Why Not T.J. Oshie for POY?

Brad Elliott Schlossman is taking a little heat for his selection of T.J. Oshie for player of the year in the WCHA. To call Brad biased or a homer is silly, Brad is paid to cover hockey for the Grand Forks Herald which is stationed in Grand Forks, ND. For the people that are geographically challenged that is also home to the Fighting Sioux.

This is Brad's answer: I went with Oshie because I believe he's the best player in the league. He's physical, he's a menace forechecking, he's extremely skilled and he does a ton for the team. He's also got good numbers to go with it.

And explain which Sioux players you don't believe to be deserving on the first or second team.

Posted by: Schlossman on Monday, March 10 1:16 PM

I like what Brad says here. it is a good question; why not pick T.J. Oshie for player of the year in the WCHA? T.J. Oshie brings it every night. I have watched him play for three seasons and T.J. Oshie is a special player that I have never seen take a shit off. First down the ice with the puck, first back in the defensive zone to back check. While Oshie is a a great offensive player, what makes him special is his ability to play in both ends of the rink, because of that fact I would take Oshie over Ryan Lasch any day.

In my humble opinion T.J. is a complete player that happens to be the hammer more than he is the nail. T.J. Oshies doesn't skate around the opposition he tries to go through the opposing players.

Sioux fans enjoy him while we can because he will be playing in the NHL very soon. I can't wait to see him in the NHL where there isn't as much hooking and holding.

The fall out of the Kyle Okposo defection

I have been following this story on the internet for the last couple of day and I am wondering if the wheels aren't coming off in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This is an ugly incident that just isn’t going to go away any time soon. Kyle Okposo the Islander’s number one draft picks leaves college to sign a professional contract with the Islanders. Don Lucia takes issues with Kyle signing a professional contract in the middle of his sophomore season and calls the New York Islanders out. Garth Snow not to be out done, shoots back with accusations about the Gophers not being good for Kyle’s development.

There seems to be a developing on going story line in Minnesota. It’s like an on going soap opera that just keeps getting more interesting. (1st) the Gophers lose the Regional game against Holy Cross during the 2005-2006 season. (2nd) Then during the off season the Gophers lose Phil Kessel after playing just one season to the Boston Bruins who drafted him 5th over all in the first round, (3rd) this past summer the Gophers three more underclassmen, two players to the NHL/AHL (Alex Goligoski and Eric Johnson) and also one player to Major Juniors (Jim O’brien). Now the Gophers lose a player only after 1 ½ years. One has to ask what the heck in going on at Minnesota?
What a horrible way to end the first half of the season, and Minus Okposo, I just don’t see it getting any better for the Gophers in the second half, even with the return of Mike Jersey Pop Carmin.

Here is what Garth Snow had to say about Kyle Okposo's development at the University of Minnesota and more specifically about Coach Don Lucia. It isn't very flattering. This is a train wreck folks.

New York Islanders General Manager Garth Snow on Thursday criticized Don Lucia's coaching, saying that was the reason sophomore Kyle Okposo is leaving the Gophers hockey program and negotiating a contract with the Islanders.

"Quite frankly, we weren't happy with the program there," Snow said in a telephone interview. "They have a responsibility to coach, to make Kyle a better player, and they were not doing that."

Asked for specifics, Snow said, "[Okposo] just wasn't getting better -- bottom line. And to me, that's the frustrating part. We entrusted the coach there to turn him into a better hockey player, and it wasn't happening. We feel more comfortable in him developing right under our watch."

Here is what Lucia had to say.

Notified of Snow's comments Thursday, Lucia e-mailed the Star Tribune via the University's sports information department.

"I am proud of all the success of our program," the coach's statement read. "I believe our staff does an excellent job of developing our players on and off the ice.

"We have had numerous players sign and play in the NHL, but just as important many more move on to have successful careers after graduating from the University of Minnesota. We have always and will continue to work to ensure our players reach their potential on the ice and in the classroom."

Links to the Story

Lucia and Snow Star and Tribune article.

Prospect Okposo ready to join Islanders from TSN.

Grand Forks Herald beat writer check in with this blog

Okposo Opts Out, Signs With Isles

The Universal Cynic: Ben Blood: Potential marketing bonanza

Here is an interesting perspective on UND recruit Ben Blood who was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round, 120 overall. It appears that the Senators are looking for a big tough rugged defenseman to counter big tough teams like the Ducks:

The Universal Cynic: Ben Blood: Potential marketing bonanza

Brian Murray wants the Sens to be tougher, so how can you go wrong with a kid with a moniker straight out of a B-movie slasher flick?

In the fourth round of the '07 Entry Draft, newly minted GM Bryan Murray and his think tank took Ben Blood -- a 6'3", 212 lb. left-handed defenseman originally from Shattuck St. Mary's, however, Blood was recruited by the University of North Dakota late last year. The blueliner could join the Fighting Sioux as early as September, which means he would be playing alongside '05 first round pick Brian Lee (assuming Lee stays in school).

Brian Lee has been knocked in the past for his soft play, but it doesn't look like that will be an issue for Blood -- he comes with a physical game and an offensive presence. Ben played in 63 games in 2006-07 for Shattuck St. Mary's, finishing with 36 points (11 G, 23 A) and 144 PIM (he had only 32 in 2005-'06).

Badgers Recruit Kyle Turris

I found this clip on-line, another great BCHL player that will be playing in the WCHA. This is the prized recruit Wisconsin picked up in the past season that will be playing for the Badgers in fall of 2007. This kid is going to be a dandy player. I predict he will be in Wisconsin two season max.

Silly Season

This time of season there is a lot of rumors floating around the Internet, a lot of them are down right silly or ridiculous so I refer to this time of year as the silly season, when people have too much time on their hands so they spend it scanning the Internet for rumors and innuendo. The one that a few have put out there is that Oshie will change his mind and go pro since Jonathan Toews signed with Chicago Black Hawks. Right, that is what I call a case of huge wishfull thinking by mostly Gopher fans who know that it's only a matter of time before Kyle Okoposo signs with the Islanders, that leaves some huge holes in the Gophers line up. Sioux don't worry it's not going to happen Sioux fans.

Another rumor I read was that Jason Gregoire has changed his mind and decided to go to UND instead of UND. There are some that have suggested that Hakstol was actively recruiting a player after he had verbally committed to another team. I doubt Hakstol would resort to a bush league tactic such as that. Even if he did it would eventually come back to haunt him.