Jody Hodgson; Nothing will be changing in Ralph Engelstad Arena if general manager Jody Hodgson has anything to say about it.

I have to say after reading this article I must admit that I am big fan of REA General Manager Jody Hodgson. Finally! There is someone with some back bone and balls to make a stand.

Nothing will be changing in Ralph Engelstad Arena if general manager Jody Hodgson has anything to say about it.

Despite Thursday’s ruling by the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education to begin retiring the Fighting Sioux name and logo, the privately owned arena — with an estimated 3,000 Sioux logos in it — might remain in its current state.

Speaking from Chicago, Hodgson again debunked the urban legend that there’s a secret document from Ralph Engelstad calling for the closing of the 11,640-seat venue if the nickname ever changes.

In fact, Hodgson says it is his wish that nothing changes at all.

“The first thing I have to do is fully analyze and understand what’s happened today,” Hodgson said. “I’ll have to discuss this with the board (of directors) as well. But, if I have anything to do with it, nothing in the building will ever change. Nobody will ever be allowed to change anything.

“It would be the utmost sign of disrespect if anybody ever tries to deface that building. If I have anything to say on the matter, that will never happen. Never.”

It is unknown whether the NCAA would grant Ralph Engelstad Arena a men’s hockey regional or a women’s Frozen Four if the thousands of logos stay. But Hodgson said the arena won’t make any decisions based on the NCAA’s thoughts.

“I could care less,” Hodgson said. “Sometimes, you’ve got to stand up for what’s right.”

Hodgson, a member of the board of directors at the arena, said he and members of the Engelstad Foundation were “deeply disappointed and deeply saddened” by the State Board’s decision.

“It’s obvious that it was never about how the Native Americans felt,” Hodgson said. “If they wanted to honor the Native Americans, they would have honored their wishes. Nobody has ever proven that they don’t want the name and logo. [Grand Forks Herald]

RIT hockey team can beat Denver, says Air Force coach

I always love these feel good articles, however, there is no way in hell that DU is going to lose to RIT. Mark it down we will come back to this subject later. DU is a very good hockey team and while they didn’t have their best showing during the Final Five, RIT is no match for the DU Pioneers. I can say this with confidence that Denver University is too good of a hockey team to lose to some second rate hockey program from the Atlantic Hockey Association. Put down the Pipe Frank.

Seriously, Air Force Academy Sacred Heart and RIT were something like 3-16-1 during their non conference schedule (their out of conference wins came against the ECAC); so to breaking it down further the AHA was good awful against teams outside of their league someone is on the pipe if they think RIT is going to take down DU. Yeah I would paint this as David with no chance versus Goliath the number one seed and thanks for showing up RIT.

“I wouldn’t paint this as a David vs. Goliath, no way, no way,” Serratore said. “Denver has a really good team but so does RIT.”

Atlantic Hockey is always dismissed as a lesser league by the long-established power leagues of collegiate hockey.

“We’re from a league that doesn’t get much attention,” RIT defenseman Dan Ringwald admits.

But Air Force and Holy Cross have done the AHA proud in the previous four NCAA tournaments.

Holy Cross upset Minnesota in a regional semifinal in 2006. Air Force has never not given an opponent a scare, or worse. The Falcons lost regional semifinals by one goal in both 2007 and 2008, 4-3 to Minnesota in 2007 and 3-2 in overtime to Miami in 2008. Last spring, Air Force defeated Michigan 2-0 in the opener before losing 3-2 in double overtime to Vermont in the regional finale.

“We were one double-overtime goal away from going to the Frozen Four,” Serratore said. “I think in college hockey the top is down and the bottom is up. The top programs aren’t as dominant as they once were because the NHL comes in and takes their top kids.”

Serratore also said RIT’s AHA championship and 10-game winning streak should give them extreme confidence.

“RIT is going into the tournament through the front door, not the back door,” he said. “You have a big advantage going in by winning your conference tournament as opposed to going in on a loss (but earning an at-large berth).

“When you win your way in, you go in with a lot of mojo.”

Air Force lost to Denver 2-1 in overtime on Feb. 6, but outshot the Pioneers 46-35. “Granted, I don’t think we got one of Denver’s better games but we should have won 4-1, 5-1, we just couldn’t beat (goalie Marc) Cheverie,” Serratore said.

No RIT player has been drafted by an NHL team. Denver’s roster includes 14 drafted players, including center Joe Colborne, a first-round pick by the Boston Bruins in 2008. Cheverie, a Hobey Baker finalist and the WCHA player of the year, is considered one of the Panthers’ rising prospects.

“Cheverie is a great goalie but he’s coming off a couple not-so-good games, so you know you can get to him,” Serratore said.
[rocnow.com]