Tyler Thigpen, who the Vikings picked on the seventh round of the 2007 draft and then released over a year ago, has started three games for Kansas City, including Sunday’s three point overtime loss to Tampa Bay. The 24-year-old former Coastal Carolina quarterback has thrown five touchdown passes and four interceptions for the 1-7 Chiefs.
Vikings’ wide receiver Aundrae Allison was also a 2007 draft pick and is an admirer of Thigpen. “I feel like the sky’s the limit for him because he has all the attributes to be a good quarterback,” Allison said. “He throws the ball good. He has touch. He throws it hard when he needs to. He’s accurate. He’s not scared to throw some balls, and take chances to get it to receivers…to make plays on the ball. He’s a good runner out of the pocket. I feel like his speed is something that’s good and works in his favor, too. …”
Former Twins player Charlie Manuel, now manager of the world champion Phillies, received the biggest ovation at the team’s celebration event last Friday in Philadelphia, according to a Sports Headliners source who attended.
The Wild will hold a Fantasy Camp on Friday, February 6 at a cost of $795 per person. Men and women ages 21 or over with high school or college hockey experience may participate. The camp will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. prior to the Wild-Nashville game. Camp participants will watch both teams during their morning skates. They will also participate in on-ice drills with former NHL players Brad Bombardir, Darby Hendrickson, Phil Housley and Shjon Podein, plus play in a game with NHL alums. Other benefits include a dinner, two tickets to the Wild-Nashville game and a personalized Wild jersey. The camp is limited to 32 campers. Call 651-602-6000 for more information and to register.
The Wild will be at Colorado tomorrow night and Avalanche fans have to be pleased injured Marian Gaborik won’t be skating. The Wild’s star forward has 31 points in 38 career games against Colorado.
Gaborik has missed all but two of the Wild’s games this season and that can’t be adding any appeal to teams interested in acquiring him in a trade before he becomes an unrestricted free agent next year. Gaborik’s reputation for injuries may cause some caution, even though he’s only 26 and played in 77 games last season with career highs in goals and assists.
The Gopher hockey team, off to its best start since 2001-02, is ranked No. 4 in the country in the USA Hockey Magazine/USA Today and U.S. College Hockey Online/CBS College Sports polls. Coach Don Lucia’s Gophers play fifth ranked New Hampshire at home on Friday and Saturday nights. Colorado College is the No. 1 team in the country.
St. Thomas and Gustavus will be among the best men’s and women’s MIAC hockey schools, according to preseason coaches polls. St. Thomas, Hamline, Gustavus, Bethel and St. Olaf are predicted to finish one through five in men’s hockey. The women’s top five: Gustavus, St. Thomas, Concordia, Hamline and Bethel.