Author: David Shama

Jordan Schroeder, the College Hockey News choice for National Rookie of the Year, could be among the first 10 players selected in June’s NHL Entry Draft.  That’s the opinion of an NHL scout who follows amateur players and describes the Gophers’ forward as a “remarkable kid.”

Schroeder, who was also the WCHA’s Rookie of the Year, led the Gophers in assists with 32 and was second in goals with 13.  Although only 18 and not so big at about 5-9, 180, he centered the team’s top line all season, scoring points in 28 of 35 games, including 15 multiple point games.

What makes him special?  “I think his greatest asset is his hockey IQ,” said the scout who requested anonymity. “That isn’t to say he hasn’t got a lot of other things because he does.  But he isn’t a spectacular guy who is going to wow you every game.  …You gotta see him awhile and realize the things he does. …”

The scout said he couldn’t count all the times Schroeder made a key pass leading to an important goal.  Impressing him, too, is that with the Gophers, and before then in junior hockey and also at St. Thomas Academy, Schroeder is always a top scorer on the team.

“He scores from places you don’t expect people to score from, and suddenly,” the source said.  “And he’s got that instinct when to shoot and everything.  …He’s got not only a very hard shot but he’s so quick in getting it away. …”

Concerns?  “I think some people will be questioning how he will stand up in the really physical play of the NHL,” the scout said.  “But he’s so smart.  He’s much stronger than he looks.  He’s not big at all.  He’s very solid on the skates and very strong.  His size is definitely the No. 1 concern they always have. …”

The scout expects Schroeder, who is from Prior Lake, to be drafted at least by the middle of the first round and wouldn’t be “surprised” if he is taken among the top 10 players.  He also hopes the team drafting Schroeder will encourage him to stay another year with the Gophers, improving his game and maturing physically.

Eden Prairie High School defenseman Nick Leddy, who won the state’s Mr. Hockey award, is expected to play for the Gophers next fall as a freshman and the scout predicted Leddy, like Schroeder, will probably be drafted in the first round. “Not only can he skate like the wind, but he’s got good puck skills,” he said.  “He can handle the puck.   He can score a little himself. I think he’s going to be very good.”

Among other players in the Gophers’ incoming freshman class is Edina’s Zach Budish who was injured this year and didn’t play for the Hornets in the state tournament.  An Edina High line of Budish, Marshall Everson and Anders Lee could have been remembered among the greatest in Minnesota prep history and helped produce a state championship.  Some Gopher fans wish Minnesota had found a way to bring all three to the U.

The Wild, three points behind in the race for the eighth and final playoff position in the Western Conference, need a win against Calgary tomorrow night at Xcel Energy Center.  Calgary is in fifth place in the potential playoff lineup and is 3-0-2 against the Wild this season.  The Flames are 6-1-3 versus the Wild in the last 10 games.  The Wild have five regular season games remaining.

The Hopkins boys basketball team drew a lot of attention for its talented players and winning the Class AAAA state championship and being nationally ranked among the best prep teams.  Not mentioned often enough is the exceptional coaching staff headed by Ken Novak Jr.  In the state semi-finals, a poorly coached team could have been confused and lost the game when St. Cloud Tech played stall-ball and trailed Hopkins by one point at halftime, 16-15.  The Royals went on to win 55-36.

Long-time National Public Radio commentator and Sports Illustrated writer Frank Deford was in town earlier this week.  He spoke to a breakfast group that included Gophers basketball coach Tubby Smith and also was interviewed on air by Minnesota Public Radio’s Cathy Wurzer.

I believe a new state-approved metro area casino could be the funding source for a retractable roof Vikings stadium on the Metrodome site.  With tax revenues seemingly off-limits in these economic times, a casino might be more acceptable to both the legislature and public.  For sure, revenues would be targeted at needs such as transportation, or education, and not just the stadium.

Tony Spadafora, who for years has passionately studied the Vikings’ stadium dilemma, sent a letter titled “Zygi’s Pleasant Predicament” to more than 50 newspapers in the state.  Among his thoughts were the following: “…Zygi Wilf is cash flow poor, but equity rich. He won’t be able to keep the Vikings ship afloat much longer without a new revenue generating stadium. If a stadium deal that’s good for the Vikings and good for Minnesota isn’t agreed upon soon, Mr. Wilf will cash-in by unloading the team next year. The new Vikings owner will probably move the franchise to Los Angeles or elsewhere after the 2011 season when the Vikings Metrodome lease expires. A $1 billion selling price will net Mr. Wilf a $400 million ‘windfall’ profit from franchise appreciation alone. …”

Former Gopher football star Billy Bye is a 2009 inductee in the National High School Hall of Fame.  Bye, who won 21 letters in six sports at Thief River Falls High School and Anoka High School in the 1940s, will be one of 12 inducted into the hall of fame on July 1 in Chicago.  The hall of fame is a project of the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Anoka’s DeWayne Johnson, Becker’s Dwight Lundeen, Verndale’s Mike Mahlen, Brigham Young’s Roger French, and the late Dave Hylla from Proctor are 2009 inductees in the Minnesota Football Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame and will be recognized at a hall of fame banquet Saturday night at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Louis Park.

The Minnesota Football Coaches Clinic, with support from the Gophers, takes place today through Saturday at the Doubletree and on campus.  Among the clinic speakers will be St. Louis Park native and Montreal coach Marc Trestman, former Baltimore Super Bowl coach Brian Billick and Gophers coach Tim Brewster.

Brewster talking about his aggressive recruiting approach and willingness to pursue the best players in the country:  “To be quite honest with you, we’re recruiting anybody, anywhere, any time.”

Brewster also told Sports Headliners he likes the work in spring practice of redshirt sophomore place-kicker Eric Ellestad from Armstrong High School.  He’s trying to replace Joel Monroe on kickoffs, extra points and field goals.  Brewster said Dan Orseske from Chicago was the best high school punter in the country last fall.  He will be a freshman with the Gophers this summer and possible replacement for Justin Kucek who, like Monroe, has used up his eligibility.

For an inter-league road game, how can it be any better for local fans than the June 12-14 Twins dates in Chicago against the Cubs in historic Wrigley Field?

The Cubs will lose to the Yankees in the 2009 World Series, according to the Sporting News Magazine baseball preview.

Coach John Anderson’s Gophers baseball, 1-1 in Big Ten games, plays Ohio State tomorrow night and Saturday afternoon at the Metrodome, with a third game  scheduled outdoors starting at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday at Siebert Field.