UMD Hockey, J.T. Brown To Be Honored at Vikings Game

In case you're wondering about such things, ice is going in at hockey arenas around the country. Amsoil Arena is no exception. The ice was installed early this week, and the defending national champion UMD Bulldogs open captain's practices Friday at the still-glistening facility.

Meanwhile, the honors and accolades just keep on coming in for the 2011 championship team. The Minnesota Vikings announced Wednesday that the team will be on hand for Thursday's preseason finale at the Metrodome, as the Vikings host the Houston Texans in the final tuneup for the regular season.

Also on Twitter, the Vikings announced that sophomore forward J.T. Brown, the son of former Vikings running back Ted Brown, will sound the Gjallarhorn before the game starts. Vikings fans would know if this is normally done by a guest of the team, because it sounds to me like an honor on par with throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game.

(Too bad Brett Favre isn't still on the team. We could have someone throw a ceremonial First Interception in his honor.)

Anyway, as we get close to a month before the puck drops on the 2011-12 season, it's cool to see last year's awesomeness is still getting recognized. As it should be.