Friends and family said goodbye to Frank Jirik at Church of the Risen Savior in Burnsville on Tuesday. His children recalled how he had shaped their lives and dedicated himself to them, their grandchildren and, of course, Sharon, Frank’s wife since 1962.
In attendance were sports figures including George Gund III who with his brother Gordon owned the North Stars for many years. Frank was an executive with the North Stars and started his career in the sports industry working on the grounds crew at Met Stadium. He would have appreciated the full house at the church on Tuesday. Someone once said to him, “If there’s an empty seat at a North Stars game, it’s one too many.” He loved a capacity crowd.
Pittsburgh assistant general manager Chuck Fletcher is a name that interests Lou Nanne, former North Stars president, for next general manager of the Wild. He likes Fletcher’s background including assistant general manager experience with three NHL teams, plus experience as a scout and agent.
Wild forward Marian Gaborik is living here during the off-season and has worked out at Xcel Energy Center. An NHL source e-mailed Sports Headliners to say he believes the star forward wants to re-sign with the Wild.
The Wild’s Houston farm team has a 2-1 series lead over Milwaukee in the West Division Finals of the American Hockey League. Game four is tonight in Houston. On Tuesday Houston goalie Anton Khudobin won for the sixth time in the playoffs in a 3-1 Aeros victory.
John J. Arlotta, owner and president of the Swarm, has been named the National Lacrosse League Executive of the Year, the league announced yesterday. In his first season as owner the Swarm set a franchise record for home attendance average, 12,308 fans per game at Xcel Energy Center. The figure was the fourth highest average in the league and first time the Swarm has finished among the top one-third of teams for a season. The club also attracted new sponsors.
College Sporting News recently announced its MIAC honorees for this year’s CSN Senior Student-Athlete Award. The 2008-2009 male and female winners are Joe Daly of Saint John’s and Katie Theisen of St. Thomas. A selection committee of coaches, administrators and former MIAC athletes chose them from a group of 24 seniors nominated by the schools. They were honored for excellence on the playing field, superior academic performance and involvement in community service.