Zach Parise, the former Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep who was born in Minneapolis, deserves NHL MVP consideration for his play with New Jersey, a team that’s second in the Eastern Conference with 97 points. Parise is second in goals with 41 and fourth in points, 88, among NHL players.
Former Gopher Blake Wheeler, now with Boston, is tied for first in the NHL in plus-minus points with 36.
The 10 candidates for the 2009 Hobey Baker Award, honoring college hockey’s top player, are: Louie Caporusso, Michigan; Matt Gilroy, Boston University; Chad Johnson, Alaska Fairbanks; Zane Kalemba, Princeton; Jacques Lamoureux, Air Force; Jamie McBain, Wisconsin; David McIntyre, Colgate; Viktor Stalberg, Vermont; Brad Thiessen, Northeastern; and Colin Wilson, Boston University. Fans can vote at www.hobeybaker.com
Darren Sharper, who will be 34 in November, is likely to be a starter at free safety for New Orleans after leaving the Vikings as a free agent. Sharper told Sports Headliners last year he wasn’t interested in finishing his career as a reserve.
Vikings coach Brad Childress talking about starting cornerback Cedric Griffin who recently signed a contract extension: “We are glad to have Cedric as our right cornerback going forward. He is an aggressive, physical, contact football player, whose best football is in front of him.” Griffin, a second round draft choice in 2006, has started 38 of 46 games. He had one interception last season but ranked among the team leaders in tackles.
The Friends of South High Foundation invite the public to attend a ground breaking event on Wednesday beginning at 2:45 p.m. for a new building that will provide rest rooms, ticketing, concessions and storage for athletics. The building will be located adjacent to Les Bernard Athletic Field, 20th Ave. South and 31st Street, across from South High. For more information, contact Jim Bloom, 952-941-3778.
Win Willy, a horse owned by Jerry and Marlene Myers of Minneapolis, could qualify for the Kentucky Derby on May 2. An offer to buy the horse for $3 million was turned down last week, according to the Canterbury Park Web site, https://www.canterburypark.blogspot.com/
Star Tribune columnist Sid Hartman had his 89th birthday earlier this month.