Frank Jirik, the popular former Minnesota North Stars and Met Center executive, had no active cancer after a November check up. Jirik, 67, who also was an executive with the San Jose Sharks and is now a consultant with the Xcel Energy Center, was diagnosed four years ago with lymphoma cancer. He had a successful stem cell transplant in March.
Jirik recalled a funny story about the late John Mariucci, the former Gopher coach and North Stars executive whose dry wit was well known. Mariucci was asked for his scouting input on a player who was obviously slow. Mariucci wisecracked that he liked the guy. “He’s pretty slow so you get a good look at him.”
Don Lucia said on WCCO Radio Sunday morning he expects freshman Kyle Okposo, the Gophers’ leader in goals scored with 15, to return for his sophomore season.
Minnesota Vikings assistant offensive line coach Jim Hueber coached Wisconsin’s Outland Trophy winner Joe Thomas before Hueber joined the Vikings for the 2006 season. The Vikings need a right tackle but Thomas is not likely to be available when Minnesota drafts at No. 7 in the first round.
Talk is optimistic that Flip Saunders, who comes to town with his Detroit Pistons to play the Timberwolves Friday night, will be the next Gopher basketball coach. You wonder if son Ryan, a senior on the team next season, might one day become an assistant to his dad with the Gophers.
Wally’s Choice, whose owners include Wally the Beerman, is successfully recovering from an inflamed tendon, and is expected to race later this year. Wally’s Choice is expected to break the all-time record for earnings ($533,528) by a Minnesota horse in 2007.