Author: David Shama

Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams, along with several teammates and franchise alumni are scheduled to participate in a bowling event tonight at Andover Lanes in Andover to benefit the Vikings Children’s Fund.  The event is sold out for team bowling but spectator tickets at $5 each were available as of Friday.  Chad Greenway, Ben Leber and Madieu Williams are among the Vikings scheduled to participate.  For more information, call the Vikings at 952-828-6500.

Pioneer Press notes columnist Charley (Shooter) Walters has about 3,500 names in his phone directory but Sports Headliners stumped him with Tom Kondla.  Don’t know the name?  See the answer at end of column.

Former Twins Tony Oliva and Jim Kaat are among 10 veteran players who have been on the ballot for induction into baseball’s hall of fame.  A player had to have played no more recently than 21 years ago, according to the hall’s web site, www.baseballhalloffame.org.  Results will be announced today.

Among prep hockey players making a favorable early season impression is Eden Prairie’s Nick Leddy, an exceptional skating defenseman.  He and five others recently signed National Letters of Intent with the Gophers.

Concordia-St. Paul has five volleyball players on the American Volleyball Coaches Association team, the most All-Americans by one team in NCAA Division II this year. Maggie McNamara and Emily Palkert were named first team, Maria Steinhagen, Whitney Meierotto and Mary Slinger second team and Sadie Kessler honorable mention.  McNamara, who has received national player of the year awards, and her teammates, won their second consecutive national championship on Saturday.

Trivia answer: Tom Kondla was an All-American center for the Gophers in 1967.

Don’t describe Marian Gaborik as soft.  An NHL source who requested anonymity while talking with Sports Headliners scoffed at the accusation that the Minnesota Wild’s best goal scorer isn’t tough enough to play through injuries.

Gaborik has missed 22 games this season because of what’s been described as a “lower body” injury.  The source believes the problem is a groin injury, something that has plagued the extraordinary 26-year-old wing in the past.

“Groin…(injuries) aren’t the kind of thing where you can play with some pain,” the source said.  “You might have a little pain in your shoulder or something, and you should be able to tolerate that probably.  But if you explode when you skate the way he does, and it keeps getting pulled. …It’s hard for him because I am sure he’s leery because it’s happened so many times. …”

Gaborik is a free agent after this season.  From various reports contract talks are at an impasse with all concerned.

The situation seems like a mess.  Gaborik’s latest injury and past problems (for example, he missed 34 games with a groin injury during the 2006-07 season and earlier in his career was out for awhile because of an injured hip) taint his reputation to be available either to the Wild or another team.  Presumably Gaborik, who also had a groin problem last season, has lost leverage with both the length and compensation of a new contract.  The Wild, in need of goal scorers, must contemplate how much Gaborik will be available to them this season, and if at all in future seasons.  Also, what value will he have in a trade?

A declining American economy and falling Canadian dollar contribute to the situation, too.  Plus, the source suspects there are hard feelings between the Wild, Gaborik and his agent Ron Salcer.

The source said it will be almost “impossible” to trade Gaborik now but after the first of the year and when the NHL trading deadline nears things could change.  “The best scenario,” he believes, is for Gaborik to return to the Wild, play 30 or so games and draw interest from teams that either think they need one more vital player to win the Stanley Cup, or at least make the playoffs.

“He’s a phenomenally good goal scorer, among the top three or four in the league,” the source said.  “Just an absolute great talent.  And from what I’ve…understood, it’s not like he’s a problem in the locker room. …Apparently he’s an excellent teammate. …”

Gaborik had his best season in 2007-08, with 42 goals and 41 assists.

Forget the individual stuff, Royce White has just one goal for his final season of high school basketball.  “Win the state,” he told Sports Headliners.

He and his Hopkins teammates open their schedule on Tuesday night at Patrick Henry, the first of two games with the city conference power.  White is looking forward to the season, hoping his first year with the Royals will end with a state Class AAAA championship.

White transferred to Hopkins after last season at DeLaSalle where he made news mostly because of his extraordinary play.  It was a confident and personable White who talked about the coming season following Tuesday night’s Gopher game at Williams Arena.  His approach will be to “prepare” to avoid any issues and he undoubtedly knows people will be watching him with greater interest than ever now that he’s committed to Minnesota.

The 6-7 forward, who weighs about 215 pounds, is a five star college prospect, according to rivals.com.  A “sky’s the limit” type of talent, White is the Rivals No. 19 prospect in the country and No. 2 small forward.

Ken Lien, the Mr. Basketball Committee chair, has seen White play more than a dozen times.  “He’s a big, strong athletic kid who has gone from being a post player as a sophomore to having a pretty good offensive shot, although he needs improvement,” Lien said.  “He can post up players well.  He has the ability to play pretty good defense because he’s athletic but he hasn’t decided he wants to play hard every minute, every play.”

With the NBA already scouting him and a summer that included attending LeBron James’ camp, there is no doubt White can realistically set a goal for playing one day at the highest pro level.  But for now he must focus on his senior season and any thoughts of what’s next are more appropriate for his coming Gopher career.

White signed a National Letter of Intent with the Gophers last month.  His second college choice?  None, he said on Tuesday night.

Remaining home for college means the opportunity to stay close to family and also play for coach Tubby Smith.  The 7 and 0 Gophers will have all their most important players back next season when White is a freshman.  He’s planning to be a Gopher for awhile and part of a team that could have exceptional success.  And, yes, he admitted, he can be better defensively, a Tubby Smith must-do.