It's official - Steve Johnson named assistant coach at UNO

Former SCSU assistant coach and former Fighting Sioux All-American forward Steve Johnson has been named the assistant coach at the University of Omaha Nebraska Mavericks. This great personnel move by the UNO Mavericks because it gives them a great assistant coach and will only make the Mavericks better.

OMAHA, Neb. – University of Nebraska Omaha head hockey coach Dean Blais announced today that Steve Johnson has been named the team's new assistant coach. He replaces Mike Hastings who left UNO following the 2011-12 season to take the head coach position at Minnesota State.

“I'm very pleased to have a coach of Steve's caliber fill the void left by Mike Hastings' departure,” said Blais. “Steve has the ability to be a great recruiter for us, and his on-ice skills as a coach are very strong as shown by his work in both the United States Hockey League and at the college level. His knowledge and experience will make our team stronger. ”

Johnson spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at WCHA rival school St. Cloud State. Prior to that, he succeeded Blais as the head coach of the Fargo Force of the USHL where he coached for one season, leading the Force to the 2010 Clark Cup Finals.

Gothberg and Schmaltz make All-USHL First Team

Two UND Fighting Sioux incoming freshman recruits Zane Gothberg and Jordan Schmaltz have made the All-USHL first team.

All-USHL First Team

Zane Gothberg (G), Fargo Force

The goaltender from Thief River Falls, Minnesota posted a 26-16-4 record with USHL best .921 SV%. His 2.22 GAA was the second best mark in the League. Gothberg led the USHL with seven shutouts which shattered the Fargo Force season record held by Mike Lee (2008-09). The 19-year-old put together a nine-game winning streak from December 30th to January 21st, compiling a 1.43 GAA and .947 SV% with two shutouts over that stretch. Gothberg was the co-winner of the USHL Goaltender of the Year. He is a 2010 NHL Draft pick of the Boston Bruins and will play hockey next season at the University of North Dakota.

USHL stats - Zane Gothberg

Jordan Schmaltz (D), Green Bay Gamblers

The 18-year-old from Verona, Wisconsin tied for second in scoring among all USHL defensemen with 41 points (10g, 31a) in 55 regular season games. After starting the season with the Sioux City Musketeers, he was acquired by the Gamblers and put up 35 points (7g, 28a) and a plus-15 rating in 46 games. He added seven points (2g, 5a) and a plus-10 rating in 12 playoff games. Schmaltz is the first player since the 1994-95 season (Scott Swanson, Omaha Lancers) to be named All-USHL First Team in consecutive seasons. A top prospect for the 2012 NHL Draft, the defenseman is committed to the University of North Dakota.

USHL stats - Jordan Schmaltz

NHL wants to take a look at hybrid icing

Original NHL logo, used until 2005. A version of the logo features it in the shape of a hockey puck. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I think this is a great idea for the NHL to look at the hybrid icing rule that is currently in use in the NCAA and USHL. If used correctly could prevent unnecessary injuries that are caused by the touch- up- icing.

New York --- Hybrid icing is the standard at the NCAA level and in the United States Hockey League. For next season, the NHL is expected to ask the AHL to use hybrid icing, which involves a linesman determining the winner of a race to the closest faceoff circle instead of who touches the puck first on plays in which the puck is sent the length of the ice from the defending team's side of the center-ice red line.

"We like it. We want to make sure we're not moving too quick," Detroit GM Ken Holland said. "We'd like to move it to the American League. We'd like to get it to the best league in the world below the National Hockey League and evaluate it with those players. Obviously it's in college and some other players [use it], but those players aren't nearly as good as the ones we're dealing with. I think there was one player injured this year on an icing. Obviously, we'd like zero, but it is one -- it is not 10, it is not 20."

The GMs remain divided on the issue, so observing the results in the AHL could provide better clarity before making a final decision on it for NHL games.

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Jordan Schmaltz on winning the Clark Cup

Future UND Fighting Sioux recruit, defenseman Jordan Schmaltz's team the Greenbay Gamblers have just won the USHL Clark Cup Championship. The Gamblers beat the Waterloo Black Hawks in five games. 

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UND Fighting Sioux Hockey announces 2012-13 incoming class

Official Press Release 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota Head Men’s Hockey Coach Dave Hakstol announced today the addition of six newcomers for the 2012-13 season. The incoming class includes National Letter of Intent signees Drake Caggiula, Bryn Chyzyk, Zane Gothberg, Coltyn Sanderson and Jordan Schmaltz, as well as Alabama-Huntsville transfer Clarke Saunders. The position breakdown includes three forwards, two goalies and one defensemen.

“This incoming class of young men will bring solid skill packages into our program at the forward, defense, and goaltending positions for the 2012-13 season,” said Hakstol. “Adding this group to an extremely solid core of returning veterans creates a roster with ability and depth at all three positions.” 

National Letter of Intent Signees:

Name: Drake Caggiula Ht: 5-10 Wt: 161 Pos: F Hometown: Pickering, Ontario

Spent the past two seasons with the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) … Scored 10 goals and 24 assists 25 in games in 2011-12 … Led Stouffville to OJHL regular season and playoff titles and a berth in the Dudley Hewitt Central Canada Junior A Championship final … Was named most valuable player of the OJHL playoffs after racking up a league-leading 17 goals and 37 points in 23 games … Named OJHL 1st Team All-Prospect for the second straight season … Won a silver medal playing for Team Canada East at the World Junior A Challenge … Began the season with Des Moines of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and had one goal and one assist in four games … Played in 48 games with Stouffville in 2010-11 and collected 22 goals and 23 assists … Added two goals and six assists in eight playoff games … Draft eligible in 2012 … Ranked 185^th among North American skaters in the final 2012 NHL Central Scouting Bureau draft rankings … Last name is pronounced Ka-ZHEW-la.

Name: Bryn Chyzyk Ht: 5-11 Wt: 181 Pos: F Hometown: Virden, Manitoba

Spent the 2011-12 season with the Fargo Force of the USHL … Collected 28 goals and 21 assists in 57 games … Tied for the team lead in goals and tied for eighth in the USHL goal-scoring race … Was a teammate of fellow UND recruit Zane Gothberg … Spent the 2010-11 season with the Dauphin Kings of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) and was named the league’s rookie of the year … Scored 22 goals and 49 assists in 62 games and earned MJHL All-Rookie Team honors … Played in the 2011 MJHL All-Star Game and notched three assists … Added a goal and six assists in 13 playoff games … Last name is pronounced CHIZ-ick.

Name: Zane Gothberg Ht: 6-2 Wt: 190 Pos: G Hometown: Thief River Falls, Minn.

Spent the past two seasons with the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League (USHL) … Named co-recipient of USHL’s 2011-12 Goaltender of the Year award … Went 26-14-4 and led the USHL in save percentage (.921) and shutouts (7), while ranking second in goals against average (2.22) … Set franchise records in all four categories and was named Fargo’s Most Valuable Player … Was a teammate of fellow UND recruit Bryn Chyzyk … Went 14-8-0 with a 2.23 goals against average and a .908 save percentage, along with two shutouts, in 2010-11 … Won a bronze medal with the United States at the 2011 World Junior A Challenge, posting a 0.50 GAA and .979 SV% in two games … Won gold with the U.S. at the 2010 World Junior A Challenge, recording a 2.05 GAA and .929 SV% in four games … Spent the 2009-10 season with Thief River Falls High School and won the Frank Brimsek Award as the top senior goaltender in the state of Minnesota … Also earned first-team all-state honors after posting a 1.81 GAA, .925 SV% and three shutouts in 27 games … Was an all-state honorable mention as a junior … Selected by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round (165^th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Name: Coltyn Sanderson Ht: 6-1 Wt: 185 Pos: F Hometown: Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Spent the past two seasons with the Weyburn Red Wings of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) … Served as team captain in 2011-12 and amassed 81 points (32 goals, 49 assists) in 57 games … Finished fourth in the SJHL scoring race … Added nine goals and nine assists in 17 playoff games and led Weyburn to the Sherwood Conference championship … Weyburn’s nominee for SJHL Player of the Year … Received four team honors: Barber Motors Award (Most Valuable Forward), NSWB Community Service Award, Marcel Labelle Memorial Award (Red Wing Displaying Dedication) and the President’s Ring … Played in 57 games in 2010-11 and had 19 goals and 29 assists for 48 points … Spent the 2009-10 season with the Assiniboia Southern Rebels of the Prairie Junior Hockey League and collected 35 points (19 goals, 16 assists) in 37 games.

Name: Jordan Schmaltz Ht: 6-2 Wt: 175 Pos: D Hometown: Verona, Wis.

Tied for second among USHL defensemen in 2011-12 with 41 points (10 goals, 31 assists) in 55 games … Spent the majority of the season with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers, collecting seven goals and 28 assists in 46 games … Led the Gamblers to the USHL’s Anderson Cup with a 47-9-4 record … Added two goals and five assists in 11 playoff games … Began the season with the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers, where he scored three goals and three assists in nine games … Participated in the 2012 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game … Spent the 2010-11 season with Sioux City and led USHL defensemen in points (44), goals (11) and assists (31) in 53 games … Earned USHL First All-Star Team and USHL All-Rookie Team honors … Was a five-time USHL Defenseman of the Week as a rookie … Won a bronze medal with the United States at the 2011 World Junior A Challenge … Won gold with the U.S. at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge … Draft eligible in 2012 … Ranked 34^th among North American skaters in the final 2012 NHL Central Scouting Bureau draft rankings … Father, Mike, lettered in football at UND from 1988 to 1990 … Uncles, Marc Schmaltz (1988-91) and Monte Schmaltz (1992-93), also lettered in football at UND.

Transfer:

Name: Clarke Saunders Ht: 6-3 Wt: 200 Pos: G Hometown: Brockville, Ontario

Spent the previous two seasons at the University of Alabama-Huntsville … Posted a .903 save percentage in 46 career games for a UAH team that went 6-54-3 over the past two years … Appeared in 27 games (26 starts) in 2011-12 and averaged an NCAA-leading 34 saves per game … Posted a .906 save percentage for a UAH team that went 2-28-1 … Appeared in 19 games as a freshman in 2010-11 and went 4-14-0 with a 3.80 goals against average and an .898 save percentage … Spent the previous four seasons with the Brockville Braves of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) … Set a Brockville team record for wins in two of his last three seasons with the club … Went 31-7-1 with a 2.31 GAA and .915 SV% in 2009-10, ranking second in the CCHL in wins and GAA.

The Fighting Sioux (26-13-3, 16-11-1 WCHA) won their league-record third straight Broadmoor Trophy as WCHA Final Five champions and earned the No. 1 seed for the NCAA West Region Tournament, where UND advanced to its sixth regional championship game in eight years under Hakstol.

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]