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Bright Times ahead for Marian Gaborik
Written by: Nathan Robinson on 11/01/2001 
Marian Gaborik was drafted third overall in the 2000 entry draft by the Minnesota Wild. So far he hasn't left Wild Management or the coaching staff second guessing their selection of Marian as the teams first ever pick in the NHL's entry draft. Marian had an excellent rookie season in the NHL. He was a co-leader for goals on the Wild with 18 and finishing the season with 36 points which was enough for him to be the leading point-getter on the team. While Marian is still a teenager at age 19 his second year has the beginning looks of a real successful year. He has already managed 12 points in 9 games (4+8=12) which is exactly a third of his totals from his rookie season.
Marian has tremendous speed, linemate Andrew Brunette said "with Marian using his speed, I don't think anybody can catch him, if he can control himself and use his speed in specific times, he'll be really dangerous." Another thing about Marian is his maturity and confidence levels they are pretty impressive for a 19-year-old Brunette said this about Marian "I haven't come acros many 19-year olds who are as mature and confident out there as him. The kid is something else" Jim Dowd another linemate and friend of Gaborik added "He's grown so much even from last year."
Wild Head Coach Jacques Lemaire said this about the 19-year-old Gaborik "I just know that when he's skating out there and making moves and is 100 percent you can see that he is going to be a great player." Marian is also a team player who want's to see the team do well and want's to be apart of the success. Gaborik is still a teenager but, by just looking at his stats you'd think he's been around alot longer but take it from him "I feel like I'm getting stronger every game" Dowd added this to Gaborik's comments "You look at him and see already that he's a great player, and he's only getting better" and that's great news to the team that drafted him 3rd overall in 2000 and to the fans who love to see him play.
Marian's future is extremely bright and we could find out how much he can do in the NHL sooner then we think. Could Marian be the player to lead the Wild to the teams first ever Stanley Cup, Will Marian be the next Petr Bondra, Could Marian be the reciever of many NHL awards time will only tell but, for now lets just enjoy watching Gaborik become all he can become in the greatest league in hockey the NHL.
Copyright 2001 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
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