Putting on the Links; Thursday afternoon

There's some good news, good tickets still remain for this weekend's series. So let's put some butts in the seats this weekend. Cold weather, no problem, fans in North Dakota are tough.

Tickets still left for the @UNDMHockey games this weekend. Don't miss the big @TheNCHC series vs. @omavs. pic.twitter.com/8FVzZYTxIE
— Dexter Albrecht (@dexteralbrecht) February 6, 2014

The hits keep coming. More great news, the series between UND vs. UMD will be on MidcoSN. However, you will need to live in the regional area to watch the games.

MidcoSN picks up men’s hockey series at UMD http://t.co/RwsRV1kJ3Q
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) February 6, 2014

Former UND goalie Aaron Dell is making an impact in the ECHL. You would have to think he's going to get a look at the next level, if he keeps playing like this.

Aaron Dell of the @UtahGrizz named @Warrior Hockey #ECHL Goaltender of the Month http://t.co/iIDcwtQeKQ pic.twitter.com/tGdfKtQBS4
— ECHL (@ECHL) February 5, 2014

Looking ahead to this weekend's games. Matt Semisch of USCHO fame and I reviewed this weekend's pivotal NCHC series. I think that you will find his answer interesting.

UND Hockey: Taking a Look at the UNO Mavericks with Matthew Semisch - http://t.co/QxhBPJFLrv #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/sXZ4Plop7k
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) February 5, 2014

The UND vs. UNO series is quickly becoming one of those series that you mark off on the calendar. The two teams don't like each other.

UND Hockey: Nebraska-Omaha and North Dakota set to Battle - http://t.co/fdQ4c0qyQP #NHL pic.twitter.com/T9GqTUZkoN
— THW Hockey (@HockeyLinks) February 6, 2014

Check out this article with UND junior defenseman Nick Mattson, he's made the transition from the USHL to college hockey very nicely. My brother-in-law Andy Brink, who run the Breakaway Hockey School with former Gopher and Buffalo Sabres forward Dave Snuggerud, talks highly of Mattson and his skills as well.

@goon48 @SchlossmanGF Check out this interview with Nick Mattson. http://t.co/sR9gaPnz8H
— Indiana Ice (@indianaice) February 6, 2014

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Sub-Par Faceoff Numbers Plague Team (thehockeywriters.com)

Breakaway Academy pioneers hockey-focused schooling in Chaska

KMSP-TV

Here’s a nice story about my brother-in-law Andy Brink and the school where he’s the hockey coach.

CHASKA, Minn. (KMSP) - Education has evolved over the past few decades with charter schools and others that focus intensively on music, theater and the arts -- but a new school in Chaska may be the first to cater to the hockey set.

The middle school students who spoke with FOX 9 News about the new school did so with enthusiasm, and their parents say the focus on hockey has their kids are highly-motivated to learn.

Even though it's not unusual for kids to hit the ice after school this time of year, there are a lot of questions being directed toward a teaching institution that puts a priority on a single sport.

"We're a private school, licensed teachers, small classroom sizes combined with specific hockey training," explained coach and co-founder Andy Brink. "There's nothing else like it in the Twin Cities."

Combining hockey with academics has been a five-year vision for Brink, and practice is a part of the daily school curriculum at the new Breakaway Academy in Chaska -- but that doesn't mean students get a pass on grades if they have skill on the ice.

In case anyone is interested, here’s the link to Breakaway Academy and Breakaway Hockey...