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All first-round picks, the Wild quintet of Zeev Buium, David Jiricek, Liam Ohgren, Jesper Wallstedt and Danila Yurov are getting a chance on hockey's biggest stage this season.

Terry Pettis, once the most promising prospect in Minnesota basketball, is living out his life sentence in a California prison. Mike Tate, his father, never let go of his love for his son, or his city.

Guard Bones Hyland, getting a look this preseason with the Wolves, was drafted by Tim Connelly in Denver and signed to join Minnesota's main roster this offseason.

Tommies guard Nolan Minessale was voted preseason player of the year by league coaches.

As injuries have taken a toll on the Minnesota volleyball program, coach Keegan Cook and setter Stella Swenson have helped the Gophers to a 13-2 record (8-0 at home).

The Packers and Lions are the class of the NFC North but the Vikings have stayed afloat despite injuries taking a toll. Now on a bye week, Minnesota could be healthy by the time they return to action on Oct. 19 against Philadelphia.

Who will play quarterback for the Vikings after the bye? Did Will Reichard's kick really hit a wire? Let's dig into that and more with today's 10 things to know.

The Russian-born winger was on track for an MVP-caliber performance last season before surgery sidelined him.

Springfield is eyeing a third straight trip to the Prep Bowl, and in its path is an R-T-R team whose stock has soared. The teams meet Thursday at 7 p.m. in a game streaming live on Strib Varsity.

The meeting with Purdue is the sort of game that could make or break a season, and that's how the Gophers approaching it.