Former UND Goalie Aaron Dell penciled in as Sharks backup

According to Kevin Kurz of CSNBAYAREA.com, former Fighting Sioux goalie Aaron Dell is "currently" the San Jose Sharks number two goalie. It will be interesting to see if he ends up being the number two goalie on the Sharks opening day roster.

2015-16 year in review: In his first full season in the American Hockey League, Aaron Dell seized the number one job on the Barracuda by posting a 17-16-6 record, 2.42 goals-against average and .922 save percentage in 40 games. That earned him a two-year, $1.25 million contract extension with the Sharks this offseason, and he’s currently penciled in as the backup to Martin Jones on the depth chart.

Dell’s extension also fulfills the Sharks’ obligation to expose at least one goaltender under contract for the upcoming expansion draft next summer, allowing them to protect Jones.

2016-17 outlook: It’s difficult to predict just how Dell will fare in what is expected to be his first taste of NHL hockey, but the University of North Dakota product is much older than your standard NHL rookie, so it’s unlikely his game will drastically change at this point in his career. By all accounts he was outstanding with the Barracuda last season, so he’s earned a chance to make his NHL debut.

Three Former UND Players Make Blackhawks 2016 Rookie Tournament Roster

Today, the Chicago Blackhawks released their roster for the 2016 Rookie Tournament today. The tournament will be held at Centre ICE Arena in Traverse City, Michigan, from Sept. 16-20. If you look at the Blackhawks rookie tournament roster there are three former UND players on it.

The fourteen forwards on the roster include Nick Schmaltz, Bryn Chyzyk and Luke Johnson.

Schmaltz, Motte, DeBrincat, Forsling among the #Blackhawks rookies who will play in Traverse City on Sept. 16-20. pic.twitter.com/E2g1LIQ9wt

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) September 1, 2016

UND at the Draft

by Redwing77

What an interesting draft we've had for UND!

Rocco Grimaldi exchanges his sunscreen for his skis going from the Florida Panthers to the Colorado Avalanche via trade.

And then there were the drafted UND players:

The First Round saw incoming freshman Tyson Jost drafted 10th overall by Colorado.  I only know what Brad Schlossman says about Jost but Boeser to Jost is going to be exciting once Jost acclimates to the NCAA game.

Skip a few to the fourth round where UND sophomore Rhett Gardner gets drafted 116th overall by Dallas.  I think this is classified as a diamond in the rough find for Hakstol and Berry.  I didn't expect much from Rhett and he's gradually gotten better and better.

UND recruit Mitchell Mattson got drafted 126th overall (5th Round) by Calgary.  He'll be one to watch as lots of up and down movement regarding opinion on Mattson has occurred as of late.

UND now has a pair of drafted goaltenders Matej Tomak was drafted last year and this year, future UND goaltender and current Omaha Lancer Peter Thome was drafted in the 6th round by Columbus.

Collin Adams, a player currently for Muskegon of the USHL and future UND winger, got drafted in the 6th round by the Islanders.

Overall, a pretty good weekend for UND. 

Your UND SID Lineup

First, I want to throw some kudos to the University of Sports Information Directors. I think they do a great job and conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism. They also serve as pseudo-therapists for the fans when the sport they work for isn't doing well.   Second, I think they’re underpaid and at times, they're underappreciated. I also think some of them take some unnecessary abuse. Over the past few seasons, I have seen comments from fans talking how SID so and so needs to step it up. Or, SID so and so isn't doing his job. Many times, after further investigation, they're not even complaining about the right SID. So, if you new to UND Sports, here are some of the important names you need to know. I also bolded the major sports that each SID covers.   Media Relations       Jayson Hajdu Assistant AD, Media Rel. (MHKY, XC, T/F) 7.2985 jayson.hajdu@athletics.und.edu Ryan Powell Associate Director (FB, MBB, M/WGOF) 7.2986 ryan.powell@athletics.und.edu Ross LaDue Assistant Director (SOC, WHKY, SB, TN) 7.6743 ross.ladue@athletics.und.edu Mitch Wigness Assistant Director (WBB, VB, BB, S/D) 7.4210 mitchell.wigness@athletics.und.edu

Twins Fans Sound off About UND Hockey Being Honored at Sunday's Game

Yesterday, the UND hockey team announced that the Minnesota Twins will honor the 2015-16 UND Hockey team with a pre-game ceremony that will begin at approximately 12:45 p.m. CT on Sunday, May 22, 2016.

The event in question will feature a video celebrating the Fighting Hawks’ national championship run. Each player will be introduced on the stadium video board and UND head coach Brad Berry will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Apparently, some Twins fans are butt hurt about UND Hockey team being honored at a Twins games. God forbid that happen right. Twins president and UND Alum Dave St. Peter took to Twitter to retort their tweets. Let's say, St. Peter is good at Twitter.

Nodak fans pay the Hennepin County ballpark tax every time they visit. https://t.co/cHRIp0kstD

— Dave St. Peter (@TwinsPrez) May 17, 2016

Honored @UMDMensHockey in 2011. https://t.co/RsLSarZIvF

— Dave St. Peter (@TwinsPrez) May 17, 2016

Last time I checked North Dakota was part of Twins Territory. https://t.co/57yVFbmKfC

— Dave St. Peter (@TwinsPrez) May 17, 2016

June 4th https://t.co/jwWEDm4gRe

— Dave St. Peter (@TwinsPrez) May 17, 2016

Some Gopher fans just don't get it. A fair number of UND's hockey team comes from Minnesota. Last time I checked, Minnesota was just across the Red River. Also, the Twins aren't just Minnesota's team.

#MNTwins The Twins front not office doesn't get it!! Honoring a team from North Dakota? Really!!!

— Marc Anderson (@Gophers21) May 17, 2016

RT if you think @TwinsPrez should be fired.

— Minnesota Hot Seat (@MNHotSeat) May 10, 2016

The Polls and a Look Back

@ChrisDilks I voted Qpac 1, but would find it hard to rip anyone voting for an 18-2-2 team that hasn't lost or tied in almost 2 months.

— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) January 11, 2016

A Blue Jay landed on my window and showed me this. Basically, I've said this for years. The weekly polls are fun to look at and discuss, but in the end, the play on the ice is the only thing that matters. Right?

@ChrisDilks @SchlossmanGF they're pretty equal

— Patrick Schneider (@offtheSchneid84) January 11, 2016

NDSU Student Embarrassed by UND Hockey Team

Someone posted this story on Sioux Sports and if you want a good laugh,  you should read this article. However, seriously, you can't re-write history. I have no idea who John Lipp is? Other than he's a student from Moo U that writes for their student newspaper. He had this wonderful piece in yesterday's NDSU's The Spectrum online version.

That being said, I am thoroughly disappointed in the way North Dakota was represented on the national stage.

Issue one: the persistence of cheering for the Fighting Sioux. It is embarrassing to see a mascot, perceived by many to be racially insensitive at best, so emphatically championed during one of our state’s brief moments in the spotlight.

It was 16 years ago that a collection of faculty representing UND’s Indian Related Programs wrote the nickname was perceived as “promoting the oppression of Native people, and placing UND at great risk for practicing and promoting state-supported, institutionalized racism.”

Furthermore, you do us no favors with hashtags like #RollTribe, as any diversity scholar worth his or her salt can describe the racially and stereotypically-charged history of that word. And no matter how desperately you claim to be honoring the native peoples of this land, the reality is that you care more about a college mascot than the people it purportedly represents.

Where to begin? When the NDSU Football team won their fifth FCS NCAA football championship, the first thing their fans did was yell Sioux Sux. The chant was heard on national television. Seriously, that's more embarrassing than UND fans chanting "Let's Go Sioux" or "Sioux Forever". Guess what? No one thought about the Bison after #raising8. No one started the "F#*k the Bison" chant.

So, UND fans yelling Sioux at a sporting event embarrasses the state more than NDSU Bison athletes' voter registration fraud scandal? Or how about the NDSU athletes stealing from Best Buy? Even better, how about football players getting into a fight downtown Fargo, in the middle of the night? I know, I know, that guy started the fight, right? The story still made the national news.

He who lives in a glass house, shouldn't cast stones.

Whew, UND Finishes on Top in Final USCHO Poll

Ha, we joked about this yesterday. I am sure that some of the eastern based/biased college hockey media had a tough time putting the University of North Dakota in the top spot of the final poll. That being said, this one was was a slam dunk and a no-brainer. In my humble opinion, think Denver should actually be number two.

Redwing77's Roster Pontifications

by Redwing77

Ok, the first truly successful (by haters' expectations) season since 2000 is over.  And with the afterglow comes the aftermath.  I got to wondering, with the CBS line's dominance, what the team was going to look like next year.  Sorry folks, the CBS line is gone.  Caggiula is a senior and surely Schmaltz and Boeser will sign (more on that later).  So who's coming in and who's leaving?

Let's look:
Here's what I'm doing.  I'm going to list each player who isn't a senior currently by position with a number in parentheses.  The number in parentheses represents my OPINION as to the likelihood of them being an early departure with 1 being almost certainly coming back to 10 which is "only came back on the plane to sign autographs and pack his room up."  Please note that I have no inside information.  This is PURE guesswork on my part.

Goaltenders:
Matej Tomek (3*)
Matt Hyrinkiw (1)
Cam Johnson (2)
Ryan Anderson (1)

Defensemen
Troy Stecher (8)
Tucker Poolman (5)
Keaton Thompson (6)
Paul LaDue (9)
Gage Ausmus (3)
Danys Chartrand (1)
Christian Wolanin (1)
Hayden Shaw (1)

Forwards
Nick Schmaltz (9)
Jonny Simonson (1)
Trevor Olson (1)
Mike Gornall (2*)
Austin Poganski (1)
Brock Boeser (9)
Chris Wilkie (1)
Shane Gersich (1)
Rhett Gardner (1)
Joel Janatuinen (1)
Luke Johnson (1)

The Asterisks
Ok, here's where I deviated a bit.  The two asterisks were on goaltender Matej Tomek and forward Mike Gornall.  If they leave, it would be to transfer, not to go pro.  Gornall is very unlikely, but still... pretty fairly touted forward at the beginning of the season that saw almost no game time.  Tomek only saw game time during exhibitions.  Gornall will probably not transfer because I believe he's a recruited walk on?  But as for Tomek...  this is a kid who is not going to supplant Johnson unless Johnson gets injured.  This means that, assuming Johnson plays well and doesn't turn pro early, Tomek's only shot at being the #1 will come when he's a junior.  For being as highly touted as he was coming into UND, I'm not sure he's going to want to sit around that long.  I'm not sure if UND will push Hyrnkiw down the depth chart because of his strong play this year either.  That's why I'm thinking Tomek may transfer.

The 8s and 9s

I'm told Stecher and LaDue leaving early is almost a certainty.  I can believe LaDue leaving early.  He's older than average and LA was trying hard to get him last year.  Stecher?  He's undrafted and, though he's very good, I'm not sure he's a "jump straight to the NHL" type UFA prospect.  He might come back next year.

Let's face it.  Schmaltz came back to win it all.  They won it all.  Good luck in Chicago, Nick.

Boeser was flat out dominant as a freshman this year.  Only Kyle Conner, imo, did better as a freshman.  I think there's a strong possibility both Boeser and Conner turn pro this offseason.  I think Boeser was a man amongst boys this year and with Vancouver being, well, desperate, they may rush things with Brock.

The outliers
There are three outliers in Keaton Thompson, Tucker Poolman, and Gage Ausmus.  I know that Thompson and Poolman were heavily courted by their teams last year.  I think, now that they've won it all, there will be more pressure brought upon them to sign.  As for Gage, I have no  real reason other than a pure hunch.  I think Gage is the most likely to return of the three.  Poolman next, as he'll probably want to play a year with his brother.

Who's Coming?

Forwards
Cole Smith - As Brad said, he looks to be a Coltyn Sanderson replacement
Ludvig Hoff - Nice forward for Lincoln.  Had 100 points this year.  Not a Boeser or Schmaltz type.  More like perhaps a Wilkie or even Poganski.  Not all that physical but can score.
Tyson Jost - by the hype around him, he's the next Boeser I guess.
Dixon Bowen - Don't know much about him except that he spurned the Fargo Force to join Penticton
Zach Yon - was Fargo's 2nd leading scorer before being traded this year.  With Waterloo, he seemed to me as more of a playmaker rather than scorer.  Schmaltz replacement?

Defensemen:
Colton Poolman - Same as Bowen.  Also younger brother to Tucker Pooman.
Gabe Bast - Don't know much about him either.
Andrew Peski - Played for Tri City.  Didn't notice him much, which might not be a bad thing considering he's a defenseman.
Christian Evers - Played for Lincoln.  He's been injured lately.  Don't know exactly with what.  He's a defensive defenseman.  He seemed pretty solid in that regard.

The "Might be" coming:
Collin Adams (F) and Casey Johnson (D).  Of the two, I think Adams has the best shot at coming in the fall due to numbers.

Summation
UND loses 4 senior forwards and then has another speculated 2 forwards and possibly up to 4 D leaving early for the pros.  There are 5 incoming forwards (1 extra not counting Adams without early departures, 1 short if both Boeser and Schmaltz leave) and 4 defensemen coming in (all extra if there are no early departures).

So what happens if only LaDue and Stecher bolt?  I'm pretty sure that Boeser and Schmaltz will go pro, so perhaps we use that extra slot for one of the 2 extra D coming in.  Does this mean that some of the "less high profile" UND players transfer (such as Gornall and/or Chartrand)?  Maybe it will all be moot.  Or more likely yet, there's another scenario that Berry and crew know about that I don't.

It'll be interesting to see who steps up next year to fill in for the loss of the top line.  I like our depth and goaltending.  It should be interesting... if opening day could just hurry up and get here.

Former Fighting Sioux Defenseman Mike Commodore with his Prediction

The University of Michigan men's ice hockey team is going to get piss pounded today.

— Mike Commodore (@commie22) March 26, 2016

Today, former Fighting Sioux defenseman Mike Commodore took to Twitter to make his prediction on the North Dakota vs. Michigan game. Some of the responses by the Michigan fans are kind of funny, too.

CBS Line vs. CCM Line

There are no changes to the lineup for UND this afternoon. It's hard to change the lineup when it was so successful in yesterday's game. This is the matchup of the CCM line vs. the CBS line.

Now We Know: UND to Cincinnati

The Brackets are set. UND will play the smoking hot Northeastern Huskies. Just like this week, UND will be playing on 1:00 p.m. CT Friday in the early game. That will be the first game of the NCAA tourney. 

 Northeast Regional (DCU Center, Worcester, MA, March 25-26)

#4 Providence vs. #14 Minnesota-Duluth

#5 Boston College vs. #11 Harvard

East Regional (Times Union Center, Albany, NY, March 26-27)

#1 Quinnipiac vs. #16 RIT

#8 UMass Lowell vs. #10 Yale

Midwest Regional (US Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OH, March 25-26)

#3 North Dakota vs. #13 Northeastern

#7 Michigan vs. #12 Notre Dame

West Regional (Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN, March 26-27)

#2 St. Cloud State vs. #15 Ferris State

#6 Denver vs. #9 Boston University

Edit: NCAA Hockey Tourney: Where are we Going?

Looking at the USCHO Brackets from Jason Moy. Most years, Moy nails it, so I would imagine that UND is heading to Cincinnati to play the Northeastern Huskies. It will be interesting to see where UND goes. 

East Regional (Albany):
16 RIT vs. 1 Quinnipiac
10 Yale vs 8 Massachusetts-Lowell

Northeast Regional (Worcester):
14 Minnesota-Duluth vs. 4 Providence
11 Harvard vs. 5 Boston College

Midwest Regional (Cincinnati):
13 Northeastern vs. 3 North Dakota
12 Notre Dame vs. 7 Michigan

West Regional (St. Paul):
15 Ferris State vs. 2 St. Cloud State
9 Boston University vs. 6 Denver

Final Projections from College Hockey News

Albany
1. Quinnipiac vs. 16. RIT
8. Lowell vs. 10. Yale

St. Paul
2. St. Cloud State vs. 15. Ferris State
6. Denver vs. 9. Boston University

Cincinnati
3. North Dakota vs. 13. Northeastern
7. Michigan vs. 12. Notre Dame

Worcester
4. Providence vs. 14. Minnesota-Duluth
5. Boston College vs. 11. Harvard

UND Bids Farewell to Dan Hammer

This past weekend, UND big farewell to play-by-play announcer Dan Hammer. Personally, I am going to miss his call of UND football and hockey. I think he's a fair, talented announcer and is very prepared when he steps into the booth.

Now, I know there are some fans that are happy that Hammer will no longer be doing UND hockey. However, I can say that I have enjoyed talking and interacting with him over the past four years. I would like to wish him luck.

Comparing him to some of the other NCHC.TV announcers, it's not even close. I would rather listen to him any day of the week, compared to some of the announcers we have, just in the conference alone. Good luck to Hammer.

Who would you like to replace Hammer in the booth next season? Personally, I would like to see Scott Williams from Lake Public TV replace him.

UND no. 1 USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

March 14, 2016

	Team	(First Place Votes)	Record	Points	Last Poll
1	North Dakota	(35)	30- 5-3	982	2
2	Quinnipiac	(14)	27- 3-7	943	1
3	Providence	( 1)	27- 5-4	888	4
4	St. Cloud State		29- 8-1	837	5
5	Boston College		26- 6-5	830	3
6	Denver		23- 8-5	749	6
7	Michigan		22- 7-5	679	9
8	Massachusetts-Lowell		23- 8-5	662	11
9	Harvard		18- 9-4	560	12
10	Yale		19- 8-4	517	7
11	Boston University		21-12-5	497	8
12	Michigan Tech		23- 8-5	461	13
13	Notre Dame		19-10-7	408	10
14	Northeastern		20-13-5	296	NR
15	Minnesota State		20-12-7	218	16
16	Minnesota-Duluth		17-14-5	217	20
17	St. Lawrence		19-13-4	202	18
18	Cornell		16-11-7	172	15
19	Penn State		20-12-4	137	14
20	Minnesota		19-16-0	89	19
Others receiving votes: Robert Morris 48, Nebraska-Omaha 45, Dartmouth 31, Bowling Green 28, Air Force 2, Clarkson 2.

 

I musty admit that I am shocked that UND returned to the number one spot in the latest USCHO poll. Also, the national college hockey media has been fawning and slobbering all over Quinnipiac this season. And they're a good team no doubt. Anyways, there still are 30 percent of the media that believes that QU is the top team in the nation. The nice thing about college hockey is that tourney is settled on the ice and not on paper.

 The rankings really means nothing since next weekend, they NCAA Ice Hockey Committee will look at the Pairwise Rankings and make their selections.

Jayson Moy has UND in the Xcel Center

Jayson Moy of USCHO fame does a weekly column on NCAA hockey bracketology and UND fans will like this week's brackets.  This week Moy now predicts that UND traveling south to St. Paul to play in the West Regional. 

East Regional (Albany):
13 Minnesota-Duluth vs. 4 Providence
12 Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 5 Boston College

Northeast Regional (Worcester):
16 Robert Morris vs. 2 Quinnipiac
10 Notre Dame vs 7 Yale

Midwest Regional (Cincinnati):
14 Michigan Tech vs. 3 St. Cloud State
11 Harvard vs. 6 Denver

West Regional (St. Paul):
15 Minnesota vs. 1 North Dakota
9 Boston University vs. 8 Michigan

(Link to USCHO)