Sid's jottings

March 22, 2015 at 12:09AM

SID's JOTTINGS

The Wild roster features six Minnesota natives, with many playing a big part in the team's bid for the Stanley Cup. Star forward Zach Parise leads the team with 56 points, including a goal in Saturday's 6-3 victory over St. Louis. The other five are Jordan Schroeder, Nate Prosser, Jordan Leopold and the injured Ryan Carter and Keith Ballard. In addition, Europeans Thomas Vanek and Erik Haula played for the Gophers, and Canadian Justin Fontaine played for Minnesota Duluth.

Asked about the future of linebacker Chad Greenway, Vikings GM Rick Spielman said: "I never talk about our business, but everybody I've spoken to here, we definitely want Chad Greenway back here, and we'll continue to work through that. But Chad Greenway is a very important part of this organization and this football team. We're going to do everything we can to make sure Chad can finish out a Minnesota Viking."

• The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority continues to seek national events for the Vikings stadium. It is bidding for the 2017 version of WrestleMania, the premier pro wrestling event that drew 75,167 fans to the Superdome in New Orleans last year.

Champlin Park standout Theo John got his first big scholarship offer from the Gophers after Richard Pitino and his staff saw the 6-9, 225-pound sophomore play at the state tournament. John told GopherIllustrated, "It's a blessing and means so much for offer No. 1 to come from my hometown." Speaking of the Class of 2017, Hopkins sophomore Simon Wright has an offer from Providence of the Big East.

• As poor a record as the Gophers posted, you have to wonder if it would have been worse if Joey King hadn't transferred from Drake. The Eastview product played the second-most minutes on the team while averaging 9.7 points per game.

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Sid Hartman

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Former sports columnist Sid Hartman.

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