The local panel

JIM PETERSEN

Lynx assistant coach and TV play-by-play announcer for the Timberwolves

Age: 50

Roots: Grew up in St. Louis Park, played basketball at the University of Minnesota before an eight-year NBA career that included stops in Houston, Sacramento and Golden State.

First local sports memory: "My first Vikings game," he said. "Going to see Gary Cuozzo in a preseason game against San Francisco. It was Cuozzo and Norm Snead for the Vikings, John Brodie for the 49ers. First game at the Met."

Favorite sports memory: Watching the Gophers basketball team lose a double-overtime game to Purdue at Williams Arena in 1976. "Mychal [Thompson], Flip [Saunders], Osborne Lockhart, Ray Williams," he said. "Jules Perlt on the mic. It was my first time in the Barn. It was awesome."

Toughest sports memory: 1998 NFC title game.

First to break playoff drought? Wolves.

KENT HRBEK

Twins Hall of Fame member, first baseman on two World Series championship teams

Age: 52

Roots: Grew up in Bloomington, attended Kennedy High School. Drafted by the Twins in 1978, Hrbek made his major league debut in 1981.

First local sports memory: Aug. 3, 1969. Hrbek and his dad were at Met Stadium for a Twins game when his dad decided to leave early to avoid traffic. "We were walking down the ramp when Rich Reese hit a pinch-hit, grand slam home run to win the game."

Favorite sports memory: Tommy Kramer's Hail Mary pass to Ahmad Rashad that beat Cleveland in 1980, sending the Vikings to the playoffs.

Toughest sports memory: Any of the four Super Bowls the Vikings were in.

First to break playoff drought? Wolves.

LOU NANNE

Former NHL player, coach and general manager for the Minnesota North Stars

Age: 71

Roots: Came to Minnesota in 1959 to enter the University of Minnesota and play hockey for the legendary John Mariucci. Played for the U.S. hockey team at the 1968 Olympics, then joined the North Stars.

First local sports memory: Watching the Chicago Cardinals play the Philadelphia Eagles at Met Stadium in October of 1959, the year the Cardinals played two of their home games at the Met.

Favorite sports memory: The North Stars making the Stanley Cup Finals against the New York Islanders in 1981.

Toughest sports memory: The North Stars leaving for Dallas in the fall of 1993.

First to break playoff drought? Wild.

LINDSAY WHALEN

Starting point guard for the defending WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx

Age: 30

Roots: The Hutchinson native was a star at the University of Minnesota, leading the Gophers to the NCAA Final Four in 2004.

First local sports memory: Attending Game 4 of the 1991 Stanley Cup Finals.

Favorite sports memory: Watching the Gophers men's team advance to the Final Four in 1997, a tournament run that was stricken from the records. "My wall at home says it happened," she said. "I had all the [posters]. Bobby Jackson, Sam Jacobson, John Thomas. Those guys were my idols."

Toughest sports memory: 1998 NFC title game.

First to break playoff drought? Wolves.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD