Samberg cashes in, but the big money may still be ahead
This isn’t the final payday — it’s the one that tees up the monster deal. And if he keeps trending up, someone’s going to open the vault.
Sports
K.J. Felder Jr. might just have one of the biggest hearts in Duluth
“Oh, my biggest strength is my speed. Knowing how to hit gaps, vision, and just being a playmaker. Being a dog. My size doesn’t stop me from doing anything.” -- K.J. Felder Jr.
Golf Notebook: Mellin wins Arrowhead; Chamber, Enger Park events
The event marked the 99th running of the Arrowhead, widely regarded as the region’s signature amateur match-play tournament. Ridgeview’s firm greens and classic layout again proved a worthy stage, offering players a stern test over three days of competition.
Howie: Wild facing a tipping point next season
Now it’s about whether this roster — a blend of hungry youth and hardened leaders — can break through the ceiling that’s held the franchise in place for nearly a decade. If they do, Kaprizov stays. If they don’t, buckle up.
Howie: An open letter to Justin Jefferson; Lake Superior Fishing Report
The Wilfs — and let’s just call it like it is — chose not to invest in your prime. They picked the cheaper path, then wrapped it in branding and buzzwords and Kevin O’Connell’s “quarterback lab” fantasy. You’re now the face of a franchise that seems more focused on optics than outcome.
Howie: The quiet collapse of the Vikings brand — and the question every fan should be asking
Are the Wilfs actually in this to win? Because if you strip away the branding, the marketing jargon, and the empty optimism, the facts paint a troubling picture: the ownership group is acting like financial strategists, not football visionaries.
UMD men's hockey freshmen earn NCHC academic honors
A total of 11 University of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey newcomers, including 10 freshmen, were named to the 2024-25 NCHC Academic All-Conference Team. Eight freshmen also earned the NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete designation. The honorees include Callum Arnott, Blake Bechen, Harper Bentz, Adam Gajan, Ty Hanson, Adam Kleber, Max Plante,
UMD to induct nine new members into Athletic Hall of Fame
UMD’s Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1991 and inducted its first class on Sept. 20, 1991, marking 61 years since the university’s first varsity athletic contest. With this year’s inductees, the Hall of Fame will grow to 151 members across 21 sports.
10 Things I’m Watching in Vikings Training Camp
EAGAN — You can slap a fresh coat of purple optimism on it, you can flood the team site with highlight reels and slo-mo cutups of third-stringers catching wobblers in shorts, but make no mistake — this Vikings camp ain’t a reload. It’s a teardown in denial. And the folks
Howie: Jim Malosky wouldn’t recognize today’s game — but lord knows it still needs him
Maybe he would’ve learned to explain the why. Maybe not. But I know this: he would’ve still found a way to win. Because tough coaching still has its place, and young men still want to be challenged, led, and held to a standard.
Dylan Samberg’s next contract will be a big one — and deservedly so
Advanced metrics tell the story loud and clear. Samberg ranked among the Jets’ leaders in defensive-zone starts, shot suppression, and expected goals against per 60 minutes at even strength. In simpler terms: when Samberg was on the ice, the puck didn’t go in the Jets’ net.
Enger Park’s junior golf revival is pure Duluth
"And now, through our partnership with First Tee of Minnesota, we can improve upon the Junior Golf legacy that was built by PGA Professional Paul Schintz here at Enger Park. We look forward to bringing kids into this game that will last a lifetime." -- Enger Park Golf General Manager Craig Smith
Howie: McCarthy starts, wallet stays shut — welcome to the new Vikings
But let’s not pretend McCarthy walked into this job. The Vikings didn’t sign a bridge quarterback to block him — they didn’t even really try. They rolled the dice on him winning the job by default, not dominance. And in 2025, that might be enough.
Bulldogs built for a bounce-back season, but Gajan and the Plantes must lead the way
After three uncharacteristically sub-par seasons, Minnesota Duluth loads up with elite goaltending, blueline talent and NHL-aspiring lineup for a return to NCHC contention.
Bulldogs Men's Hockey: Grayden Siepmann en route to Duluth — and on his way to the NHL
This is one of the biggest blue-line additions for the Bulldogs in recent memory. Not just because of what Siepmann is today — but because of what he could become by next spring.