Gophers Hockey – Page 29 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings Looking at Roster Again

Posted on November 14, 2016November 14, 2016 by David Shama

A notes-filled column including news from Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, and also Gopher season ticket totals:

Zimmer said today he will meet this afternoon with general manager Rick Spielman to discuss personnel. Zimmer referenced the meeting when asked about the left tackle position and also placekicker Blair Walsh.

Starting left tackle Jake Long injured his left Achilles in yesterday’s loss to the Redskins and is out for the season. After the game left guard Alex Boone told reporters he might move to left tackle but Zimmer said that was premature and he will have more to say about his offensive line on Wednesday.

The Vikings have been devastated by injuries in the offensive line. If the team turns to the outside for help a possible addition might be tackle Carter Bykowski who was with Minnesota earlier this year. Bykowski, who is on the Falcons’ practice squad, knows the Vikings’ system.

Walsh missed another extra point (his fourth of the season) in yesterday’s game. He is also only 12 of 16 on field goals and last week the Vikings auditioned potential replacements. Things are so bad Fox TV analyst Chris Spielman (Rick’s brother) said during the game that Zimmer should just plan on Walsh missing kicks. After the game a caller on the Vikings radio network suggested the team should sign a “female soccer player” as the new kicker.

Zimmer on whether injured running back Adrian Peterson might play again this season: “I have no idea.” …

University of Minnesota nonstudent season tickets for both men’s basketball and men’s hockey are down by about 1,000 each from a year ago. As of last week, basketball was at 6,246 compared with 7,221 for the 2015-2016 season. The hockey number was 6,039 after totaling 7,080 in 2015-2016.

Hockey student season tickets were at 2,739 after last season’s figure of 2,788. The basketball student season tickets total was 1,181 after a 2015-2016 number of 1,748. …

After Saturday’s 24-17 loss to No. 21 ranked Nebraska, Tracy Claeys has a 5-7 Big Ten record as interim and head coach of the Gophers. Five of the defeats have been by seven points or less. Claeys has won just one close conference game, defeating Rutgers 32-31 this fall. He has no victories over nationally ranked, or rivalry teams.

The Gophers, 7-3 overall and 4-3 in league games, have lost to Penn State, Iowa and Nebraska—all top 25 ranked teams.

Game times announced: Minnesota’s home football game with Northwestern Saturday will be at 2:30 p.m. and the Gophers men’s hockey game against Minnesota State at Mariucci Arena will start at 8 p.m. …

The St. Thomas football team finished the regular season with a 10-0 record, including 8-0 in the MIAC. Last Saturday the Tommies defeated St. Olaf 73-7 to win the MIAC title. Saint John’s (9-1, 7-1) won second place by defeating Concordia-Moorhead (7-3, 6-2). The Johnnies, who lost their only game to St. Thomas, defeated Concordia 31-7. St. Thomas has an opening Division III playoff game at home on Saturday against Northwestern (Roseville), while Saint John’s hosts Wisconsin-Platteville.

Concordia had a 23-20 loss to St. Thomas earlier in the season. “They should have beaten St. Thomas,” said Saint John’s coach Gary Fasching.

Fasching offered that opinion while speaking to the CORES lunch crowd last Thursday. He had the audience laughing when he opened his talk by saying, “I notice some St. Thomas people (here), so I will try to speak a little slower.”

Fasching told the audience former Saint John’s coach John Gagliardi had his 90th birthday last week. The legendary Gagliardi sat in with the Johnnies’ coaching staff every Monday this season to review film. …

CORES emcee Dick Jonckowski introduced Gophers basketball coach Richard Pitino at a recent gathering of Minnesota high school basketball coaches. He referred to Pitino’s father, Louisville coach Rick Pitino, as the “Italian Stallion.” Then he introduced the “Pepperoni Pony.”

Jonckowski jokes that he met up with Blair Walsh at a local McDonald’s. Jonckowski asked the Vikings’ placekicker how he is doing. “I can’t kick,” Walsh supposedly said. …

That was Minnesota resident Eric Curry officiating the ESPN televised game Friday night in Hawaii between basketball powers Arizona and Michigan Sate. Curry is married to former Gophers basketball player and now Macalester coach Kelly Roysland. …

The Timberwolves had three players listed in Sports Illustrated’s ranking of the NBA’s top 100 players. The magazine’s NBA preview issue last month ranked center Karl-Anthony Towns No. 23, forward Andrew Wiggins No. 67 and point guard Rick Rubio No. 71. …

Twins owner Jim Pohlad told Sports Headliners he is open to spending more money on players as new baseball department bosses Derek Falvey and Thad Levine rebuild his team. The Twins’ payroll ranked 19th among MLB franchise’s in 2016, according to Espn.com.

Twins fans have noticed the Braves, who ranked with baseball’s worst teams last season, added free veteran agent pitchers R.A. Dickey and Bartolo Colon this month.

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Ex-Gopher Captain Wants Regent Role

Posted on November 9, 2016November 9, 2016 by David Shama

Former Gopher football captain Jim Carter is submitting an application for membership to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. The State Legislature will approve individuals to fill four vacancies on the board next year.

Carter, who played for the Gophers from 1967-1969 after a legendary schoolboy career in South St. Paul, said many people have urged him to apply. He is known for his passion and straight talk about the University. As a regent he wants to help with issues such as student tuition costs and debt, student preparedness to enter the workforce, and enhancing athletics including the revenue-producing sports of football, basketball and hockey.

Carter, who lives in the Hastings area and hopes to represent the Second Congressional District on the Board of Regents, played for the Green Bay Packers where he was elected team captain. He has decades of business and civic experience including 28 years as an automobile dealer in Wisconsin, and participation on many boards including the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy. In addition to his experience in governance, Carter has been a donor to many organizations including the University of Minnesota Foundation.

Minneapolis businessman Mark Sheffert, a University alum and advisor to the Board of Regents, is familiar with Carter’s background. “He is passionate about and cares about the University,” Sheffert said. “He has attended many meetings of the regents to learn what they do. He has also talked to regents and University administrators to give his constructive thoughts.”

Typical of Carter’s involvement and support for the University is the assistance and leadership he provided this fall to increase awareness about the proposed Lineman Center for the Gophers. Carter has urged regents and others to help make the center part of the new football facility in the now under construction Athletes Village project on campus.

After attending the Board of Regents meetings last month, Carter is optimistic the University will approve the center early next year. He told Sports Headliners there is an anonymous donor willing “to pay at least half” the cost for the Gophers Center.

It’s anticipated the center will add thousands of square feet to the football practice facility and cost several million dollars. Carter said without the center, offensive and defensive linemen won’t have a large enough place indoors that is dedicated to improving their skills—a space big enough to accommodate not only the players but also practice equipment including blocking sleds. The center space would also be used by Gopher athletes in other sports.

Gophers head coach Tracy Claeys has stressed the importance of the center to Carter and others.

Worth Noting

The Gophers have their first road night game Saturday at Nebraska. Quarterback Mitch Leidner said it’s important for the players to stay relaxed during the day. “Don’t burn too much energy thinking about the game,” Leidner said. “Conserve that energy all the way up until game time starts.”

Emmit Carpenter, the Gophers’ kicker is not only from Green Bay but is a self-described “die-hard Packers fan.” He said his family has owned Packers season tickets for decades. A redshirt sophomore, he is 16 of 18 on field goals this season, and his 16 are tops in the Big Ten.

Sid Hartman is no longer doing sports analysis weekdays at 7:40 a.m. for WCCO Radio. Mike Max has that slot now, with Hartman on air at 8:40 a.m. as in the past.

P.J. Fleck—the young Western Michigan coach who has the undefeated Mid-American Conference Broncos ranked No. 14 by the Associated Press—quietly has his name mentioned by Gophers boosters as a future coach. Fleck is a media favorite who last week was featured by the New York Times and this week was written up by the Washington Post. Other national media coverage has come from Sports Illustrated and Forbes.com.

The 5-3 Vikings rank second among NFL teams in points allowed per game at 15.8. Although the offense has struggled to score, that unit has just one turnover in eight games going into Sunday’s road game with the 4-3-1 Redskins.

Eden Prairie sophomore quarterback Cole Kramer is the grandson of former Gophers athletic director Tom Moe. The Eagles are among the playoff favorites for the November 25 Class 6A state title game at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Minikahda Club pro Jeff Sorenson shot a course record 12-under par 60 Monday at Cabo del Sol Golf Club in Cabo San Lucas. Playing in a tournament for TaylorMade club professionals, the 2016 Minnesota Section PGA Player of the Year beat the previous course record by four strokes.

Twins reliever Glen Perkins, recovering from shoulder surgery, said on Monday he expects to pitch in spring training games next March. Perkins, the Twins All-Star closer, pitched just two innings during the 2016 season.

The Twins Hall of Fame is way overdue to induct the late Halsey Hall, the colorful radio-TV analyst from the club’s early years in Minnesota. Inductees for next year perhaps will include former outfielder Michael Cuddyer and ex-general manager Terry Ryan.

The Wild has recalled forwards Christoph Bertschy and Zack Mitchell and defenseman Mike Reilly from its Iowa affiliate team in the American Hockey League. The Wild has placed defenseman Marco Scandella on long-term injured reserve because of a high right ankle sprain (October 27 at Buffalo).

Hollywood comedian and actor Erik Stolhanske, a Minnesota native, will be the first keynote speaker for the free Bremer Bank Game Changers Speaker Series November 22 at Xcel Energy Center. Stolhanske was born without a fibula and has a prosthetic leg, but despite obstacles has earned roles in shows such as Super Troopers and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Visit the Minnesota Wild website and Speaker Series page for more information. https://www.nhl.com/wild/fans/game-changers-speaker-series

Olivia Paradise, the granddaughter of hockey legends Herb Brooks and Bob Paradise, played No. 1 singles for the Class 2A champion Mahtomedi tennis team this fall and is known for her modeling work.

The WCHA has the three top-ranked women’s teams in the national USCHO.com poll, No. 1 Wisconsin, No. 2 Minnesota and No. 3 UMD. The Big Ten Gopher men’s team has moved up to No. 8 in that USCHO poll, two spots behind No. 6 North Dakota who Minnesota tied in one game and defeated in another last weekend. UMD is No. 1.

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Twins New Bosses Face Fan Anger

Posted on November 7, 2016November 7, 2016 by David Shama

The Twins introduced new baseball department bosses Derek Falvey and Thad Levine to the media and fans today. News of their appointments won’t sell many tickets or immediately improve a team that lost 103 games last season.

Falvey is the new executive vice president and chief baseball officer. Levine’s title is senior vice president and general manager. They represent a new start for a franchise that has lost over 90 games in five of the last six seasons. Home attendance has declined every year, with the Twins drawing less than two million fans last season for the first time since moving into Target Field in 2010.

Fans have become both angry and apathetic. A knowledgeable sports industry source told Sports Headliners he heard the Twins’ season tickets total is about 8,800 right now. Another source believes the final total for 2017 will be about 10,000. When the club started playing at Target Field the season tickets total was approximately 25,000.

TV viewership was dismal at times last season. A ratings authority said the Nielsen results for a Twins-Blue Jays game in August showed no viewers in the 600-home meters sample size. “That’s never happened before with the Twins,” the source said.

Twins president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners earlier this year market research shows fans “desperately” want to get behind the franchise. To rally the fan base, though, Falvey and Levine will have to make changes that re-energize the public.

At the top of the to-do list is adding a couple of marquee players to the roster before next season. The Twins have a reputation for usually not spending significantly on free agents—nor wisely when they do. Their offseason shopping list might start with free agent catcher Wilson Ramos who the Twins errantly traded away to the Nationals in 2010 for closer Matt Capps. Ramos, 29, had a breakout year in 2016, becoming a National League All-Star and hitting .307 with 22 home runs with 80 RBI.

Everyone knows the Twins need to upgrade their pitching staff and that assignment might be where Falvey and Levine can show their smarts first. If they can identity the right pitching help this offseason, that will be impressive. Without better starters and relievers, the Twins are probably a lock to finish last in the American League Central Division again.

The shopping list should also include a clubhouse leader. The Twins never replaced role model vet Torii Hunter who retired after the 2015 season. His leadership and hitting production were key reasons why the 2015 team had a winning record (83-79).

Falvey and Levine should show the fan base they are changing the culture in the baseball department. Change is anticipated to include increased use of analytics but it’s also expected to result in new faces in the organization. Changes might include new coaches.

Levine indicated at today’s news conference he and Falvey see manager Paul Molitor as “someone they can invest in.” No reassurances were made, though, that all the coaches on Molitor’s staff will return. Rob Antony, who has been leading the baseball operation, drew praise from Falvey who didn’t hint at change there.

The 33-year-old Falvey and the 44-year-old Levine have a big job ahead. In a few years the results of their decisions will be known. Let them do things now they believe will give the Twins the best chance to win in 2017 and beyond.

Falvey comes from the Indians where he was assistant general manager. His most extensive experience with the organization was serving four years as the director of baseball operations. Levine has spent the past 11 seasons as assistant general manager for the Rangers.

Worth Noting

Falvey and Levine impressed with their answers at today’s news conference, with the latter more than once showing a sense of humor. The transplanted Texan said he had been warned about Minneapolis weather in November but temps have been mild. “This is actually a lovely time of year up here,” Levine said.

Bo Hellquist, the former UMD pitcher from Savage who signed as a free agent with the Twins in June, had a 5-3 record with a 2.25 ERA in 11 games pitching in the Gulf Coast League for rookies.

Jay Buckley’s Baseball Tours, operating from La Crosse, Wisconsin, has announced 30 trips for 2017 including games to see the World Series champion Cubs. Billed as the “Ultimate Wrigley Field Experience,” the Chicago trip will allow fans to watch games from the stadium and a rooftop. More at Jaybuckley.com.

Give the Gophers and coach Don Lucia credit for a weekend with a tie and a win over North Dakota, a team that has been ranked No. 1 in the country. Saturday night’s announced attendance was 10,310—the ninth largest ever at Mariucci Arena.

The Sports Illustrated College Basketball Projection System simulates the season ahead 10,000 times and ranks teams from No. 1 to 351. The Gophers are No. 97, just behind East Tennessee State and one spot ahead of South Dakota State. Minnesota ranks 13th in the 14-team Big Ten Conference. Rutgers—ouch!—is 224th.

S.I. ranks Duke No. 1 in the nation, while Big Ten teams in the top 16 are Wisconsin No. 8, Purdue No. 11 and Indiana No. 14.

Emmit Carpenter, who kicked three field goals including two of over 50 yards in the Gophers’ win over Purdue Saturday, was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week today.

New Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur impressed yesterday with his use of various personnel and play calling, including a surprise touchdown run by reserve tight end Rhett Ellison in Minnesota’s 22-16 loss to the Lions.

Bleacherreport.com’s NFL power rankings this morning have the Lions at No. 11 and the Vikings No. 12. The Redskins, who the Vikings play next Sunday, are No. 13, while the Patriots rank first.

Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a current exhibit at the Minnesota History Center, and one that Vikings fans will enjoy. The travelling exhibit, on display through January 15, includes an area devoted to the Minnesota NFL franchise. In addition to the Hometown Heroes section, fans can enjoy and learn about the history of pro football including how Ole Haugsrud purchased the Duluth Eskimos franchise for $1 in 1925. Haugsrud later became one of the original Vikings owners.

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