We're Getting Closer to a New Logo

Good Monday Morning. After being sick for half the week and out of town, I am catching up on a few things. First, I am interested in seeing what the new logo looks like. I’ve said in the past, blow the new logo design and the hockey fans will never, ever get behind and embrace the new logo. While the other programs and sports fans have sort of embraced the new nickname. The UND hockey fans have been skeptical and slow to accept the Fighting Hawks nickname. Personally, I thought Fighting Hawks was the best choice of five bad logo options. I would recommend dropping Fighting from the nickname. If I had a choice, no nickname would have been the best option.

Former North Dakota Governor and current Interim President Ed Schafer had some interesting things to say about the nickname process.

Anna Burleson, Grand Forks Herald – Schafer said he isn't bothered by the continued popularity of the Fighting Sioux nickname but wishes the process of selecting the Fighting Hawks name had been done in a more professional way.

"It's a good nickname and we're going to build value to it, and in 10 years or so it's going to be very meaningful to the university, but we're not starting out saying this is really meaningful to North Dakota," he said. "It's not some unique special thing North Dakota has so we have to build value to that final nickname and logo. That's going to take longer and it's going to be harder to do than if you'd put the elements in up front."

The process involved two committees working for more than a year, accepting more than 1,000 submissions from across the country, which were then narrowed down and voted on by various stakeholder groups such as students, alumni, donors and university employees.

"We took 2,000 amateurs and said choose which one you want, so that's what we have," Schafer said.

I find Schafer's comment interesting. Thoughts?

Sioux Shop Selling Dacotah Legacy Merchandise

There's been some discussion about the REA selling merchandise with the Fighting Sioux nickname. Of course, there will be some that will not be happy about this.

I was told that the clothing with the Fighting Sioux logo has been going like hot cakes. This is your chance to get something new with the Fighting Sioux logo.

Today, when I was at the Ralph, it looked like they had just gotten a new shipment of goodies.

In addition to the University of North Dakota’s prudent decision to protect intellectual property, UND is required by 2007 settlement agreement with the NCAA to protect certain University trademarks. To protect these marks, the University must continue to use the marks and monitor unauthorized uses.

The first edition of the Dacotah Legacy Collection went on sale Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013 and were sold exclusively at Scheels All Sports in Grand Forks and at the Sioux Shop at Ralph Engelstad Arena (REA). Since then, select commemorative items have been produced for exclusive sale at the Sioux Shop at REA. (UNDSports.com)

Rob Port of Sayanythingblog.com has a blog post about UND selling the merchandise bearing the Fighting Sioux logo. I am not sure why some are shocked by this, the University did say that they were going to do this from time-to-time to protect the trademark.

Fargo Forum Editorial: UND Fans Still Don't Get It

Per the Fargo Forum: Leafy Spurge for the UND fans still don’t get it. I can't wait to see the letters to the editor.

LEAFY SPURGE: To the unreconstructed University of North Dakota fans who say without shame regarding the discredited and retired “Sioux” logo and nickname, “We will never give it up!” That’s akin to saying “Racism,” we will never give it up! “Homophobia,” we will never give it up! “Bullying,” we will never give it up! “Sexism,” we will never give it up! Get over it, kiddies. Times changes. Mores change. A deeper, more complete and more sensitive understanding of American Indian symbols emerges. After years of discussion, debate and eventually thoughtful consideration, the old logo was scrapped. A too-lengthy process has been underway to find a new name. But people of goodwill on both sides of the logo debate have come to consensus about the old one and the need for a new one. Move on.

Grand Forks Herald: Many Oppose UND's Decision to Pick a New Nickname

The Herald has a nice article about fans not wanting to let go of the Fighting Sioux nickname.

Anna Burleson, Grand Forks Herald -- Aaron Rients' plan after his UND graduation in December was to get a job at a local accounting firm, find a nice girl and start a family, but with his school looking at replacing its former Fighting Sioux nickname soon, he's having second thoughts about staying in Grand Forks.

"It's stupid that it means this much to me but really, just the thought of being something else doesn't seem right," he said. "I'd have to look at that new logo all day if I lived here."

Rients is one of many in the community and across the country who are vehemently against UND picking a different permanent nickname after retiring its former Fighting Sioux name in late 2012 and playing simply as UND and North Dakota after the NCAA threatened sanctions.

UND President Robert Kelley has remained firm since December 2014 when he said going back to the old name was not an option.

This newspaper article stirred quite a bit of discussion on twitter this morning.

I think most of us know that the University of North Dakota can't go back to being the Fighting Sioux. Doing so would jeopardize their status in the Big Sky Conference. I do like UND being in the Big Sky Conference and there's no way that UND can play as an independent.

We have to look at the big picture. With the Fighting Sioux nickname, UND wouldn't have been able to host the West Regional. this past spring.

I think that most UND fans are worried about the unknown. My biggest concern is that we will end up with a stupid nickname like Sundogs or Flickertails. I can't think of a worse nickname for UND to transition to.

Erich Longie: No, the Sioux were not silenced

If you havent' seen this, it's worth a read.  You can read this article at the Last Real Indians.

Eric Longie, Grand Forks Herald -- The NCAA's leaders did not bow down to North Dakota officials, who made a special trip to see them. In addition, the Standing Rock Council's several official tribal resolutions against the Fighting Sioux nickname were heard as far away as Indiana, where the headquarters of the NCAA is located. The council members were not silent.

The only thing this continued obsession with wanting to be a white man's mascot accomplishes is to stoke the fires of racial tension between whites and American Indians. I'd love to travel around North Dakota without having to debate the issue with non-Indians and have them get angry at me when I tear to shreds their reasoning that we are being honored.

Plus, it brings shame on us proud and freedom-loving Sioux when other tribes ridicule us for those who continue to fight for the name.

It's time to move on from the days when Indians were second-class citizens and were subjected to all kinds of indignities, one of the most shameful being portrayed as a logo for some wisicu's (white man's) team.

Herald Opinion: UND should get after a new nickname

#111873157 / gettyimages.com

From today's local fish wrapper, err, Grand Forks Herald. But what else would you expect from them? I have always said, outside of the sports page, which is awesome, this news paper disappoints me.

I have to respectfully disagree with Tom Dennis. There’s really no need to hurry picking a new nickname. Nicknames are something that we’re stuck with for a very long. If the University makes a hurried, hasteful decision, the University is going to be stuck with some stupid nickname that no one can get behind, or want on the front of their jerseys and t-shirts... Then what? I am dead serious here. Honestly, I could see this happening. One of my biggest fears is that the University will be pressured into picking some stupid nickname like Sun Dogs or Flickertails.

Let’s slow down, get together and move forward with a purpose. Let's not do this willy-nilly. Moreover, let’s not just pick a nickname, just to pick a nickname. Let’s select something that’s not going to alienate a lot of people, especially alumni.

Also, UND can’t even pick a new nickname until 2015. It’s not like UND is going to order new uniforms for their sports teams half way through the year. This is not going to happen.

The first thing that we need to address is the committee/mechanism that chooses the new nickname. Who will be on this committee that picks the new nickname? Obviously, this committee that doesn’t exist yet. The major question is who’s going to help choose this new nickname? Again, if the alumni think that the “wrong” people are part of the process, or if a block of people are left out of the process, you’re going to alienate your alumni base. The University can’t afford to alienate their loyal alumni base.

Tom Dennis, Grand Forks Herald – “We want to emphasize that the work of this group will be to establish a process, not to select a new nickname or logo,” said one administrator. And even that tepid description sounds fiery next to this one, which another official offered:

“We don’t have a process yet, but what we’re doing is preparing to create a process.”

In our view, this timidity on the part of UND’s administration is a mistake. The university has a lot to gain and not a whole lot to lose by striding confidently toward its goal, which is to line up lots of nickname suggestions, choose the most exciting one and then announce that choice with trumpets and confetti.

Dennis goes on…

Sorry, but the current “University of North Dakota” moniker just isn’t enough. Harvard has the most recognizable academic name on the planet; but Harvard doesn’t call its sports teams, “Harvard.” They are the Harvard Crimson.

The Yale Bulldogs, University of Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes … the list goes on. In fact, it goes on forever, as virtually every other college in America has a team nickname, regardless of how famous the institution is.

Contrary to some’s point of view, no nickname works just fine. This has worked for a year already. Sure, it takes time blending UND into blog posts and game reports, but this is a minor issue.

Seattle Times, “Redskins” nickname offensive and outdated

#450825988 / gettyimages.com

I am going to ask UND fans, do you see anything similar here? Is so, what? Feel free to give your feed back.

Don Shelton, Seattle Times – It’s time to ban the use of “Redskins,” the absurd, offensive and outdated name of the NFL team in Washington, D.C.

Past time, actually.

We’ll probably receive scathing emails, letters, phone calls and reader comments telling me we’re too PC, that the name actually honors Native Americans or that we have no right to change a team’s official name.

Everyone’s entitled to an opinion – even if I don’t buy it.

We’re banning the name for one reason: It’s offensive. Far from honoring Native Americans, the term colors an entire race. Many Native Americans consider it an outdated label placed on their people.

Randy Lewis, a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes who is a board member for United Indians, didn’t pull any punches when asked what he thought.

“I find it as offensive as black people find the N-word,” he said. “They say they’re trying to dignify or honor something with it. It doesn’t dignify us. It doesn’t honor us. It doesn’t make us feel good about ourselves.”

ESPNU: UND Fighting Sioux? (oops)

Opps...s/t @Yabbs

Foss Nails it - yet again!

If you haven’t read this article by Virg Foss, it’s worth a look. I have always been a big fan of Foss’ work because he puts a lot of emotion into his work and he paints a nice picture with his elegant words.

That’s not a slam on anyone – because the WCHA is blessed with some awesome beat writers starting with UND’s Brad Schlossman – I just like his writing style.

I might date myself here, I can also remember when Foss covered Fighting Sioux Hockey until he retired in the mid 2000’s.

Virg Foss, Grand Forks Herald --- Officially, the days of the Fighting Sioux athletic teams are past. It will be years before another nickname may be adopted.

I’m fine with that indefinite delay. I see reporters are calling UND the “Green-and-White” on occasion in some sports stories and I guess that’s OK. When I think of Green-and-White locally, though, I think of East Grand Forks Senior High, not UND.

It does limit writers/broadcasters when a team has no nickname, I grant you that. And maybe if I covered the UND teams on a regular basis, I’d tire of typing “UND” over and over.

In times long ago, UND’s teams used be called the NoDaks and carried a nickname of the Flickertails.

I’d rather see occasional use of NoDaks than Green-and-White. The Flickertails can remain in the dusty archives, as far as I’m concerned.

Without a nickname now for the teams, I for one prefer the use of North Dakota. Plain and simple, just North Dakota. We are North Dakota.

It’s a proud name, and yes, it is who we are who live in this state.

I am not sure that I am sold on Green and White either – I have only used it once in a post – I am not sure that it rolls off of the tongue or the finger tips but like Foss said, “and maybe if I covered the UND teams on a regular basis, I’d tire of typing “UND” over and over.”

While reading his post-game report in the Herald on Friday night, I saw that Brad used Green and White in the title. Is this the beginning of something new? I don’t know; but we have a long time to be creative until UND comes up with a new name.

Whether people like it or not – Green and White does kind of fill the void by the loss of a historic nickname – although there was no memo released from the UND athletic department this time around – the writers are no longer refer to UND as the Fighting Sioux. Like it or not – most of us old school fans don’t.

No matter what the name becomes there is going to be someone that doesn’t like the new nickname. This is where I think that branding matters.

This is also the reason I am for not being in a hurry to pick something else for a nickname. I have a bad feeling we’re going to get stuck with a really bad nickname that few of us can get behind. I would rather have no nickname and use “Green and White” than to have a nickname that I will never be able to get behind. What do you think?

Kristo, MacMillian and Dell day two Habs development camp

Dan's Daily Dose

Three current and one former UND Fighting Sioux players are participating in the the Montreal Canadians development camp this week. Dan Kramer from All Habs has a really good run down of what has transpired over the course of this week.

GOALTENDERS

Aaron Dell: My favourite of the goalies on day one. I expect him to be offered a contract, be it a two-way deal or an AHL agreement with the Bulldogs. He’s a little slow-moving, but he’s a scrambler, battling for pucks and not giving up.

Based on all that we have heard around here during the offseason – we probably won’t be seeing Aaron Dell in a UND uniform next season. The last word that I had heard, from a pretty good source it’s about 99% that Dell isn’t coming back to UND - so I guess we shouldn't be shocked if to see Aaron Dell sign a professional contract.

Kramer also explains Dell's style to a "T" - Dell is positionally a very sound goaltender and there isn’t a lot of wasted movement.

FORWARDS

Former Fighting Sioux - Mike Cichy: Cichy is very small and skinny. He had to sit out a year of hockey for switching Universities, and doesn’t seem to have spent much of it in the weight room. His legs stand out as being remarkably thin (at one point I quipped that he almost looks like a kid wearing his father’s equipment), not something you want in a professional hockey player for reasons of balance, skating, and strength, so at this point, he doesn’t seem to have much of a future as a prospect.

Danny Kristo: I came away from day one thinking that Kristo looked very small. He is very quick, despite short strides (which can hamper a player). For example, despite both being undersized, his style is almost the opposite of Gallagher’s, who has longer stride but isn’t as fast, which is a testament to Kristo’s footwork. He also has good hands, though he didn’t seem particularly engaged when it was his turn to charge in on net. As such, he wasn’t remarkable. One the size issues, I felt he looked bigger on day two, so I’ll attribute my initial impression in part to his being grouped mainly with the defensemen on Wednesday, all of whom are 6’1″ or taller. Hopefully he commits fully to training with his final year in college, and adds some strength. Tended to only interact with players he was familiar with in Leblanc and MacMillan.

Mark MacMillan: I’ll call MacMillan a pet prospect of mine. He’s filling out slowly, now generously listed at 183 lbs after being drafted at 150, but he does look bigger than in the past. He’s a skilled guy with interesting offensive tools, but had some trouble with a few skating drills (he looked alright at times as well, but it’s an area for him to focus on). A longer-term project, he may be a go-to player at UND next season, so that’s perhaps the only reason to be happy that Kristo will be returning there for another season.

Here is what All-Habs had to say about a few of our forwards as well as about former Fighting Sioux forward Mike Cichy. Kramer kind of confirms what Sioux fans already knew about Cichy – during his time at UND.  During Cichy's short time at UND,  there were rumblings that Cichy wasn’t the most dedicated or hardest of workers on the ice or in the weight room.

This was basically confirmed after his first season, when Fighting Sioux coach Dave Hakstol confirmed that Cichy had come into his first camp with the Fighting Sioux out of shape.  Looks like this might have worked out best for the Fighting Sioux in the end.

AP - Tribe quiet as ND voters scrap Fighting Sioux name

I have been reading the articles relating to the Fighting Sioux nickname this morning and this article jumped out at me, written by James MacPherson and Dave Kolpack of the Fargo Forum, this article has been all over the internet today and made the Miami Herald as well.

Miami Herald - Walter Twinn, 69, who still speaks his native Dakota language, said there are only a handful of people on the reservation strongly opposed to the name. He cited a 1969 pipe ceremony held on the UND campus when a delegation from Standing Rock and at least one representative from Spirit Lake reportedly bestowed to the university permanent rights to use the nickname.

"UND has helped a lot of Indian students," Twinn said. "It should stay." The Standing Rock reservation straddles the North and South Dakota border and is home to about 9,000 people, more than half of whom live in North Dakota. Elections for tribal chairman typically draw up to 2,000 voters.

Lawrence Miller, an employee at the tribe's casino, said it makes little sense to change the name. However, he acknowledges that he didn't vote. "What are they going to call themselves, the Holsteins? Or the Cow Milkers?" Miller said.

Bubba Standing Bear, who spent Wednesday herding cows on horseback, said he would have approved the measure had he been old enough to vote. "To me it really doesn't matter. It's just a name," he said. "I didn't think it was disrespectful. I know a lot of the old people might not like it but I think it is respectful."

Erich Longie, an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake tribe who has been an outspoken critic against the nickname, said UND T-shirts and other giveaways encouraged about two-thirds of 1,100 members of that tribe to endorse the name in 2009. He said only 70 people on the Spirit Lake reservation voted Tuesday.

"They didn't have all the free stuff to pass out," Longie said. "It shows you how much people cared about the vote."

This article brings up an issue – first what is the new nickname and what is it going to be – second, who is going to decide what the new nickname is going to be?

The name is in the process of eventually being changed, however, the road to finding an acceptable replacement for the Fighting Sioux nickname is going to be the next fight – we need to get out front and make sure that the school isn’t stuck with an unacceptable and downright stupid replacement nickname. We don’t need to think very hard to imagine some of the unacceptable replacement names that some have already suggested.

I am of the belief that nothing we select is ever going to be as good as the Fighting Sioux nickname that is the brutal reality. I have always said that if UND can’t be the Fighting Sioux than it should simply be “North Dakota” I know there are some that don’t like that idea. There are many UND fans that like that idea as well.

For the sake of the Alumni and school – the powers that be better tread lightly in selecting the next nickname for the University of North Dakota, there needs to be a cooling off period and the law that the state reverted back to says that no name will be selected until 2015.

There should be no hurry to select a new nickname – there are going to be some; especially the ones that wanted UND to lose the Fighting Sioux nickname in the first place, these people will try and push UND into selecting a new nickname immediately and they are going to push the issue. Those people need to have the brakes put on them. Any nickname going forward should have the input of the UND Alumni, current students and Faculty and Staff.

If not we are going to end up with a stupid nickname like “Sundogs” and we can’t let that happen.

Gothberg and Schmaltz make All-USHL First Team

Two UND Fighting Sioux incoming freshman recruits Zane Gothberg and Jordan Schmaltz have made the All-USHL first team.

All-USHL First Team

Zane Gothberg (G), Fargo Force

The goaltender from Thief River Falls, Minnesota posted a 26-16-4 record with USHL best .921 SV%. His 2.22 GAA was the second best mark in the League. Gothberg led the USHL with seven shutouts which shattered the Fargo Force season record held by Mike Lee (2008-09). The 19-year-old put together a nine-game winning streak from December 30th to January 21st, compiling a 1.43 GAA and .947 SV% with two shutouts over that stretch. Gothberg was the co-winner of the USHL Goaltender of the Year. He is a 2010 NHL Draft pick of the Boston Bruins and will play hockey next season at the University of North Dakota.

USHL stats - Zane Gothberg

Jordan Schmaltz (D), Green Bay Gamblers

The 18-year-old from Verona, Wisconsin tied for second in scoring among all USHL defensemen with 41 points (10g, 31a) in 55 regular season games. After starting the season with the Sioux City Musketeers, he was acquired by the Gamblers and put up 35 points (7g, 28a) and a plus-15 rating in 46 games. He added seven points (2g, 5a) and a plus-10 rating in 12 playoff games. Schmaltz is the first player since the 1994-95 season (Scott Swanson, Omaha Lancers) to be named All-USHL First Team in consecutive seasons. A top prospect for the 2012 NHL Draft, the defenseman is committed to the University of North Dakota.

USHL stats - Jordan Schmaltz

NDSU won’t play UND until nickname situation is resolved

NDSU won’t play UND until the Nickname issue is resolved… Small price to pay right, just like the NCAA sanctions being “manageable.” Wait, what? Someone must have gotten to NDSU, this can't be.

Really it’s a small price for keeping the Fighting Sioux nickname – screw them right! Who needs NDSU, they can go play someone else. Right! It’s really just a marginal and minor cost for keeping the Fighting Sioux nickname.

I am sure that some will say that Gene Taylor is lying – he can’t be telling the truth. I suppose others will accuse Taylor of folding and changing his view to appease Robert O. Kelley and Brian Faison. I suppose we will also have someone file a FOIA request to see what Gene Taylor knows and when he knew it… I can’t wait to read through all of Taylor’s email when they are posted on a blog somewhere in North Dakota. I can only imagine what else will be said.

Jeff Kolpack,Fargo Forum --- Not so fast, says the NDSU athletic director.

“No details have been worked out,” Gene Taylor said.

Taylor said the schools have dates that would work in both years and that he and Faison talked by phone earlier this week about resuming the game. Taylor said both sides talked a few months ago on a few occasions, but communication stopped until UND could get its nickname situation resolved, he said.

“We don’t have a solid contract,” Taylor said.

I want to address a couple of issue that has come up on line a few times.

First off, no one from the University of North Dakota has ever asked me to write against the Fighting Sioux nickname. No one! It has never happened; not once. No one has ever asked me to change my stance on the Fighting Sioux nickname issue. Seriously! If the President of the United States of America is allowed to evolve on an issue, what can’t others?

No one from the University of North Dakota has ever dangled my press pass in front of me and said if you don’t parrot the University Line against the Fighting Sioux nickname, I would have that press pass pulled. UND has been great and nothing but professional with me.

I have also developed relationships with some at the University of North Dakota and they have been nothing but accommodating and personable, they go out of their way to help people from the press, media and writers. UND is a first class organization that I am proud to be an alumnus of (1996, 1999). I find it mind numbing that some people that don’t have all the information calling reputable alumni, coaches and great people liars and toadies.

Lastly, I love the Fighting Sioux nickname and I think it’s the best logo in all of college sports or professional sports – nothing that they replace the Fighting Sioux nickname with will ever be good enough in my opinion. I have never wavered from that opinion, but like other Alumni that have actually attended class at the University of North Dakota, I know that UND can’t go on forever with the Fighting Sioux nickname and I don’t want to see the University hurt by the sanctions.

Related articles

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• A Fight Over The Sioux Name, Cindy Nofziger And Precheck.

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• North Dakota Fighting Sioux Forced To Drop Nickname For 2012 NCAA Hockey Tournament

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• Judge tosses lawsuit over Fighting Sioux nickname- 13 charged in Florida A&M band hazing death

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• NCAA Ice Hockey: North Dakota Sioux Fighting for Their Mascot

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Poll Monday - Sioux 12th in both National Polls

 The Fighting Sioux are ranked 12th on both national polls. The Fighting Sioux are currently ranked 11th in the all important PairWise Ranking.

Poll Monday - UND moves up to 14th and 15th in National Polls.

UND vs UMN - Time to drop the puck.

I took this screen shot off of the official Minnesota Gophers hockey page, I know it's hard getting used to as over the course of two weeks the Sioux logo and name have evaporated into thin air. I never thought I would see this day come. Anyways, Go UND Fighting Sioux, beat the Gophers.

Related articles

• UND vs. UMN series notes (mvn.com)

Sioux vs. Seawolves series preview

Cross Posted at INSIDE HOCKEY.

The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux travel to Anchorage Alaska to play the UAA Seawolves this weekend

Television: The games against UAA will be on Midcontinent this weekend: channel 323 in North Dakota and South Dakota, channel 413 in International Falls and Fairmont, Minn. Midcontinent will be picking up the broadcast from GCI Cable Television in Anchorage.

Radio: The games can be heard at 96.1 the Fox.

Internet:  Webcast from GCI. [Click to view]

Records and Rankings:

UND – 6-7-1 overall, 4-6-0 WCHA; received votes in both national polls. The Fighting Sioux swept the fifth ranked Colorado College in Grand Forks, ND last weekend (7-6 win, 4-3 win).

UAA – 5-7-2 overall, 2-7-1 WCHA; unranked in both national polls. The Seawolves took three points from the Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks last weekend (5-4 win and 5-5 tie).

Series History:

The Fighting Sioux lead the all-time series with UAA Seawolves, 42-17-4 (27-3-3 at home and 15-14-1 in Anchorage).

The Fighting Sioux have only lost twice in their last 13 meetings against the UAA Seawolves (9-2-2 during that stretch). In the last 10 games, UND leads the series, 7-2-1.

Players to Watch:  

For the Fighting Sioux: forwards Danny Kristo (7g-10a—17pts), Corbin Knight (6g-11a—17pts) and Brock Nelson (10g-7a—17pts) are tied for the team lead in scoring. Goaltender Aaron Dell currently holds a .887 save percentage and a 3.27 goals against average.

For the Seawolves: forwards Mickey Spencer (7g-2—9pts), Brett Cameron (2g-5a—7pts) and Daniel Naslund (2g-5a—7pts).   Goaltenders Chris Kamal (.890 save percentage, 3.10 goals against average), and Rob Gunderson (.884 save percentage, 3.28 goals against average). 

Key Numbers:

1 – The number of gamess the Seawolves and Fighting Sioux have won on the road this season.

2 – The UAA Seawolves are ranked second in Penalty Minutes (15.1).

5 – The number of wins the Seawolves have so far this season.

6 – The Fighting Sioux & the Seawolves are ranked 6^th on the power play (20.8).

7 – The number of losses that the Sioux have so far this season.

7 – The Fighting Sioux are ranked seventh in team defense (3.21).

8 – The number of losses that the Seawolves have for far this season.

9 – The Fighting Sioux are ranked ninth in the WCHA in scoring (2.86).

10 – Fighting Sioux forward Brock Nelson has 10 goals so far this season.

10 – Fighting Sioux forward Danny Kristo has 10 assists so far this season.

10 – The Seawolves are ranked 10^th on the Penalty Kill (76.7). 

11 – The Fighting Sioux have scored 11 goals in the third period this season.

11 – The Seawolves are ranked 11^th in scoring Offense (2.43).  

11 – The Seawolves are ranked 11^th in Scoring Defense 11th (3.36)

11 – The Fighting Sioux are ranked 11^th in Penalty Minutes (11.8).

Other games in the WCHA:  Minnesota State at Minnesota, Bemidji at Saint Cloud, Nebraska Omaha at University of Alabama Huntsville, Duluth at Michigan Tech, Denver at Colorado College (Friday only). Wisconsin is Idle.

More bad news for UND, Roco Grimaldi out for 6-8 weeks.

In a season where the Fighting Sioux have failed to get any puck luck; got some more bad news today. Super freshman Roco Grimaldi will be out for 6-8 weeks.

Grand Forks Herald --- UND men's hockey coach Dave Hakstol said Friday that freshman forward Rocco Grimaldi will be sidelined approximately six to eight weeks with a knee injury.

Grimaldi, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Preseason Rookie of the Year, has appeared in only four of UND’s first 10 games this season due to the injury and has one goal and one assist.

This is horrible news for the Fighting Sioux because they have struggled to score goals this season and have scored a measly 12 goals in six games, that's good for 10th place in scoring in the WCHA. You’re not going to win many games only scoring two goals per game.  I guess we can chalk it up as another challenge for the Fighting Sioux. Not to mince words but its gut check time for the Fighting Sioux; it’s time for someone to step up and contribute on the ice for the Fighting Sioux.

Yesterday while listening to the INCH podcast Jess Meyers said, I am paraphrasing, that the Fighting Sioux are a bunch of guys standing around watching Danny Kristo make plays. I think to a certain degree that is true. After Danny Kristo, Corbin Knight and Brock Nelson no one is putting points on the board.  This weekend begins a very big stretch for the Fighting Sioux as they will attempt to get points and not get buried in the standings.

Who will be the players to step up offensively for the Fighting Sioux? Only time will tell.

Sioux and Beavers Series Preview

 Cross Posted at Inside Hockey. The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux resume play this weekend when they travel to Bemidji, Minnesota to play the Bemidji State University Beavers in a WCHA series Saturday 7:07 PM CT and Sunday 7:07 PM CT.
Image via Wikipedia

If you were to look at the WCHA standings you will see that the Beavers are currently ninth in the WCHA standings three points ahead of the Fighting Sioux.  The Sioux currently occupy 11^th place in the WCHA standings.

Since the 2002-03 season the Fighting Sioux have an almost perfect 14-0-1 record against the BSU Beavers.

The games will be on Lakeland Public Television  Bemidji, Minnesota. Play-by-play announcer Scott Williams and color commentator former BSU Beaver Eric Monsrud call the games for the Beavers.

Radio: The games can be heard at 96.1 the Fox.

Internet: Americaone [click to view]

 Records and Rankings:

UND – 3-6-1 overall, 1-5-0 WCHA; unranked in both polls. The Fighting Sioux were idle last week.
BSU – 4-7-1 overall, 2-5-1 WCHA; unranked in both polls. The Beavers tied 3-3 and lost 5-1 to the UNO Mavericks.

Players to Watch:  

For the Fighting Sioux junior forward Danny Kristo 4g-8a—12pts is the leading scorer. On the other side of the ice senior defenseman Brady Hunt 2g-9a—10 pts is the leading scorer or the Beavers.

Junior goalie Aaron Dell is the top goaltender for the Fighting Sioux. Dell has a 2-5-1 record with a 3.20 goals against average and a .875 save percentage.

Senior goalie Dan Bakala is the top goaltender for the Beavers. Bakala has a 2-4-1 record with a .302 goals against average with a .898 save percentage.

Key Numbers:

3 – The Beavers are ranked third in the WCHA on the penalty kill in the WCHA; the Beavers have killed 43/52 of their opponent’s power plays.

4 – The Fighting Sioux are ranked fourth on the penalty kill in the WCHA; the Fighting Sioux have killed 38/46 of their opponent’s power plays.

7 – The Fighting Sioux are ranked seventh in the WCHA in penalty minutes.

8 – The Fighting Sioux power play is ranked eighth in the WCHA going 9/51

9 – The Beavers power play is ranked ninth in the WCHA going 7/40

9 – The Beavers are ranked ninth in the WCHA in scoring.

10 – The Beavers are ranked 10^th in the WCHA in penalty minutes.

10 – The Fighting Sioux are ranked 10^th in the WCHA in scoring.

12 – The Fighting Sioux have scored 12 goals in six WCHA games.

14 – Aaron Dell is ranked 14^th in goals against average in the WCHA.

16 – Aaron Dell is ranked 16^th in save percentage in the WCHA.

Other games in the WCHA: Nebraska Omaha at Denver; Minnesota at Saint Cloud on Friday, Saint Cloud at Minnesota on Saturday; Michigan Tech at Alaska-Anchorage; Wisconsin at Colorado College; Minnesota State at Minnesota Duluth.

UND to join the Big Sky...

For those fans that were worrying about the Big Sky conference not accepting UND because of the three year cooling off period that requires UND to adopt no nickname or logo before January 2015. Those fears were all for not as it doesn’t seem to be an issue at all with the Big Sky Conference.

Wayne Nelson, Grand Forks Herald --- Currently, there are only four Division I Football Championship Subdivision programs that do not have a conference home. And three of those independents are headed for conference affiliation in the future.

Scheduling football games as an independent virtually would have been impossible, according to school officials.

UND football has competed in the Great West Conference since 2008. But the five-team league will disband after this season, with UC Davis, Cal Poly and Southern Utah all moving to the Big Sky. South Dakota, the fifth school, is headed to the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

With Dalrymple’s signature, the priority at the UND athletic department now focuses on the school’s future in the Big Sky.

“It’s bittersweet,” UND athletic director Brian Faison said of Wednesday’s developments. “This allows us to move on.”

The Big Sky has been following the North Dakota Legislature. UND President Robert Kelley was in contact with the league office after Dalyrmple’s signature.

UND will join the league without a nickname.

“We are North Dakota,” Faison said. “That’s who we will be.”