I found this post on Sioux Sports and its awesome. It sums up the Fighting Sioux's chances for next season. There has been way too much negativity coming from message boards around the net. I think its time for Sioux fans to take a deep breath and have some faith in the coaching staff as well as the team that Sioux still have in place. This is priceless and very well written.
This is a quote from Siouxnami...
To steal from a complete idiot...
"All the negativity in this town sucks, Zach Parise, Travis Zajac, Drew Stafford, and Matt Smaby aren't going to walk through that door..."
Turnover
The Fighting Sioux are what they are, they are a team that every year fills their team with some of the best talent in college hockey. As a result, this talent matures and moves on to the next level. Because this talent has success at the next level, more talent comes. Players leaving early is a reality, live with it and quit whining. Would you really tell a 20 year old, "no risk financial security for the rest of your life for a trophy?" When one does come back, surprisingly, enjoy it, don't expect it.
I have been outspoken about people posting stuff that is speculation. Sure some has turned out to be true, but timelines and facts have been wrong, meaning your facts are flawed at best and outright lies at worst. Those of you posting BS, let it go...
Right after the season, I said that if everyone stayed, next seasons team could be one of the best ever. It didn't happen. Oh well, we will have to settle for another very good Sioux team.
Freshman
I've got news for you. Maybe the greatest freshman class ever (considering both quantity AND quality) will be back and improved. All those freshman D will be much better. Do you remember what happened to Travis Roach between his Freshman and Sophamore year? By the 2007 tournements this D should be awesome on both ends of the ice.
The forwards, WOW, lets not be delusional, we probably have Toews and Oshie for 1 more year. Enjoy it. These guys are awesome. Duncan will continure to improve. Kozek, Watkins, and Miller, have shown flashes of what they can do. Lets not forget that Miller was recovering from a severe injury this year. They would be the first line on alot of teams. I expect a coming out party for these guys next season.
Solid lines, D and goaltending
Our D should be much improved even with the loss of Smaby. Finley, will be playing what should be his freshman year and will be physical. Chorney, Lee, and Jones will improve on what can only be considered as outstanding Freshman seasons. Radke played the game of his life against BC, and I look for that to continue. One of my favorite players (obvious to anyone that has seen my sig for the last year+) Robbie Bina will be back with heart and fire. Alexander and Marto?? look to be worthy backups at worst.
We have 2 great goaltenders, as I have seen nothing to lead me to believe that Parise is leaving. Phill has played well in general, he just hasn't gotten the goal support.
Our forwards should be great, despite the losses. I don't know what the lines will be but in terms of personal:
Oshie-Toews-Duncan (name me a better line in college hockey)
Kozek-Kaip-Fabian (a talented hard-nosed physical line)
Watkins-Porter-Vandevelde
Forney-Miller-Zajac#2
Wow, look at that talent. At this point I am still guessing that Forney will come, given his immense talent. We would have an AWESOME first line, a ferocious and talented checking line. An all-NHL draft pick line featuring Porter (who I think will explode this year) And a very stron 4th line that can play with anyone. Not bad for a reloading year.
Oh yeah, and we have one hell of a good coaching staff as well...
NHLs in the Ralph
I don't think that we appreciate enough, how many times we see 6 guys with NHL talent on the ice at one time for the Sioux. Maybe this season, we can enjoy it, because it will happen alot. Guys with at minimum the potential to play in the NHL include:
Parise
Phil
Oshie
Toews
Kozek
Watkins
Porter
Finley
Lee
Chorney
Jones
Radke
Vandevelde
Forney
NOT TOO SHABBY!!!
Awesome recruits.
Hey folks, the pipeline is NOT running dry! We have 2 more high round NHL picks in the works with Forney and LaPoint, not to mention Trupp who will also likely be drafted. North Dakota has a history of not only bringing in first class players, but first class people as well. Have you ever heard of the team underperforming, because of issues in the locker room? Many great programs have had this issue.
I'm sure that we will continue to get great recruts for 2007 and beyond. All of these great players are potential recruits for UND for one reason or another:
Ben Blood-D Shattuck St.Mary's 6'1 180 3-15-89
Jeff Foss-D Moorhead 6'2 180 12-12-88 (another Moorhead kid)
Mario Lamoureux-LC Tri-City (USHL) 5'11 180 6-18-88
Colin Wilson-LC USNDPT U-18 Team 5'11 180 10-20-89 (I think Vegas said he is from Winipeg)
Jason Gregoire-LW Winnipeg So.Blues (MJHL) 5'11 175 2-24-89 (Vegas?)
David Toews-LC Colorado Outlaws 5'11 170 6-7-90
Kelsey Tessier-C Colorado Outlaws 5'8 150 1-16-90
Jordy Murray-RC Shattuck St.Mary's 5'8 155 1-8-90
Wade Poplawski-D Winnipeg (MJHL) 5'11 180 8-12-86 61-4-36-40-93 2003 Manitoba U17 Team
Ben Winnett-RW Salmon Arm (BCHL) 6' 175 4-3-89 60-18-31-49-31
Aaron Marvin-C/LW Warroad 6'3 180 5-27-88
Brad Malone
This will keep the wild ride going. Enjoy...
And finally
Every where the Sioux travel they can expect a lift from the fans. Pound for pound we travel better than anyone else in the nation. We are passionate about our team and will support them regardless of the circumstances. (No, I'm not talking about you losers that post crap and whine here or sit on your hands at the Ralph). But there is a huge legion of support for our team, and this legion will only continue to grow because we are the best tradition in college hockey bar none!
So this is why I am excite for the 2006/2007 season and beyond. Fighting Sioux fans, be loud and proud for your team.
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