Former Twin Torii Hunter, now with the Los Angeles Angels, is the best defensive player in the major leagues, according to a Sports Illustrated players’ poll in the May 5 issue of the magazine.
Sportsmanship got a badly needed boost last week in a softball game between two universities, Western Oregon and Central Washington. A Western player hit a home run but injured her knee rounding the bases. Central Washington players carried her so she could touch all the bases and make the home run count. The home run allowed Western to win the game and ended Central Washington’s pursuit of a conference title and playoffs, according to news reports.
The Minnesota Wild announced on Wednesday that five of its players will participate in the 2008 Men’s World Hockey Championships in Quebec City, Quebec and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Based on preliminary roster submissions, defenseman Brent Burns will represent Canada, center Morten Madsen (fourth round pick in 2005, played for Houston Aeros last season) will play for Denmark, goalie Niklas Backstrom and center Mikko Koivu will compete for Finland, and right wing Julien Sprunger (fourth round pick in 2004, played for HC Fribourg-Gotteron in Swiss League last season) will represent Switzerland. The World Championships begin today (Friday).
The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee hosts its annual banquet tonight at 317 on Rice Park in St. Paul. The banquet will honor the University of Michigan’s Kevin Porter, the 2008 winner of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award. Also honored will be legendary Dartmouth College coach Eddie Jeremiah who will receive the 2008 Hobey Baker Legend of College Hockey award. Ticket information is available at www.hobeybaker.com.
General manager Djorn Bucholz of the Minnesota Thunder said forward Ricardo Sanchez has played “fantastic” in the team’s first two games. He scored on a penalty kick at Vancouver in the Thunder’s 1-0 win on April 26. Bucholz likes Sanchez’s steadiness with the ball. Bucholz said other key players for the Thunder, 1-1 on the season, are goalie Nicolas Platter, defender and midfielder Stephen deRoux and forward Alen Marcina.
The Thunder opens the home schedule on Sunday night at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul. Tickets will be available at the stadium prior to the 5:05 p.m. game time, Buchholz said.
Sportscaster Randy Shaver said his annual golf tournament set for June 2 at Rush Creek has filled its available inventory for players and sponsors. He expects the tourney to raise about $390,000 for the Randy Shaver Cancer Research Fund. He said over the years the tournament has generated more than $3 million for the fund which then distributes it for cancer research.