Condolences to the Schultz family; Foster update; etc.
Posted on September 10th, 2008 – 2:25 PMBy Michael Russo
I’ve been waiting for a week to post because I wanted to talk to Nick Schultz first, but heartfelt condolences go out to Nick, his mother, Carol, brothers Kris and Terrence and the rest of the Schultz family for the passing of Nick’s dad, Robert Schultz, who died Sept. 1 at the age of 60 in his hometown of Strasbourg, Saskatchewan.
“Way too young,” Nick said this morning.
But Schultz, who was back on the ice at the St. Louis Park Rec Center, said it felt great to “be back at it. That’s what my dad would want.”
Robert was a very nice man, always smiling anytime I saw him and very proud of his three boys. One of the most enjoyable stories I’ve written in my career came two seasons ago during the father-son trip to California. I did a roundtable interview in Huntington Beach with Nick’s father, and the dads of Wes Walz, Mark Parrish, Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Kurtis Foster. It was terrific fun. Tons of laughs, and the hardest part of that story was trimming it enough to fit in the newspaper.
Later that day, I accompanied the dads and sons to Universal Studios and I remember telling Nick how much fun his father had talking about him.
– I also went down to Parade Ice Garden this morning to watch Kurtis Foster skate for the second straight day. He skated for 30 minutes and felt a lot more comfortable on his healing leg. He was able to shoot in stride this morning.
Couple tidbits: He’s asked the Wild if he can accompany the team to Grand Forks for the first four days of training camp so he can work with the strength coaches and “feel part of the team.” He’s also seen a sports psychologist to help with the mental side of returning from such a serious injury.
– I talked to Jacques Lemaire yesterday at his home in Florida. I thought you’d get a kick out of this, but he drove his boat, “the Trap,” up to St. Pete a few days ago. Because of all the storm activity, he had to ride through five-foot waves.
“Oh my Lord, that was an adventure,” Lemaire said.
– I talked to John Vollan, Mark Parrish’s agent. He says there’s a good chance Parrish still won’t have a job when NHL training camps begin next week. When Parrish was bought out in late July, most team’s rosters were set. They are banking on the possibility that some kids won’t pan out, and thus, jobs will open. He said Europe is a “last resort.”
– The Wild’s prospect tournament in Traverse City with Columbus, Dallas, St. Louis, Atlanta, Detroit, the Rangers and Tampa Bay runs Sept. 13-17. If you have NHL Network, eight games will be televised with a day’s delay. Here’s the NHL Network schedule as forwarded to me by the NHL:
Sunday, September 14
8:00 PM ET - Thrashers vs. Lightning
10:00 PM ET - Stars vs. Blues
Monday, September 15
8:00 PM ET - Wild vs. Blues
10:00 PM ET - Stars vs. Blue Jackets
Wednesday, September 17
8:00 PM ET - Rangers vs. Lightning
10:00 PM ET - Red Wings vs. Thrashers
Thursday, September 18
8:00 PM ET - Third Place Game
10:00 PM ET - Championship Game
77 Responses to "Condolences to the Schultz family; Foster update; etc."
That’s so sad, poor Schultzie. Give him a big hug for me Russo.
It’s good that Foster is doing so well. It’s so good to hear about him getting out on the ice.
Keep the info coming Russo, even the little tid bit’s are all we’ve got till training starts. Some of us (me) are going crazy waiting for the season.
So sorry about Nick’s dad. That is much too young.
His boat is really named the Trap? Heh. I guess you name it after what pays for it, eh?
Great news on Fozzie. And I was just wondering at the mental aspect yesterday. I can only imagine there would be considerable hesitation about physical play, esp near the boards. Yeesh.
Funny dream BG…
Condolences, Nick.
I can’t imagine what will be going through Fozzie’s head the first time he chases down a puck trying to avoid icing.
By the way, Project Runway is on right now. And I’m glad you liked the dream, I’ve had some weird ones, like the reoccurring one of Shepp and Darby picking me up and driving me to work because my car died on the side of the road.
Best wishes to Nick. Many of us know (unfortunately) how that feels.
Russo: Can you get us a picture of “the Trap”?
The schultz family are class act. Sorry for the lost nick and family.
Im surprised lemaires boat is not called the Skoula.
Condolences to the Shultz family.
If Lemaire’s boat were named Skoula, it’d probably sink completely on a perfect, sunny, calm day in 6 inches of water…
Just out of curiosity, any indication of how big ‘The Trap’ is?
Oh such sad news for the Schultz family. My heart goes out to him and his family.
I enjoyed that father article along with the Mother’s Day article on NIck and his mother. I feel with these stories we have gotten to know Nick and the Schultz family better. They will be in our prayers.
Sorry for Schutlz loss 60 is way to young
Good to hear Foster skating again,hopefully he will be able to overcome any of the mental hangover of the injury
No if it was named after Marty it would stop working and then say there is no problem or sputter on half the cylinders
Is it strange or a concern to anyone that with a week and half to training camp, JL is still in Florida? Reading some of the other beat writers’ blogs, most of the head coaches and assistant coaches have been back to work for a couple of weeks now, strategizing and putting together plans for training camp and the upcoming season.
Is this a sign that JL will let the offense run amok? Or am I worrying about nothing?
sunshine: If you are the NHL’s senior-tenured head coach, and every player in the entire league knows what he is going to expect from him when camp opens, wouldn’t YOU spend a few extra days away from the job?
You are worrying about nothing, sunshine. Indeed, you are.
Single Game Ticket day for ALL NHL teams: 10 Days away!! (Some have already started, but the rest have to be that date)…
FWIW: I met some of Schultz’s Strasbourg neighbors last March at the Saddledome. The family was spoken about in only the most glowing terms. Not one bad utterance about any of them.
That speaks volumes. And yes, 60 is WAY-Y-Y too early to leave the arena of life.
Good for Kurtis Foster that he wants to accompany the team to Grand Forks. That will help immensely with the mental aspects of his recovery, maybe even more so than the physical aspects. We all know so much of the pro game is mental. Good that Foster knows it, too.
Just think if JL’s boat was named the ‘Skoula’…instant hurricane magnet…of course, those would blow by Skoula like the opponents do! 
Please forgive my ignorance, I am a bit new to the Wild and Hockey in general, but why is Skoula so hated? Can you please give me a recap - or at least some brief lowlights? It would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Alright…alright…alright. Thanks for bringing me back to earth. 
When you talk about senior, you are talking about age right?
I thought Lindy Ruff and Barry Trotz were only slightly ahead of Jacques on the current “Longest Tenured Coach” list.
And my condolences to the Schultz family as well. I’d consider it a blessing that Nick’s Father was able to spend time with his grandson.
JMP,
I like to use YouTube clips to make my points sometimes. This sums up Martin Skoula.
JMP: I call your attention to the game where Gaborik scored 5 goals vs. the NY Rangers last December. Skoula made a monumental mental gaffe, stumbled over the puck IN FRONT OF HIS OWN GOAL and watched helplessly as the Rangers scored. Some of us call Skoula the ‘Human Pylon’ because of his ‘go around me, I won’t hit you’ attitude near his own net. His ‘brain cramps’ are the stuff of Wild legend. In 2006, he single-handedly cost the Wild a playoff spot with an ill-timed turnover vs. Dallas.
Watch some Wild games. You’ll see what we mean…
Lapper: Not overall. JL has coached longer than either ‘Uncle Fester’ Trotz or Lindy Ruff, albeit not all at the same location.
God Bless, Schultz family. . .
Mostly what I get a kick out of is that after all the defending of Lemaire as “everybody does it”, he goes and names his boat “The Trap”. If you don’t name your boat after your wife or daughter, then you name it after how you made your pile of dough to buy it with. . . .
My condolences to the Schultz family as well. That’s so sad to lose your father at only 60 years old and to come back to play hockey just weeks later… I couldn’t imagine having to go through that.
Oh and on Lemaire, I’m not worried one bit about what time he gets in to MN. I bet while he was living in FL his mind was mostly on hockey and the million different line combos he could use this upcoming season. No need to worry about Jacques friends.
More Skoula
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyGZbidauDk
Every team has to have a player everyone hates, though, right? If it isn’t Skoula it will just be someone else. So it might as well be Skoula.
[…] (more…) […]
May the light protect him, and the powers of the heavens shine upon his path. My condolences.
Schultz Family 55: We’re with you guys, we love you, and thanks for sending us a quality man and darned good defenseman. You literally have a Team of 18,000 supporting you!
My best in Christ to you.
lemaire can show up from his vacation on home opener and the players already know the plan. Same crap year after year boys-get out there and dump.
Lucky-
Thank you for that video clip. I had a craptastically crappy day at work. That made everything right in the world again.
Well done.
JMP…
You don’t know why everyone hates Skoula? Did you just move to MN? Have you ever sat in the crowd at the X, and every time there is a rush and Skou-dog is on the ice, the fans go get a hot dog, since there is going to be a break in the action.
Worst +/- on the team (not that that is a great stat). He has no ability to hit (he is a sissy), he has no ability to shoot, he can’t make the outlet pass, he can’t even skate.
I could go on for pages and pages on the reasons to hate Skoula. The thing I could say that might make it clear, but maybe not… he’s worse than Kuba.
I guess for the players there is comfort in knowing what to expect from Lemaire. There is a sense of continuity with Lemaire, Rammer, and Tremblay at the helm even with 9 new players. I excluded Pouliot from the new player category.
I have to say that I would feel a lot more uneasiness about this year if we had a new coach. Life will get back to normal once the Gaborik situation is resolved either via extension or trade.
Hmm. So I’m playing the NHL09 demo and my performance could be best described as “Drunken Zetterberg”… It’s fun though. I have a feeling I know how the hurricane weekend is gonna be spent. Told DH we should get a generator to keep the Xbox and Wii running. Priorities.
ms. conduct:
Shipley is reporting that Scott, Clutterbuck, and Olvecky are all skating at SLP Rec in preparation for training camp. The guys in the background of Foster are some of the prospects playing in the Traverse City Tournament.
Background, I mean in the pictures posted by Wild.com.
I’m not gonna read anything into this:
“Also at the Rec Center was defenseman John Scott, who did not join fellow Wild minor leaguers at Parade Ice Garden in Minneapolis on Wednesday. Those present included Danny Irmen, Cal Clutterbuck and Peter Olvecky.”
Does that mean Scotty was skating with the big boys instead of the kids? What’s up with that? Oh, right. I wasn’t gonna read anything into that.
I took it as the other guys are prepping for Traverse City because Scott, Irmen, and others are not part of the team. Though that doesn’t quite make sense since Clutterbuck is part of the prospect team.
Except for Clutterbuck, the other guys are not on the prospect team.
Yeah. I think the FO still has a hard on for Scotty. Keep hoping he’ll turn into Chara.
They will let him go next year to bring in Falk, Iloven, and other undrafted free agents. The Wild might think Falk needs another year in juniors before making the jump even though he is eligible this year.
From that article, Gabby, Sheppard, and Bruno are getting a taste of what life will be like playing together without thinking too much defense yet. That in itself was worthy news.
Yeah, he’s a UFA after this season. Goner. Falk will replace him as the new pylon pretty well.
Isn’t that SLP skate put on by a rep agency? Could it be that the ones skating with ‘the big boys’ are rep-ed by that agency and those skating at parade are not?
Condolences to Nick and family.
Michael - thanks for the information and your tribute.
So very sad about Mr. Schultz. You can tell a lot about a person by what they leave behind. He seems to have been a very good man.
JMP…Marty is frustrating. He’s won a cup. When that happened, he was Good Colorado Marty. In Dallas, he was Serviceable Marty. Here, he has been Bad Marty, Ok Marty, Serviceable Marty and So Bad He’s Making Popcorn Marty.
What is especially frustrating is that he truly believes he is an elite player. And to top it off, he has pictures of JL in compromising positions.
How else do you explain his minutes???
On another sad note, the Russoville house band (Full Circle) is calling it quits at the end of the year.
There are 6 more dates on the calendar. Two of note for Russoville…this Friday at Diamonds in Ramsey (hear that WRT?) and October 3rd at The Blue Fox.
Better catch us while you can…
**sniff** KJ that’s sad. Now who are we going to get to “play” Russoville events. Although I know from a guy I used to work with before I was laid off that a lot of bands are folding (his did). Either because of the age of the band members. Or they are just not getting enough gigs to make it worthwhile. Good luck with your future musical endevors.
How many more days till training camp starts? Where’s my calendar so I can do some counting?
Well, I’m finally acting like there’s something coming besides hockey season. Bought water, gassed up the car, got food we can cook if we only have gas. I figure if it gets too bad, we’ll head out after the storm, but not before. Never again. Aaron, I hope you’re on high (relatively) ground and stay safe.
Training camp starts on the 20th. If we don’t hear news on Gabby by Sunday or Monday, expect the trade rumors to ramp up. With Lynn out there now to try and “push things forward”, he probably already knows whether Gabby wants to resign or not. While negotiations are called “tricky”, the communication has been going for a while now and if Lynn doesn’t have things wrapped up by the end of the weekend with a signing, I could see #10 being moved by the end of next week, prior to the start of camp. Here’s hoping that Lynn can suade Gabby to sign a 6-yr, $52.5 million extension.
Buddha,
Actually, I’ve been in MN for a bit, but I spent most of my life in NM (not so big on hockey there) and just discovered the Wild last year. Also, I have never been to a hockey game at the X or anywhere else. I decided to pay more attention to hockey this year (my first full season) as I enjoyed last year so much. I just wanted to make sure I had the right amount of hate for the right player. 
Everyone,
Thank you very much for all the info on Skoula. I can now be properly upset every time he’s on the ice. Thanks!
Aarons on his way here soon MsC, remember the wedding talk, so he should be fine. You keep yourself dry and safe. I hope you got all your limes picked.
JMP welcome to the asylum.
Oh, that’s right. Good for him. Great weekend to get the hell out and get married on the North Shore, whatever that is.
the North Shore, whatever that is
it is something you need to see to understand.
those of us that live close to it, take it for granted, i think.
lots of news to bring one’s dobber down in here. Lynn could fix that right quick…
It’s the land that is North of the water. Duh!
If you look at a MN map, the North Shore is the area which stretches from Duluth to Canada along Lake Superior.
If it’s worth getting married at, it must be nice. What is it the north shore of?
Word. I was just thinking, “Man, some good news about Gabby would be nice.” On top of 9/11 and then Ike bearing down on us and me having to lie to my mama about evacuating to Austin (and then calling her from my cell phone later to lie that I’m IN Austin), I’m feeling pretty low today. Don’t like lying to my mama, but she gets hysterical with worry and my poor dad has to put up with her, so really I’m doing it for him.
Octagon practices are open to any and all NHLers in MN, not just to the players that they represent. Last year, Russo said that they invited Jake Gardiner to practice with the NHLers.
ms. conduct, are there many folks evacuating from Houston?
Ah, thanks Goody. I figured. That’s a rather large area, eh?
I really don’t know Sunshine, though the roads seem fairly clear out of town. Obviously the coastal areas have mandatory evacs going on and voluntary for my county and two others. But it seems for the most part, they’re saying that unless you’re threatened by the storm surge, to just stay put and keep the roads from clogging so the people truly in danger can get out of town without a Rita-like situation. And I totally respect that because Rita evac was the worst experience of my life.
Yes, it is rather long, but really doesn’t extend inland so…
There are lots of small towns along hwy 61 with small town type restaurants and gift shops and such. Also lots of resorts, campgrounds, parks, etc. The scenery is also quite nice. I’d guess it looks kind of similar to the Pacific Northwest (without the rain), rocky, tree-ey, watery - though I’ve never seen the Pacific Northwest so…
MsC. for your viewing pleasure, some sites about the North Shore of Lake Superior….
http://www.northshorevisitor.com/
Enjoy! North Shore is my absolute favorite vacation spot. If we could both find jobs there, I think the Mr and I would move to the Duluth/Two Harbors area.
Pretty! Wish I had a reason to go to Minny in the summer since that sounds like the time to enjoy it. But if I’m going up there, it’s for hockey.
Have we signed Gabby yet?
Ms. C. and all Houston folks- be careful with Ike…
As for the North Shore. It is stunningly beautiful. Winter or summer, each season brings its own flavor - though the parks are generally closed in the winter. At least the buildings are.
For a taste…
And there is hockey in Duluth… so you could justify the trip there too. Quick trip up the highway and back. Lighthouses, natural beauty, and hockey… perfect trip.
Its disheartening to hear that the Hurricanes have signed Eric Staal to a long-term deal — maybe $56 million over 7 years. And yet, we get nothing from Gabby.
$8 million for Eric Staal! That is just jacking up the price for Gabby.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=249130&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl
Well, I kinda meant Wild hockey. But that does look gorgeous. Wish I were there now. *sigh* Can you get to Traverse City from there? 
For what it’s worth, Goody, I have also heard the North Shore compared to Maine (without the smell of the salt water) given the rocky shoreline, lighthouses, etc.
So, now Rudalov wants to come back. I say no. Nope. Stay over there and rot. This isn’t a game, and this guy needs to made an example of. If they do allow him back, they should suspend him for the year, and tell him that if he goes back to Europe during the suspension, it’s a lifetime ban.
Traverse is also picturesque (spent some time there this summer), but it’s a haul from Minny through the U.P. Long drive. Think cherry orchards, vineyards, and Lake Michigan. Wish I knew about the hockey camp…I would have postponed the trip until now.
Traverse City would be a really long bridge… but yeah…
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Duluth&1s=MN&2c=Traverse+City&2s=MI
520 miles from Duluth. 616 from Saint Paul.
NHL 09 BYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH
Uh…is that a recommendation for NHL 09? Is it a big upgrade from ‘08?
Sunshine: I’d like to point out that Staal plays center, a more important position than wing, and has more 100-point seasons (1) and Cups (1) than Gaborik, and is younger, so it’s not pushing up Gaborik’s price.
However… $8M? Really? While he’s a fine player, that’s a bit much.
Anyone else think we’re heading for another lockout? Owners are throwing around money same as before.
LOL I was wondering. I’m heading out in a minute to buy NHL 09 360 and NHL 2k9 Wii. That should keep us entertained.
Hmm, TC is a haul. Oh well. It’s on tv. That’ll do. Hope we make it into the top 4 though I’m gonna assume we’re not. I don’t have much faith in these baby goalies outside of Dimples.
MsC. from the town of Grand Marais you can access the Gunflint Trail that goes up into the Boundry Waters Canoe Area. Lots of old style Lodges and rentable cabins and outfitters. Favorite place is this one…
http://www.rockwoodbwca.com/index.htm
The owners are really nice people, the cabins are rustic but comfy and the views off the docks make you never want to leave.
KiPA: I would doubt we’ll see a lockout now that a Cap is in place. Owners have the ability to spend the same amount of money, whether they choose to throw most of it at 3 or 4 players or spread it around more evenly throughout the roster. Whether or not an owner “overpays” for a player now doesn’t change the fact that a Cap is in place. No longer can teams like the Rangers, etc, have a payroll of say, $70 while other teams are spending $25-$35 million. The Cap, obviously, prevents that.
Oh BG, my DH would LOOOOVE that. In fact he really might not leave, given his current state of burn-out.
Thanks BG, but it looks like another musical opportunity will take it’s place.
More on that later.
For now, come see what you’ve been missing before you completely miss out!
Gaborik will not re-sign. You heard it here first. (but ask Green*…I am a glass-half-empty kind of guy).
kj, have you ‘forseen’ Gaborik not re-signing?
Red Wings are supposedly in talks to re-sign Zetterberg as well, making it a priority. All very interesting. Number of teams able to take Gaborik decreases with number of teams signing players to long-term deals. It also makes CBA negotiations interesting. Do owners still think they have cost certainty? What if people stop buying tickets and they are stuck with these huge long-term contracts?
i challenge anyone in the state of Minnesota to play me in nhl09 in 2 weeks time.
or in the greater norther union for that matter
