from today's Star Tribune Stars sign ex-Gophers goalie Stolp Former Gophers goalie Jeff Stolp signed a contract with the North Stars on Monday. Terms were not disclosed. The 6-foot, 180-pound Nashwauk native was the WCHA's top goaltender the past two seasons. Last season, he led the WCHA with a 26-9-0 record and a 2.91 goals-against average. He was the North Stars' fourth-round pick in the 1988 NHL entry draft. Also, from Sid Hartman's column in the same paper: Gophers assistant hockey coach Bill Butters was interested in the North Stars assistant coaching job but apparently didn't have the experience Gainey was looking for. We've certainly had lots of rumors around here this summer about Butters looking for other work! We've had him interested in the White Bear HS (his alma mater, and his son's team) job, the Bethel College (Div III) job, and now an NHL assistant job. Must be contract time or something! The other news from around here is that Woog said in the paper this weekend that the New Mariucci Arena construction is AHEAD of schedule! I haven't been over to the Mpls campus to see it in a couple weeks, but it is certainly past the "hole-in-the-ground" stage. I was pleased to notice that the sign at the construction site calls it "New Mariucci Arena". Pam Sweeney Go Gophers!!!