Off Season Roundtable Discussion
Goon’s World Season Ending Review:
This is the way I see it as the Sioux ended a week ago Thursday.
Most of us are still smarting from the loss to the Boston College Eagles and now have to process the loss of Matt Smaby and Travis Zajac.
Goon’s Summary of the Fighting Sioux Season:
The Fighting Sioux played 10 freshmen in the line up on a regular basis, although these freshmen are very talented, two of these wonder kids should have still been in high school. So they were very young, super frosh Jonathan Toews and Joe Finley accelerated their studies just to play college hockey for UND and for that Sioux fans are thankful.
Season Ending
If you would have told me that this team was going to the Frozen Four I would have seen your nuts, we are too young. Once the Fighting Sioux got to the Frozen Four I expected them to win it all. So the way the season ended was a nice surprise and not a choke job like some in Minneapolis have suggest, I do think it was a lot opportunity. So for the Gophers fans that have called the Sioux loss in Milwaukee to B.C. Eagles a choke job. I would like to remind those Gopher fans/nay Sayers that at least the Fighting Sioux team didn’t lose to Holy Cross. Ouch.
Off Season Improvements Needed
The Fighting Sioux will need to get another Goaltender either this season or the season after next. If Jordan Parise leaves Fighting Sioux during the off season the Fighting Sioux staff will have to get a goaltender during the summer. I don’t see Parise leaving during the summer but you never know, there is a need for goaltending in the NHL this season. I would like to see the Sioux go after a big shut down goalie like Brian Elliot. You know the type of goalie that is impossible to score on and leads the league in goals against average. DU has had one the year they won their first title in 2004 and Wisconsin had one this year. Although some Sioux fans are going to be upset with me I could see another situation that happened in 2001 when the Sioux had goaltending issues with Andy Kohler. They didn’t really bring in a tested goalie and when Andy faltered they ended up using Brandt and when Brandt was average Blais coaxed a kid to come in during the Chirstmas Break to play for the Fighting Sioux. Josh Siembida ended up leaving the team because his scholarship was pulled and ended up stuck on the bench in Quinnipiac University. Some are going to ask me why I feel this way. I am sure Philippe Lamoureux is a nice kid but I don’t have a lot of confidence in his abilities. I don’t see him being the shut down goalie that UND needs to win a national title. Jordan Parise is.
Early Defections to the NHL/Pros
This is what UND Fighting Sioux have lost so far during the off season, they will probably lose at least one more player but you never know.
Gone
Travis Zajac ends his 2 year career with 38 goals and 48 assists for 86 points in 91 games. In my opinion are pretty impressive numbers.
Matt Smaby played in 129 games over three seasons for UND, scoring six goals and recording 23 assists for 29 points. He had a career-best 19 points (four goals, 15 assists)
this past season. Smaby’s psychical part of his game will be missed the most the kid is a monster.
All but Gone
Although its not a done deal I do expect Drew Stafford to be gone after the season is over. The Sabres are going to try and entice him with a lofty signing bonus, I don’t know about you bit if someone dangled 450,000.00 in front of me with the prospect of making at least 70,000 a year you would take the money too. So Sioux fans can accept the fact that Drew is already gone. Sounds like a clip from Band of Brothers. When captain Spears told Private Bly he should except the fact that he was already dead.
Goon’s Go to Guys Next Season.
Even with the early defections the Fighting Sioux hockey team should be a powerhouse in the WCHA next season. The opposition has seen a glimpse of the future and the potential the Fighting Sioux have. Opposing coaches should prepare to lose. The Fighting Sioux are loaded with talent and have a pretty good class coming in next season, most of us hope that Darcy Zajac is half as good as his brother Travis. I expect Jonathan Toews, TJ Oshie to have huge seasons next years possibly one or both players getting 50-60 points season. Oshie could break the 40 goal mark with Toews right behind him. Kessel who? Ryan Duncan is a small player that plays with a big heart, on most teams he would be the top scorer, next season he is probably third or fourth. Most of us won’t complain. Andrew Kozek is going to be a scoring threat/machine and he will score from anywhere the kid has an amazing wrist shot that is wicked.
Go to Guys
As I wrote in a Goon’s World Exclusive earlier this spring the success of the Fighting Sioux hockey team lies with it star goaltender Jordan Parise with Phil on the bench with a clip board in his hands. As I said earlier Jordan Parise is the man and he must bounce back from the debacle that was in the Semis at the Frozen Four. The defense must shut down teams high-flying offensive teams like the Boston College Eagles and keep the puck to the outside. Smash everything in site. Joe Finely is that guy. The kid is the next monster to patrol the blue line.
Expectations are High for Next Season
Next season the expectations are going to be high for the Fighting Sioux hockey team and with all of our talent will probably be one of the best teams in years to skate out onto the ice at the REA. The saying Expect to Win should be the slogan of the Fighting Sioux hockey team. The fans are not going accept anything other than a national championship banner.
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