Friday Evening Links: Hockey Season is Upon US

Here's my article at the Hockey Writers about UND's Two Headed Monster in Net.

UND Hockey: Two Headed Monster in Net for UND http://t.co/LGV3JuJPyW #hockey
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) October 4, 2013

UND Hockey: The Weekend Ahead (10/5/13): This weekend, the University of North Dakota entertains the Manitoba ... http://t.co/BWqRsOQyc0
— Inside Hockey (@insidehockey) October 4, 2013

1st Annual @TheNCHC Blog/Web Media Preseason Poll: http://t.co/ledEa3OAaM
— Sioux Tradition (@SiouxTradition) October 4, 2013

Karvinen named team captain for 2013-14 season http://t.co/s81BquB7PP
— North Dakota WHockey (@UNDWHockey) October 4, 2013

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Remembering the 'Old Ralph' Engelstad Arena (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Hockey: UND set in net (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND Hockey: Two Cousins set to make Debut for UND (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCAA Women's Hockey Morning Skate: October 4th, 2013 (thehockeywriters.com)

1st Annual NCHC Blog/Web Media Preseason Poll.

ATradition of Excellence has posted the results of the 1st Annual NCHC Blog/Web Media Preseason Poll, that Sioux7 and I participated in.   The poll had 16 participants, representing six of the eight schools that make up the conference. What's interesting this poll does mirror the NCHC media poll. I will post my ballot when I get a chance. 

	Team (1st Place Votes)	Points
1.	Miami (11)	123
2.	North Dakota (2)	103
3.	St. Cloud State (3)	100
4.	Denver	71
5.	Minnesota-Duluth	57
6.	Colorado College	45
6.	Western Michigan	45
8.	Nebraska-Omaha	32

All-Conference Team

F -	Austin Czarnik, Miami
F -	Ryan Walters, Nebraska-Omaha
F -	Rocco Grimaldi, North Dakota
D -	Joey LaLeggia, Denver
D -	Dillon Simpson, North Dakota
G -	Ryan McKay, Miami

Preseason Player of the Year
Austin Czarnik, Miami (8)

Others receiving multiple votes:
Ryan Walters, Nebraska-Omaha (4)
Riley Barber, Miami (2)

Rookie of the Year
Dominic Toninato, Minnesota-Duluth (6)

Others receiving multiple votes:
Adam Tambellini, North Dakota (4)
Will Butcher, Denver (2)
Anthony Louis, Miami (2)

Defenseman of the Year
Joey LaLeggia, Denver (10)

Others receiving multiple votes:
Dillon Simpson, North Dakota (3)

Breakout Player of the Year
Joey Benik, St. Cloud State (5)

11 others received a single vote.

Again, a big thank you to everyone who took part:
Timothy Boger, Kelly Green & White (North Dakota)
Jeremy Larson (@jclarson02), Husky Hockey Time (St. Cloud State)
Andrew Craig, College Hockey High Horse (Minnesota-Duluth)
Brian Halverson, Minnesota Hockey Magazine
Matt Christians (@Matt_Christians), UMD Bulldog Country/CHN/SBN (Minnesota-Duluth)
Chris Peters (@chrismpeters), United States of Hockey/CBSSports.com
Dave Berger, Sioux Sports (North Dakota) 
Donna, Runnin' With the Dogs (Minnesota-Duluth)
Dave Starman (@DStarmanHockey), CBS Sports Network
Rick Shanley (@rickshanley), Western College Hockey Blog (Western Michigan)
UMD Hockey Blog (Minnesota-Duluth)
Eric Burton (Goon), Goon's World/The Hockey Writers (North Dakota)
Joe Paisley, The CS Gazette College Hockey Blog (Colorado College)
Doug Cutler & Mike Swainey (@MiamiHockeyBlog), The Blog of Brotherhood (Miami)
Donn Schuschke (Sioux 7), Goon's World (North Dakota)
Chad, A Tradition of Excellence (North Dakota)

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Two Cousins set to make Debut for UND (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Top Stories Surrounding New League (thehockeywriters.com)

2013-14 Atlantic Hockey Pre-Season Poll

I know this is late, I forgot to put this up. Niagara was picked to finish first in the AHA this season by the AHA's coaches. Niagara lost to UND in the first round of the 2013 NCAA West Regional that was held in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

UND Hockey: UND releases North Dakota Strong Jersey

The "North Dakota Strong" jersey UND will wear on Oct. 26 and auction for Breast Cancer research. #NDstrong pic.twitter.com/1GiQIDqJ1m
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) September 22, 2013

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Two Cousins set to make Debut for UND (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Hockey: Remembering the 'Old Ralph' Engelstad Arena (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCAA Women's Hockey: One-on-One with North Dakota's Brian Idalski (thehockeywriters.com)

The Delusional Rantings of Bison fan

Check out the delusional ranting and raving of  John Neis, originally I had incorrectly said this was the delusional rantings of Lakes Buffoon as I call him, yeah that one that got himself in trouble not too long ago. This isn't him. I must apologize to Samuel Paul Humann aka Lakes Bison. Don't worry he's still deranged too. 

That being said, as long as the AG School aka NDSU keeps winning, you're going to see the belligerence of fans like this out in full force. Just thought you might like to see this, it's definitely funny. NDSU is good, but there have been better teams in FCS Football.

@wesncc1701 @scotthennen In this situation absolutely. Ohio St should never be forced to play a lesser team at their stadium
— BISONATION.info (@BisoNation) September 18, 2013

Toews sporting Canada's Olympic Jersey

Canadians making fun of The USA jerseys and then they come out with this?😂 #karma pic.twitter.com/iVO7y47WQ8
— The Beauts Life™ (@TheBeautsLife) September 6, 2013

I don't know about you, but Canada's Olympic jersey is, well, unimpressive.

Team USA Women's Hockey - Bring On the World

This is a really good video that someone had posted on-line. Kind of gets your blood going for Sochi, Russia. You will notice some very familiar names in the video as well. Obviously, you have Grand Forks own, former UND Women's Hockey players Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux... Jessica Vetter was a goaltender at Wisconsin. You will also see a few others name that are familiar as well.

UND Sports: TV News for UND Sports

For first time in @UNDsports history (and a year ahead of schedule), UND home games will be in HD courtesy @MidcoSN: http://t.co/VvB463lGG7
— Jayson Hajdu (@UNDSID) August 19, 2013

Midco will produce a weekly UND hockey TV show called North Dakota Hockey with Dave Hakstol this season (7:30 p.m. Tuesdays).
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) August 19, 2013

Through These Doors will appear on TV this year. The students who put it together spend lots of time and work very hard. Congrats to them.
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) August 19, 2013

Great news for NCHC Fans from #CBSSportsNet. http://t.co/c81pAMHSQR
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) August 19, 2013

With those home games & 4 shows dedicated 2 @UNDsports you won't find a better TV deal at a mid-major school. Thanks @MidcoSN. #greatpartner
— Dexter Albrecht (@dexteralbrecht) August 19, 2013

Related articles

• UNDSID clears up a few things (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Should the NHL ditch their "loser point" system? (hockeywilderness.com)
• Nchc Championship Tickets on Sale Now to General Public (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NCAA Hockey: Current NCHC Television Deal is Unacceptable (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC UNVEILS NEW WEBSITE - NCHCHockey.com (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Happy Birthday Herb Brooks

Happy birthday to Herb Brooks one of the greatest hockey coach's of our time. I do remember the 1980 Olympic team beating the hated Russians. I was 13 years old at the time. It's hard to believe that the legendary  Herb Brooks has been gone for 10 years already (August 6, 2003).

UND Recruit Ryan Gropp Snubbed by Team Canada

Ryan Gropp, who recently revealed his intentions to play at North Dakota, did not make Canada's Ivan Hlinka roster. https://t.co/v9JUwlsukY
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) July 29, 2013

UND recruit Ryan Gropp has been snubbed by team Canada for the Ivan Hlinka roster. Seems like a puzzling move to me. I would have thought he would have made the roster.

Perlini, Gropp, Middleton and Martin are probably the biggest 'surprises'. Felt they did enough. Regardless, its a pretty talented squad.
— Sean Lafortune (@SeanLafortune) July 29, 2013

Related articles

• Ryan Gropp commits to North Dakota (mvn.com)

Ryan Gropp commits to North Dakota

Committed to the University of North Dakota! Very excited for the opportunity #sioux
— Ryan Gropp (@Gropper8) July 5, 2013

Penticton Vees forward Ryan Gropp has committed to play hockey at the University of North Dakota. Gropp is the team mate of Vees captain Troy Stecher who's also committed to the University of North Dakota as well. Gropp is said to be one of the top forwards from the 1996 age group. Gropp is also a team mate of  in coming freshman Wade Murphy who's set to make his debut at UND this fall.

Related articles

• NCAA Hockey: 2013 NHL Draft results (thehockeywriters.com)
• Rangers choose center Adam Tambellini with their first pick (newsday.com)

DU Logo possibilities, just say no...

According to the DU Clarion, this is the three final mascot selections what the DU Mascot Steering Committee has released in a survey to approximately 75,000 recipients. The DU Mascot Steering Committee is looking to receive feedback on three final potential mascots. Yeah, how about none of the above... If you're wondering what these three characters are, there is an elk, a jackalope and finally a mountaineer.

As an alumnus of a university that recently retired a popular nickname and logo, I am afraid a travesty such as this could happen at UND.  Incidentally, UND will begin selecting a new logo and nickname in 2015. I like many North Dakota alumni will be watching. Seriously, this could happen at UND as well, if we're not proactive.

Related articles

• DU Pioneers mascot "Denver Boone" at center of controversy: Let's Go DU shuts down (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Denver Boone wins suppressed mascot poll at DU (denverpost.com)

CC mourns death of Scott Winkler

CC mourns death of Scott Winkler: Colorado College and Tiger Hockey are mourning the loss of Scott Winkler, wh... http://t.co/hEZFU990Us
— CC Tiger Athletics (@CCTigers) June 13, 2013

As Redwing77 mentioned, Former Colorado College Tigers forward, Scott Winker died unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, in Asker, Norway. Scott Winkler was 23 years old.

C.C. Tigers -- Colorado College and Tiger Hockey are mourning the loss of Scott Winkler, who died unexpectedly on Wednesday at his parents' home in Norway after recently completing his senior season with the Tigers.

No other details of his passing are available at this time.

Winkler graduated from CC on May 20 with a bachelor's degree in economics. A third-round selection of the Dallas Stars in the 2008 NHL draft, he had recorded career highs of 13 goals and 28 points for the Tigers in 2012-13.

"It is an unfathomable tragedy to see a talented young man pass at such an early age," said Ken Ralph, director of athletics at CC. "This spring we have seen Scott put in a great deal of work to prepare himself for his professional career and the rest of his life. He had such a bright future ahead of him. I'd like to ask all Colorado College fans and supporters of college hockey everywhere to keep the Winkler family in your thoughts and prayers."

Born and raised in Asker, Norway, Winkler came to the United States in 2007 to play for the Russell Stover midget major AAA team in Overland Park, Kan. He played a year of juniors for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the United States Hockey League in 2008-09 before enrolling at Colorado College as a freshman. He compiled 63 points (24g,39a) in 120 career games with the Tigers.

According to Court house news, UND the Coyotes.

You know, if you're going to write a story, you should at least get your story straight first before you post it. This is shoddy work here, it's pretty obvious if you spent half a minute that the University of North Dakota has, and uses no nickname at the current time.

Joseph O’Connell, Court House News Service --- "However meaningful the nickname's grant may have been, there was no contract because there was no indication of mutual intent to create a legal obligation, let alone an obligation sufficiently definite and certain that a court could require its performance," the six-page ruling states.

Furthermore, any emotional harm claimed by the committee would not be relevant because "the committee complains of injury from UND's ceasing to use a name because of the policy of an association to which UND voluntarily belongs."

"Even if the Committee's alleged injury is sufficiently concrete and particularized, it does not result from the invasion of a legally protected interest," Benton wrote.

The court also found no support for the claim that the NCAA violated its own rules of due process.

"The committee cannot complain of being denied due process by the NCAA because, as a nonmember, it was entitled to none from the NCAA," Benton wrote.

After the North Dakota Legislature repealed a state law requiring UND to use the nickname and American Indian head logo, voters overwhelmingly approved the measure in the 2012 primary.

UND now uses the nickname Coyotes.

Related articles

• Fighthing Sioux Nickname: Spirit Lake committee's last effort to save Fighting Sioux nickname fails (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Where are is all the antipathy coming from in regards to UND head coach Dave Hakstol (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NCAA 2, Fighting Sioux 0 (terrortrials.blogspot.com)

Fighthing Sioux Nickname: Spirit Lake committee's last effort to save Fighting Sioux nickname fails

This is just in, not really a big shock to me. I have talked to a few lawyers that didn’t see this case as having much of a chance of making it. This is probably the final chapter of the Fighting Sioux nickname.

Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald – In what may well be the final chapter in the long, contentious fight over UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today affirmed a lower court’s judgment against the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe in its effort to save the nickname.

More than three months after impassioned arguments in St. Paul, the appeals court upheld the ruling last year by U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Erickson that the tribe lacked standing to sue the NCAA over its policy discouraging the use of American Indian names and images by member schools.

“The committee has not shown that the NCAA acted with discriminatory intent,” the appeals court stated in its opinion. “There is no evidence that the NCAA enacted the policy in order to eradicate Sioux culture, as the committee alleges.”

The appeals court also discounted the committee’s primary contention, that Spirit Lake and Standing Rock Sioux elders authorized use of the name by UND in a 1969 ceremony.

Memorial Day weekend

No matter faith or origin, all @usarmy Soldiers are honored on Memorial Day in @arlingtonnatl by @the_old_guard twitter.com/The_Old_Guard/…
— The Old Guard (@The_Old_Guard) May 24, 2013

A few of the deleted tweets from the Kings Twitter Feed

Here are a few of the tweets that were deleted from the L.A. Kings Twitter that were posted by account by @thekevinryder You have to wonder what the L.A. Kings were thinking when they let a Disc Jockey from a local radio station in L.A. do tweets for a period. The L.A. Kings are a first class organization. Here is the link to the radio station and it says, "Tonight, Kevin will also take over the Kings’ official twitter account for the 2nd period of the game."

2013 Memorial Cup American National Anthem Screw Up, Anthems in general...

This is the American National Anthem that was sung before the Portland and Halifax game at the 2013 Memorial Cup. The woman singing the anthem is Alexis Normand, apparently she didn’t know the words to the American anthem, maybe she shouldn’t have sang it. This is a joke, the players on the bench are laughing at her... I guess, I would expect better, especially during the Memorial Cup.

I'm embarrassed and deeply sorry. I wish I'd had more time to learn the American anthem. Thanks so much for the crowd's help! #memorialcup
— Alexis Normand (@Alex6Normand) May 19, 2013

But that isn’t the only place that this happens, I went to the races at River Cities Speedway on Friday night and woman the sang the Canadian and American Anthems was absolutely brutal, and shouldn’t been singing the either anthem and offended two countries with her brutal renditions. It was absolutely disgusting. It does matter.

At least the woman that miss sang the American anthem can actually sing, this woman that sang the anthem at the races on Friday night, couldn’t sing at all. Why is it a big deal? The American and Canadian anthems are serious songs and both countries have proud, rich histories and traditions. So yeah, I do think it’s important to give both countries anthems respect. I would rather hear a band or a recording of of the anthems then listen to someone slaughter the American and or Canadian anthems.

The woman that sang the anthems before the races offended two countriestonight. Absolutely brutal.
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) May 18, 2013

Boston Strong and National Anthem to start the game (4/20/2013)

Andrew Ference speaks with Naoko Funayama before the game and then the moment of silence. Followed up by Boston Strong presentation and then a very emotional National Anthem. An unbelievable week in one of the most historic cities of our great nation. Boston is a strong and proud city.

Let's not forget the victims of this tragic week in Boston

Forget suspect 1&2. Share pictures of Krystle Campbell, Martin Richard, Lu Lingzi & Officer Sean Collier #wcvb twitter.com/russnelligan/s…
— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) April 20, 2013

Let's not forget the innocent victims of this faceless, cowardly, gutless act. They didn't get a chance to go home to their families. The victims are as follows, Krystle Campbell 29, of Medford, Mass., Martin Richard 8, of Dorchester, Mass., Lu Lingzi 23, of Shenyang, China and Boston University & finally MIT Police Officer Sean Collier 26, of Somerville, Mass.