Derrick Williams Returns To Minnesota

Derrick Williams walked off the bus and strolled into Target Center toward the entrance to the visiting locker room. As he put his hand on the door knob and started to open it, he did a double-take to make sure he was headed to the right place. It's hard to blame Williams for his tentativeness since he had spent the first two years of his career walking into the home locker room in this building. Williams made his return to Minnesota on Wednesday night, a month and a half after the Timberwolves traded the former No. 2 overall pick to the Sacramento Kings for Luc Mbah a Moute.

• Jan 15, 2014

Vikings Fans React To Hiring Of Mike Zimmer

When the Minnesota Vikings let head coach Leslie Frazier go, many fans said they'd like to see a more fiery coach on the sidelines. It appears they're getting their wish. Just down the road from Vikings' headquarters, the lunch crowd at Joe Senser's watched Wednesday's reports with a mix of hope and weariness. "I probably have been disappointed enough times that I'm never that optimistic anymore," said Vikings fan Matt Johnson.

• Jan 15, 2014

Hockey Day Minnesota Celebrates Elk River's Historic 'Pit'

The act of embracing winter is what makes living in Minnesota bearable. And for many, it means standing alongside an outdoor hockey rink. Thousands of folks are doing just that in Elk River this week, site of the 2014 Hockey Day in Minnesota events. The city was chosen in large part due to the historic Handke Stadium, where organized hockey began in Elk River nearly 60 years ago.

• Jan 15, 2014

Langenbrunner Retires After 16 Years, 2 Titles

Jamie Langenbrunner has retired after a 16-year NHL career in which he won two Stanley Cups. The 38-year-old right wing from Cloquet, Minn., played for Dallas, New Jersey and St. Louis. He won NHL titles with Dallas in 1999 and New Jersey in 2003. He was on the U.S. Olympic team in 1998 and 2010. Langenbrunner announced his retirement Wednesday in a statement by the NHL Players Association, thanking coaches and teammates for "helping a kid from Minnesota enjoy a long, fulfilling hockey career."

• Jan 15, 2014

Packers' Lacy Replaces Adrian Peterson In Pro Bowl

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy will replace Adrian Peterson at the Pro Bowl later this month. The Minnesota Vikings running back can't participate because of an injury. Lacy set franchise rookie records this season for rushing yards (1,178), rushing touchdowns (11) and rushing attempts (284).

• Jan 15, 2014

Prep Blog: Local Prep Stars Nominated For National Showcase

The best high school basketball players, boys and girls, will take over Chicago, Ill., in early April for the McDonald's All-American Game. When the final rosters are announced for both games, there's likely to be plenty of Minnesota flavor on display.

• Jan 15, 2014

100-Year-Old Hockey Stick Found In Otsego Farmhouse Attic

In the hockey crazy city of Elk River, site of the 2014 Hockey Day Minnesota, stories and relics of the games' past are literally coming out of the woodwork. So, when an Otsego family discovered a handmade hockey stick hidden in the attic of an old farmhouse, the detective work began. The questions began: Who made it, where did he play and why did he love the game so much?

• Jan 15, 2014

'U' Clearing TCF Bank Stadium For Hockey City Classic

On Friday night, "The Bank" will turn into "The Rink." TCF Bank stadium, typically home to Gopher football, has been taken over by the state of hockey. It's called the Hockey City Classic, and WCCO wanted to know what it took to create the rink, plus who gets to skate on it.

• Jan 15, 2014

Lehner Stops 27 Shots, Senators Blank Wild 3-0

Kyle Turris had a goal and an assist, Robin Lehner made 27 saves for his second career shutout and the Ottawa Senators beat the Minnesota Wild 3-0 on Tuesday night.

• Jan 14, 2014

Despite Injury And Illness, The Wild Are Finding Confidence

Josh Harding and Zach Parise are working on getting in game shape as the Wild are working on winning their sixth in seven games with Ottawa in town. Harding is making progress, hoping to be back soon. However, he's not getting specific about his illness issues. He has multiple sclerosis.

• Jan 14, 2014

Crews Chute Down Snow At TCF Stadium Ahead Of Hockey City Classic

The football field at TCF Bank Stadium has been transformed into an ice rink for a 10-day festival known as the Hockey City Classic. The big event is slated for Friday, when the Gophers women and men's hockey teams play a double header. That means thousands of people will be coming and going at the outdoor stadium, and the snow has got to go.

• Jan 14, 2014

Minn. High Court Wants More Info On Vikings Case

A state agency that was to sell bonds for the Minnesota Vikings stadium says a lawsuit holding up that $468 million offering is flawed. Department of Minnesota Management and Budget lawyers pressed the state Supreme Court on Tuesday to dismiss the case.

• Jan 14, 2014

Harding Back On Ice, Not Ready To Play Yet

Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding has been making progress toward a return to playing. Harding took part in the team skate before the Wild hosted Ottawa on Tuesday.

• Jan 14, 2014

Gophers Beat Penn State 5-2 For Sweep

The University of Minnesota men's hockey team completed a sweep of Penn State in Big Ten hockey action Monday night with a 5-2 victory in University Park, Pa. The Gophers, ranked No. 1 in the country, improved to 5-0-1 in league play.

• Jan 14, 2014

Twins Blog: My Final Metrodome Memory

When one stadium goes up, another one must come down. That's what happening right now in downtown Minneapolis. On Saturday, the Metrodome will go flat. It's a speedy demolition process to make way for the new billion dollar Vikings stadium. Crews broke ground more than a month ago and the time has come to clear out the building for the next phase.

• Jan 14, 2014

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