Paul Ladue CCM Defensive Player of the Week

USHL Photo

Former Grand Forks Central Knight's Star Paul Ladue is the USHL's CCM Defensive Player of the Week.

USHL.COM --- Paul Ladue recorded six points (1g, 5a) and a plus-four rating to help the Stars win all four of their games during the week and take over the top spot in the Western Conference standings. He assisted on the game-winning goal in three straight games – Tuesday’s 6-2 win vs. Sioux City, Friday’s 3-2 win over Sioux Falls, and again during Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Omaha. The 19-year-old then was the hero on Sunday as he scored the game-winning goal with just four seconds remaining in the third period to give the Stars a 6-5 victory over Tri-City. Ladue, a native of Grand Forks, North Dakota, is second among USHL defensemen with 10 points (2g, 8a) and is tied for third overall in the League with a plus-nine rating.

Edit: Tuesday Links...

Image via WikipediaSounds like UND and Wisconsin are going to continue to play after the move to their new leagues. This is good news because the Sioux and Badgers rivalry is one of the best in college hockey.

Andy Baggot; Madison.COM --- The Fighting Sioux don't play here in 2012-13 and the schools head in different realignment directions in 2013-14. UW will make its home in the new Big Ten Conference and North Dakota will take up residence in the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

UW coach Mike Eaves said non-conference scheduling parameters are still being drawn up for the new Big Ten, so any non-conference discussions are on hold.

But there have already been discussions between the schools about committing to a series every year when the new leagues debut. That's how much the rivalry means to those involved.

The Windsor Spitfires of the OHL are hot on tail of highly coveted Fighting Sioux recruit Jordan Schmaltz. The Spitfires management and their head coach have not been shy in their pursuit of Schmaltz either. To be honest with you I am sick and tired of the OHL/CHL going after recruits that are already committed to college hockey programs, but there is nothing that the NCAA teams can do because Fighting Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol can't even comment on Jordan Schmaltz until he signs a letter of intent to go to UND. Personally, I wish the NCAA change their rules and allow a CHL player to play in the NCAA and then maybe the NCAA could give them a piece of their own medicine.

Jim Parker, The Windsor Star --- For two years, the Spitfires have had their overtures rebuffed by Schmaltz and his family, who have son Nick Schmaltz eligible for the 2012 OHL Draft.

“It hasn’t been as pleasant as I had expected,” Spitfires general manager Warren Rychel said. “I think he’s making a mistake in not exploring his options.”

At this point, the 18-year-old Schmaltz is playing his third season in the United States Hockey League with the Sioux City Musketeers in Iowa.

Next year, he’s scheduled to attend North Dakota University on a full-ride scholarship, but the Spitfires believe professional hockey will come calling long before he gets his degree.

“He won’t play four years of college hockey,” Rychel said.

Chris Peters of the United States of Hockey had a response to the Windsor Star article and according to Chris the Spitfires are smart in the way they are pursuing Schmaltz because they are taking it public and Hakstol really can't do anything but hope his prized recruit doesn't bolt on him to the Windsor Spitfires. 

Chris Peters; The United States of Hockey --- This piece allows Rychel to let everybody know Windsor wants Jordan Schmaltz and if Schmaltz doesn’t go to Windsor, he’s making a mistake. Whoever reads the piece is getting that as the takeaway.

There will be no rebuttal in public from North Dakota, and likely none from Schmaltz himself, and Rychel knows that. North Dakota Head Coach Dave Hakstol can’t say a word about Jordan Schmaltz publicly because Schmaltz has yet to sign a National Letter of Intent. So for now, there is one public voice on this issue, and it’s the voice Rychel most wants you to hear. His own.

This is not a criticism of Windsor. In fact, I think it might be quite smart. If Schmaltz elects not to go to Windsor, the team has already stated they think that’s a mistake. Then again, perhaps Schmaltz takes the challenge to heart and gives Windsor an extra look (assuming he’s not offended by the public nature of the challenge).

Jason Gregoire: Snow Has Been “First-class” College draft picks weighing all of their options

Image via WikipediaChriss Botta an Islanders blogger has an interesting blog post about former Fighting Sioux Forward Jason Gregoire and former UNH defenseman Blake Kessel. It would appear that some hockey prospects aren't too keen on playing for the New York Islanders. My question to Jason Gregoire is why didn't you just stay and play another year for the Fighting Sioux hockey team?

Chris Botta; NYI Point Blank ---- For Jason Gregoire and Blake Kessel, it’s nothing personal with the Islanders. Four years after being drafted by the Islanders, three years into their college hockey careers, Gregoire and Kessel appear to be simply utilizing their Collective Bargaining Agreement rights to consider offers from the other 29 teams in the NHL. They hope you’d understand.

“The ideal for me would be to sign with the Islanders,” Gregoire told Point Blank in a phone conversation last night. “They are the team that drafted me and, from the beginning, I’ve had a great relationship with the team. I was at three prospect camps, got to know the area and the staff and come through the ranks with the guys. I have nothing but great things to say about the organization and I’m happy that no doors are being closed.”

It’s not difficult to read between the lines. Gregoire left North Dakota last week, Kessel withdrew from New Hampshire earlier this week. Unable to come to terms with the Islanders on Entry Level contracts to this point, Gregoire is taking advantage of a clause in the CBA that allows college players to become free agents four years after they were drafted. Kessel is said to be considering the same. Both Gregoire and Kessel played a year in the United States Hockey League before starting college.

Here is a link to a story that was also in the New York Times Slap Shot blog that was written by Chris Botta as well. [Slap Shot Blog]