I also debated just players from MN, since the Wolves themselves are so shallow…but I added those to the list!
Also added Jim Pollard from the Lakers days…need one more for Basketball, a few for football, and a whole bunch for the Wild. Hoping some old heads can chip in some Northstars knowledge?? Otherwise, going to start just adding more recent players.
Since the basketball list is so shallow - I submit Blake Hoffarber from my alma mater, Hopkins. One of the best (read: luckiest) shots I’ve ever seen ended up with the ESPY for best play in 2005.
If we are adding homegrown talent, I think Khalid El-Amin would need to be considered. Those high school teams were amazing and then a National Championship at UCONN.
Should be given extra consideration given the fact that I believe Hoffarber was one of the better players at Hopkins, who actually lived in Hopkins.
Kevin Williams was an absolute menace in the trenches for the Vikes. 5-time first team All Pro so he’s gotta be on there.
Who is/was better Winfield or Harrison Smith? Add Harry to the list so the people can decide.
Two other (recency biased) nominees to add for consideration - Home state hero Adam Thielen and Diggs for the Miracle alone.
I’ll throw in Bobby Jackson for the 1997 Final Four team that didn’t happen but definitely happened. The double OT win vs. Clemson to get to the Elite Eight was epic.
I’m not a hockey guy but I think you gotta put Herb Brooks on that list.
Also if we need to expand the list into other sports.
Tom Malchow- swimmer, olympic golf medal and former world record holder.
Tom Lehman, golf
Lindsey Vonn, MN born
Mike Modano - North Stars, Drafted by the NS and played a few seasons before they moved- short but sweet. All time leading American point scorer.
Neal Broten - Won NCAA Championship (Gophers), Gold Medal, and Stanley Cup (NJ). Inaugural Hobey Baker winner. Played 13 seasons with the NS before they left. A little over a 1,000 games a little under 1,000 points.
Also I dont know how deep we are digging for hockey but there are a lot of players from MN.
Phil Housley - Went straight to the NHL out of South St. Paul High school. Second all time American born in points as a D. Coached for Stillwater High School and now coaches the NHL.
Awesome breakdown of Brooky, @JMK. Good to see you on the Refuge! I spent half of my life working at Brookview and playing in the Men’s Club and completely agree. With conditioning, it all really comes down to funding, too much play, and black dirt that doesn’t drain. The course is in a flood plain and gets way too many rounds to keep up with the mowing schedule. Would have been great to see Golden Valley add some budget to the building project request and put in some new drainage and improve the course like Edina did for Braemar but we just didn’t get there this time around. They have made some strides in the last few years with bunker improvements and I know course management is fighting for more funds for the course so hopefully we will see some more changes in the coming years.
Sometimes they add WBYC later in the year so worth checking back in a couple months.
TGJ at Hazeltine sounds awesome! I haven’t seen that one on their event list yet. Better check it out.
Hate to ‘well actually’ but KAT now has the franchise record for points in a game. 56 and 15 against the Hawks in March of 2018. I was there for that one. I used to follow them pretty closely and let me tell you, I had to triple check the box score informing me that Corey Brewer got 50.
I remembered it after I posted and just left it… But you are making my case for earlier that he needs to be included on this list. He is special and its a shame we are wasting him worse than we wasted KG
i mean Lindsey Vonn gotta be on here right?
As a former season ticket holder…you aren’t kidding. And wasted Kevin Love to a lesser degree. It is just the most miserable franchise in the world to root for.
Just for funsies my votes go to Kirill the Thrill, Nick Punto, JJ Barea and Jim Kleinsasser.
Now you have my attention
I thought he was elite until he got cuck’d by Embiid for like the 4th time. Now? I’m less sure.
Also strong whiffs of K Love (stat chaser).
Got excited to see this thread was popping off this morning, then I just realize it’s all y’all talking about MN sports heroics of yesteryear. Being a transplant from Wisconsin, I’ll just leave it at…
