Wild prospect Darcy Kuemper was named Western Hockey League Player of the Year and WHL Goaltender of the Year at the WHL awards ceremony in Calgary on Wednesday. Past winners of the Player of the Year include NHL stars Cam Ward, Jarome Iginla and Joe Sakic.
Kuemper had a 42-12-5 record and led WHL goaltenders in every major statistical category including wins, goals against average (1.86), save percentage (.933) and shutouts (13). His shutout total tied the WHL single season record.
The May 9 issue of Sporting News Magazine gives the Vikings the lowest grade for the NFL draft among NFC North teams. The Vikings received a B, while the Lions had an A, and the Bears and Packers were graded A-. Among the comments about division teams was this on the Vikings’ No. 1 pick, quarterback Christian Ponder: “It would be disastrous to start Ponder behind the current offensive line.”
This week’s issue of Sports Illustrated includes an article by Jim Trotter that said the selection of Ponder at No.12 “caused gasps around the league.” Trotter wrote that scouts admire Ponder’s football smarts but question his arm strength and durability.
Brett Favre will presumably be throwing a football again in June, but not likely warming up for an NFL season. His website reports that a Favre football camp for youngsters will be held at the University of Southern Mississippi. Camp revenue will be used for endowed scholarships at Southern Miss, Favre’s alma mater.
Talk of a boxing career by Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards isn’t all that surprising. He’s known for being a free thinker and even reportedly had differences with the Purdue staff as a college player. The lure of big money in heavyweight boxing stirred talk years ago of a Muhammad Ali versus Wilt Chamberlain fight, and Dallas lineman Ed (“Too Tall”) Jones had a brief fight career.
St. Thomas and Bethel are co-hosts for the MIAC Softball Playoffs beginning today on both campuses. St.Thomas, coached by John Tschida, enters the tournament as the top seed after winning the regular season championship with a 22-0 record and has a 27 game-winning streak. The Tommies have won every MIAC playoff championship since the tournament’s inception in 2004.
Chef Terry Goertzen from Canterbury Park appears on KARE 11 tomorrow at about 8:45 a.m. for a cooking segment with a Kentucky Derby theme. Handicapper Kevin Gorg will be on Mark Rosen’s Ch. 4 Sunday night show to provide a derby recap. The derby begins at 5:24 p.m. tomorrow and is televised by NBC.
Twins trivia answer: Junior Ortiz wore No. 0 during the 1990-91 seasons.