From the Star Tribune this morning in Sid Hartman's column: The University of Minnesota Assembly Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics has refused to budge on its decision not to allow the Gophers hockey team to play two games at Anchorage, Alaska in December because it would interfere with the class schedule. Doug Zmolek, <who will be a senior defenseman this season> has been guaranteed a spot on the 1994 U.S.Olympic team if he stays in school and plays his final year at Minnesota and doesn't sign a contract with the San Jose Sharks. Zmolek, a first-round draft choice who went to San Jose in the expansion draft, has set a price and told San Jose he will go back to school unless his demands are met. Zmolek wants at least what teammate Trent Klatt got from the North Stars -- $150,000 to sign, $150,000 one-way for next season and $200,000 the second year if he makes it. Apparently the Sharks made an offer this week that Zmolek is considering. It is expected that the North Stars will sign former Gophers goalie Jeff Stolp in the next few days. <end of news via Sid> I also heard that our "third" coach Mark Mazzoleni will receive a lump-sum payment before the August 1st deadline to make up the difference in the salary restrictions from the NC$$ going into effect as of August 1st. People in our hockey office are hopeful that the NC$$ WILL repeal this silly new rule next January as was already mentioned here on the list. That's all for now... -Carol