Years from now, when you look back at Minnesota sports in 2014, what will stand out?
Adrian Peterson’s legal troubles, the Kevin Love trade, the Wild’s playoff run, the hiring of Mike Zimmer, the Dinkytown riots post-Gophers hockey loss … Those stories were hard to miss, but there were less obvious ones that proved to be immensely popular too.
Here’s a look at some of BringMeTheNews’ most-clicked sports stories of 2014.
Jack Jablonski nets celebrity date for his high school prom
#promselfie @Jabs_13 pic.twitter.com/UbX2xgj8L0
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) April 26, 2014
It was a productive year for Jack Jablonski, the former Benilde-St. Margaret’s hockey player who was paralyzed in a hockey accident in 2011. Not only did the young man have his No. 13 retired by the school, he also took ESPN anchor Michelle Beadle to the prom.
10 best Minnesota high school mascots: Did your school make the cut?
Ranking the top 10 Minnesota high school mascots was a hit. Did you school make the cut? Here’s a hint, quite a few of these mascots are mythical creatures.
Ex-Twin’s wife graduates from college, 35 years after she quit to support him
Former Twins star Dan Gladden’s wife, Janice, went back to Augsburg College to finish her degree last spring – 35 years after she walked away from college to help support Dan during his early playing days. Those baseball salaries weren’t quite as high in the 1980s. (Photo by: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Winona basketball player, 13, makes miracle shot – then repeats
A 13-year-old from Winona sank a full-court shot at the buzzer to win his youth basketball game. To prove it wasn’t a fluke, Easton Gamoke recreated the shot while FOX 9’s cameras were rolling.
Double play: Mauer’s twins make Target Field debut
Joe Mauer joined by his wife Maddie & daughters Emily and Maren on the field as he accepted his Silver Slugger Award! pic.twitter.com/nlnwsZGgFh
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 10, 2014
Joe Mauer and his wife had twin baby girls in July of 2013, but they stayed in the minor leagues for a brief stint before making their big-league debut at Target Field in early April. By the way, the little girls combined for only four fewer home runs than Mauer last season.
Report: Peterson likely to be reinstated; could play final 3 games
We had to include an Adrian Peterson story on this list because there were about 5,000 to choose from. Of them all, the report that he would likely be reinstated and possibly play the final three weeks of the season was the most popular. Obviously, that report didn’t come to fruition, as Peterson remains in NFL purgatory. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Wisconsin governor wrote ‘Go Packers’ on steel for Vikings stadium
Scott Walker is his name and governing the state of Wisconsin is his game. Another game he enjoyed playing was a prank on the Vikings, in which he wrote “Go Packers” on a steel beam headed to Minnesota for the new Vikings’ stadium. Dirty move, Cheesehead.
Warroad native Oshie opens up about baby’s birth defect
T.J. Oshie, a Warroad, Minnesota, native and star hockey player for the St. Louis Blues (and Team USA hero at the Sochi Olympics), was dealt a scary hand when his daughter was born with her intestines on the outside of her stomach. After surgery, according to ESPN, his daughter is making a full recovery.
This 2-year-old hockey fan is insane, adorable
The cute little bugger isn’t even a Minnesotan, but because of his awesome reaction after the Pittsburgh Penguins scored a goal, we thought the State of Hockey would enjoy the story. See for yourself:
