CCHA turns down UAH.

So the CCHA is going to turn up it's nose at UAH. This is elitist. Let's be clear, this is not good for college hockey and it's basically the CCHA thumbing it's nose at UAH and saying you're not good enough to be a member of our league but bottom feeder teams like BGSU, LSSU, are?

Like one of my friends said it's the league taking it toys and going home like a spoiled kid. So folks; when the NCAA starts pulling at large bids because division one hockey teams are dropping hockey, the blame can be laid at the feet of the CCHA.

The CCHA announced today that the CCHA Council, comprised of athletic administrators and faculty athletic representatives, has voted by acclamation to deny Alabama-Huntsville's application to become a member of the conference.

“The league completed its due diligence of the application for membership submitted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville with careful consideration and discussion of various issues,” CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos said. “At this time we have chosen to maintain our membership at its current level.”

“The CCHA will remain focused on maintaining and strengthening our existing members to ensure the conference’s continued success and long-term viability.”
[CHN Staff Report]

T.J. Oshie makes the Hot List.

Three former college hockey stars made The Hot List this week, of course not to be confused with the hot or not list. There were the following players; Max Pacioretty, Jeff Frazee's WJC back up Jeff Zatkoff and T.J. Oshie. Good to see the ex-college hockey players getting notice.

With prospect camps in full swing, The Hockey News’ Hot List – our weekly roundup of players we can’t wait to see in the NHL some day - looks at some of the names making early waves this summer.

4. Max Pacioretty, LW – Michigan Wolverines (CCHA): Foes of the Wolverines will be glad to hear they’ve seen the last of Pacioretty. The emerging power forward signed with the Montreal Canadiens last week, meaning he’ll likely play in the American League with Hamilton next season. Pacioretty’s departure leaves Michigan without its entire top line from last year, as linemates Chad Kolarik and Kevin Porter are already in the Phoenix Coyotes system. Drafted 22nd overall by Montreal in 2007.

5. Jeff Zatkoff, G – Miami RedHawks (CCHA): The now former RedHawk turned aside all 25 shots he faced in the Kings’ scrimmage game, including a penalty shot. With Zatkoff, Jonathan Bernier and Jon Quick, the Kings will have their choice of young hot goalies for years to come. Drafted 74th overall by Los Angeles in 2006.

10. T.J. Oshie, C – North Dakota Fighting Sioux (WCHA): It’s not a guarantee he’ll make the St. Louis roster, but it’s pretty darn close. The Blues have been patient with Oshie throughout his college career and the next step begins at training camp for the playmaking pivot. Drafted 24th overall by St. Louis in 2005.

Johnson follows Red's lead - Ice Hockey

If you're not a regular on Sioux Sports Cardinal posted a pretty interesting article about Jack "JMFJ" Johnson and his timing of his signing a professional contract with the LA Kings. It was obvious that Jack Johnson was ready to sign a professional contract because he made the jump for the CCHA to the NHL and has yet to play a game in the minors. This is the way you would like to see players leave the college game. Recently players like Phil Kessel, Jonathan Toews, Erik Johnson have left the college game and went directly to the NHL. I am hoping T.J. Oshie and Taylor Chorney are the next ones to make that jump.

Education important

It is an interesting story that also talks about Red Berenson's philosophy not going to the professional ranks if you're just going to be playing in the minors like the AHL. I think the crux of the article is the importance of finishing school and getting an education. You only play hockey so long before you on the outside looking in. Good stuff; I hope student athletes thinking about making the jump think long and hard before you leave school. The article is a year old but it has a really good message.

Johnson follows Red's lead
By Ian Robinson, Daily Sports Writer on 3/29/07

Berenson commends Johnson for holding out as long he did. When the coach was in school, there were no agents.

"Once a year they would (tell me) that I should leave school, that I would never be a hockey player if I stayed in school and so on," Berenson said. "But I didn't listen to them."

Forty years later, things are different. Berenson says NHL teams have been "all over Johnson."

"The biggest thing to me was that Red supported it," Jack Johnson, Sr. said Sunday. "He told him, you're doing the right thing."

Johnson is also deciding at the right time.

Berenson now has time to find another player to fill Johnson's roster spot, and the Kings want Johnson playing with them in the NHL.

"Jack is leaving at the right time for a spot in the NHL," Bacon said. "Other players have not done that."

Berenson's two complaints about players leaving early are when the player doesn't show a commitment to academics and when the player leaves college to spend two or three years in the minor leagues.

He doesn't see either of these things happening with Johnson.

Johnson has already registered for spring classes and plans on completing his Michigan degree over the next few years.

"He's coming back, he's going to get a degree from Michigan," Johnson, Sr. said. "That's the No. 1 thing, too. He promised Red he will graduate."

It's often said that Berenson takes more pride in how his players fare off the ice. When Berenson played hockey, most professional careers lasted just a few years. He continually looked to the future by earning both a BBA and an MBA from the Michigan Business School.

Former Buckeye R.J. Umberger is on fire.

Former Ohio State Buckeye R.J. Umberger has been on a roll scoring wise he has played in 12 playoff games scoring 9 goals 2 assist for 11 points that is an impressive run.

R.J. the Penguin killer

First, the Plum native had six goals and 11 points in the eight 2007-08 regular-season meetings between the teams and has eight goals, 18 points in 23 career games against the Penguins.

"More than anything, it's the amount of emotion you have inside," Umberger said of playing against the Penguins, a team he grew up watching and rooting for, particularly Hall of Fame center and now team owner Mario Lemieux.

The Jack Johnson hit on Ryan Smyth

This is the Jack Johnson hit that everyone is talking about on the intenet. While none of use want to see a hockey player get hurt and carried off the ice on a stretcher Johnson hit Smyth was a legal hit.

This is what people are saying about the legal hit and Jack Johnson.

From the MiamiHawk Talk.

redhawkforlife said; People will say it was a clean hit. I agree. But Jack knew exactly what he was doing at that exact area of the ice. We've seen it over and over from him from jr's on up.

Bonk said; Who would've guessed? Hack checks someone cleanly for the first time in his adult life, and the guy loses consciousness. I'll bet he won't try that again.

Josh D who put the video said;jack johnson nearly kills ryan smyth

Joe Sakic added: "It wasn't a dirty hit. (Johnson) hit him hard and (Smyth) hit the corner of the glass. It was just unfortunate as to where it happened."

Johnson said, "that he felt bad about the check that sent Smyth sprawling to the ice."

However, he knew what was coming next. Clean hit or not, a fight had to happen. It's part of hockey's code.

But there's honor among fighters, and Laperriere extended Johnson the courtesy of deciding when the brawl would occur.

"He came up to me and said, 'Do you want to get it over with?"' Johnson said. "I said, 'Sure."'

The fight never took place as Rob Blake stepped in and played the role of peacemaker, quickly breaking up the fracas. He didn't want to see his young defenseman get hurt by the fists of Laperriere. Not for what he thought was a clean hit.

UMicers said; JJ is a disgrace to himself, Michigan and LA. He's always done that crap. Us Michigan fans don't count him as a Wolverine. He stayed here 2 years then went pro. I hate the Avs, but I like Ryan Smith - He's an Oiler to me.
It looks like Smyth got his head run into the column that connects each glass pane. Almost as if it was protruded out from the glass. Or was that the angle and it was really just JJ's elbow he threw?

I've seen a LOT dirtier hits. Still, JJ is an IDIOT of the highest order.