Don Cherry's Ice Bucket Challenge

I've accepted @RonMacLeanCBC #ALSIceBucketChallenge Here's a link to the video http://t.co/681eaJnRer
— Don Cherry (@CoachsCornerCBC) August 21, 2014

I wonder I am the only one that's getting bored with these challenges? Don't get me wrong, I do find them entertaining. Obviously, it's for a good cause, of course. Seriously, just donate the money to the ALS. I do have to give Grapes credit, that's an awesome suit.

NHL Hockey: Top UFA's

Checking out Cap Geek, there's not a lot out there as far as Unrestricted Free Agents. Lot of over 30-year old players out there looking for a team.

Can San Jose Live Up To Lofty Expectations In 2014-2015?

s/t to Guest Writer Mitchell Sansader.

For the last few seasons, the San Jose Sharks have been one of the most successful teams in the Western Conference in the NHL. They have a lot of talent on offense and defense, but they have been unable to break through and actually win a Stanley Cup up to this point. While there are many people expecting them to have success this upcoming year, there are reasons to be a little bit concerned.

 

Everything looked good last year when they were able to accumulate 111 points in the regular season. However, a 1st round playoff exit definitely has people a little bit worried about the future. They have plenty of fantasy hockey talent, but they are in the middle of a tough stage. They are not exactly rebuilding, but they are trying to make a few

 

The biggest thorn in the side for San Jose has been the Los Angeles Kings. For the last 2 seasons, the Western Conference rival has not been out of the playoffs. The potential is definitely there for San Jose to get by Los Angeles, and it all starts with fantasy hockey standouts Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. They need to be better players in pressure situations in order for everything to come together. The Pacific division is definitely not going to get any easier anytime soon, so it will take an entire team effort to have success.

 

There will certainly be some optimism surrounding the squad, but there is really no reason to be optimistic about what they bring to the table. It is much easier to count on other teams in the Pacific division that have had success in the playoffs before. San Jose needs to prove themselves before they can truly move into that elite team status.

Kristo Re-signed by the Rangers

According to Pro Hockey Talk, the New York Rangers have re-signed Danny Kristo. Also, it looks like Kristo could get a chance at some playing time with the New York Rangers this season.

NHL.com --The 24-year-old native of Eden Prairie, Minn., completed his first full pro season in 2013-14 after four seasons at the University of North Dakota that saw him total 68 goals and 161 points in 157 games. Kristo (6-foot, 195) has shown some skill and is progressing nicely since his trade from the Canadiens, who drafted him in the second round (No. 56) in 2008.

"We liked him in college," Clark said. "It wasn't working out for him in Montreal and he turned out to be our No. 1 right wing in Hartford in his first full season. He's got speed, skill and knack of the puck somehow following him around. We're hoping to improve our pool of prospects at the center position where we weren't very deep as an organization in Hartford. We hope Danny can help us in that area."

Rangers to sign Kevin Hayes

Well, it looks like the New York Rangers are the team that's going to land former Boston College forward Kevin Hayes.

Mike Halford, Pro Hockey Talk -- On Tuesday, various outlets (see here and here and here and here) reported that Hayes — the former Boston College standout taken 24th overall by Chicago at the ’10 draft — has agreed to sign with the New York Rangers, ending a long, drawn-out saga in the process.

Hayes had consistently balked at signing in Chicago despite the ‘Hawks drafting him out of high school four years ago, ahead of the likes of Evgeny Kuznetsov, Charlie Coyle and Emerson Etem. Instead, he completed a stellar career at BC, then simply allowed time to run out on his draft rights — on Aug. 15, the deadline for the ‘Hawks to sign Hayes passed, making him an unrestricted free agent in the process.

Hump Day Links

There's only 46 days until the University of North Dakota kicks off the 2014-15 season. Here's a few links of interest from the world of hockey.

Matt Greene Brings the Stanley Cup Back to Grand Forks - http://t.co/XKBF7MXZk7 #NHL pic.twitter.com/Vq8Ns9uDjE
— THW Hockey (@HockeyLinks) August 20, 2014

Report: It's 'not looking good' for Bruins on Kevin Hayes http://t.co/JrHlEKUBdz
— Ian McLaren (@iancmclaren) August 20, 2014

Not looking good for #bruins on Kevin Hayes. I'm being told Rangers and Avs appear to have inside track.
— Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) August 20, 2014

Three concussion lawsuits filed by ex-NHL players consolidated, to be heard by federal judge in Minnesota. Details: http://t.co/8NdMpE1XHD
— Yahoo Sports NHL (@YahooSportsNHL) August 20, 2014

Did Doug Lidster Save The Canucks’ Season? http://t.co/sXodtikSJC #THW
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) August 20, 2014

Checking In: Jake Guentzel: Forward Jake Guentzel returned to Pittsburgh for prospect developme... http://t.co/mVgJbBjUkc #NHL #Penguins
— NHL (@NHLLinks) August 20, 2014

Dane Jackson ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Dane Jackson picks T.J. Oshie for the Ice Bucket Challenge.

UND Hockey: Ticket availability, Fan Fest set for UND hockey

I have had a few people ask me when single game tickets for hockey go on sale. Today, the University of North Dakota announced that September 12, 2014 is the day.


GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota Athletics Department announced today that single-game tickets for men’s and women’s hockey will go on sale on Friday, Sept. 12, beginning at 10 a.m. Central.


Additionally, UND Champions Club members can participate in a pre-sale for men’s hockey single-game tickets on Thursday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central.


Also announced today, the sixth annual North Dakota Hockey Fan Fest, sponsored by Midco Sports Network, is set for Sunday, Sept. 21, at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The event, which starts at 3 p.m. Central, will include autograph and skill sessions with UND hockey student-athletes, a free meal, and the first chance to pick up the 2014-15 team posters.


Nearly 800 single-game seats are available for every men’s hockey home game on the 2014-15 schedule, with additional seats available for exhibition games and holiday series when class is out of session on the UND campus. Single-game men’s hockey tickets cost $40 (adult) and $25 (youth) for Friday games and $45 (adult) and $30 (youth) for Saturday games. Exhibition games cost $25 (adult) and $10 (youth).


All single-game women’s hockey tickets cost $7 (adult) and $5 (youth).


Although men’s hockey season tickets have once again sold out, fans can add their names to the season-ticket waiting list by joining the UND Champions Club and making a refundable $100 ticket deposit. Each year in the early summer, approximately half of the accounts on the waiting list are offered season tickets. Fans who are on the waiting list can participate in the pre-sale for single-game tickets on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Waiting list and Champions Club members will be emailed a passcode and instructions prior to the appropriate pre-sale date.


Tickets can be purchased at the UND Box Office at Ralph Engelstad Arena or via UNDsports.com/Tickets.

Star Tribune: Lawsuit threat dropped by Bellecourt's group

Very good news for the Warriors logo. Clyde Bellecourt has dropped his his plans to sue Warroad High School for using the Warriors logo. Here's my suggestion to Bellecourt, maybe you should have done some research before you tried to strong arm the Warroad community and Warroad High School.

Patrick Reusse, Star Tribune -- Clyde Bellecourt and his cohorts caved in on the Warroad Warriors after a meeting with Henry Boucha on Monday. Basically, Bellecourt's group released a statement admitting that it did not properly research the connection between the nickname, Warroad High School and the Warroad Indian Community.

Here was the statement released to Jess Myers, formerly a Warroad resident and a reporter who has been following this story:

Here's a post in question from Henry Boucha's Facebook page.

DU Hockey Staff Ice Bucket Challenge

The ice bucket challenge, come to the NCHC...

RT @MikeChambers: @DUCoachMonty and @DU_Hockey staff gets ALS ice bucket challenge from players http://t.co/VgKPiKYBG9…
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) August 18, 2014

Star Tribune: Henry Boucha responds to Bellecourt

If you haven't seen this, it's worth a look. Former Warroad Warrior and Minnesota North Star Henry Boucha let Clyde Bellcourt and the National Coalition Against Racism  know how he felt about their efforts to get Warroad to change it's logo. These comments were posted on his Facebook account.

Patrick Reusse, Star Tribune – Henry Boucha offered this response on his Facebook page on Friday night:

“It the late ‘80s, early ‘90s, the Warroad Indian Community, the Indian Education Department and the Warroad Indian Parent Committee supported keeping the name Warroad Warriors. [The Warroad Indian Community] still does today!

“We are proud of what the Warriors represent. Warroad [Kay-Bay-Kah-Nong] is derived from War Road, a trail to the West where the Warriors (our ancestors) traveled down to fight and battle the Sioux. We fought many fierce battles and won the war, keeping our land on Lake of the Woods.

“This is what the name is all about, and we are proud to have it.

“The Indian Parent Committee and the Warroad Indian Community designed the logo for our school. We use it today and wear it with pride.

“We haven’t had a mascot in 40 years. No-May-Poke, a brother to KaKaGeesick and Little Thunder, sold part of his land allotment at a very reasonable price to the Warroad School. It was at [that] time the Warroad Warriors name was instilled, with pride.

“This issue should be left to the communities to decide. Warroad decided once, and we’ll keep the name!

“The National Coalition, with members David Glass, Clyde Bellecourt, Michelle Mills, Norman Renville and Alan Yansey, who instigated this issue with Warroad, along with their lawyers using donated monies and wasting it on this lawsuit, only want fame and national recognition. They should feed the homeless and use the money for something good.’’

Take the hint, Clyde, and go back to the noble task of getting rid of the Washington Redskins.

 Boucha posted this picture on his facebook page.

Penguins' Crosby healing nicely

#490360205 / gettyimages.com

The NHL and it's fans are breathing a sigh of relief. The face of the NHL is healing and hopefully, he will be okay when the NHL season begins.

NHL.com -- Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby said Friday he is pleased with the way his injured right wrist has responded to treatment.

"It's good," Crosby told The Associated Press in Estero, Fla., where he has been working out. "You want to see how things progress throughout the summer once you start skating and get back to that regular routine. You want to see how it reacts, so I'm happy with the way it's gone."

The Penguins in early July said Crosby had been receiving treatment for a wrist injury he sustained last season. Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Crosby opted for an injection rather than surgery, which was not ruled out. Brisson said Crosby was injured in March.

Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said in July that Crosby would be ready for training camp.

After leading the NHL in scoring during the regular season with 104 points, Crosby had one goal and eight points in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He did not have a point in the Penguins' final three games, all losses, after they took a 3-1 series lead against the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Second Round.

Sonny Milano speaks to the fans

Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch has Sonny Milano's statement that he made through his agent. 

August 16, 2014

“Since being drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets at the NHL Draft in Philadelphia on June 27, I have been asked many times about whether I would continue with my plans to attend Boston College, or play junior hockey instead. In an effort to avoid controversy and further questions on the subject, I responded that I was looking forward to attending BC in the Fall. While I have had every intention of playing for Coach (Jerry) York and joining the best college hockey program in the country, since the end of my hockey season at the USNDTP I have been questioning whether going to school was the best situation for me.

"Perhaps I should have acknowledged my growing indecision when asked about my plans, but it was difficult to explain to those who were asking when I did not even know myself what I wanted to do. After a great deal of thought and discussion with my family, I have spoken with Coach York and informed him that I will be playing for the Ontario Hockey League’s Plymouth Whalers this season. "I think that BC is the best choice for those players who wish to go to school and play hockey. Every player’s path to achieving his goal of playing in the NHL is different, and the best route for some is not necessarily the best route for others. For me, the opportunity to play in the OHL is the right decision.

"If I have disappointed anyone, particularly the great people I have met at BC, it was certainly not my intention to do so, and for that I am sorry. I hope that BC and those involved with its hockey program understand my decision.”

Puck-rakers: Sonny Milano issues statement regarding decision to opt out of Boston College, pick OHL Plymouth #CBJ http://t.co/I8aSNtLWJ2
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) August 18, 2014

Related articles

• Sonny Milano Watch is on
• NCAA Hockey: 62 Players Selected in the 2014 NHL Draft
• NCAA Hockey: Fastest Growing Development Path

Updated: Sonny Milano to sign with Columbus Blue Jackets

Sonny Milano has informed @BCHockeyNews that he will sign a professional contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.
— BC Hockey (@BCHockeyNews) August 16, 2014

This seems to be a re-occurring theme for some of the USNDT players. Like I told someone the other day, until they come on Campus they're a threat to not make it to campus, especially if they were drafted high. It's a big loss for Boston College Eagles, but they're still a very loaded hockey team. My money says that Milano will end up with the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL.

Jerry York: “Sonny has informed me he will sign a contract with Columbus. They will dictate his path as he embarks upon his pro career.”
— BC Hockey (@BCHockeyNews) August 16, 2014

CBJ 1st round pick Sonny Milano will not attend Boston College, has chosen to play with @PWhalers of the OHL this season.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) August 17, 2014

According to @Aportzline, Milano will sign his ELC in the next few days.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) August 17, 2014

Miami vs. UND

Can you spot this mistake! @goon48 pic.twitter.com/1wvKkDl52L
— Mikey Pete (@mikeypete329) August 16, 2014

Lol! Looks like a typo.

Dufault Remains Hot with Two Goal Performance

Game two in the Canadian Women's Hockey Development Camp saw much of the same from game one, and that is team Yellow beating team Blue by a multiple goal margin with a score of 4-1. Team Blue would score the game's first goal, but Yellow came storming back, scoring four unanswered.

UND junior forward, Meghan Dufault, is showing why she belongs at this camp by scoring two more goals, helping solidify another team Yellow victory. She is showing all of Canada that size isn't everything in women's hockey, it's heart and a want to win the game. Halli Krzyzaniak also played once again, but held off the score sheet as she was in the previous game.

With the outstanding summer play of the two athletes, especially Dufault being able to find the net more and more, just makes the upcoming season look that much more promising for UND. Now I know it takes more than two players to change the outcome of a team, but two dynamic players on each side of the puck might be just what the locker room needs to find themselves back in the NCAA tournament for the first time in the post Lamoureux era.

Grand Forks Herald: Group threatens suit against Warroad school’s Indian logo

This story was on the front page of the Grand Forks Herald this morning. I was under the impression that the Ojibwe tribe had given Warroad High School their blessing to use the Warriors nickname. It will be interesting to see what happens in this case.

Charly Haley, Grand Forks Herald -- National organization is threatening to sue the Warroad, Minn., school district over its use of an American Indian mascot, the Warriors.

The National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media sent a letter to Warroad Public Schools on Thursday, asking the district to begin transitioning away from using the Warriors logo, which is an American Indian head.

If the school district doesn’t contact the coalition and start that process in 30 days, the coalition may pursue legal action, according to the letter, which cites the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 as making the logo discriminatory and illegal.

“If you choose to remain in denial, we will after a 30 day waiting period file all necessary and available actions to enforce the laws,” the letter stated.

Representatives from the Warroad school district did not return calls from the Herald Friday.

TSN: NHL Loses Key Decision in TV Rights Lawsuit

#482963203 / gettyimages.com

I will be following this story closely, this sounds like a potential mess.

Rick Westhead, TSN.CA -- The lawsuit also attacks the NHL's tactic of charging customers $179.80 for its full-season offering of games available on cable and satellite providers. Again, both of those packages, known as NHL Center Ice, black out in-market games.

The NHL subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the case and a judge ruled this week against that motion. The ruling was unsealed on Friday.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs will spend the next few months asking for the case to be considered as a class action. It's unclear how many people might be involved in the case.

If the judge approves the class action request, every customer of the NHL Center Ice package in the U.S. would be included as a plaintiff. The case does not involve or affect broadcast rights within Canada.

"Disappointed, but still very preliminary," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told TSN on Friday afternoon. "We remain confident of ultimately prevailing on the merits."

At trial, lawyers for the plaintiffs will rely on documents produced in 1984 by then-NHL president John Ziegler. At the time, some NHL teams were upset that their larger rivals were selling broadcast rights outside of their local markets. Ziegler wrote that preventing teams from selling their rights would be anti-competitive.

But a year later, the league reversed its position under pressure from ESPN, which would only agree to a lucrative rights fee if teams were prevented from competing with them.

Grand Forks Herald Opinion: For UND teams, ‘North Dakota’ works just fine

This was in the today's Grand Forks Herald Letters to the Editor. I couldn't agree with him more with Hal and Kathy. While some want to rush to find a new nickname. There's nothing wrong with just being "North Dakota"... I can guarantee, that nothing  the nickname committee comes up with is going to be better than this option. Cue the Sun Dogs nickname. I don't think so.

 

We disagree with the editorial position of the Herald, which encourages UND to “pick up the pace” in finding a name for its sports teams (“UND should get after a new nickname,” Page A4, July 31).

The Herald calls UND’s process “tepid,” “timid” and “meek,” claiming the university is “tiptoeing around the issue.”

 

We think this is harsh criticism. We imagine the university is the least anxious of all to resuscitate the arguments that separated the pros from the cons. The statewide vote to drop the name Sioux was a concession that the NCAA forced on the public, but the vote was hardly a signal that people were ready to “move on.”

 

The Herald might be ready for another dust-up, but few others of us are.

 

What is more, as supporters of the Sioux name, we believe the Herald’s suggestion of finding a name that is “powerful,” “inspiring” and “recognizable” is a little naive. The fact is, there isn’t a single, solitary animal or bird totem or color (such as “Crimson”) that would serve as an adequate replacement for the name Sioux.

 

That was a name known and respected by all, one that immediately conveyed a sense of power and inspired players to greatness.

 

We suggest that UND continue the name “North Dakota” for its teams. Nothing more. No changes needed. It says who team players are, and it includes the campus community, the local, state and regional fans.

 

And it is, on its own merits, also a powerful name, easily recognized nationally and inspirational in its successes.So, let’s not spend any time or energy to select a new nickname. The UND fight song lyrics already say, “... fight on North Dakota!”Sounds great to us.

 

Hal and Kathy Gershman

Grand Forks

NHL to Seattle?

#450509236 / gettyimages.com

From Nicholas Goss of NESN.com. It would appear that the city of Seattle could be in the running for getting an NHL franchise. To me, Seattle seems like a logical home for an NHL franchise and could become an instant rival with the Vancouver Canucks.

According to King 5, Coleman has met with several important people involved with the NHL and the City of Seattle.

“It’s clear Coleman has the support of the NHL. One league executive describes him as “the real deal,” and he was flanked by the NHL’s top leaders during a clandestine meeting in Seattle back in May,” King 5’s Chris Daniels writes.

Getting a new arena built in Seattle appears, at least at the moment, dependent on the existence of an NBA tenant, and there’s no indication that pro basketball will be returning to Seattle anytime soon.

Daniels also reports that Coleman and Chris Hansen, who wants to bring an NBA team to Seattle with a new arena, have spoken. (NESN.com)