Mogilny’s absence a hot topic on Hockey Hall of Fame weekend

“But before I was interviewed, I was told John had already withdrawn. That’s when I went in the room and found out eight of the 10 people on the committee were from Minnesota. I kind of knew then I wasn’t going to get this job.” Brooks was born in St. Paul and coached the University of Minnesota Gophers. “But Minnesota, Michigan, Massachusetts, didn’t matter. They certainly made the right decision in picking Brooks. I don’t think anyone could have done the complete turnaround of what he did as coach in 1980.” Is national team veteran Joe Thornton in line to coach Canada’s Spengler Cup team in Davos, Switzerland in December? His wife Tabsa is Swiss, Jumbo Joe met her in Davos while playing there in the 2004 lockout, so people are connecting the dots. The family will be visiting the area during the Christmas holidays. “I don’t know, I’m more about skiing when I’m on vacation,” Thornton teased. “I might go and see the boys play, check out a game. But if they really want me, I’ll be on the Swiss Alps.” Lhornby@postmedia.com X: @sunhornby