(video) What we are missing.

Since there is really no watchable hockey action right now, I thought I would include this video that I thought was pretty good. Some good editing and the video is worth a look. It's time for the NHL owners and the NHLPA to get series and try to get an agreement so we can have the 2012-13 hockey season. Music is by Bruce Springsteen.

A beautiful goal by Zherdev

It's nice to see someone playing some actual hockey and this is a taste of what we're missing. Check out former New York Ranger Nikolay Zherdev as he scored this beautiful highlight reel goal against Spartak in KHL action on Tuesday night. Zherdev plays for Atlant of the KHL and his team beat Spartack 5-2.

Mat Dumba Hit

Mat Dumba Hit from Calvin Bellows on Vimeo.
It's better to be the hammer than it is the nail. Red Deer Rebel's defenseman Mat Dumba absolutely hammered Hitmen forward Joey Kornelsen. Dumba received a five minute major and a game misconduct and the hit is under review by the Western Hockey League.

Dumba was drafted in the first round of the 2012 NHL draft by the Minnesota Wild.

Eight men out - UND players to miss some time...

UND Hockey Arena (Photo credit: jimmywayne)

It would appear that the University of North Dakota Hockey team is experiencing what I would call a rough start to their season. Now the Athletic Department has suspended eight players to start the season – most of which seems to be due to a team party that appears to have gotten a bit out of hand.

If Coach Hakstol doesn’t have his player’s attention now – he will never get their attention. As a person that follows the UND Hockey program closely – I am disappointed in the players because there off ice behavior shows a lack of focus. Obviously, we’re talking about young adults and college students do party from time-to-time, it’s a fact of life.

That being said, I don’t think that their offseason activities will have much of an effect on their season if they can get their act together. I can’t imagine what kind of consequences that will levied if someone gets into more trouble, especially after all that has happened in the last week.

It sounds like some players need to grow up and concentrate on playing hockey and need to spend less time having team parties. 

So if anyone is keeping track at home – the roster for the Brice Alaska Goal Rush tourney in Fairbanks Alaska is going to have a depleted roster both nights of the tourney.

Players that are suspended for the Anchorage Alaska game

1.       Danny Kristo

2.       Corbin Knight

3.       Andrew MacWilliam

4.       Carter Rowney

5.       Brendan O'Donnell

Players that are suspended for the Suspended for Alaska game

1.       Danny Kristo

2.       Connor Gaarder

3.       Andrew Panzarella

4.       Stephane Pattyn

Caption?

@jocelamoureux17 has made it everyone.Not everyone can make the front page of the gf herald for wearing a costume. twitter.com/moniquelam7/st…
— Monique Lamoureux (@moniquelam7) September 7, 2012

Here was a picture of UND Women's Hockey forward/defense Monique Lamoureux... What's your captions?

Video NHL - 'Together We Can' #nolockout (HD)

This is an awesome video that's making it's way around the Internet - lots of good memories on this video.

As a Boston Bruins fans that watched Ray Bourque play many games with the spoked "B" on his chest, I can still remember that day that Bourque "finally" lifted Lord Stanley's Cup above his head, Gary Thorne with the call - it seems like it was just yesterday, "after twenty two years...RAYMOND BOURQUE!"

Hockey Buzz Ranks the Thirty NHL Broadcasting Teams

Travis Yost from Hockeybuzz has ranked the NHL broadcast teams… I am not sure how you can rank an NHL broadcast team that has never had an actual broadcast?

I am also not sure how you can rank Rick Jeanneret 16th? The guy is a gem and one of the more entertaining hockey broadcasters in the NHL.

(28) Boston Bruins -- Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley

Nothing I could say in this small paragraph on the abortion that is Jack Edwards' play-by-play work would be insightful or refreshing. He's the biggest homer in hockey -- he's the second-biggest homer in sports. It's actually pretty shameful that NESN continues to employ a guy who so willfully blurs the reality of the sport with such partisan analysis.

The sad part? Color guy Andy Brickley is awesome. So much so, it -- against all odds -- keeps the Boston Bruins from finishing thirtieth in this ranking. Brickley's understanding of the game is pretty unparalleled, and when Jack Edwards does give him the green light to talk to the viewers, it's almost always insightful and educational.

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(26) Minnesota -- Anthony LaPanta and Mike Greenlay

This ranking is a bit of an unknown, with LaPanta coming in to fill the vacancy left by the departed Dan Terhaar. If you're looking for a positive, it's that Terhaar was one of the worst PxP guys in the business, comically missing the play, mispronouncing names, and putting a pro-Wild spin on things at any passing chance. LaPanta's been prepped by Fox Sports North for this role for quite some time; he's loved by the company, and has made the rounds. Unfortunately, this is his first NHL-level call.

I literally have watched a “ton” of hockey over the last 15 years, the reason I know this is that my wife has complained about it and in my opinion, I don’t get why people hate Jack Edwards so much and wonder if the hate for Jack Edwards is justified.

In my opinion, I believe that Edwards, is very entertaining. Yep, I am a Boston Bruins fans. However, that being said, I do think that Edwards is one of the more knowledgeable hockey broadcasters in the game of hockey. I also believe that Edward’s color guy Andy Brickley brings a much need perspective from a player’s side to the announcer’s booth.

You would think from reading some of the comments from hockey fans around the league that Jack was Lucifer or killing baby cats and dogs.

Edina's Anthony Walsh interested in UND

I just got word, from a pretty reliable source, that Edina forward Anthony Walsh is "very" interested in playing his collegiate hockey at the University of North Dakota. According to my source, Anthony "has long-time affection for UND."

Take a look at these videos and you will see that Walsh is a big strong forward, he's 6'0" 214 and 5% body fat. Walsh is a strong skater that has very good hands and dishes the puck well…As you can see from the videos; Walsh is not afraid to play the body and got into the corners to retrieve the puck, Walsh even got into his first hockey fight during the Fargo Force tryout back in June. Walsh is a senior this season.

I have included a few videos so you can take a look for yourself - Fargo Force try out video and 2011-12 Season Highlights

Walsh got hot during the playoffs scoring (1g-8a—9 pts) Section 2AA Playoffs.

Bettman's taking NHL fans for granted.

It sounds like the NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is taking NHL fans for granted – his logic is – because the fans came back after the two previous lockouts - they will come back this time again.

I am sure there were a lot of fans that weren't happy today with Bettman's condescending, pompous and arrogant statement statement, I don't like reading that statement.

Tim Panaccio, Flyers Talk --- And that’s what NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is counting upon. That you, the fans, will come back again when he locks the doors on Sept. 15.

A week, a month, an entire season. He’s pretty confident you’ll come back.

How do we know that? The Commish all but said so today in Toronto at the CBA meetings.

After a brief, 90-minute negotiating session with the NHLPA in which nothing was really bargained and nothing was gained on either side, Bettman was asked about the damage another lockout could do.

“We recovered last time because we have the world's greatest fans,” Bettman said.

That, in a nutshell, is why the owners are willing to do it again. They know the sport will recover. They have past history to prove it.

Hockey fans are like addicts. They can’t resist the ice. They come back. Again and again.

First, I am not sure how Gary Bettman can start making ridiculous comments like he did today – does he have research to back up his claims? How does he know that the fans will be back after the lockout is over – there might be some fans that might just decide to not renew their season tickets or spend the money on something else – the country is in an economic down turn and some fans might decide that they won’t by the tickets and save the money for a rainy day.

This is one of the reason I believe that there is no reason to remain optimistic. The owners and Gary Bettman are taking NHL fans for granted – the owners and Bettman are making the assumption that the fans will forgive the owners for locking out the players after the labor dispute is over.

Today Gary Bettman said, "the only way to make progress in ongoing labour talks is to solve the "fundamental economic issues."

I got a bad feeling

After reading some of the stories and various news items and other things around the blogsphere I get a sense that the Bully Boy and NHL Commissioner  Gary Bettman is bound and determined to lock the NHL players out so they can get their 24% Roll back. Seems to be the owners/Bettman's way or the highway - seems counter productive. I do believe both sides are going to have to give some. I don't it's realistic to expect the players to give that much back especially after some of the contracts that were signed this offseason. 

I also saw that the NHL owners lock the players out and there is no hockey this season the NHL owners will still get a 200 million dollar payment from NBC.So the NHL owners will recoup some of their loses if they do lock the players out.

Former Boston Bruins Defenseman and TSN Hockey Analyst Aaron Ward says that we are no where - there is no substance to the negotiations and he all but guarantees that there will be a lockout. I also agree, I don't see how the players and the owners get anything done when they don't know where to start. 

The reoccuring theme that is starting to emerge the labor talks is that there appears to be a frustration surrounding the CBA negoations from both sides.

As a rabid fan of the NHL I can't see how a lockout does anyone any good - if there is a work stoppage there will be a fair number of fans that will feel alienated and might not come back when the CBA have been signed. Much like they did in 2004-05 fans will find something else to do. Thank God that college hockey doesn't lock the players out.

2012-13 UND Hockey Roster is up

The 2012-13 UND Hockey roster is up - as you can see Taylor Dickin is no longer on the team he is now a member of the University of Manitoba.

CHL to have a players union

Canadian Hockey League (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This article caught my attention and is worth a read if you haven't seen it.

I wonder what kind of grievances you will see filed in regards to the education packages and compensation? I wonder if that zinger is too soon.

Mike Davies, Peterborough Examiner --- A union for Canadian Hockey League players has been in the works for 14 months and will soon go public, says a spokeswoman.

Sandra Slater, a consultant for the Canadian Hockey League Players Association (CHLPA), expects the group to go public within 10 days. The CHLPA aims to create better representation for junior hockey players regarding rights, education packages and compensation for their use in league branding as well as CHL and Hockey Canada events, particularly, the World Junior Hockey Championship.A union for Canadian Hockey League players has been in the works for 14 months and will soon go public, says a spokeswoman.

Sandra Slater, a consultant for the Canadian Hockey League Players Association (CHLPA), expects the group to go public within 10 days. The CHLPA aims to create better representation for junior hockey players regarding rights, education packages and compensation for their use in league branding as well as CHL and Hockey Canada events, particularly, the World Junior Hockey Championship.

“The CHL is big business. They make millions of dollars a year and these kids make it for them,” said Slater. “Hockey Canada is a big part of this as well.”

If a 60 per cent majority of players accept the union, Slater says the CHL will have no choice but to recognize it by law.

“We're hoping to have a good working relationship,” she said.

It also sounds like some of the same arguments that you hear surrounding the NCAA are also being talked about by the CHL players. Some have argued that college and universities should play the NCAA players especially in NCAA football and basketball because their schools makes so much off of the fruits of their labor.

D'Agostini said a QMJHL player he trains with mentioned it one day but that's the extent of his knowledge. He admits to mixed feelings. He says players should be compensated for the use of their image and he wouldn't turn down more money but he says: “I can't complain about the things I have gotten out of this league. The experience of playing for Team Canada. Playing in the Subway Series. You're always decked out in nice gear and are given free stuff. I'm sure I have gone through thousands of dollars worth of hockey sticks alone. I know I have been well taken care of. I don't know what to say.”

Big Ten lacks a page for their hockey teams too...

First off, we all know that there is always going to be a lot of hate going the NCHC's way. That's a fact - some take it further than others. No mater what happens to the NCHC the league is always going to have it's detractors.

Checking the calender, the NCHC or the B1G have yet to play a single hockey game - so neither league would need to have a web page yet.

I would be willing to bet that most of the NCHC fans don't care if the NCHC had a webpage and let it lapse either. I personally am happy that we don't have anyone running the league named Shepherd or McLeod.

Of course we have the fans that exclaim that the NCHC is going down the tubes because they let their web page lapse. As far as I know the NCHC hasn't hired a media relations person yet - most of the press releases are coming out of Denver University. 

I guess we could start the, oh my God the Big Ten Conference doesn't have a web link for Men Ice Hockey. How can that be? They must be poorly run.

Why should we care if the NCHC doesn't have a web page yet?

First off, it's true if you click on the link for the NCHC there will "not" be a web page for the NCHC. Second, can someone give me the link to the B1G hockey page.... [Crickets Chirping] So it’s one year plus before the NCHC kicks off – someone who hates everything that is the NCHC hockey – seems to think it’s important that the NCHC has a webpage/home page. Really! Are you kidding me? First off webpages don’t make a hockey conference that hasn’t even begun play yet.

Also, don't believe the hype by some of the self appointed experts that say that the NCHC doesn't have any name recognition and or appeal... The NCHC is going to be a power conference whether some want to acknowledge it or not.  

It's Hammer time for UND hockey

In what could be considered as a interesting - if not shocking development - UND hockey as well as other UND sports will have a new face on the television screen this up coming season. Apparently, Dan Hammer will be the voice of UND Hockey instead of Pat Sweeney.

First off, I am actually shocked that we will no longer see Pat Sweeney calling UND hockey games. Sweeney has been calling UND hockey games for a very long time. Having had the opportunity to meet Pat Sweeney during the Wednesday press conferences, I can say that Pat Sweeney is a very nice person and a fun person to interact with.

Hakstol, 'Joe Gleason the epitome of a great teammate'

I don't know how any of us can think about hockey right now, when it's been this hot. I saw this video over on Brad Schlossman's blog and it got me thinking about Joe Gleason and his style of play - I call him the utility player because he does whatever is asked of him and has played every position but goal for the Fighting Sioux.

Recently, Gleason was at the Chicago Blackhawks prospects camp.

This is what UND head coach Dave Hakstol had to say when he was asked about Joe Gleason last season when asked about the junior forward's selfless play.

“Joe Gleason the epitome of a great teammate.”

“Joe is a proud guy and he obviously wants to play, he was recruited here as a defenseman, and both night this weekend he played defense, he played center and he played right wing. I guess I would describe it as invaluable in a team setting. He is doing whatever the teams needs, he not just going out and doing it, but going out and doing it well.”

NCHC ticket prices

s/t to Joe Paisley for posting this on his blog. David Drew the Beat writer for the Western Michigan University Bronco’s has the ticket prices for the future NCHC teams.

NCHC Season Ticket Prices for 2012-13
•Denver: $360 - $624
•Miami: $275 - $565
•Nebraska-Omaha: $235 - $415
•Colorado College: $149 - $409
•Minnesota-Duluth: $400
•St. Cloud State: $325 - $400
•North Dakota: $390
•Western Michigan: $190 - $210

The ticket prices for the UND season tickets also requires a donation to the Champions Club.

Season Tickets
Regular price UND faculty/staff price
$390 $315
North Dakota Men's Hockey season tickets require a Champions Club membership. Find out more information about the Champions Club contact Josh Morton, executive director of the Fighting Sioux Club, at 701-777-4216.

We currently have a waiting list to get Men's Hockey season tickets for the 2012-2013 Hockey Season. To get on the Waiting List for Season Tickets contact Dexter Albrecht, Director of Ticket Sales & Promotions at 701-777-4582, or e-mail at dexter.k.albrecht@athletics.und.edu.

No NHL Hockey this season?

Could the NHL once again stand for the No Hockey League? It appears that that might be the case.

Apparently, Joe Yerdon of Pro Hockey Talk is saying that a source close to the situation, said that a lost season could very well be a possibility.

That is definitely a dooms day scenario - me personally - I am going to remain hopeful, because it's very early in the negotiation process and the CBA doesn't even expire until the 15th of September.

Like Redwing77 said, it's early in the negotiations and no need to panic just yet. Hopefully this is just someone throwing this out there with the hopes that something sticks.

In fact, one source with knowledge of the players’ side of the negotiation is predicting not just a work stoppage, but an entire lost season.

“Last time around, the NHL made its salary cap proposal and barely moved off it,” the source, speaking under the condition of anonymity, told PHT. “This is not an initial proposal. The league is shutting down and it’s ‘come back when you’re ready to accept.’

“This is exactly what happened last time. You heard it here first, we will not play next year.”

After reading this post - I remain skeptical because I have yet to see anyone else pick up on this story, yet. Don't get me wrong, while I think it's very possible that there could be a season long work stoppage - I also can't believe that someone would utter this so early in the game - again Donald Fehr is yet to make a counter proposal. Let's see where the players what the players come up with.

Also, a labor stoppage for a whole season would be devastating to the NHL.

I watch Hockey 24/7 and I can’t fathom another work stoppage in the NHL that would take out the whole season. The 2004-05 season was a miserable time in my life and the lockout left a hole in many NHL fans hearts.

If the owners killed a whole season - it will be because of their own greed. Sure some teams might not come back after the work stoppage. But after a season where they made a record 3.3 billion dollars I have a hard time feeling sorry for them, especially after the latest free agent signing.

Owners shoot first shot over the bow

The National Hockey League has made an initial offer to the NHL Players' Association and I am going to be honest with you, this could be a very long off season, especially if the Owners don't budge from their current position. There owners have suggested some major changes to the current CBA. Here is a pretty good break down by Julie Robenhymer of Hockey Buzz.

Here are the main points of the reported proposal:
- reduce hockey related revenues to 46% from 57%
- 10 seasons in NHL before becoming UFA
- contracts limited to 5 year terms
- same salary in each season of contract
- no more salary arbitration
- ELCs are 5 years instead of 3
- no signing bonuses
- cap ceiling to be $4M above midpoint, floor $8M under.

After taking a look at this proposal by the owners, it definitely looks like a red herring to me. I can't see the players signing an agreement that looks like this. I also don't see how the NHLPA would accept that big of a roll back in players salaries.

Hockey Day 2013 picture

s/t to @pucknut9 who texted me this picture today, thanks Shacker... This picture was too good to not share with you. While it's meant to be humours it's still true of the Minnesota Gophers and the UND Fighting Sioux hockey teams, penalty boxes filled to the max.