Spirit Lake nickname foes 'embarrassed' by 'threats'

Color me surprised!!! You just knew it was just a matter of time before this story came to the forefront of the Fighting Sioux nickname issue. I am not sure if I am the only one that sees this, but it always seems to be the same people that are being consulted on the anti-Fighting Sioux nickname issue. At times I have also wondered why the anti-Fighting Sioux nickname crowd seems to get the lion’s share of the press when it comes to people that are against the Fighting Sioux nickname?

Chuck Haga; Grand Forks Herald --- Several Fighting Sioux nickname opponents at the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe have written an open letter to Grant Shaft, president of the state Board of Higher Education, saying they are “embarrassed by the threats our fellow tribal members are making on behalf of the Spirit Lake Nation” over efforts to retire the name and logo.

Late last week, the pro-nickname Committee for Understanding and Respect warned the state board, UND and others looking to drop the symbols that they should expect consequences “far more severe than any sanctions UND claims will exist by keeping the name.”

The committee’s efforts to preserve the Fighting Sioux name and logo at UND have been endorsed by the tribal council, which adopted a resolution authorizing the group to speak for the tribe. That followed a 2009 referendum in which a substantial majority of tribal members approved UND’s continued use of the name.

But Erich Longie, a longtime advocate for UND dropping the nickname and logo, and 10 others told Shaft that they speak for the minority of more than 300 tribal members who voted “no” in that referendum.

Sioux tie Black Bears 3-3

Cross Posted at Inside Hockey.
Image via WikipediaGrand Forks, ND — The Fighting Sioux hockey players that played on last season’s squad, have been looking forward to a rematch with the Maine Black Bears for some time. Last Season the Fighting Sioux left Orono, Maine with a bad taste in their mouth. After they were swept handedly by the Black Bears on October 23, 2010, the Fighting Sioux hoped they would get one more crack at the Black Bears during the NCAA tourney. That didn’t happen. The Fighting Sioux went on to the Frozen Four and the Black Bears went home after they lost in the first round of the Hockey East playoffs. Fast forward to this season. This weekend’s theme has been about looking for a little revenge against the Black Bears.

The Black Bears took over where they left off from last night’s game and again proved to be a miserable team to play against. The first break went to the Black Bears, as they went on the power play at the 3:05 mark of the first period.

Brock Nelson took a minor penalty for interference and the Maine Black Bears scored less than a minute later at the 4:02 mark of the second period on a power play goal by Black Bears forward Bryan Flynn. Assisting on the goal was Will O’Neal and Spencer Abbott.

The Black Bears outshot the Fighting Sioux 7-9 and did a good job getting in the passing lanes and taking away the Fighting Sioux’s time and space.

The second period proved to be a wild one as the Maine Black Bears came out on fire and wasted little time as they scored 46 seconds into the period. The goal was a thing of beauty, as Maine Defenseman Will O’Neil took a nice pass from Kyle Beatie and shot the puck into the net, as Fighting Sioux goalie as Aaron Dell was trying to get over and cover the post.

The Fighting Sioux fortunes changed at 3:32 mark of the second period. The Fighting Sioux got a much needed break, as Black Bears forward Kyle Beattie was penalized (boarding), and defenseman Mark Nemec (high sticking) were sent to the penalty box, giving the Fighting Sioux a two-man advantage. Fighting Sioux defenseman Nick Mattson wasted little time making the Black Bears pay when he scored a powerplay goal from the left point just 43 seconds later.

The Maine Black Bears took another untimely penalty at the 5:17 mark of the second period, when Ryan Hegarty was penalized for hooking. The Sioux wasted little time again making the Black Bears pay, as Danny Kristo scored a power play goal just 10 seconds later at the 5:27 mark, with a howitzer from the left point to tie the game.

The Fighting Sioux got another goal on the power play at the 17:25 mark of the second period with a goal from Kristo, as he blasted another hard shot from the left point through traffic. That was the third point of the third period for Kristo and the third power play goal for the Fighting Sioux.

Things got more interesting for the Sioux during the third period. Fighting Sioux defenseman Andrew MacWilliam was called for interference. On the power play, the Black Bears tied the game with a goal at the 12:18 mark of the third period. Ryan Hegarty deflected a pass from Spencer Abbott past Aaron Dell through the five hole. The Fighting Sioux outshot the Black Bears during the third period 8-6.

The game was tied at the end of regulation and went to overtime. The Sioux outshot the Black Bears 3-1 in overtime, and Fighting Sioux goalie Aaron Dell had to come up with a huge save at the end of the game on a breakaway by Spencer Abbott to preserve the tie for the Fighting Sioux.

There were a lot of bright spots for the Fighting Sioux on the weekend, junior forward Corbin Knight went an impressive 37-11 in face-offs for the weekend. While the Fighting Sioux were outshot 31 to 21 on Friday night, the Sioux managed to close the game as they were only outshot 28-27 by the Black Bears on Saturday. The Fighting power play who went 0-6 on the power play on Friday night went impressive 3-5 for five on the power play on Saturday. Fighting Sioux junior forward Danny Kristo has four points on the weekend (2g-2a-4pts).

Box Score

Fighting Sioux Stop Black Bears 3-1

Cross Posted at Inside Hockey.
Image via WikipediaGrand Forks, ND — Going into this series the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux had lost four games in a row to the Maine Black Bears and they were swept last October in Orono, Maine by a score of 7-3 and 4-2. This week one could describe the theme for the Fighting Sioux as looking for a little revenge against the Black Bears.

On the other side of the ice the Maine Black Bears knew that the Fighting Sioux were going to be looking to even the score and wouldn’t be looking past the Black Bears, especially after last season results.  Tonight the Fighting Sioux’s fortunes changed against the Black Bears, the Fighting Sioux lead by Corbin Knight and Ben Blood (a goal and an assist each); combined with a goaltending gem by Brad Eidsness gutted out a hard fought 3-1 win.

The First period started out slow for the Fighting Sioux as they had to kill two Maine power plays in the early going. After killing the two Black Bears power plays the Fighting Sioux had trouble getting on track as the Black Bears did a good job of limiting the Fighting Sioux’s time and space. The Fighting Sioux were out shot by the Black Bears 11-6 in the first period.

Goaltending coming into the week was one of the major question marks for the Fighting Sioux. Last year’s first team All WCHA first team goalie Aaron Dell was shaky last weekend in two games during the Ice Breaker Tourney against Air Force Academy Boston College. Dell was pulled in the second period against the Boston College Eagles and senior goalie Brad Eidsness relieved Dell in the second period and stopped the bleeding for the Fighting Sioux. Eidsness looked sharp against the Eagles stopping seven of eight shots, after the game against the B.C. Eagles some questioned if there was a goaltending battle brewing in Grand Forks.

After tonight it appears that some of those goaltending questions have been answered as Brad Eidsness stopped 30 of 31 shots, many of those shots were close in from the slot as the Maine Black Bears were all over the Fighting Sioux through two periods of hockey.

I don’t think it would be inaccurate to say that Brad Eidsness stopped at least five very difficult shots from close in during the first period and second periods keeping the Fighting Sioux in the game, if Eidsness had not been sharp the game could have gotten out of hand. In retrospect, this was probably one of Eidsness’ best game in a Fighting Sioux uniform.

The game was a scoreless tie until Fighting Sioux freshman winger Michael Parks was called for interference penalty at the 01:58 mark of the Second period. The Maine Black Bears didn’t take long to capitalize on the power play as they scored five second later on a goal by Maine forward Spencer Abbot took a shot from the point that blew past Eidsness. That’s all the Black Bears would get past Eidsness who stoned the Black Bears the rest of the way.

The Fighting Sioux evened the score about three minutes later when Parks made up for his miscue and scored his first goal of his Fighting Sioux career at the 5:01 mark of the second period to tie the game.
The Sioux went into the third period being out shot 26 – 14 by the Black Bears, did manage to out shot the Black Bears 7-5 during he third period. Fighting Sioux goalie Brad Eidsness continued to stand tall in the early minutes of the third when he stopped Maine forward Abbott close in to keep the game at 1-1, that save by Eidsness would prove to be a game saver for the Fighting Sioux.

The Sioux finally started getting the better of the Black Bears and in the third period and took the game over. Black Bear forward Joey Diamond took three ill advised penalties in the third period and at the 14:32 mark planted Fighting Sioux defenseman Ben Blood into the boards.

Blood enjoyed the best revenge three seconds later when  he took the feed from Corbin Knight off the face off and blasted the puck past Maine Goalie Martin Ouellette.  After the game Black Bears head coach Tim Whitehead said that Diamond would be watching tomorrow night’s game from the stands after taking three penalties in the third period.

The Fighting Sioux closed out the scoring at the 18:35 mark when Blood returned the favor and fed Corbin Knight a nice pass who was standing at the goal mouth and shot the puck past Ouellette who was out of position. The Sioux and the Black Bears play game two Saturday night at 7:07 pm.

Box Score

Sioux vs. Black Bears

Image via WikipediaUND Fighting Sioux vs. University of Maine Black Bears

Fighting Sioux

Forward lines

16 Mark MacMillan – 10 Corban Knight (A) – 7 Danny Kristo
9 Mario Lamoureux (C) – 29 Brock Nelson – 15 Michael Parks
14 Taylor Dickin – 27 Carter Rowney –11 Derek Rodwell
21 Brendan O’Donnell – 28 Stephane Pattyn – 13 Connor Gaarder

Defensive Pairings

4 Derek Forbort – Ben Blood (A)
2 Andrew MacWilliam (A) – Dillon Simpson
5 Nick Mattson – 22 Andrew Panzarella

Goalies

31 Brad Eidsness
32 Aaron Dell
35 Tate Maris

Scratches for the Fighting Sioux: 8 Dan Senkbell, 17 Colten St. Clair, 19 Rocco Grimaldi,  20 Joe Gleason

Maine Black Bears

Maine Forward Lines

13 Spencer Abbot (A) – 10 Brian Flynn (C) – 39 Joey Diamond
26 Adam Shemansky – 21 Kyle Beattie – 29 Conner Leen
11 Theo Anderson – 91 Klas Leidermark - 24 Mark Anthoine
5 Andrew Cerretani – 22 Stu Higgins – 15 John Parker

Defensive Paring

27 Will O’MNeill (C) – 57 Matt Mangene
44 Ryan Hegarty – 3 Mark Nemec
71 Nick Pryor 2 Mike Cornell (A)

Goalies 

51 Martin Ouellette

30 Dan Sullivan

31 Josh Seeley

Refs for tonight's games - R: Matt Ulwelling 23, Craig Welker 17, AR: Andy Dokken (70), Nathan Freeman (78).

Spirit Lake tribe's warns UND, NCAA, SBoHE and Big Sky

The Fighting Sioux nickname issues just got more and more interesting. I guess Frank Black Cloud wasn't kidding when he said, "watch the paper you going to see a big wave coming from this way" during an interview with Scott Hennen back on August 15th, 2011. 

Here is the latest development in the on going saga with the Fighting Sioux nickname. The Tribe from Spirit Lake is fighting to keep the Fighting Sioux nickname and they are unamused with the NCAA and the Big Sky Conference. The Spirit Lake Tribe also wrote a three page letter to the  University of North Dakota, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education, the Big Sky Conference, and the National Collegiate Athletic Administration. Here is a link to the letter. 

Chuck Haga; Grand Forks Herald --- In a statement released by the Committee for Understanding and Respect, which has been authorized by the Spirit Lake Tribal Council to speak for the tribe on the nickname issue, the committee warned UND, the state board, the NCAA and the Big Sky Conference to stop acting “against our honorable name as given to UND by our ancestors.”

If those organizations don’t stop working to retire the name, they should expect consequences “far more severe than any sanctions UND claims will exist by keeping our name,” according to the statement.

The committee also said Kelley and Shaft should resign their positions for failing in leadership.

Frank Black Cloud, a committee spokesman, said he was “not at liberty to say” what the “more severe” consequences might be.

It looks like the Spirit Lake Tribe "could" end up suing UND, NCAA the NDSBoHE and the Big Sky conference if the Fighting Sioux nickname is retired.

Friday morning reading...

Image via WikipediaThe Boston College Eagles are back up and running and are going to be a force to be reckoned with this season. Check out the classic quote by Eagles head coach Jerry York. One think I learned from last weekend is that York always has something witty to say. You have to love the quote about playing cupcakes.

ESPN Boston ---- Last weekend, Boston College sat at No. 5 in the two major national hockey polls. That was before the Eagles swept through the annual Ice Breaker Tournament, downing Michigan State (5-2) and then No. 3 North Dakota (6-2). Coupled with losses by Miami and Notre Dame, those results made the Eagles the overwhelming choice as the nation's No. 1 team in both polls.

"It was a good start for us, but we emphasized all week that it's just a start," said BC coach Jerry York. "We've always tried to schedule teams like Denver or North Dakota early. If you put a cupcake schedule in front of your kids, it can create a sense of false manhood, because they think 'Hey, we're really good, because we're undefeated.' You've got to be tested."

The Eagles passed their first-week exams with flying colors. But things don't get any easier for York's crew, as they host WCHA heavyweight Denver, sitting at No. 3 in both polls, on Friday night, and then travel to No. 15/16 New Hampshire on Saturday. Of course, the same can be said for the Pioneers, who open their 2011-12 campaign with a Northeast swing through the iron of Hockey East, playing at Boston University on Saturday after their stop at BC.

Here is what Rachel Lenzi beat writer of the Maine Black Bears has to say in today's Portland Press Herald. Looks like both teams know what is on the line this weekend when they face off in the Ralph.

Portland Press Herald --- In last Friday's 2-1 loss to Merrimack, the Black Bears (1-1) believed they put forth the effort but didn't assert themselves in front of the opposing goal.

In Sunday's 6-3 win over Northeastern, Maine captain Will O'Neill said his team brought a certain attitude and edge to its game, one that the Black Bears, ranked 17th in the USCHO.com top 20 poll, will have to sustain not just this weekend against North Dakota (1-1) but through the season.

"When we came out Friday night, we thought we were ready," O'Neill said. "We thought we were prepared. We thought we were going to go out there and work. The effort was there Friday night, but we needed to work hard in the right areas.

"On Sunday, we had more focus and we utilized our hard work and our tenacity. It's very difficult to sustain that in sports, but that's what good teams do. Good teams show up every night and very rarely do they lay an egg. That's where we want to be."

The Fighting Sioux represent that standard. The Sioux have won seven national championships and when they face the Black Bears at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D., will return 14 players from last year's team that reached the Frozen Four, losing 2-0 to Michigan in a national semifinal.

UND MEN’S HOCKEY: Sioux eager for another shot against Maine [Grand Forks Herald]

How to watch this weekends games

RADIO: 96.1 The Fox (KQHT-FM) • WEBCAST: www.fightingsioux.com
TV: Fighting Sioux Sports Network, Fox College Sports Central, MidcoSN3,
DirecTV 617 (Friday), DirecTV 623 (Saturday)

Eagles, Spartans Win on Day Two of Ice Breaker.

Game one

MSU Spartans vs Air Force Academy Falcons

While the first game of the Ice Breaker started off slowly and lacked excitement, the second day of the Ice Breaker Tourney started off with a bang, as the feisty Falcons scored only 27 seconds into the game as Falcon forward Casey Kleisinger scored what could be classified as a highlight reel goal from an impossible angle. Kleisinger took a shot from behind the red line and caught the Spartan goalie Drew Casey off of his left post giving the Falcons a quite one nothing lead.

That goal would be the only excitement for the rest of the first period as the game went back to a tight checking affair; from that point on most of the action in the first period was played in the neutral zone. The game resembled two heavy weight prize fighters feeling each other out waiting for the other to make the first mistake.  The Spartans thought they had tied the game on the power play at the 14:12 mark of the first period as Michigan State’s Dean Chelios appeared to score a goal, however, the on ice officials quickly waved the goal off and after going to the video review and ruled that the puck was in fact redirected off Chelios’ skate.

The game started out slow in the second period as well and at the 08:33 mark the Spartans evened the score with a goal from Greg Wolfe who was left all alone in the slot. The Falcons took the lead at the 18:12 of the second period when Falcons defenseman Scott Mathis launched a wrist shot on net that wasn’t touched by anyone and fluttered past the Spartan goalie Will Yanakeff who was screened by his defensemen.

The game continued to be a chess match until the Spartans evened the score at the 05:21 mark of the third period with a power play goal by Lee Reimer. In watching the replay, I would imagine that the Falcons goalie Jason Torf would’ve liked to have that goal back because he badly over played the first shot and was caught out of position as the rebound ended up behind him in Falcons goal.

With the Spartans Jake Chelios off for holding at the 16:28 mark of the third period,  Scott Mathis had a chance to give the Falcons the lead but  he rang a shot off the cross bar. It wasn’t meant to be for the Falcons as the game went to overtime and  the Spartans made short work of the Falcons as they scored the game winning goal at the :54 mark of the overtime;  All Tournament Forward Lee Reimer picked up a Falcon turnover deposited the puck into the Air Force net to win the game for the Spartans.  While the Falcons out shot the Spartans 28-23 for the afternoon, the only statistic that mattered in the end was the final score.

After the game Michigan State head coach Tom Anastos had to say about his teams win against the Air Force Academy Falcons this afternoon, “I thought our guys again tonight played real hard tonight and that [Air Force] is a real good team, I was really impressed with their team. After the second period we were only down two to one I told them that winning is fun but a comeback win is even more fun.  We went out there and continued to do what we were trying to do the whole game the puck was contested out there on both sides.  I thought I was a real good game.”

Coach Anastos was also asked if he made adjustments during the second intermission, “We didn’t really make a whole lot of adjustments, we continued to do what we were doing, maybe some very minor things, but we continued to play the same way we were playing. I just think that maybe they got tired a little bit, I don’t know because they played last night, I don’t know if that was a factor or not they didn’t see tired to me I thought worked really hard. Maybe that was a bit of a factor, the only thing that we did was we shorten our bench a bit got guys a little more ice time maybe that created a little bit of a different rhythm.”

Final score: Michigan State University  3 – Air Force Academy 2 overtime.
Box Score

Game two 

UND Fighting Sioux and the B.C. Eagles.

The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux and Boston College Eagles have a storied rivalry and played in some epic battles during the NCAA tourney. As of late, the Eagles have had the upper hand in the series, coming into this game the Eagles have gone 3-0-1 against the Sioux, make that 4-0-1 after tonight's 6-2 Eagle win.

The Eagles got on the score board first as Pat Mullane scored at the 2:21 mark of the first period.  The Eagle goal was the result of a bad turn over in the Fighting Sioux end as Mullane was left with the puck in the slot and just simply shot the puck past Fighting Sioux goalie Aaron Dell.

Tonight marked the much anticipated debut of the highly touted freshman forward Roco Grimaldi for the Fighting Sioux, however, Grimaldi's first shift was one that he will want to forget as he was on the ice when Mullane scored for the Eagles. Grimaldi who was held out of Friday’s game with a lower body injury didn’t look like he was slowed a bit by the injury. As the game progress Gramialdi have some nice chances during the game but wasn't able to record a point on the score sheet.

The Sioux tied the game at the 15:55 mark of the first period with a nice goal from Sioux forward Corbin Knight who took a nice pass feed from Danny Kristo  for a shorthanded goal.  The Sioux took the lead on a power play goal at the 5:23 mark of the first period from Sioux defenseman Derek Forbort who shot the puck on net; Eagles goalie Parker Milner was screened by his own guys and had no chance at the shot.

That lead didn’t last for long as Eagles forward Chris Kreider tied the game less than two minutes later at the 7:27 mark of the second period.  The Eagles followed that goal up with a power play goal from Johnny Gaudreau at the 13:16 mark of the second period. Mullane followed up that goal at the 15:55 mark putting the Fighting Sioux down by two goals. From that point the Fighting Sioux never recovered and looked frustrated by the Eagles speed and they started to take undisciplined penalties.

The Eagles Bill Arnold scored at the 17:14 of the second period to send Fighting Sioux goalie Aaron Dell to the bench. Enter backup goalei Brad  Eidsness who was tested almost immediately as the Fighting Sioux continued to give up odd man rushes of untimely turnovers. It was not a strong period of hockey for the Fighting Sioux as they were outscored by the Eagles 4-1 during the middle frame.

After giving up four goals during the second period, the third period did not start very well for the Fighting Sioux either, the Fighting Sioux continued to take senseless penalties and beat a path to the penalty box. The Eagles scored their sixth goal of the game at the 15:15 mark of the third period when Eagles forward Steven Whitney took a pass from Pat Mullane and shot it on net catching the Fighting Sioux goalie Eidsness not covering the left post. Sioux generated a few chances during the latter part of the third period but were unable to get anything past All Tournament Goalie Parker Milner.

Boston College head coach Jerry York was asked why his teams have been so successful against the Fighting Sioux, “that’s probably misleading we have some terrific games. What’s effects me the most about the North Dakota is the rivalry east west, but when you play so many times at the national level.  I think we have played 5 times since 2001 twice in the tournament, twice in the title game, so we have built a great respect for the Sioux and for that to continue to play them, they bring out the best in us and hopefully we bring out the best in them, in the early season it helps us get better.

Final Score:  Boston College 6 University of North Dakota 2

Box Score

The following players  made the Ice Breaker All Tournament Team: Parker Milner goalie Boston College, Patch Alber defenseman  Boston College, Tommy Cross defenseman Boston College, Chris Kreider  forward Boston College, Lee Reimer forward Michigan State, Tie  Brock Nelson forward North Dakota and Bill Arnold forward Boston College.  Chris Kreider forward Boston College was named the Ice Breaker Tournament MVP.

Cross Posted at Inside Hockey...

Former Sioux Dave Christian on SCSU opening day roster. :)

All in good fun... SCSU should be really good this season when former Fighting Sioux and 1980 Olympian Dave Christian laces up the skates for the Huskies. I am sure that Mick Hatten meant to say Jordy Christian who is from  Moorhead, MN. [Link to the article]

Tuesday Morning Links

Image via WikipediaFighting Sioux defensive recruit Jordan Schmaltz who is expected to go high in next summer's NHL entry draft, is Ryan Clark's, (the beat writer for the Fargo Force from the Fargo Forum), top defensive recruit to watch in the USHL this season.

Ryan S. Clarke Slightly Chilled --- 1. Jordan Schmaltz, Sioux City: Eh, he’s bum. Really, he’s actually the truth and might be the most high-profile player heading into the league this season. Schmaltz is arguably the USHL’s most gifted offensive defenseman and he certainly showed why last season. When Sioux City was looking to edge into the playoffs, Schmaltz went all T-800 series and basically said, “Come with me if you want to live” by scoring 12 points in his last 13 games. That includes a 10-game point streak he used to end the season. In all, Schmaltz scored 44 points (13 goals and 31 assists) in just 59 games. Very few players could control a game last season like Schmaltz and there’s a good chance that it could be that way this year. Some have wondered if the 6-2, 175-pound North Dakota will come out a bit more defensive-minded this year. If Schmaltz is able to do that along with having another electric year on offense, it could be an amazing season for the Wisconsin native.

This season could prove to be a big for former Fighting Sioux forward T.J. Oshie. Jeremy Ruthorford the Blues beat writer from St Louis Today interviewed former Fighting Sioux forward T.J. Oshie.

Now armed with a one-year, $2.35 contract extension, Oshie says he's healthy and ready to begin the 2011-12 season. Here's my conversation with T.J. Oshie...

JR: Congratulations on your contract. What was that process like for you?

TJO: "It was tough. The first time for me. I was kind of just sitting back, trying to take it all in ... take it slow. It came down to the wire (before the start of restricted free agency). They threw out a number that we were really comfortable with and felt like it was best for both sides."

JR: Some Blues fans were hoping that you would signing a long-term deal. Why only one year?

TJO: "It's a chance for me to prove that I can go away for a summer, have a good summer on my own, working out and training. I was doing all of (Blues strength coach Nelson Ayotte's) stuff, but I just wanted to prove to them after everything that happened (an unexcused absence at practice, leading to a two-game suspension), that I've matured and have grown up. I'm just ready to step in and hopefully play as good

There has been increasing chatter that there is a possibility that Notre Dame might be joining the Big Ten along with the University of Texas. This might also explain why the Fighting Irish have not joined the NCHC  or Hockey East. It also might explain why BGSU and WMU haven't accepted the WCHA's bid for membership as well. 

Larry Phillips;Telegraph-Forum ---- In the Internet community, when Purple Book Cat talks, folks listen. On Thursday, the anonymous PBC started a thread revealing at a Wednesday night meeting, Notre Dame and Texas jointly presented the Big Ten Conference a proposal for terms of entry into the league. Such terms came after lengthy discussions involving both schools over the past several months.

Interestingly, the top priority for both institutions was to get the Big Ten to back off its mandate of a 9-game conference schedule beginning later this decade and maintain the current 8-game slate. This would allow Texas and Notre Dame to continue traditional rivalries, with Oklahoma and USC, respectively.

CHL vs the NCAA, is there money changing hands

Image via WikipediaAfter reading this article a few times in the past week then going back and re-reading the quotes from Paul Kelly earlier this summer, “As much as the CHL denies it, there are still instances where money is being paid to the family to lure kids away and de-commit from colleges." Those comments Paul Kelly that some have deemed controversial by many have been followed up with these comments.

Craig Custance; Sporting News --- “The amount of money under the table in those leagues is rampant,” said RPI coach Seth Appert, who just ended his term as president of the American Hockey College Association. “That’s against NCAA rules, no matter how we slice it.”

Said Berenson: “I know some kids have been paid, there’s no question about that. I can’t tell you what the OHL allows or what they don’t allow. I know some kids that have been paid.”

In a conversation with Sporting News, one player weighing the decision confirmed he’d been offered a significant financial package to play in Canada, saying it’s not an easy thing to turn down.

“Everybody has their price,” he said.

It’s not a new accusation. Kelly has been publicly vocal in his belief that elite players are getting six-figure payments to lure them away from the NCAA. And, Kelly contends, it’s for more than just education.

Kelly shared a conversation he had with a player who broke a college commitment last summer to play in Quebec. Kelly asked him why he did it.

“He said because ‘they wrote me a check for $100,000 and I’m going to go out and buy a new car,’ ” Kelly said. “This kid never had any education anywhere in his radar.”

With all that happened this summer, I have to wonder if I am the only one from the Fighting Sioux fan base that thought this? Why J.T. Miller all of a sudden de-commit from the Fighting Sioux to sign with the Plymouth Whalers? Did the Plymouth Whalers offer J.T. Miller something to change his mind and go play for the Whalers instead of the Sioux? Miller really hasn't talked about his de-commitment from the Fighting Sioux.I think it's a legitimate question that needs to be explored more.

Related articles

• More on the CHL vs NCAA... (mvn.com)
• CHL versus NCAA re: NHL; The NCAA (hockeyhourly.wordpress.com)
• Must-click link: Explaining the NCAA-CHL battle for players (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)
• CHL versus NCAA re: NHL; The CHL (hockeyhourly.wordpress.com)

NCAA “Willing to Reconsider” Settlement Demands for Refitting Ralph Engelstad Fighting Sioux Arena.

Image via Wikipedia Here is some of the discussion that Scott Hennen had with Jody Hodgson on August 23rd, 2011 on the Fighting Sioux logo and the meeting with the NCAA.

GRAND FORKS, ND – But despite the fact that the NCAA would not budge on its stance to retire the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo, Hodgson said they did agree to reconsider requests for amending the settlement’s demands for retrofitting the arena to meet the NCAA’s design standards.

“I don’t think anybody in the issue has won,” said Hodgson, “and I personally don’t believe anyone benefits if we further complicate the issue by defacing the building and all of the issues that would come with that, the least of which is not the financial considerations.”

Changes to the facility have been estimated at over $1 million to meet the settlement’s specifications.

Hodgson, a passionate Fighting Sioux supporter, said that reality of the NCAA’s demands did not fully hit him until he was walking out of the NCAA meeting. Many nickname supporters are now pushing the position that no new nickname be adopted, even if the Fighting Sioux must be retired.

I like many Sioux fans would like to see the “No Nickname and Logo” movement pick up some steam. There is no way that we can replace the Fighting Sioux logo and nickname with anything that is remotely acceptable. There are going to be some people that are going to suggest ridiculous nicknames like Sundogs... Those nicknames are not going to be popular and you’re going to end up upsetting large swaths of people.

Fighting Sioux logo links...

Image via Wikipedia There has been a lot of breaking news today on the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo and the transition that lies ahead. I am going to try and keep up with the news as it breaks as best as I can. The first story that caught my eye was this one about current Fighting Sioux logo designer Bennett Brien as he weighted in on the Fighting Sioux logo today.

“It’s not a logo,” he said. “It’s a symbol.”

And the symbolism of the Native American man depicted in his design has been misunderstood, he said.

“His gaze is really focused and determined. You need that in life, no matter who you are, when you’re searching for truth,” Brien said.

“The feathers stand for the brave and honorable things you do in life, whether you are a Sioux warrior from before or a student today trying to get an education or anyone making a sacrifice to do good.”(Chuck Haga; Grand Forks Herald)

It would appear that the Grand Forks members of the North Dakota legislature are ready to vote in favor to change the Fighting Sioux nickname law.

After a state delegation failed this month to negotiate a change in the NCAA’s posture concerning the nickname, Gov. Jack Dalrymple said he will ask the Legislature to repeal or amend the new law and turn authority over the issue to the State Board of Higher Education.

This time, the Grand Forks delegation appears likely to be unanimous. (Chuck Haga; Grand Forks Herald)

North Dakota House Member, Mike Schatz from district 36 (New England, N.D.), wrote a letter to the editor explaining why he won't vote for the Nickname Repeal Law. Representative Schatz made an interesting point on the Fighting Sioux logo and asks the question, who is going to pay for UND to change the Fighting Sioux logo?

It has been estimated that the cost of changing the logo could be $20 million. Who is going to pay that sum? The Board of Higher Education does not have that authority without legislative approval nor does UND. Is the NCAA going to donate back its profits from the sale of Sioux merchandise to cover the expense? Are we going to allow ourselves to be blackmailed into doing something that 80 percent of the people don’t want to do?

Scott Hennen had Jody Hodgson the General Manager of the REA on his radio show today and they talked about the future of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo. Jody Hodgson is in favor of no nickname and UND just being "North Dakota" for the time being. [Click to listen to the segment]

Representative Al Carlson will not sponsor reversal of nickname decision

Image via WikipediaThis is breaking news on the Fighting Sioux nickname... Carlson won't introduce legislation that would repeal his law that required the University of North Dakota to be called the Fighting Sioux, on the other hand Carlson will not obstruct anyone that decides to introduce legislation to retire the Fighting Sioux nickname either.

Fargo Forum --- When asked this week if he would introduce legislation to undo the law, Carlson said he wouldn’t.

“I’m principled enough to know that I’m not going to do that,” said Carlson, who sponsored the controversial law that took effect this month.

However, Carlson said he also won’t discourage anyone else from submitting legislation to amend or repeal the law and said he would go along with what must be done.

“I’m not here to obstruct the process or to hurt UND,” he said. “We’re not going to damage the university.”

A couple of Links

Image via Wikipedia
Here are a couple of stories of interest.

The Next Little Big Horn: Black Cloud Cloud Says NCAAs Actions Discriminatory Against Spirit Lake Sioux

Well ahead of the August 12 meeting, the Spirit Lake Chairman and Tribal Council wrote a letter to the NCAA asking if they could come to the meeting and represent their tribe’s position on the issue, but NCAA officials denied the sovereign nation’s request.

Here they are going to talk about the fate of the Fighting Sioux, and the name and the proper use that UND has given it, and the tribe that supports it, they don’t even want to hear from, said Frank Black Cloud, a Spirit Lake Leader, on the Scott Hennen show yesterday. “How do you not want to hear from the people that it affects the most?

The name was given generations ago,” stated Black Cloud, “and the NCAA really has no bearing as to what the tribe does and how the tribe gives their namesake away. We gave it in honor.

Carlson Says The Battle Is Not Over Yet on Sioux Nickname.

FARGO, ND - Those people [ND Legislators] don’t throw protest votes around. They were listening to the citizens of North Dakota when they cast their votes, and every one of them was well aware of what would happen in terms of conference affiliations and all of those things,” House Majority Leader Al Carlson (R-Fargo) said today of the legislature’s spring decision on the Fighting Sioux nickname bill.

Carlson went on to say that there is also no certainty that the law will be repealed in November.

At no point in time was there a promise made that we will change the law tomorrow, in spite of what was said in the media. I can't guarantee that those 93 people will all switch their minds, Carlson said in an interview on the Scott Hennen show today.

I think the name should have stayed, said Carlson. In the end if it can't stay, then so be it. But that day is not here yet.

Related articles

• The NCAA a bunch of hypocrites? (mvn.com)
• NCAA won't budge (mvn.com)
• Former Sioux football players Jim Kleinsasser weighs in... (mvn.com)
• UPDATE: Shaft: NCAA meeting about Fighting Sioux nickname postponed (mvn.com)
• Fighting Sioux nickname meeting with NCAA rescheduled for Aug. 12 (mvn.com)

Fighting Sioux forward and New York Rangers Draft Pick JT Miller.

s/t to Western College Hockey. Also, for the speculators and talking heads like Pierre McQuire that immediately said after J.T. Miller might be going to the Plymouth Whalers instead of the Fighting Sioux doesn't sound like it's going to happen.

Brad Schlossman; Grand Forks Herald ---- Miller, who conducted interviews with the New York media with Stafford watching from a distance, is a 6-foot-1, 198-pound power forward who finishes hits and goes to the net hard. He said he plans on bringing that game to UND this fall.

“I’d like to be a top guy that can be relied on to produce,” Miller said. “I’ll be a guy who works hard, just like the Sioux do. I’m excited to play there. It will be a great experience for me.”

I've had it with Pierre McQuire...

I can understand why a lot of American Division I College hockey fans don't like TSN hockey analyst/blow hard buffoon Pierre McQuire...  I am sure that many of them would love to reach through their television sets and strangle him or pop him in his bald fore head.

Almost as if on key; as future Fighting Sioux forward J.T. Miller was announced as the 15th over all draft pick of the New York Rangers; McQuire immediately mentions that Miller could go to the OHL and play for the Plymouth Whalers. How can a former Division I and III hockey coach come off as so anti-college hockey? My advice to TSN hockey analyst Pierre McQuire; would you please STFU, the University of North Dakota has historically produced many great NHL players and J.T. Miller would be no better off if he went and played against younger players in the OHL.

Related articles

• Rangers snag American-born center at No. 15 (nypost.com)
• Rangers Take American Forward J.T. Miller With 15th Pick (newyork.cbslocal.com)

UND's Kelley: Time to change nickname, logo, 'move beyond' issue

Image via WikipediaI have two questions for University of Fighting Sioux sports fans; is UND president Dr. Robert Kelley a puppet of the NCAA? In looking at the events surrounding the Big Sky's announcement that the Fighting Sioux nickname could be a problem, it's just seems a little fishy to me... My next question is did Dr. Kelley pressure the Big Sky Conference to  come out against UND's use of the Fighting Sioux nickname? 

Herald Staff; Grand Forks Herald --- Kelley, speaking via telephone on KFGO Radio's "News and Views" program, says he believes the North Dakota Legislature should use a planned November special session for legislative redistricting to also reconsider its new law mandating the Sioux nickname and logo, KFGO's website reported. The law is set to take effect in mid-August.

"You know, I think the events of the last few days clearly show that, as we move out more and more onto a national stage, both through the NCAA Division I (and) as we work with other universities out-of-state in Big Sky conferencing, very clearly we have to listen to their concerns," Kelley said on the air. He was responding to program host Joel Heitkamp's question about whether the president believes the nickname has to change.

"So, yes," Kelley continued, "I'm going to come right out and say that it's time now for us to move beyond the name and logo issue for the success of the university and for the success of our student athletes."

UND and state leaders are going ahead with plans to meet with the NCAA this summer, possibly in late July, even though the NCAA last week restated it has "no intention of changing its position" about ending the UND's Sioux nickname and logo. Sanctions will apply if the name and logo are in use after Aug. 15," as required in a settlement

Kelley said then he was "not surprised" by the NCAA's statement because that organization has been consistent on its position.

Related articles

• NCAA: No change in policy against Indian nicknames (cbssports.com)
• NCAA: No policy change on Indian nicknames (sports.espn.go.com)
• N.C.A.A. Says No Go on Fighting Sioux Law (nytimes.com)
• APNewsBreak: NCAA says no go on Fighting Sioux law (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• NCAA: Despite state law, Fighting Sioux nickname will cost school (cbssports.com)

UND Fighting Sioux Hockey: Danny Kristo has unfinished business

Image via WikipediaIt's stories like this that make me giddy about the Fighting Sioux's prospects for next season. I am excited that Danny Kristo is coming back to UND for another season and that he has something to prove and some unfinished business. I really think that Kristo will only get better being one of the "main guys" in the line-up for the Fighting Sioux next season.

LOU BABIARZ;Bismarck Tribune Sports Editor | ----- Danny Kristo has accomplished a lot during his two seasons on the University of North Dakota hockey team. But it was unfinished business that caused Kristo to return to UND for his junior season instead of turning pro.

"I just feel like I haven't done everything in college that I needed to," said Kristo, who was in Bismarck on Tuesday as part of the Fighting Sioux Caravan. "I still have a lot left that I can accomplish myself and for the team, too.

"I just thought it was the right place for me," he said.

Even though the Sioux lost a strong group of seniors, many of their top underclassmen will be returning - including Kristo, Ben Blood and Aaron Dell.

That helped Kristo, who was a second-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2008, choose to forestall going pro.

"It helped make my decision easier with some friends coming back," Kristo said. "I just went over my options and felt that the team's got a lot to offer next year with some of the guys coming back. We've got a lot of underrated guys that are going to be stepping up into big roles next year. I think we have a real good shot of doing a lot of big things."

The Sioux are coming off a season in which their only goal was winning the national championship.

UND accomplished many other things along the way, including winning the MacNaughton Cup as the WCHA's regular-season champion and their second straight Broadmoor Trophy as the playoff champ.

They did advance to the Frozen Four, but were upset by Michigan in the semis.

"Our season ended short of what our goal was," UND coach Dave Hakstol said. "We didn't mince words in terms of what we wanted to accomplish last season. But you have to put that season in back of us."

It was a tumultuous season for Kristo. After winning the WCHA's rookie of the year award in 2009-10, Kristo had just one goal in his first 20 games.

Though he eventually regained his scoring touch - finishing with eight goals and 20 assists in 34 games - he missed six weeks with a severe case of frostbite.

"It was like a rollercoaster, a lot of ups and downs," Kristo said. " I had kind of a slow start, a little snakebit there for a while. ... After Christmas I really picked up my game. It's too bad I got hurt, because I was kind of on a roll there, but I just tried to pick up where I left off."

Kristo piled up 23 points in his final 16 games, and he's hopeful that hot streak carries over into next season. The Sioux will need him to produce.

UND should be solid in goal, with Dell, Brad Eidsness and Tate Maris returning, and Hakstol likes his defense. The forwards will be a mix of vets and newcomers.