Big Joe Finley as a Forward.

On Frozen Blog has an interesting clip about big Joe Finley playing wing. It would be interesting to see if that experiment gets a bigger look during training camp.

- It was a brief experiment but it really intrigued me: Joe Finley at forward. He has good north-south speed for his size, and was willing/eager to go in deep on the forecheck. He also was immobile in one instance in front of the crease, taking a rebound and feeding it across the crease to set up a teammate for a scoring chance as a defender struggled in vain to move the big Minnesotan. It's just one and a half scrimmages in Rookie Camp, but it wouldn't bother me at all if Finley was tried on the wing a bit in Hershey. He's a good interview, as well, and gives at least as good as he gets with a microphone in front of him.

Joe Finley talks while attending Capitals camp.

[props] Here is the NHL video of Joe Finley at the NHL Washington Capitals development camp yesterday. I think Joe Finley is a well spoken young man and a good interview, it was interesting to hear his take on the slashing of Bucky the Badger. Just for the record during the 2004-2005 USHL season Joe Finley got into eleven fights [hockey fights].

Lemaire to coach Devils

Former Wild coach Jacques Lemaire will be back coaching the New Jersey Devils. Also interesting blog post by Russo, notice he brings up a really good question on whether Parise’s growth and under more restricted system, will he be hindered? You have to wonder if he will score 94 points in the Lemaire system. How would Zajac and Parise feel about playing in a system restrictive system.

Onto Lemaire:

“I never did close the door on coaching. I said my time in Minnesota is over.”

“I had a great time in New Jersey in the 90s. I had some great memories and I hope to get some more.”

Not easy writing all this on blackberry. My laptop’s in the shop. Also, I don’t speak French.

“I never thought I’d be back. The five years I thought I’d cherish the rest of my life. But the situation right now is perfect for me.”

On Parise’s growth and under more restricted system, will he be hindered? “I don’t know what would be put in that’ll stop any player to perform at their best. He’s a kid that works offensively and defensively. … I’m not the coach that will stop any guys to perform and do what they’re good at.”

On Rolston: “He’s a guy that has to be put in the right situation. I’m not saying Brent didn’t do this, but he’s a guy we have to demand a little more. That’s my intention. That’s what we did in Minny and we’ll try to repeat that.”

Lou approached him before the draft.

“It would be a great thing to have a chance to win the Cup. I want to be part of this. If there’s a chance, I’d love to get another one.”

On Tremblay: “He’ll be in charge of the defense. I’ve been nine years with him and I think he’s a great complement of myself. He’s fun for the players. He knows how to deal with them in practices.” [russo's rants]

Bayda facing possible suspension

Former Fighting Sioux hockey player and current Carolina Hurricane Ryan Bayda could be suspended for the next game after he received a 5 minute major and a match penalty for crossing checking Kris Letang of the Pens. You can see a better view of the cross check that lead to the brawl at the end of the video.

Bayda facing possible suspension
newsobserver.com blogs --- Ryan Bayda faces a potential suspension after he was assessed a match penalty for an incident late in Thursday’s 7-4 loss to the Penguins.

Bayda exchanged high-sticks with Kris Letang during a scrum with 1:19 to play, sparking a pair of fights — one between Tim Gleason and Letang, the other between Patrick Eaves and Miroslav Satan.

Letang was assessed a game misconduct and Bayda a match penalty, which denotes an attempt to injure and carries with it an automatic review suspension pending a review by the league office. Bayda was unavailable for comment after the game.

“I didn’t get an explanation as to what happened,” Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said. “Two players came together and it was a high-sticking match, but I didn’t get any more than that.”

An NHL spokesman said the match penalty was assessed for a cross-check with intent to injure.

Video of Ryan Bayda's goal.

Former Sioux and current Carolina Hurrican Ryan Bayda doesn't score a lot of goals playing for the Huricanes on the fourth line but this is a pretty goal. Make that Bayda's second goal of the series against the Devils.

Vote for Oshie goal of the year.

Here is the link to the NHL web page to vote for T.J. Oshie who is a candidate for goal of the year. Currently Oshie is leading the vote with 45.60%, Alex Ovechkin 21.06%, Niklas Hagman 13.39%, Blake Wheeler 10.44%, Johan Franzen 9.51%. Ok Sioux fans and Blues fans vote for T.J. Oshie for goal of the year.

What's the Goal of the Season? You decide! Tuesday, 04.07.2009 / 11:20 AM / NHL Insider By Adam Schwartz and Brad Holland - NHL.com Staff Writers Below you'll find our five nominees for the Fan's Choice Goal of the Season.

Watch the videos, consider their merits, and record your choice by voting in the poll.

Vote as many times as you like.

The choice is personal, but some things to consider when voting are degree of difficulty, skill, and showmanship.

The voting ends this Friday at 10:00 a.m. ET, when the top goal, hit and save of the season is revealed.

Enjoy

Big Joe Finley Signs.

LGM's favorite former Fighting Sioux hockey player Joe Finley has signed an entry level professional contract with the Washington Capitals organization. Goon's World would like to congratulate Big Joe and wish him good luck in the next step in his hockey career. I have enjoyed watching Finley play for UND the last four seasons.

04/02/2009 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 2, 2009

Capitals Sign Defenseman Joe Finley

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Joe Finley to a two-year entry-level contract beginning next season, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. In keeping with club policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Finley, 21, will join the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) on Monday.

Finley skated in 27 games for the University of North Dakota this year and recorded two goals and eight assists. He missed 16 games with an injury.

The 6'7", 240-pound Edina, Minn., native was a four-time letter winner for North Dakota and helped the Fighting Sioux advance to the Frozen Four in each of his first three years of college. He recorded 35 points (seven goals, 28 assists) in 154 career games and led the team in plus/minus during his sophomore and junior years. He was named to the All-WCHA Academic Team three times.

He played one season with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League before college and recorded 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) and 181 penalty minutes in 55 games.

Finley was Washington's first-round choice, 27th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Former Sioux Taylor Chorney gets the call from the Oilers.

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Taylor Chorney gets the call from the Edmonton Oilers after an injury to Ladislav Smid. (click here for the press release).

Smid placed on Injured Reserve; Chorney recalled from Springfield Smid's broken hand results in first recall of the season for Chorney Edmonton Oilers.

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have placed defenceman Ladislav Smid on the NHL Injured Reserve List and recalled defenceman Taylor Chorney from the Springfield Falcons.

Smid suffered a fractured left hand in the second period of Edmonton’s 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild at Rexall Place on Sunday, March 29th. He scored 11 assists with 57 penalty minutes in 60 games for Edmonton prior to the injury.

This will be the first recall of the season for Chorney, who was the Oilers’ second choice (36th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. The 6’0”, 196 pound native of Thunder Bay, Ontario made his professional debut with Springfield this season after signing a three-year NHL entry level contract with the Oilers on July 3, 2008.

The 21-year-old blueliner has scored 5-16-21 with 22 penalty minutes in 68 games with Springfield this season to lead Falcons defencemen in scoring and rank seventh on the team. A major part of the Falcons’ powerplay, he has scored 3-10-13 with the man advantage to rank third in powerplay scoring.

A two-time Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) all-star, Chorney played three seasons of college hockey with the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, scoring 14-59-73 with 126 penalty minutes in 126 games between 2005-06 and 2007-08.

The Edmonton Oilers 30th Anniversary Season is presented in part by the Rexall Family of Pharmacies, Bell, Molson Canadian, ATB Financial and Ford.

Oshie finishes his checks. Oshie and Nash II...

Props to Sean Leahy of puck daddy and Tim Oshie for sending me the two video clips of T.J. Oshie's monster hits on Blue Jackets star Rick Nash this past weekend. I was watching the game in question this afternoon and the Columbus announcers were really getting under my skin. Seriously, I don't see an elbow anywhere in that hit. The FSN Ohio homers are almost as bad as the guys from the Ducks. That is called finishing a check. I hate to admit it but after watching the blue a few times this season I have to concede that they are a team on the rise. I like watching teams that former Sioux hockey players play on but I can not under any circumstances cheer for New Jersey, Chicago but I could cheer for Saint Louis.

Oshie show Alex O how its done.

First thing that comes to mind is how would he look in a Fighting Sioux jersey this season? Oh my God! That was an amazing goal. Note to Alex Ovechkin, notice the subdued celebration, there wasn't any show boating or hot sticks. The General Manager for the St Louis Blues John Davison is looking like a genius right now. Maybe Wild general manager Doug Risebrough could take note on how a real general manager gets it done. While the Blues draft players like Oshie and Perron the Wild GM drafts players /stiffs like Benoit Pouliot, Colton Gillies and James Sheppard.

St. Louis future looks very bright and they some Great young players; T.J. Oshie, David Backes, Brad Boyes, David Perron, Patrik Berglund, I think they are going to be one of the favorites next season in the NHL. Also, the sky is the limit for the Blues because most of these kids are just coming onto the scene.

“O-SHIE! O-SHIE! O-SHIE!”
The chant was loud and clear, and deservedly so.

As if two big hits and ferocious penalty killing wasn’t enough on Thursday, Blues’ rookie T.J. Oshie captivated the crowd and stole the show with a goal that even Alex Ovechkin could admire.

With his team trailing the Vancouver Canucks by a goal early in the second period, Oshie took a pass from David Perron and danced around veteran defenseman Mattias Ohlund. Then, holding onto the puck, he drew goaltender Roberto Loungo out of position before burying a shot into the open net to even the score.

If there was ever a formula to send a sell-out crowd into a screaming frenzy, this was it.

“I just really wanted to get that,” Oshie said.

“He holds on, holds on, holds on, steps through two veteran defenseman and gets one of the best goalies down and out,” said Blues forward David Backes, who was given the impossible task by the media of trying to describe a goal that no words could describe. “Unbelievable goal by him, gets all the guys going.”
(Read the whole story here)

Ovechkin scores number 50

Check out the video Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Matt Smaby was on the ice when Alex Ovechkin scored his 50th goal of the season. I think the celebration by Ovechkin was a little over the top and maybe he should act like he's been there before. We has 50 times this season.

The Senators send down former Sioux Brian Lee.

Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Brian Lee was sent down to Binghamton today to make room for uber sieve Martin Gerber. In a way you kind of feel for Brian Lee especially after the last game he had, I expect Lee to get called up again before the season is over.

SPORTSNET.CA –- The Ottawa Senators assigned defenceman Brian Lee to the Binghamton Senators Friday and recalled goaltender Martin Gerber.

Gerber, 34, has posted six wins and as many losses in 13 games with Birmingham this season, posting a 2.90 GAA with a .911 save percentage and one shutout.

With the Senators this season, Gerber has four wins, nine losses and an overtime loss in 14 games with a 2.86 goals-against average and .899 save percentage.

According to Sportsnet’s Ian Mendes, Alex Auld has the flu, so there is a small chance they need Gerber to back up Brian Elliott Saturday night.

He last saw action with the Senators in a 6-4 loss to the Bruins in Boston on Jan. 8.

Lee, on recall for a third time this season since Dec. 13, has two goals, nine assists and 14 penalty minutes over 36 games with the NHL club.

In 22 AHL games, the 21-year-old has one goal, eight assists, 28 penalty minutes and a +4 rating.

Could Zach Parise get 50 goals?

It seems that it could be a very possible. Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Zach Parise scored his 36th goal of the season last night against the Colorado Avalanche and added his 37th assist of the season giving Parise 73 points for the season. Also Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Travis Zajac who is fourth on the Devils in scoring added a goal and two assists giving him (17-34-52).

Zach Parise feels scoring 50 goals for New Jersey Devils this season still possible.
by Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger --- Friday February 27, 2009.

Devils winger Zach Parise scored his 36th goal of the season Thursday against the Avalanche, when he beat defenseman Brett Clark to the puck then Andrew Raycroft top shelf. Zach Parise notched his 36th goal Thursday night against the Colorado Avalanche and it was a beauty.

But what about his chances of scoring 50 goals this season. He would become the first Devils player to do it.

"I hope so. I don't like talking about it. We'll see," Parise told me. "I guess I've been a pretty streaky scorer. Not so much this year, but in past years."

Parise is on pace to score 48 goals.

Chorney to the Senators?

While most of the time Ek's rumors don't come true this one involves former Sioux Taylor Chorney.

From a source today...

"The Sens are very interested in Erik Cole and the Oilers feel that Jason Spezza is a great fit with the current speedy young line-up. Of course Cole is a pending UFA and an extension would have to be first worked out. Also, the Sens would like a prospect d-man in the deal as well."

Another source agreed adding, "The Sens have made it known that they love Taylor Chorney."

Chorney is the Redden Replacement that the Sens could use. He is a heck of a prospect who many feel will be as good as Redden if not better. He is another member of that killer University of North Dakota team from the last few years, although this year he has been in the AHL for Springfield.

Tim Thomas hits Jason Blake.

Watch Bruin's goalie Tim Thomas lay a hit on former Sioux forward and current Toronto Maple Leaf Jason Blake during last night's game. At the end of the play you can hear Blake say the F' is that. Oh by the way the Bruins won the game 4-3 in a shootout.

Jason Blake scores hat trick.

Jason Blake has had a hell of a time since he showed up in Toronto last season, he signed a huge contract and scored 15 goals for the season, the fans in Toronto were not happy. I read the Toronto Star sports page on a semi regular basis and the fans in Toronto are not huge Jason Blake fans. I just hope they took into account that Blake had cancer last season, from reading some of the comments posted by fans it appears that they didn't. Last night Blake had a hat trick (2nd goal) and (3rd goal). Lastly, its nice to see Blake get the best of his former coach. I have never been a fan of Paul Maurice. For the season Blake has 13-16-29 in 40 games.

Suddenly a Leaf team that was poised to snap a four-game losing skid plunged back into the miserable hockey it had so desperately tried to erase.

On the bench, though, there was no letdown. Every player kept supporting the guy sitting beside him, right through the worst of it. Then Tomas Kaberle cranked home the game-winner on a power play.

Blake notched an empty-netter to complete his hat trick. That goal also bent the spotlight back toward him, and to the issues that have surrounded his time in Toronto.

The point was raised last night that he is a "different" player than he was last season, when he signed a five-year, $20 million (U.S.) free-agent deal, but followed up a 40-goal season in 2006-07 with just 15 under then-coach Paul Maurice.

He now has 13 goals – tied for second on the team – but admits that he was the problem, not Maurice.

Training camp was not quite over in September 2007 when Blake stunned the hockey world with news that he had been diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. With the aid of a super pill, he would play through the ailment, but it was clear he wasn't the high-scoring winger the Leafs had hoped for. (Read the whole story here)

Ryan Bayda settling into role.

Here is a interesting article on former Fighting Sioux forward Ryan Bayda who is playing on the Canes fourth line with former B.C. Eagle Patrick Eaves and Brandon Sutter.

Simply succeeding: Bayda, Eaves and Sutter align and energize Hurricanes
RALEIGH -- Their job is more about grit than glamour.

Rarely are they seen lifting their sticks into the air, letting out a primal scream like Eric Staal when he scores a goal. Rarely are they chosen one of game's three stars, nor do they get 20 minutes of ice time in a game.

Twenty minutes? That might be three games' worth of ice. But Patrick Eaves, Brandon Sutter and Ryan Bayda know their role for the Carolina Hurricanes and are making the most of whatever time coach Paul Maurice gives them. Whether as the Canes' fourth line or as penalty-killers, they're doing what's needed.
-----snip-----------
Bayda's game is anything but soft. Hardly a big guy at 5 feet 11 and 185 pounds, he is all over the ice, forechecking, hitting and fighting for the puck -- generally being a pest.

"He's not going to be on the wrong side of the puck," Maurice said. "He's a smart, smart fellow. He'll be coaching this team at some point."

Three former Sioux hockey players all score a goal in the same game.

I am not sure if this happens all that often. Three former Sioux hockey players all happened to be on the ice to play a hockey game (Parise and Zajac for the Devils and Stafford for the Sabres)at the same time. During the course of the game each one of them scored a least one goal. Seems impressive.

(Click here for the Video)

Actually if you check the box score you will see quite a few ex-college hockey players.

Box Score

1 1 1:36 EV N.J 19 T.ZAJAC(8) 27 M.MOTTAU(6) 15 J.LANGENBRUNNER(14)
2 1 6:58 EV BUF 21 D.STAFFORD(7) 41 C.MACARTHUR(7) 9 D.ROY(17)
3 1 11:44 PP N.J 9 Z.PARISE(18) 15 J.LANGENBRUNNER(15) 26 P.ELIAS(18)
4 2 10:52 EV N.J 24 B.SALVADOR(2) 26 P.ELIAS(19) 14 B.GIONTA(19)
5 2 11:10 EV BUF 36 P.KALETA(2) 20 D.PAILLE(7) 6 J.SPACEK(15)
6 3 6:04 EV N.J 23 D.CLARKSON(6) unassisted
7 3 9:31 EV N.J 12 B.ROLSTON(2) 23 D.CLARKSON(5)
8 3 9:43 EV BUF 28 P.GAUSTAD(3) 29 J.POMINVILLE(15) 55 J.HECHT(8)

Formber B.C. Eagle and Fighting Sioux Killer Nate Gerbe is hurt and will be out for at least ten days, lets just say it's the dreaded upper body injury.

Nathan Gerbe will miss at least 10 days due to an upper body injury.

The rookie was hurt during Buffalo’s 4-2 win against the Devils on Saturday night after taking a hit late in the game.

Matt Greene goes yard. (goal)

Tip of the hat to the Boosh factor for posting this goal by former Sioux Matt Greene. That is the second ever career goal for the former Sioux defenseman.

THN ranks the best bargins.

Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Zach Parise made the top ten top bargins.

THN.com Top 10: Best bargains
8. Mike Komisarek, Defenseman, Montreal - $1.7 million
Komisarek isn’t flashy (or healthy at the moment), but he’s quickly becoming one of the better shutdown defenders in the league. He hits, fights and is a top-three blueliner making the salary of a fifth or sixth guy.

3. Zach Parise, Left Wing, New Jersey – $3.125 million
The most expensive player on the list is a bargain nonetheless. Parise has exploded this season and currently sits tied for 15th in league scoring. His 15 goals, 28 points, plus-12 rating, four power play goals and two overtime goals all lead the Devils. With numbers like that and having just the seventh-highest salary on the team, Parise is a bargain.

1. Tim Thomas, Goaltender, Boston – $1.1 million
The quarter-mark favorite for the Vezina Trophy ranks first on this list because he’s first in the league in GAA (1.90), second in SP (.940) and is the No. 1 tender on the No. 1 team in the East.