Thursday, September 11, 2014

Winnipeg Sun: Blake Wheeler is a leader and wants Evander Kane to join him



It interesting to see how this turns out during training camp. I suppose the fans shouldn't look too deeply into this. I would imagine that Wheeler and Kane will be "fine" during the season.
Ted Wyman, Winnipeg Sun -- Evander Kane needs to step up his game and be a leader.

Good for Wheeler. This is a player who has developed into leader himself over the last few seasons. He led the Jets in scoring last season and was the team's best player down the stretch, showing a great deal of character in the process. It would be a surprise if he’s not named an assistant captain this season.

The Jets need players who aren't afraid to speak their minds, even if they are stating the obvious, and they need players who are going to hold one another accountable. The Jets have missed the playoffs every year they've been in Winnipeg and the players should be demanding of each other if they ever hope to change that trend.
While Wheeler doesn't wear a letter, yet. Sometimes an older player on the team has to call out fellow teammates. In my opinion, that's part of the job description of a team leader. Personally, I am not so sure I would have used the print media to do this, but that's Wheeler's choice.


Kane sent out this tweet in response.



Former Boston College recruit Sonny Milano has signed a three-year entry level deal with the Blue Jackets. Milano was set to play for the Boston College Eagles this fall, but backed out of his commitment.
NHL.com -- Left wing Sonny Milano signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team announced Thursday.

Milano, a first-round pick (No. 16) of the Blue Jackets in the 2014 NHL Draft, will play for the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League in 2014-15. He also will be one of 25 players representing the Blue Jackets at the eight-team Traverse City Prospect Tournament, scheduled Friday through Tuesday, in Traverse City, Mich.

"Sonny Milano is a skilled, dynamic player and we're very happy to add him to the exciting group of prospects within our organization," Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "We are looking forward to watching his development and helping him grow both on and off the ice in the years to come."

UND Hockey Tickets: Single-game hockey tickets on sale Friday, Sept. 12


For those that are wondering... You can buy your single-game tickets tomorrow.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Single-game tickets for University of North Dakota men’s and women’s hockey will go on sale on Friday, Sept. 12, beginning at 10 a.m. Central.

 

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.

 

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

Battle of California: Koivu Announces Retirement

You may have seen this already, maybe not. Going against my better judgment, I probably shouldn't even link this silly article. I know it's an attempt to be funny, but as a member of the SB Nation I am not impressed, not one bit. This person is definitely not Down Goes Brown. Meh.
Jared Dobias, Battle of California -- At age 44, future hall of famer and Team Sweden Olympic Gold Medal winner Mikko Koivu announced his retirement today. Koivu was a bit of a journeyman in his 14-season career, first being drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in 2004 before playing seven seasons with the Montreal Canadiens starting in 2007, another eight seasons for the Minnesota Wild, and then coming back to finish his career with Anaheim in 2011 where he played six more seasons.
Michael Russo, wasn't impressed either. An unfunny Onion, I agree.




Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Minnesota Wild Announce New ECHL Affiliate

There has been a lot of hockey news in the past day or so, and more coming from the Minnesota Wild camp today as well, and no it isn't anything about the Darcy Kuemper situation. The Wild have announced an affiliation with the ECHL's Alaska Aces.

The Aces have been very successful as a franchise in the past few seasons, winning three Kelly Cup Championships in the past nine seasons, including this past season.

Included in the agreement, according to wild.com, the Aces will serve as a resource for developmental efforts for both Iowa (AHL) and Minnesota.

UND fans may take notice at a familiar face on the Aces roster, and now in the Minnesota Wild system, Evan Trupp. Trupp played four years at UND and was a member of the Aces for their championship winning team last season.

NCHC to Launch its Own Digital Network: NCHC.tv

An exciting announcement from the NCHC today. Here's the official Press Release.
Here's the link to the Frequently Asked Questions, for those that are wondering, you will be able to watch the games on your smart phones.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Looking for a way to watch your favorite NCHC team when they’re playing on the road? Now you can, and even more!

As the National Collegiate Hockey Conference enters its second season of competition, the conference continues to strive to be innovative and at the forefront with fan engagement. With this in mind, the NCHC has partnered with NeuLion to launch its own digital network, NCHC.tv, beginning with the upcoming 2014-15 season, NCHC Commissioner Josh Fenton announced Wednesday, Sept. 10. In doing so, the NCHC becomes the first single-sport NCAA conference to offer a fully integrated digital network.

NCHC.tv will allow fans to watch nearly all of their team’s games live, both home and on the road, while also viewing other NCHC action occurring at the same time. In addition to the live games, fans who subscribe to the network will have access to other live events, as they are produced, and will be able to access archived games and condensed games. Live audio of the games is also included with a subscription.

NCHC.tv will also feature free on-demand video content, without a subscription, from all eight NCHC programs and the conference itself. Among the free on-demand video available on the network will be game highlights, mid-week and post-game press conferences, conference features, such as the Top 5 Goals of the Week, and unique hockey features from the NCHC members.

“We are extremely excited to provide an innovative and integrated concept to our passionate NCHC fan base! The creation of NCHC.tv helps build the brand of the conference and improve the overall fan interaction and experience,” Fenton said. “This significant step forward is a credit to the vision of our member schools for wanting to create something that distinguishes our conference. We look forward to working alongside NeuLion to build the network and content long into the future.”

The integrated approach to video content allows NCHC fans to access their favorite team’s video, as in years past, but fans also now have the option to enjoy video content from the other seven members of the conference and the NCHC, all in one place, helping unite and strengthen the conference brand.

Each team’s website, as well as NCHCHockey.com, will have a NCHC.tv player embedded on it that will show a limited amount of free archived and on-demand video, while subscription-based live games and other content will be viewed directly on the digital network. All free archived and on-demand content will also be available on the network. NCHC.tv will be accessible via NCHCHockey.com and each member school’s men’s ice hockey website.

Fans that subscribe to NCHC.tv through the conference package will have access to watch over 100 games live throughout the season, including over 70 conference games and over 30 non-conference games from seven different venues, allowing fans to watch nearly every home and road conference game of their favorite team. The only games not available on the NCHC digital network are non-conference road games and NCHC contests with rights restrictions due to television agreements. Also, due to rights restrictions, games originating from the University of Denver’s Magness Arena will not be shown, however on-demand video of Denver’s content will be available through NCHC.tv.

The digital network, powered by NeuLion, will give fans a unique action-packed hockey experience with high quality, HD live video on multiple devices. The network’s live and on-demand video will be available seamlessly across all mobile devices by putting the same web address (www.NCHC.tv) in any mobile browser. This is done through a responsive design technique that automatically detects the screen size and adjusts for optimal viewing. NCHC.tv also allows schools and fans to easily share video content across over 25 social media channels, including the ability to embed video players on third-party sites.

“We are excited to partner with the NCHC,” said Steven Brown, SVP of College for NeuLion. “Our expertise in creating digital destinations for major hockey leagues and throughout college athletics, coupled with the NCHC hockey content, will give their dedicated fan base a second-to-none digital experience with unlimited access to their favorite content, including high-quality live video, anytime and anywhere.”

Based in Plainview, N.Y., NeuLion is a leading digital video technology company powering live and on-demand content to viewers worldwide. NeuLion currently serves as the digital technology provider for four NCHC members – Miami, North Dakota, Omaha and Western Michigan – as well as over 150 NCAA schools and several conferences, such as the Big 12, the Big Ten Network, the Pac-12 and the Ivy League; which all use the NeuLion College Platform to deliver live and on-demand games, news, and information to their fans on multiple devices.

In addition to college, NeuLion powers the digital products for many of the major hockey leagues including the NHL, the AHL, the ECHL and other Canadian junior leagues like the OHL and WHL, as well as other sports leagues, teams and networks, such as the UFC, NBA, MLS and Univision.

While much of the on-demand video content will be free, there are several subscription packages from which fans can choose. To enjoy access to over 100 NCHC regular-season games that will be streamed live, fans can purchase the conference season package for $89.95, which offers the highest value among all streaming packages at well less than $1 per game. For fans who only want access to their favorite team’s games, including road contests at NCHC schools, season packages are available for $74.95. Monthly and single-event packages will be available at a later date.

Fans can sign up now for NCHC.tv and select their season subscription package at NCHC.tv. All fans that sign up for a conference season subscription prior to Sept. 25 will receive an $8 discount on their package ($81.95), further dropping the per-game price. Subscribers of a conference season package by Sept. 25 will also be automatically entered into a contest to win four Treasure Island VIP Club tickets and a complimentary hotel room in downtown Minneapolis on March 20-21 for the 2015 NCHC Frozen Faceoff. In addition, fans who subscribe prior to Sept. 25 will receive a 15 percent off discount code to be used on the NCHC’s Fan Shop by Oct. 30 (good on conference and school merchandise).

Any subscriber who signs up for a conference season package will automatically receive the NCHC Tournament games available on the network. A separate postseason package will be available closer to the end of the season for those who do not have a conference season subscription.

As of today, Sept. 10, fans will no longer be able to sign up for live streaming hockey subscriptions through a member school’s website and hockey subscriptions will no longer be automatically renewed. For fans of Miami, North Dakota, Omaha or Western Michigan who already have an existing subscription that allows access to hockey content through a member school, NeuLion will upgrade them to the conference level package on NCHC.tv for the remainder of their existing subscription. In advance of the full network launching, an email will be sent to the fan with their username and login for NCHC.tv, along with the expiration date of their current subscription. Once the current subscription expires, those fans would then have the option to select any of the packages (conference or school) available on NCHC.tv at the regular price. For fans with subscriptions through member schools that allowed access to other sports content in addition to hockey, they will still have access to that content through the member site for the duration of their subscription. New non-hockey subscription packages will then also be available at a different price point on the member websites.

The NCHC’s digital network will be officially launched prior to the start of the season with the official launch date to be announced at a later time. Along with links on NCHCHockey.com and member sites, once live, fans can access NCHC.tv directly at this link: www.NCHC.tv. For help or issues with subscribing, contact NCHCtv@neulion.com.

Subscribers will enjoy their first live games on Saturday, Oct. 4, when three exhibitions will be streamed through the network, while five more will follow over the next two days. The NCHC’s second season begins in earnest Friday, Oct. 10 with seven teams in action, four of which can be viewed on the NCHC’s digital network. Conference play then opens the following Friday, Oct. 17 as Omaha travels to Western Michigan and North Dakota heads to Colorado College, both of which will be available via a subscription on NCHC.tv.

Kessel to Miss 2014-2015 Season

Announced today, Minnesota Golden Gopher superstar forward, Amanda Kessel, will miss the entire 2014-2015 season due to lingering concussion symptoms suffered while playing with the USA Women's National Team according to Gopher head coach Brad Frost.

In a statement released on gophersports.com, Kessel went on to say her health is her main priority and is very disappointed that she will not be able to return to play this season. Kessel also had missed the entire 2013-2014 season for the Gophers to prepare with the national team for the Sochi Olympics.

Kessel is fourth all time in Gopher scoring with 97 goals and 134 assists, totaling 231 points. She is also the 2013 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner, equivalent to the Hobey Baker in men's play, and helped the Gophers to a perfect season in 2012-2013.

What does this mean now for the rest of the WCHA and division one women's hockey? Well, a lot, and not too much, but let me explain first. Yes, Kessel is a huge scoring threat that will be missing from the Minnesota line-up and it did show at times last season that her presence on the roster could be seen. However, Minnesota is still a top three team in women's hockey and is always a threat to win a national title.

Saku Koivu Retires After 18 Years

Just announced today, Former Montreal Canadian, and current Anaheim Ducks center, Saku Koivu, has retired after 18 seasons in the NHL.

The Finnish center was well loved throughout the league and is the older brother to current Minnesota Wild captain Mikko Koivu. Saku would spend 14 seasons with Montreal, 10 of which he served as their captain, and is the only European captain in Montreal team history. His 10 seasons as captain are also tied for the longest tenure as a captain in team history with the famed Jean Beliveau.

Although he never won a Stanley Cup, Koivu has four Olympic medals, four world championship medals, including a gold in 1995, and a silver in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Koivu will go down as one of the top Finnish players to ever play in the NHL and his tough, injury battled, and cancer battled career will be one fans can talk about for years to come.

Bob Suter Passes at 57

Yesterday, news broke that Miracle on Ice defenseman, Bob Suter, passed away suddenly at the age of 57. Reports did not disclose what the cause of death was, however, I heard reports this morning that an apparent heart attack was the cause of death for the Olympic gold medalist.

Aside from his Olympic team history, Suter was an LA Kings draft pick in 1977, but turned down their contract offer. In 1981, he would sign with the Minnesota North Stars, but spent the whole year in their Central Hockey League affiliate, the Nashville South Stars. He never saw the ice in a single NHL game and retired in 1982.

He is also the father to current Minnesota Wild defenseman, Ryan Suter, and the duo are on a short list of father and son combinations who have played in the Olympic games.

Boston College's New Uniforms







This was posted on twitter yesterday. I must say that the Boston College Eagles have some sharp looking uniforms. I really like the Under Armor uniforms.

Tuesday, September 09, 2014

Vegas - National Title Odds

Vegas releases national title odds..   Posted on September 9, 2014 by Brad Elliott Schlossman

Caesars has released its odds for the 2014 college hockey national championship. Twitter user @irik101 posted a photo of them, showing that Minnesota is the heaviest favorite to win it all, followed by Boston College, North Dakota and Providence. Of note, Providence comes to Ralph Engelstad Arena on Oct. 24-25. Here you go….

3/1 — Minnesota (opened at 9/2)
4/1 — Boston College
6/1 — North Dakota (opened at 10/1)
10/1 — Providence
12/1 — Union
15/1 — Wisconsin
18/1 — St. Cloud State
20/1 — Colgate
20/1 — Michigan
20/1 — MSU-Mankato
25/1 — Denver
25/1 — UMass-Lowell
25/1 — Miami
25/1 — Quinnipiac
30/1 — Ferris State (opened at 40/1)
40/1 — Maine
40/1 — Ohio State
40/1 — Cornell
40/1 — Notre Dame
40/1 — New Hampshire
40/1 — Bowling Green (opened 60/1)
40/1 — Boston University (opened 60/1)
50/1 — Minnesota Duluth
50/1 — Yale
50/1 — Vermont (opened 60/1)
50/1 — Northeastern (opened 60/1)
60/1 — Clarkson
75/1 — Western Michigan -


Kuemper and Wild at Impasse



I am hoping this is the beginning of the end for the stalled contract talks. The Minnesota Wild can't afford to let Darcy Kuemper get away. Incidentally,  Kuemper could have filed for arbitration in July but didn't. 
Michael Russo, Star Tribune -- With training camp set to open next week, unsigned Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper is threatening to sign in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League if the Wild doesn’t sign him to a one-year, one-way contract, his agent said Monday.

“Basically, Chuck and I are stuck,” agent Jeff Helperl said of negotiations with Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher. Fletcher did not comment on the negotiations.

Helperl wants a one-year deal where Kuemper would be paid his NHL salary whether he plays in Minnesota or with the team’s American Hockey League affiliate in Des Moines. The Wild is offering a two-year deal where in the first year Kuemper would make a significantly lesser salary during the time he plays in Iowa.

“It comes down to Darcy has to play somewhere this year,” Helperl said of the KHL option. “Minnesota, they’re stuck on giving Darcy a two-way deal and I think Darcy deserves more. … By no means are we shooting for the moon at all. I just want to get a one-way contract and get Darcy playing more games, and wherever that’s going to be, it’s going to be.”

Helperl had a chance to file for arbitration July 5 but did not. That would have resulted in a neutral arbitrator awarding Kuemper, 24, a contract if one couldn’t be agreed upon prior.
If the past is any indication of the future, Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding have had their share of health issues and neither goalie has been able to play a full season that last two season. You have to figure that Kuemper is going to be up with the big club sooner rather than later.

Monday, September 08, 2014

Minnesota Wild: RFA Darcy Kuemper Looking at KHL Options



So, Minnesota Wild RFA goalie Darcy Kuemper is throwing a hissy fit. If I don't get my way, I am going to go to the KHL. Really, there's no options for Kuemper, he can sign with the Wild. I don't see another NHL team giving him an offer sheet. Time to sign a contract.
TSN.CA -- Stuck in a crowded goaltending situation, Minnesota Wild restricted free-agent goaltender Darcy Kuemper could move overseas for his next contract if he isn't able to secure what he is looking for in the NHL.

TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie is reporting that the Wild would like to re-sign the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native to a two-way contract, but coming off a strong playoff performance, Kuemper would prefer a one-way deal.

The Wild already have both Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding locked up heading into the season.

The 24-year-old Kuemper is looking at his options in the KHL, but would want a deal with an out clause in case he is able to find an NHL deal to his liking.
I said this last week on the Hockey Wilderness.

Make no mistake about it, Kuemper is a good young NHL goalie, and he has tremendous upside. However, I don't think he has much room to command a big salary increase. I also think he has to surpass last season numbers to get a big bump in his pay check.

Kuemper has played in 32 NHL games and has a (13-10-4, 2.37 GAA and a .915 SV%). Those are decent numbers, but they don't command a big salary increase, rather a modest bump.

NESN: UNH Goalie Casey DeSmith Arrested, Suspended After Alleged Domestic Dispute

This happened last week. Casey DeSmith was expected to be the starting goaltender for the UNH Wildcats this season. That leaves incoming freshman goalie Adam Clarke as a potential starter.
Zach Cox, NESN -- University of New Hampshire goaltender Casey DeSmith has been suspended indefinitely after being arrested Sunday in connection with an alleged domestic dispute.

DeSmith was arrested and charged with domestic assault and resisting arrest after police were called to a house near the school’s Durham campus early Sunday morning, according to the Durham Police Department.

A female victim was “thrown to the ground, jumped on top of and was repeatedly punched and spat upon,” Durham Deputy Police Chief Renee Kelly told The New Hampshire. Kelly added that DeSmith, 23, “appeared intoxicated” when police arrived and reportedly resisted arrest after being taken to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. The police also found “physical evidence” on the victim’s body, Kelly said.

TSN: An NHL team in Toronto could be yours for - $1.2 billion?

The NHL says that they're not currently looking into relocation or expansion, rumors are still swirling. In my opinion, 1.2 billion is a lot of money for an expansion fee, in any sport. It would probably be one of the most expensive of all-time.
Rick Westhead, TSN.CA -- The National Hockey League would likely command a record expansion fee worth as much as $1.2 billion for a second franchise in Toronto, sources tell TSN - a sum that would eclipse the previous North American sports record of $700 million that the Houston Texans paid to join the National Football League back in 1999.

While NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has insisted the league in not currently considering expansion or relocation, several senior NHL team sources said expansion - along with the league's strategy to grow international revenue - would be key topics during the NHL board of governors meetings on Sept. 30 in New York.

Five investment bankers who advise NHL team owners on the sales of franchises said it would only be a matter of time before the league entertains offers for another team in Toronto.

T.J. Oshie and Jonathan Toews Ranked 1 & 2 Shootout Specialists



Brian Compton of NHL.com ranks the top 14 shootout specialists in the NHL. None of us should be shocked by T.J. Oshie and Jonathan Toews being ranked so high. Both players are very good in the shootout and I am sure Jeff Frazee still has night mares of Toews lighting him up in the shootout during the 2007 WJC.
1. T.J. Oshie, St. Louis Blues, 56 points (4 first-place votes)
2013-14: 9/12, Career: 27/48

Nobody will soon forget Oshie's heroics at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, when the Blues forward led the United States to a 3-2 victory against Russia by scoring four times on six attempts in the shootout. Why did U.S. coach Dan Bylsma elect to keep using Oshie? Because he excels in the breakaway competition; Oshie went 9-for-12 last season and is 27-for-48 (56.2 percent) in his career. Fourteen of Oshie's 27 goals have clinched victories for St. Louis, including five last season.
It's really nice to see the former UND hockey players being recognized for their efforts.
3. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks, 43 points
2013-14: 7/13, Career: 34/68

Is there anything the Blackhawks' captain can't do? Toews scores timely goals, kills penalties, leads by example on and off the ice, and yes, excels in shootouts. He converted more than half of his attempts last season and four of his goals came on the road.

Ryan Malone to Play for the Rangers?



Here's the latest in the Ryan Malone saga.
NHL.COM -- Forward Ryan Malone will begin participating in informal skates with the New York Rangers on Monday, according to multiple sources and first reported by Larry Brooks of the New York Post.

Malone has been a free agent since the Tampa Bay Lightning used their second compliance buyout on the forward on June 25. At the time, Malone had one year and $2.5 million remaining on the seven-year, $31.5 million contract he signed with the Lightning in 2008.

Malone, 34, struggled last season in Tampa Bay, scoring five goals and 15 points in 57 games. A fourth-round pick (No. 115) of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1999 NHL Draft, he is a six-time 20-goal scorer and set career highs in his final season in Pittsburgh with 27 goals, 51 points, a plus-14 rating and 103 penalty minutes.

Sunday, September 07, 2014

UND Women's Hockey: Annie Chipman's Goalie Mask


Hockey season is almost here, goalie are showing off their new paint schemes for their goalie masks. Here's UND goalie Annie Chipman's new mask. Eye Candy Air did the paint job. That's the same company that did Jonathan Quick and Tim Thomas' mask.

North Dakota AG College: ESPN Game Day Heading Back To Fargo

When it rains, it pours. Life is good for NDSU fans right now. So, for a second time in a year, ESPN game day is making a return trip to Fargo.

Like one of my Facebook friends said, "If you're a fan of a certain Big Ten football team this should embarrass you. Your squad is in the big 10 and can't produce a product ESPN cares about. Better program, better team, less scholarships. Honestly it's pretty sad, really." Begrudgingly, I must admit, he's right, that's an awesome feat. Yep, life is good for the NDSU football team.
WDAZ.COM - Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) - When news broke over twitter this morning that ESPN's College GameDay would be making a return trip to Fargo next weekend if NDSU could beat Weber State tonight. Bison fans were quick to fire back with "we'll see you next week."


Liam Reddox Scores A Sick Goal



Former Edmonton Oilers forward Liam Reddox scored this amazing goal in a Champions Hockey League game. Reddox is now playing for Sweden's Växjö Lakers. Former Denver Pioneer Rhett Rakhshani is also a member of the Lakers.