NDSU Recinds New Media Policy

Before North Dakota State University's new media access rule could take effect, the schools president nixed it. It looks like cooler heads have prevailed.

MOO-U, Fargo  — North Dakota State University athletics' controversial rules that would have limited access for media outlets that didn't have a deal with the university will be rescinded, the university said Tuesday Aug. 2.

President Dean Bresciani directed the athletics department to ditch the guidelines it issued Friday, July 29. He wasn't informed in advance of the guidelines, the university said.

"I was profoundly disappointed when I learned the facts about this issue," Bresciani said in a news release. "This is not the way NDSU treats local journalists and our many loyal fans who value the breadth of news coverage NDSU enjoys. As the state's land grant university, our commitment is to access and inclusion in all endeavors."

My first question is, was this new rule even vetted with the University and with the President of NDSU? It doesn't appear so. The NDSU AD Matt Larson also apologized for the now defunct media rule.

“I erred in not bringing these ideas forward for the president’s review, and I regret the damage this has caused to the administration, institution and university community.”

NDSU's New Media Policy Goes Viral

If you’ve been following the news, this past week, North Dakota State University announced that they’re basically limiting who has access to their sports teams. The story has gone viral even making DEADSPIN. That's pretty big.

So, if you don’t work for KVLY you’re not going to get all of the access you need to cover those Bison sports/beats. Yeah, that sounds like a marvelous idea… Seriously, small division I school NDSU (they're a Mid-Major at best) thinks they’ve become so big that they should now limit what the Inforum beat writers and other local television stations can cover. Wait, what? Makes no sense at all. For those people that don't pay attention, the football beat writers for the Fargo paper do a fabulous job covering Bison Football. Limiting them would hurt the Bison football fans.

So, let's get this straight if ESPN wants to hold another College Gameday on the NDSU Campus, I am betting this new policy will somehow disappear... at least for a day, to accommodate ESPN, right? Sure they will, because it will feed the egos at Moo-U. You know, because they're the big-time.

Yeah! I am going to call Bison $hit. Mike McFeely had a great response to NDSU’s new policy. I find myself agreeing with Mike and not needing to take a shower afterward.

"You must protect that brand, just like Ohio State, Alabama and Oregon do," McFeely penned. "That is the world in which you reside. Sure you're forced to play South Dakota State, Northern Iowa and Western Illinois, but I know people in Boston, San Francisco and Miami don't view you that way. You are big-time.

"That's why the teeth-gnashing over Kolpack and Izzo is so childish. What have they done for you? What coverage have they provided? What following have they helped build? They are yesterday's news, just like the longtime basketball season-ticket holders who are getting squeezed out of your new arena."

Rob Port of Sayanythingblog fame used this as an opportunity to take a shot at the NDSU President Dean Bresciani. Ahem, while he holds some of the blame, the individuals in the NDSU Athletics Department that came up with this misguided policy are the ones that should be the focus of the media's anger. What the hell are they thinking? NDSU is a public university in a very small Midwestern state, it's not some prestigious school with their own channel on ESPN/NBC. It's time to grab some reality folks.

"About the only thing NDSU has truly excelled at under Bresciani has been winning football championships, Port wrote. "And although those championships really have very little to do with Bresciani – I’m pretty sure he’s not calling plays or recruiting players – he has managed to cast a pall over that success with this terrible, awful policy."

Port is right, outside of five (for the NDSU fans that can't count, that's back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back) FCS football champsionships, NDSU hasn't accomplished much in Division I sports. It's not like they have a high-profile hockey team or basketball team. So, NDSU might want to re-think their elitist new media policy.

INFORUM: NDSU limits some media access to Bison athletics

This was in today's Inforum, I think it's a dumb rule. Let's grow the brand by limiting the media that doesn't have broadcast rights. Marvelous.

"We're just trying to protect our rights holders and protect ourselves," said Jeremy Jorgenson, NDSU's director of sales and broadcasting. "We've grown so much that we need to protect our brand." With the new guidelines, media outlets without NDSU broadcast rights agreements:

• Won't be allowed to show extended game highlights on special TV programs.

• Won't be allowed to broadcast or stream online live, regularly scheduled press conferences.

• Won't be allowed to host radio shows, pregame or postgame coverage from NDSU facilities or grounds, including the Fargodome and its parking lot, on game days.

• Won't be allowed to do live play-by-play blogging of games.

• Won't be allowed to do one-on-one interviews with the head football or basketball coaches on radio, TV or internet in season without the written consent of NDSU. Media outlets must request all interviews with these coaches and all players 24 hours in advance.

DU's Trevor Moore Signs with the Toronto Maple Leafs

The two top lines in the NCHC last season are now missing 2/3 of their players. So, that means we can turn the page and move forward. With the signing of DU forward Trevor Moore, two players remain of the famed CBS and Pacific Rim lines. One from each team.

The Leafs have signed Trevor Moore to a three-year entry-level contract. #TMLtalk

READ: https://t.co/mIwV6bIGEP pic.twitter.com/GHdbj83ilW

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 26, 2016

Pacific Rim Line loses another as Trevor Moore signs with Toronto https://t.co/ZtrAeRx7Ut pic.twitter.com/be7mSUXWnh

— LetsGoDU (@LetsGoDU) July 26, 2016

With good play comes rewards.

Twins Fire GM Terry Ryan

Monday proved to be a busy news day. Probably, the most newsworthy item of the day, the Minnesota Twins have parted ways with General Manager Terry Ryan.Seriously, if I had been the owners, I'd a fired him after the month of May.

Minnesota Twins announce GM Terry Ryan has been relieved of his duties. Assistant GM Rob Antony as Interim GM. pic.twitter.com/LF2iYotKZ9

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 18, 2016

Jack Roslovic Signs with the Winnipeg Jets

The Miami University RedHawks will be minus another top player. Monday, 19-year-old forward Jack Roslovic signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Winnipeg Jets. Roslovic was drafted 25th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. More than likely, during the 2016-17 season, Roslovic will play with the London Knights of the OHL.

Told that Jack Roslovic has signed an entry-level deal w Winnipeg. @nhljets #nhljets He's done at Miami U.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) July 18, 2016

Clayton Keller Still Committed to BU

According to the Ryan Kennedy of the Hockey News, Boston University freshman, forward, Clayton Keller is sticking with the Terriers ,for now. I imagine that the Windsor Spitfires will make a serious push for Clayton's services.

One of the great battles for talent this year has been between the Boston University Terriers and the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires. The prize? Arizona Coyotes first-rounder Clayton Keller. And it really looks like BU has a stranglehold on the St. Louis native’s services.

All my intel says Keller is sticking with the NCAA route now that his exemplary career with Team USA’s National Team Development Program is finished. This weekend, Keller made another pretty good indication what his intentions are by playing at the Chowder Cup in Massachusetts on a team loaded with players bound for the 2016-17 Terriers roster.

Along with Keller, the Boston Jr. A Knights squad included Charlie McAvoy (BOS), Kieffer Bellows (NYI), Dante Fabbro (NSH), Chad Krys (CHI) and Jake Oettinger (2017 draft).

You can bet on this, where ever Keller goes, he won't be there more than a year or two.

Where Have I Been

It's been a busy summer. Recently, I was hired to be the College Hockey News guy at the Hockey Writers. So, I will be spending less time here and more time over on here.
The Past week and half I've been busy.
Get ready for the like-minded talk again: Minnesota State Applies to the NCHC.
The Boston College Eagles have had a tough summer.
B.C. Recruit Michael Campoli Hurt at the Sabres Development Camp.
The Eagles have also had seven early departures this summer.
There's could be some changes to college hockey, there's a proposal from the Power 5 schools to give athletes more time off: Power 5 Conferences Announce Agreement on Flex 21.
Apparently, the same eastern hockey coaches aren't enamored with the new 4-on-4 proposals: College Hockey Coaches Lukewarm to 4-on-4 O.T.
Former Fighting Sioux Defenseman Derek Forbort has re-signed with the L.A. Kings.
Phil Kessel played the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a injured hand and it didn't slow him down.
Apparently, the Great One convinced Milan Lucic to sign with the Oilers.
The Bentley University Falcons are getting a new hockey arena.
Stating Monday, I will be on vacation. I am going to take some time off and enjoy my new boat.

Mark Mondry : UND should replace fans' Sioux gear with Hawks gear

I saw this letter from the editor by Mark Mondry and I couldn't let it slip by without some comment. First, this is a silly idea. I mean seriously, the University isn't going to spend millions of dollars replacing Fighting Sioux jersey's, t-shirts and gear. The university is in a budget crisis. Second,  there are a lot of people that wouldn't agree to this. I know I am not turning over my Fighting Sioux jerseys. .

UND should be required to buy back the officially licensed Fighting Sioux gear that the university made millions from.

While I understand that the NCAA backed UND into a corner, the reality is the fan base has been left with merchandise that is now obsolete.
At the very least, the university should replace existing Fighting Sioux gear with new Fighting Hawks gear, enabling the transition.

I honestly can't believe that a graduate from UND would come up with this.

Arizona Coyotes, Arizona State University in the Same Arena?

Could the Arizona Coyotes and the Arizona State University Sun Devils end up in the same hockey arena when it's all said and done. Sure, looks like it's very much still a possibility. The Sun Devils need a place to call home and the Coyotes aren't happy with their current home. Also, the Sun Devils current arena situation is "one" of the reasons why they don't have a conference to call home.

Mike Sunnucks, Biz Journal -- A potential arena venture involving the Arizona Coyotes hockey team and Arizona State University is still in the works.

That arena could be part of a larger development adjacent to ASU’s main campus in Tempe on the Karsten Golf Course off Rio Salado Parkway just east of Scottsdale/Rural Road.

The Coyotes are also looking at developing a potential new arena on the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community land next to Scottsdale.

That includes a site at McClintock and McKellips roads across from the Big Surf water park. That site was previously home to the Scottsdale 6 drive-in theaters.

The National Hockey League franchise could also be considering another Salt River site near the juncture of Loops 101 and 202. That reservation land is off McKellips Road east of the Loop 101.

But very knowledgeable sources tell the Phoenix Business Journal that a Coyotes arena venture with ASU at the Karsten course is still very much in the mix.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Moving Forward with the New Logo

Like many University of North Dakota fans, I have been pondering the new Fighting Hawks logo and kind of wondering how the University is going to use it. While this works for some teams and uniforms, I can't figure how the hockey team would utilize this new logo, maybe on a hockey helmet. The new wordmark looks decent.

While many UND sports fans don't like the new logo, I think there are some possibilities. This was on @SiouxTradition's Facebook page. As I've said in the past, this logo would look good on a football helmet. If they fill in the letters and clean it up a bit. The concept could work. Feel free to share your thoughs.

This looks pretty good on a FB helmet. @SiouxTradition @SiouxFootball pic.twitter.com/T788H59ss4

— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) July 5, 2016

One Person's View on UND's New Nickname

I was wondering how long this would take? Erich Longie has penned this letter to the editor in today's Grand Forks Herald. Thoughts?

Some people are getting irate about the Herald's constant coverage of the ongoing non-controversy. Not me. Each story is a reminder of a hard-fought victory over a deeply embedded racist tradition. I will never get tired of hearing or reading about it. Sort of like my Lakota relatives who every year celebrate their victory over Custer at Greasy Grass, 150 years ago.

In closing, what this really comes down to is this: a few hardcore and racist Fighting Sioux nickname fans just can't stand to let American Indians "win one."

In their eyes, we committed an unpardonable sin by not only standing up to their racism but also winning. And they can't let that go, any more then can they let their racism go.

When I first came to Grand Forks in the fall of 1993,  the controversy surrounding the Fighting Sioux nickname was coming to a head. I heard many of the same points that have been brought up in Longie's victory lap. Each has his own opinion. It's a bit over the top to call the #foreversioux and #siouxforever camps racist. So, are the Sioux were Silenced people racists, too? Many of those folks are Dakota.

Miami's Jack Roslovic not Headed to the OHL

Recently, rumors surfaced that Miami RedHawks forward Jack Roslovic was leaving the RedHawks and headed to the London Knights of the OHL. Usually, it’s a bad sign when a top recruit is traded to the London Knights. Let's just say, they’re very good at getting their draftees to sign. This time, the NCAA has won over the CHL.

RedHawks fans will be happy to know that Roslovic isn’t going to be heading to the OHL after all.

Tim Campbell, Winnipeg Free Press -- In the OHL, the Flint Firebirds, who drafted him in 2013, dealt his rights to the London Knights for a pick and potentially two more if he plays in the junior league.

As of Monday, though, Roslovic said he’s remaining at Miami.

"When I got traded, Basil McRae (London GM) called, and it was news to me," Roslovic said. "As of now, I like Miami. We’ll see what goes on throughout the duration of camp but as of now, back to Miami it is."

To repeat, "as of now", Roslovic isn't going to the OHL.

Vesey and Eichel Would Make a Great Combination

When I read this article, I get the impression that former Harvard Crimson and Hobey Baker Memorial Award recipient Jimmy Vesey has limited interest in joining the Buffalo Sabres.

Kevin Paul Dupont, Boston Glob -- The sight of the Vesey-Eichel combination (with Nick Lappin, AHL Albany, filling out the trio) would have Sabres fans fogging up every pane of glass in the arena’s three rinks, just thinking what it might be like if they were to team up in Buffalo. The Buffalo fandom embraced Eichel in his rookie season, and will spend these next six weeks sending vibes down Route 90, hoping that he can recruit a fellow Bay Stater 450 miles west to the City of Good Neighbors.

“He’s told me they have a young team, and stuff like that,’’ said Vesey, constantly set up by velvety feeds from Eichel during the scrimmage. “And that it’s a good place to play, with passionate fans. But he said he’s not going to harass me or anything . . . obviously, it’s my decision and that’s that.’’

Now, as a hockey fan, I would love to see what Jack Eichel and Jimmy Vesey could do on the ice together. Reading this article, I get the impression that Vesey would like to test the free agent market and see which teams are interested in him. There's a chance he could end up playing on the hometown Bruins.

I am not a Sabres fan, but I am interested in seeing how they fair on the ice this season. Looking at some of the Sabres signings, they have the possibility to be a decent hockey team this year.

An Interesting Read on P.K. Subbans Departure from Montreal

Last Friday, after the Free Agent Signing Period began, I watched in shock as the P.K. Subban was traded from the Montreal Canadiens to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber. After reading this article, it appears there's a few moving parts in this trade.

Jack Todd, Montreal Gazette -- Of course no one is saying so for attribution, but Subban is gone because the club had issues with his character, which is subtly different than character issues. Somehow, Subban had made himself unpopular in the room and in the executive offices through what would appear to be an excess of personality.

Subban was too ebullient. He was too happy after losses. He may have stayed out too late at night. He may have joked that Drew Doughty was going to win the Norris because he had a better supporting cast.

That Subban’s behaviour never included the sort of very real character issues you get with the Raising Kane Brothers (Patrick and Evander) didn’t matter. He was cocky and brash and a little too involved in his own world, so he had to go.

Whatever Subban was like in the room or in the clubs after hours, when the puck dropped, no player on this team battled harder. Subban gave this team all he had every night, so if he wanted to bounce around the room and crow after a loss, he has earned the right. If some of his teammates worked half as hard, there would not have been so many losses to mourn in the proper fashion.

Subban has played in 434 NHL games and has scored 63 goals and 278 points. Subban is ranked 10th all-time on the Canadiens for points by a defenseman.

Weber, on the other hand, has played in 763 games and has scored 166 goals and 443 points. Weber is ranked first overall on the Predators for points by a defenseman.

Looking at this deal, it would appear that the trade is basically a wash. Weber is three years older than Subban. Last season, both players scored 51 points. Over the course, they’ve averaged about the same number of points per game, .Subban has averaged 629 PPG, and Weber has averaged .580 PPG. 

New UND President Leaves No Doubt on Nickname and Logo

After reading the comments of incoming University of North Dakota President Mark Kennedy's, there should be no doubt, the Fighting Hawks nickname issue has been finalized. He's not going to change the name or the logo. While some will continue to draw different version's of the Fighting Hawks logo, the newly designed logo will remain as UND official logo.

Wade Rupard, Grand Forks Herald --- UND's new president has a message for the university's community and fans: The Fighting Hawks name and logo are here to stay.

In an interview with the Herald, Mark Kennedy, who began his tenure as UND's president Friday, said the debate about the school's nickname and logo have distracted it from focusing on academic priorities. When asked if he plans to stick with the Fighting Hawks name and logo, Kennedy said "yes and yes."

Thoughts?  Like it or not, that's UND's official nickname and logo.

Vanek a Ranger?

Last week, former Minnesota Wild forward Thomas Vanek had the final year of his three-year contract bought out by the Wild. It appears that one team's loss is another team's game. According to the Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the Rangers might be interested in adding the slow-footed Vanek to their lineup.

Larry Brooks, New York Post --- The Rangers, we’re told, intend to touch base with Thomas Vanek and gauge his willingness to sign the type of one-year reclamation contract that Benoit Pouliot did when he joined the Blueshirts for $1.3 million in 2013-14. Pouliot used that season as a springboard to the five-year, $20 million deal he then signed the following summer with the Oilers.

It would make perfect sense, too, for the Islanders to check in on Vanek, who melded beautifully with Tavares (and, uh oh, Okposo) during his 47-game lend-lease tryout with the club during 2013-14.

Embed from Getty Images

Petition to Change New Fighting Hawks Logo

A person named Sarah Wallace has started a petition to change the new Fighting Hawks logo. This story has been picked up by the Grand Forks Herald, Valley News Live and WDAZ. While this makes an interesting story, it will have little affect on the UND administration. They're not going to dump a new logo they just spent $49,500.00 on. The political bloggers would have a field day with this one.
Here's the link to the petition.

It was an extremely sad day for many proud University of North Dakota alumni, students, fans and friends when the NCAA and the administration put their heads together and decided the way we loved, adored and respected our beloved Sioux nickname/logo could no longer belong to us. Completely disregarding the night of July 18, 1969 when a full night of events took place in which the Sioux elders gave the University the right to use their name. However, this petition IS NOT ABOUT RETURNING TO THE SIOUX NAME.

This petition is about the complete mishandling of creating a new logo the alumni, student body, fans, Sioux and friends can rally behind. The administration did all of us an injustice by hiring an out of state firm who does not understand who and what North Dakota is about. It is time to reclaim OUR UNIVERSITY and say we have had enough!! It is time to demand they listen to us. If they want us to rally around name that we did not want then give us a logo we can be proud of. Allow a local artist to create the logo. An even better idea would be to have the original creator of the beloved Sioux logo Bennett Brien to create the new logo.

This would be the only way the university administration can redeem themselves. We were foolish to think that Ed Schafer would come in and understand what we needed and this from a UND graduate. Please take the time to sign and share this petition. It is not to late to have a new logo designed by someone we can all stand behind and support. If we must have this name then give us a logo we will have pride, honor and support!

Currently, there are 3,575 supporters, if my math is correct that an increase of 575 signatures since yesterday.

Usual Suspects: Mike McFeely Can't Help Himself

On Wednesday, the University of North Dakota introduced the new Fighting Hawks logo. About 15 minutes after introducing the new logo social media blew up. Yeah that happened, but come on, everyone knew that was going to happen.

Never wasting an opportunity to bag on anything UND, Inforum's political columnist Mike McFeely penned this zinger. Now you have to applaud McFeely, this is very smart move, especially, if he's being paid by the page views and sessions. That article is probably good for 10,000 hits or roughly $30.00.

It was as sad as it was predictable. UND men’s hockey fans and former players trashing the new logo for the sake of trashing the new logo, because it’s not the beloved Fighting Sioux nickname and logo and by God will never be the beloved Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

It would’ve been refreshing to hear a former player, any former player, break the cliche and say something along the lines of, “You know, none of us wanted to get rid of the Fighting Sioux nickname. We all recognize that. Even those men and women who had to guide the university through the process of finding a new nickname and logo did not necessarily want to do it, but they had to. They were forced to. So this is where we are. Reality is, UND is now the Fighting Hawks and we have a new logo. While we wish the Fighting Sioux nickname could’ve continued forever, that is not what happened. So while I’ll always identify my hockey career as being a member of the Fighting Sioux, from here on out we’ll be known as the Fighting Hawks. We already have one championship under our belt with our new nickname and hopefully there will be many more. It’s time to embrace change. #FightingHawks.”

What's even more entertaining, McFeely's blog doesn't accept comments. Not a single one. I would love to see the comments coming for this blog post. Come one Mike, if you're going to troll UND fans, at least have the common decency to accept comments on your blog. Maybe you could learn a thing or two from your co-workers Rob Port and Brad Schlossman. Both writers accept comments on their blogs.

And finally this.

Whether or not you like the new nickname and logo, and whether or not the new logo is graphically pleasing, shouldn’t matter. At some point, the #SiouxForever crowd is going to have to accept that the school has a new nickname and logo. That’s just reality. Like it or hate it, it happened.

When is Rocco Grimaldi or Cam Johnson or another hockey player going to do the difficult thing and support the institution and the people, instead of a retired nickname?

Here's what McFeely and the MoveOn crowd aren't getting. To a certain degree, I think the University has to walk on eggshells with the #FightingSiouxforever block. There's a part of the hockey fan base that isn't going to accept the new nickname. Some never may accept it. So what? That's also a very big part of the UND hockey fanbase. Do you risk alienating a very big part of your fanbase? I don't think the University can afford to. Also, if a former player never played with the new nickname, they're not going to feel any attachment to the new nickname. I don't think you can expect them to just endorse the new nickname, either. Most of them never played under the new nickname, including Roco Grimaldi. So beating on Grimaldi and others solves nothing.

Finally, there needs to be a balanced approach and a mourning period. Accepting the new Fighting Hawks nickname and logo could take generations. It's especially easy for people that have no connection to a program to say, "It's time move on and let it go." This is what McFeely and others don't get. I am not saying I endorse this line of thinking, but it's a reality that I understand. Feel free to opine.

UND at the Draft

by Redwing77

What an interesting draft we've had for UND!

Rocco Grimaldi exchanges his sunscreen for his skis going from the Florida Panthers to the Colorado Avalanche via trade.

And then there were the drafted UND players:

The First Round saw incoming freshman Tyson Jost drafted 10th overall by Colorado.  I only know what Brad Schlossman says about Jost but Boeser to Jost is going to be exciting once Jost acclimates to the NCAA game.

Skip a few to the fourth round where UND sophomore Rhett Gardner gets drafted 116th overall by Dallas.  I think this is classified as a diamond in the rough find for Hakstol and Berry.  I didn't expect much from Rhett and he's gradually gotten better and better.

UND recruit Mitchell Mattson got drafted 126th overall (5th Round) by Calgary.  He'll be one to watch as lots of up and down movement regarding opinion on Mattson has occurred as of late.

UND now has a pair of drafted goaltenders Matej Tomak was drafted last year and this year, future UND goaltender and current Omaha Lancer Peter Thome was drafted in the 6th round by Columbus.

Collin Adams, a player currently for Muskegon of the USHL and future UND winger, got drafted in the 6th round by the Islanders.

Overall, a pretty good weekend for UND.