Fall is on its Way...

Summer coming to an end

You can see the begining of fall coming but you can also feel the beginnig of the fall season in the air, I say this literally, as the farmers are harvesting their wheat and barley fields. My alergies have been killing me all week and I can't wait to it rains again to knock down some of this dust.

Incidently I was watching the weather channel this morning and I say 47 degrees as a low temperature, the drop of the puck is 44 days away. Summer is almost over and hockey season is on it's way. Here are a couple of things that I noticed while reading a recent College Hockey News article. Summer Session: North Dakota

Head Coach: Dave Hakstol
2006-2007 record: 24-14-5 (13-10-5 WCHA) Third consecutive Frozen Four appearance
Key Returnees: Robbie Bina D SR., Kyle Radke D SR., Philippe Lamoureux G SR., Ryan Duncan F JR., T. J. Oshie F JR., Matt Watkins F JR., Taylor Chorney D JR. Joe Finley D JR., Chay Genoway D SO.
Key Losses: Jonathan Toews (early departure), Brian Lee (early departure), Chris Porter, Erik Fabian

When the 2006-07 season began there were many question marks surrounding the Fighting Sioux. Such questions early were about the scoring and some questions surrounded Philippe Lamoureux and if he could be an everyday goaltender. Those questions were answered early with the offense, but it was the second half that Lamoureux proved to be an everyday goaltender.

About the 2006-07 season, head coach Dave Hakstol said, "It was extremely competitive and very exciting."

Hakstol also mentioned that "The parity was extremely competitive," meaning that there were many teams that he felt could win it all during tournament time.

The team made the Frozen Four again by defeating Minnesota in one of the greatest NCAA regional games that was ever played. Although it lost to Boston College in the semis, Sioux fans can still be happy about the team's performance.

The season ended when Ryan Duncan won the Hobey Baker award. Duncan was part of the second half surge that helped the Fighting Sioux throughout that part of the year.

"There were a lot of factors for our good second half," Hakstol said. "The development of the underclassmen improved, the transition went well and we found an identity that helped us late in the year."

As for the 2007-08 season, the Fighting Sioux look to be loaded on all cylinders, even despite losing underclassmen Jonathan Toews and Brian Lee. Although the Sioux only have four seniors on the roster, there is plenty of leadership on the team with eight juniors on the 2007-08 roster.

As far as the recruiting class goes, Hakstol said, "It is a very solid class with a good core of guys."

Overall there are six members of the class of 2011. "There are high expectations about this freshman class," said Hakstol. "They have all contributed on their teams in the past."

With four USHL players and two BCHL players on the list of recruits. And another newcomer worth notice is former Alaska-Anchorage forward Shea Hamilton who will look to establish himself as a role player.

"This is no different than any other year," Hakstol said about the teams expectations. "Our No. 1 goal is to be there in March and April. We have a good core coming back, and we want to come with a good start right out of the gates."

Even though the Sioux lost two players to the NHL, this team is still loaded. Expect this team to look towards a fourth consecutive Frozen Four appearance.

Early season prediction: anywhere from first through fourth in the WCHA

First off from everything that I have heard around town and through the Blog Sphere is that Shea Hamilton will not be joining the Fighting Sioux because he was dismissed from the team last spring for undisclosed reasons. Apparently the news media wasn't given the press brief on that one or they just have a case of ADHD.

Also, what is up with the prediction: way to go out on a limb on that prediction. Come on the Sioux will finish anywhere from first place to fourth place. If the Sioux don’t finish in first or second in the WCHA this season I would believe the Sioux will have unachieved as a team.