Gaborik the All-Star
by Chris Thompson

Thursday January 30, 2003

The 2003 NHL All-Star game is this weekend in Florida. Wild forward Marian Gaborik is used to attending the event so he can participate in the Young Stars game, but this time he'll be participating in a different capacity.

Gaborik is without a doubt one of the league's brightest up-and-coming stars. His willingness to shoot the puck and ability to actually find it with his shots has vaulted him into the national spotlight. Three hat tricks this season hasn't hurt either! As a result, Gaborik will be a spectator in the Young Stars game, instead participating in the All-Star game itself. Gaborik could also find himself competing in the NHL Skills Competition, the highlight of the weekend for many fans. Gaborik went 4-4 in the accuracy contest during the Wild's recent team Skills Competition, making him a good choice for the event this weekend.

While many people are very excited for Gaborik as he becomes the first player to represent the Wild in an All-Star game, Gaborik seems to be taking it all in stride. Recent comments have suggested he's happy to be going, but is trying not to let it overwhelm him. Instead, he's hoping to play with the league's best players and maybe learna few things while he's there.

Schultz In Young Stars Game

While Gaborik has attracted all the attention for making the big game, quietly Nick Schultz was named to play in this year's Young Stars game. Schultz, the Wild's second round selection in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, joined the Wild last season and has continued to elevate his play into this season. In 45 games this season, he has three goals and five assists to go along with 19 PIM and a +1 rating. Last season he finished at four goals, six assists, 14 PIM and en even +/- rating in 52 games played.

Schultz left the Wild for a couple weeks last season to play on the Canadian World Juniors team. That experience is thought to have done a lot to elevate his play, and probably helped get him into this year's Young Stars Game.

Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard went through the same experience this season, and with his rapidly growing offensive arsenal, it wouldn't be surprising to see him in next year's Young Stars Game at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

GO WILD!