to play with HC Appiano in Italy next year.
 
Troy Riddle and his Alaska Aces will battle for the ECHL Kelly Cup Championship versus the Gwinnet Gladiators beginning this week.  The Aces beat Luke Curtin and the Fresno Falcons in seven games in the Conference Finals. Riddle has 3 goals and 2 assists in the playoffs with the Aces.
 
In Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Western Conference Final, Edmonton Oiler forward Toby Petersen scored his first ever Stanley Cup playoff goal, a highlight reel wraparound with Ilya Bryzgalov of the Ducks totally out of position.  No one was sure Petersen, a three-time (consecutive) State Champion with Bloomington Jefferson, would ever play past the start of his Junior year at Colorado College. He broke his leg in November of that year but rehabbed to rejoin the team in the playoffs.  Exactly five months to the day of his first injury Petersen broke his other leg in two places.  He worked to come back to play his senior year with the Tigers when he was named Captain. The 10th round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins spent four years in their system.  He even played on a line with both Mario Lemieux & Jaromir Jagr.  But he signed as a free agent with Edmonton two years ago and played with them the year prior to the lockout but found himself in the minors with the Iowa Stars this season.  He was called back up to Edmonton when the Stars were eliminated from the Calder Cup playoffs and last night he scored his first NHL playoff goal.  Toby Petersen is rare amongst professional hockey players and any professional athletes; he was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes at age 5.  He raises money for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International and speaks to youth groups about his disease regularly and was named Man of the Year for the Penguins' farm team in Wilkes-Barre in 2003.  Talk about overcoming adversity!
 

Quick Speculation:
 
There are reports that Brian Schack has committed to play for the University of Minnesota.
 

Quick CBA Update:
 
Reports in the Toronto Star confirm that one of the most controversial clauses in the new NHL Collective Bargaining agreement has been changed.  The clause required players who made more than $75,000 in the AHL to go through waivers when recalled to the NHL.  Following a threatened lawsuit by the minor leagues' union, the Professional Hockey Players' Association and more than a thousand players, a compromise was reached with the PHPA, NHL and NHLPA that increases that threshold salary to $95,000.  The revision also includes a provision that players who play more than 320 games as a professional in the NHL, AHL or ECHL (UHL, SPHL  and CHL are not officially recognized minor leagues by the NHLPA) will not have to clear waivers as long as they have not been on an NHL roster for more than 40 games in the previous season or more than 80 games in the past two seasons.  Goalies will not be subject to waivers if they have played less than 180 games as a professional.
 
It what is perhaps the greatest victory of the compromise, the Toronto Sun reports that players who were negatively affected by the previous $75,000 threshold will receive a settlement from the NHL totalling around $2.4 million. Unfortunately that comes too late for some veteran players
 
The new agreement remedies the punishment veteran and experienced players received last year in the minors.  Those players were not recalled to the NHL because they had played too many NHL games in their careers or made in excess of $75,000. Teams refused to recall those players for fear of losing them on waivers and being forced to pay half of those players' salaries.  
 
Doug Risebrough told Quick Facts last fall that the Minnesota Wild made certain to bring all players in their minor league system into compliance with the $75,000 maximum threshold.  He said that had the Wild faced that same rule in prior years they would have been severely affected by the punishments of the new rule. Players in the Wild system affected by the threshold rule included Erik Westrum, who saw his AHL salary cut virtually in half from his previous level in the Coyotes' system, and Kirby Law, who also made more than the $75,000 AHL level in previous seasons and newly signed players like Patrick O'Sullivan and Miroslav Kopriva would have  commanded thousands more than $75,000 at the AHL level as well.
 
The change is good news to Minnesota players who are still making a living at the minor league level including former Gophers Grant Potulny, Matt Koalska, Adam Hauser and John Pohl.  It means they can now make a decent salary for their contributions to the NHL farm teams but now they will still have the opportunity for an NHL recall; it returns the hope for players to have that chance and that choice.  [Some information used in this story from the Toronto Star]


Quick Quote:
 
"I commend the PHPA for standing up for 'Player Rights' and the AHL will be a much better hockey league for it.   The PHPA did not let its members be taken advantage of by the NHL CBA and it is refreshing to see it act in a straight-forward manner to benefit the players and see to it that its members were not adversely affected by side agreements by which the PHPA was not a party to. This fight needed to be fought and the PHPA members will benefit for years to come because of it.  The PHPA did what was right for PHPA members."

- Player Agent Neil Sheehy on the NHL CBA revision increasing  minor league threshold salaries.
 
 

Jordan Leopold, John Pohl, Matt Koalska and a few other former Gopher Hockey players are playing on an organized softball team sponsored by Vaaler Insurance this summer.  The team plays Tuesday nights and their next game will be the evening of May 23rd against Bullwinkles in at Evergreen Park in Minneapolis.

05.16.06

The Ken Gernander coached Hartford Wolf Pack were eliminated from Calder Cup contention by the Portland Pirates over the weekend.  Portland reached its first conference final since 1996 with a 5-4 overtime win over Hartford Sunday night, winning in 6 games. Out of the Hartford lineup with injures were both Bryce Lampman and Jake Taylor.  Former Wild forward Aaron Gavey scored a goal for the Pirates, his first playoff tally since 2000 when he was with the Dallas Stars.
 
The Portland Pirates are the farm team of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks who have also moved to the Conference Finals in the NHL. The Pirates will face the Hershey Bears for the chance to move to the Calder Cup finals.  The Hershey Bears are the farm team for the Washington Capitals.  The Bears' roster features Jesse Schultz, younger brother of Wild blueliner Nick Schultz; former Badger goalie Kirk Daubenspeck; and forward Lawrence Nycholat, a former Wild prospect.
 
Nate DiCasmirro, Clay Wilson, and Travis Richards' Grand Rapids Griffins will face the Manitoba Moose in Game 6 for the right to face the Milwaukee Admirals in their conference final.  The Griffins hold a 3-2 series lead over the Moose.  Richards has not played and will not play but is helping behind the bench as an assistant coach.  Richards has suffered from a back injury since last year and will likely retired from playing at the conclusion of this year.  Quick Facts wouldn't be surprised to see Richards remain behind the bench for the Griffins as an assistant coach following the completion of his playing career.
 
Former Wild forward Alexandre Daigle will play for HC Davos in Switzerland next season.  He finished the season with the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL after he was placed on waivers by the Wild.
 
Rastislav Spirko will not return to the University of North Dakota according to Eurohockey.net.  It is unknown where Spirko will play but it is expected that he will sign a professional contract either in the US or his home of the Czech Republic.
 
Houston forward Kirby Law, who beat Erik Westrum for top scoring honors in the AHL, has signed to play with HC Geneve-Servette in Switzerland next season.
 
Despite Jason Notermann scoring a shorthanded goal in Game 4, his Rockford Ice Hogs were defeated by the Kalamazoo Wings UHL Colonial Cup Conference Final action.  The K-Wings have swept their way into their first Colonial Cup Final, beating both Rockford and Motor City in 4-game sweeps.  They will meet the winner of the Danbury Trasher/Muskegon Fury conference final series.  There will be no Minnesota natives competing for the Colonial Cup this year.
 
With the elimination of the New Jersey Devils and Colorado Avalanche from Stanley Cup contentions, the number of Minnesota players still competing has dropped to three. Only Matt Cullen & Bret Hedican of the Carolina Hurricanes and Tom Preissing of the San Jose Sharks remain in the Stanley Cup playoffs.  Toby Petersen was recalled from the Oilers' AHL affiliate Iowa Stars after their elimination from the Calder Cup playoffs, but he has yet to suit up for a game and is likely only to play in case of multiple injuries. Adopted Minnesota Thomas Vanek's Buffalo Sabres will meet the Hurricanes in the Easter Conference Final.

Quick Speculation:
 
As Quick Facts reported previously, it does look as though Jeff Frazee will leave the University of Minnesota program and the Gophers will bring in committed netminding prospect Alex Kangas early to fill his position. However, there is no absolute confirmation yet.
 
Quick Quote:
 
"We currently have no comment other than to say we are monitoring the situation"

- Minnesota Wild's Bill Robertson on the Wild's opinion of the proposed sports memorabilia tax to fund construction for the University of Minnesota football stadium.

World Championships
Finland 4, USA 0, Antero Nittimaki makes 24 saves for the shutout.  Craig Anderson takes the loss in net for USA. Wild forward Mikko Koivu nets the game-winner, and an assist, for Finland and was named Player of the Game for Finland.  Gopher forward Phil Kessel was named Player of the Game for USA. USA falls to 2-2 in the tournament.

Patrick O'Sullivan to join Team USA
A formal release from USA Hockey is pending but Wild prospect Patrick O'Sullivan will join Team USA in Riga, Latvia to play in the World Championships. O'Sullivan's season with the Houston Aeros ended after they were swept by the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs. RJ Umberger is injured and will be returning home so there will also be another player named to Team USA, most likely a player from the Colorado Avalanche, defensemen Rob Blake or John Michael Liles would not be surprising additions.

05.10.06 Josh Olson and Bryan Lundbohm recorded three points each in their Houston Aero's series opening 5-4 loss to the Milwaukee Admirals.  Jordin TooToo, scored with just over 13 seconds left to give the Ads the victory.  But Danny Irmen, Bryan Lundbohm and Josh Olson were then eliminated from the AHL Calder Cup playoffs as their Aeros were swept by the Admirals. Olson finished the playoffs with two goals and three assists in 8 games.  Lundbohm finished with three goals and five assists.  Erik Westrum finished with a goal and 7 assists in the playoffs.
 
Also eliminated from Calder Cup contention is Matt Hussey of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins who were swept by the Hershey Bears.  Irmen, who had two assists in the regular season was held without a point in 7 games he played in the playoffs.
 
Three time Olympian Jenny Potter will be one of five US National Women's Team members to carry the Stanley Cup during the  13th Annual Revlon Run/Walk for Women in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 13. Each player will carry the Stanley Cup for one kilometer of the 5k event.  The NHL Foundation, through its Hockey Fights Cancer initiative, will donate $5,000 to Revlon Run/Walk for Women, $1,000 for each kilometer of the race.   
 
Anssi Tieranta, who played for rhe Bemidji State Beavers last year, has signed to play with Ässät Pori in his homeland Finland.
 
Luke Curtin of the Fresno Falcons scored the game-winner against Troy Riddle's Alaska Aces, taking a 1-0 series lead in the Kelly Cup playoffs.
 
Lee Ruff of Minnedosa has helped the Kalamazoo Wings to a 2-0 series edge against the Rockford Ice Hogs in the UHL Colonial Cup playoffs.  
 
Phil Kessel, a late addition to the USA team playing in the World Championships scored a goal but the US fell to Canada 2-1 in preliminary action.
 
There are two Minnesota natives whose names are being bantied about as primary candidates for open General Manager positions in the NHL.  Paul Holmgren, Assistant GM of Philadelphia, has been responsible for the Flyers young player development, but it may be unlikely that he leaves the Flyers organization as he is certainly the heir apparant of Bobby Clarke.  Ray Shero, the Assistant GM of the Nashville Predators, formerly with the Ottawa Senators, is the most likely candidate for Boston according to news reports.  Shero, much like Holmgren, has been responsible for shaping the prospects of the Preds, who were at the top of their division for most of the year and put up a tough fight in the Stanley Cup playoffs.  Both Holmgren and Shero are also responsible for their clubs' respective farm teams, the Phantoms and Admirals, and both teams have won the Calder Cup Championship in the last two years with the Admirals favorites to win this year.
 

Peter Mueller was named the WHL Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy winner as the Rookie of the Year playing for the Everett Silvertips.  He finished tied for second in the league in scoring among rookies with 58 points (26 goals, 32 assists) and was the only rookie to average more than a point per game. He also recorded three hat tricks in helping Everett win the U.S. Division title and is excelling in the playoffs with 13 points.  (Everett Herald)
 
Mueller's coach and GM Kevin Constantine was named coach of the year in 2004 and is expected to be a candidate for several open NHL coaching positions this summer.
 
Adam Blossey, who was a leader for four years at Arizona State University, played last year with GIJSBears Groningen in the Netherlands but will not be back with the team next year.
 
Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, nephew of former Gopher and NHL goaltender Frank Pietrangelo is most likely to play in the Ontario Hockey League, rather than attend college, though Uncle Frank thought it would be great to see him in the Maroon & Gold. The big defenseman with great skill is highly rated by scouts, # 6 for the OHL draft, but is said to need to add more agressiveness and physicality to his game, which will be more likely in the major juniors.
 
Also expected to be a highly rated pick in the OHL draft is Phillip McRae, son of former North Star Basil McRae.  McRae is a minority owner in the London Knights, the team he played for as a youth, but Phillip is expected to play with the US National Development Team.  He was born in St. Louis but holds dual citizenry.  There are several Division I college programs, including the University of Minnesota, who are interested in McRae.
 
It wasn't until the 12th pick that a player from a Minnesota High School was selected in the USHL draft.  White Bear's Zach Hanson was taken 12th, the last pick of the first round, by the Sioux Falls Stampede.  Alex Stuart of Shattuck was the next Minnesota school player taken, #3 in the second round, by Sioux City Musketeers, and David Grun of White Bear was selected 11th in the second round by the Cedar Rapids Roughriders.
 
Several people have been surprised by the performance of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the Stanley Cup playoffs.  Casey Hankinson isn't one of them.  Hankinson was the captain of the Ducks' primary affiliate in Cincinnatti for two years, leading the team to a first round upset win over defending Calder Cup champs Milwaukee one year and deep into the second round the next.  He knew that a lot of the young players developing in the minors would have an impact.  Said Hankinson "(Chris) Kunitz has played great all season, and Dustin Penner will continue to be an impact.  (Ryan) Getzlaf and (Corey) Perry are both super talented players who play well in tough situations.  If Anaheim continues I think Joffery Lupul will play a larger role than he has in the series to follow. (Goaltender) Ilya Bryzgalov is as good as advertised.  He was great in spurts the last two seasons I played with him, but is heart was always to be an NHL goalie, (rather) than to play in the minors. Now that he is there, he is very driven and with his talent, will be very good for a long time," said Hankinson.  "The playoffs usually comes down to goaltending and defense and the Ducks are getting both," said the former leader of the Baby Ducks.

 
Quick Speculation:
 
With the #9 pick in the draft the Minnesota Wild will have several highly talented players from which to choose but perhaps their greatest need at present is on the blueline where they lack prospect depth but they certainly also will want to address a need for scoring as well.  Of the top ranked players in the draft Quick Facts wouldn't be surprised to see the Wild take a player like Carl Sneep or David Fischer earlier than their projected late first round status if they feel that someone else will beat them to pick, maybe using their first round pick from the Oilers for either Minnesota blueliner.  But the pick Quick Facts projects for the Wild is defenseman Nigel Williams of the US National Development Team, currently ranked 13th amongst domestic skaters by Central Scouting and ranked 10th overall by McKeens.  The Aurora, Illinois native is listed as 6'4.5" and 226 pounds.  However, should Kyle Okposo be available, Quick Facts isn't sure the Wild would turn down the chance to draft the future Gopher either.
 
Several rumors have been circulating about the goaltending situation at the University of Minnesota.  Assistant Coach Mike Guentzel did confirm that Brent Solei will return to the team this season, and that Guentzel hopes to get the netminder additional ice time to be fair and recognize his contribution to the team.  He categorically stated that Solei is "Not a practice goalie, but is a member of this team" but that hasn't quelched rumors that newly signed prospect Alex Kangas could forego a season in the USHL and begin play for the Gopher this fall. That has lead to conjecture that there are issues with Jeff Frazee, perhaps behaviourally or academically, that could lead to a need for Kangas to enter the Gopher program early.  There has been no confirmation of such rumors, but Frazee was called out repeatedly for his behaviour last season by coach Don Lucia, and was benched as disciplinary action more than once.


Quick Quotes:
 
"It's unbelievable.  Going into the season I never thought I'd get this. When you play with great players, they make you do great things. I give credit to my team."  

- Peter Mueller on being named rookie of the year (Everett Herald).

"There’s an agents’ meeting coming up May 20 in Toronto. We’ve done Ted Saskin the favor of preparing his opening remarks: “Gentlemen, here’s the agenda. It is very important we get through these items quickly because many of you have planes to catch. Those who want to stay, following the completion of the agenda and a brief afternoon coffee break, me and Neil Sheehy can have our shouting match and all others will be free to join in at that time.” "

- The Hockey News' Mark Brender in his Off the Cuff column.
 
 
 

Westrum holding a charity

Apple Valley native, former Gopher and current Minnesota Wild & Houston Aeros hockey player Erik Westrum is holding a charity raffle to benefit the Parkinson's Association of Minnesota (PAM).  More than 60,000 people each year are diagnosed with Parkinson disease, which is a brain disorder cause when nerve cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra die or become impaired and cannot produce dopamine; a drug which allows smooth, coordinated function of the body's muscles and movement.  Parkinson disease affects both men and women in almost equal numbers.  It shows no social, ethnic, economic or geographic boundaries.  In the United States, it is estimated that 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, joining the 1.5 million Americans who currently have Parkinson disease.  While the condition usually develops after the age of 65, 15% of those diagnosed are under 50.  While new treatments are being developed every year, there is no known cure. (source: National Parkinson Association)
 
It is a cause close to Westrum's heart as he lost his Grandmother, Maxine Nelson, last winter following her long battle with the disease.  His support of the Parkinson's Association of Minnesota began last year when he held a raffle that raised more than $1,400 for the organization. Though he is currently competing with the Houston Aeros for the AHL Calder Cup Championship, Westrum is also trying to assemble support for this year's raffle to benefit PAM; he is looking for anyone willing to donate items/prizes for the raffle.  If you are interested in supporting Erik Westrum's 2006 charity raffle to benefit the Parkinson's Association of Minnesota, please send an email to Quick Facts prior to June 25th, and your information will be given to Erik.  Information on how to purchase tickets for the raffle, which will be available between July 1st through August 11th, will be posted soon.  Thank you for any support you can provide for such a worthy cause. 

The Alaska Aces were trailing their Game 6 against the Las Vegas Wranglers on Tuesday for more than a period until former Gopher Troy Riddle made a huge play.  According to the Anchorage News, "at 9:27 of the third, parked along the goal line near the right corner, Riddle took a pass and tossed a shot on net. The puck hit off Las Vegas goaltender Marc Magliarditi's left skate and snuck inside the right post," tying the score 3-3.  It would take more than two overtime periods for the game to be decided but Alaska scored at 13:30 in the third OT to move on to the National Conference Finals of the Kelly Cup playoffs.  The Aces will meet the winner of the Fresno Falcons/Bakersfield Condors Pacific Division Final series.

Tom Preissing, signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Jose Sharks out of Colorado College, had a point in all five games of the Sharks' series against the Nashville Predators, six assists in total.
 
Adam Hauser stopped 34 shots in regulation on Saturday but the Hartford Wolf Pack beat him and the Manchester Monarchs 2-1 in Game 7 of their Quarterfinal Calder Cup series.  Tim Jackman and Alexandre Daigle were held scoreless for the Monarchs and Jake Taylor and Bryce Lampman remained out of the Wolf Pack lineup with injuries. The victory marked the first playoff series win for Ken Gernander behind the bench as an assistant coach with the Pack.
 
Matt Koalska had four shots on goal and went even on the night but his Bridgeport Sound Tigers lost in Game 7 by a score of 5-4, to the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins, the victory capped a three-game comeback by Wilkes Barre.  Matt Hussey was scoreless in the final game for the Pens.
 
Toby Peterson had a goal that helped the Iowa Stars force a game 7 against the Milwaukee Admirals but just like their parent club in Dallas, Iowa was knocked out of the playoffs, falling to the Ads on Sunday.
 
John Pohl's Toronto Marlies were knocked out by the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday, Nate DiCasmirro had an assist on the game-winner for the Griffins.  Pohl had a game-high eight shots on net but failed to register a point.
 
The Portland Pirates edged the Providence Bruins in 6 games on Saturday. David Lundbohm and Sean Curry were held scoreless in the loss for Providence.  
 
The Manitoba Moose topped former Huskies Mark Hartigan and Joe Motzko of the Syracuse Crunch in their game 7, winning by a score of 3-2.  Andy Murray of the Crunch was -3 on the night while Brett Skinner of the Moose was a +3.  Hartigan notched an assist in the loss for Syracuse.
 
John Adams returned from a concussion but it wasn't enough for him, Reggie Berg and the Florida Everblades, who dropped game 7 to the Gwinnet Gladiators in the ECHL playoffs and will be coming home.  It marks the end of a whirlwind season for Berg who began the year facing a Hurricane, forcing him, his wife and children, including a newborn, back home to Minnesota for a time.  After the short recovery Berg was hurt in the first game of the season and didn't return until March.  Still the Everblades made the playoffs and cruised to first round victory, only to force seven games and losing to Gwinnett.  Every year Berg is asked if he will retire, and he even did once, only to be lured out again.  Time will tell if Berg will finally hang them up or return to Minnesota for good.
 
The Rockford Ice Hogs features five players from Minnesota, Jason Notermann (Rochester), Cory Hessler (Mendota Heights), Dan Boeser (Savage), Matt Gens (Baudette) and Josh Mizerek (Duluth)  The UHL club lead by Steve Martinson knocked out the Fort Wayne Komets in the Colonial Cup playoffs and await their next round opponent.  
 
Paul Martin leads the NHL playoffs with a +6 rating for the Devils.  He is tied with Peter Forsberg for tops in the league in that category.
 
Minnesotans still alive in the Stanley Cup playoffs:  Matt Cullen & Bret Hedican (Carolina Hurricanes); Kurt Sauer & Dan Hinote (Colorado Avalanche); Tom Preissing (San Jose Sharks); Paul Martin, Erik Rasmussen & Jamie Langenbrunner (New Jersey Devils), Jordan Leopold (Calgary Flames).

Former Gopher Craig Johnson finished his season in German with the Düsseldorfer EG Metro Stars with a 3-0 loss to Kelly Fairchild's Eisbären Berlin.  Fairchild's Polar Bears clinched the Championship in three straight games.  Andy Hedlund will play for the DEG MetroStars next season after a year with Krefeld Pinguine.

Nick Angell finished the season in Sweden with Bofors IK and has signed to play with Brynäs IF, also in the Allsvenskan.

Dan Welch has signed to play with HC Morzine-Avoriaz in France next year. He played for the Coventry Blaze in England this season.

Keith Ballard was a primary choice of Paul Holmgren for the US Team competing in Latvia in the World Championships but had been nursing a groin injury late in the season and decided to allow that to heal rather than risk injury.
 
Former St. Cloud State Husky Ryan Malone, Moorhead's Mark Cullen, Gopher Phil Kessel and Minneapolis' Andrew Alberts comprise the Minnesota contingent of the US Team competing in the World Championships in Latvia this month. Also on the roster is former Wild forward Richard Park.  Look for General Manager Paul Holmgren to tap a few more players after their elimination from the Stanley Cup and Calder Cup playoffs this week.
 
Quick Speculation:
 
Look for former Shattuck head coach Andy Murray to be named the next head coach of the New York Islanders.