Remembering those athletes gone too soon

• Played 38 games in 1967-68, the North Stars' inaugural season.

Died at age 29 of a head injury suffered during a Jan. 13, 1968, game at the Met Center.

• Played 630 games for Twins from 1970 to '76.

Died at age 29 from leukemia on Dec. 10, 1976, less than 10 weeks after playing his last major league game (for Texas).

• Played 379 games for Twins from 1975 to '77.

Killed at age 27 by a gunshot in hometown of Gary, Ind., on Sept. 23, 1978. He played for the Angels at the time.

• Played 113 games for Timberwolves from 1998 to 2000.Died at age 30 after SUV was struck by a drunken driver in St. Louis Park on May 20, 2000.

Died at age 27 from complications brought on by heat stroke during training camp at Mankato in August 2001.

• Played 210 games for Wild from 2001 to '04.Died at age 31 after collapsing on Nov. 3, 2004, while playing in Belarus during the NHL lockout.

• Played 153 games for Timberwolves from 2004 to '07.