List of 2013 Early Departures

Boston University

Matt Nieto Jr. F San Jose (NHL), April 1

Dartmouth

Matt Lindblad Jr. F Boston (NHL), April 5 (FA)

Denver

Scott Mayfield So. D NY Islanders (NHL), April 5
Juho Olkinoura So. G Winnipeg (NHL), April 7 (FA)
Nick Shore Jr. F Los Angeles (NHL), April 12

Lake Superior State

Kellan Lain Jr. F Vancouver (NHL), March 16 (FA)
Buddy Robinson So. F Ottawa (NHL), March 25 (FA)

Massachusetts

Conor Allen Jr. D NY Rangers (NHL), March 29 (FA)


UMass Lowell

Chad Ruhwedel Jr. D Buffalo (NHL), April 12 (FA)

Michigan

Jon Merrill Jr. D New Jersey (NHL), March 29
Jacob Trouba Fr. D. Winnipeg Jets (NHL), April 02

Minnesota

Mark Alt Jr. D Philadelphia (NHL), April 5
Nick Bjugstad Jr. F Florida (NHL), April 3
Zach Budish Jr. F Nashville (NHL), April 3
Erik Haula Jr. F Minnesota (NHL), April 7
Nate Schmidt Jr. D Washington (NHL), April 2 (FA)

Minnesota Duluth

Chris Casto So. D Boston (NHL), March 26 (FA)
Drew Olson Sr. D Peoria (AHL), April 10

Nebraska-Omaha

Tony Turgeon Jr. D San Antonio (AHL), July 15 (FA)
Andrej Sustr Jr. D Tampa Bay (NHL), March 21 (FA)

Niagara

Carsen Chubak Jr. G Adirondack (AHL), May 6

North Dakota

Derek Forbort Jr. D Los Angeles (NHL), April 5

Northern Michigan

Jared Coreau Jr. G Detroit (NHL), March 18 (FA)

Notre Dame

Anders Lee Jr. F NY Islanders (NHL), April 1

Ohio State Chris

Crane Jr. F San Jose (NHL), April 2

St. Cloud State

Nick Jensen Jr. D Detroit (NHL), May 2

Union

Troy Grosenick Jr. G San Jose (NHL), April 5 (FA)

Western Michigan

Danny DeKeyser Jr. D Detroit (NHL), March 29 (FA)

Wisconsin

Brendan Woods So. F Carolina (NHL), April 13

Hump Day thoughts - 3201 and a few other things

I know a lot of my fellow Sioux fans don’t like Kevin Gorg but he did have a lot of nice things to say about the UND Fighting Sioux hockey team at about 7:00 Minutes in on the P.A. show on KFAN. Personally, while Kevin Gorg is a homer (He is from Minnesota) I think he is a great college and NHL Hockey Mind. [Click to listen]

Wisconsin Badgers defenseman Jake Gardiner rights were traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs from the Anaheim Ducks before he ever laced up the skates. [TSN.COM] Check out the comments from the Canadian fans about American players as well.

Brad Schlossman had this on his blog today. This would be very good news if this happens to come to fruition. I would love to see the Sioux play the Eagles and or Michigan in our house.

I’ve tried for over a month now to get official confirmation on this, but have been unable to. That’s probably because no contracts have been signed, so nobody wants to talk. But I’ve gotten extremely strong indications from several people that UND is going to be hosting the Ice Breaker to open next season with a big-time lineup of Boston College, Michigan and Air Force coming to town.

The Ice Breaker, which is awarded by the American Hockey Commissioners Association, usually puts together stellar lineups like this year’s in St. Louis, which featured Wisconsin, Boston University, Notre Dame and Holy Cross. The Sioux last played in it two years ago at Boston University along with Michigan State and UMass.

Maine, North Dakota hockey programs are similar

I have always liked the University of Maine Black Bears and UND Fighting Sioux hockey rivalry. I also have a lot of respect for the University of Maine Black Bears hockey program. This is a good test that will help the Sioux in the post season. Last time the Black Bears and Sioux met UND was swept at the REA by scores of 6-2 and 3-1.

Larry Mahoney, BDN Staff --- With Black Bear coach Shawn Walsh away in California getting treatment for kidney cancer, which would claim his life less than a year later, UND coach Dean Blais had the names on the backs of his team's jerseys replaced by the name "Walsh" to show his and his team's support for the Maine coach.

It was a classy gesture that will never be forgotten by the Black Bear faithful.

So it was only appropriate that the Fighting Sioux would be on hand at the Alfond Arena four years later under first-year coach Dave Hakstol when Walsh's shamrock was retired and hoisted to the rafters where it sits today.

The two programs resume their rivalry this weekend when North Dakota comes to Orono for a Friday-Saturday night series.

It will be their first meeting since Maine swept the Sioux 6-2 and 3-1 in Grand Forks on Oct. 20-21, 2006. Those wins enabled Maine to overcome a late-season collapse and make the NCAA Tournament and they went on to reach the Frozen Four.

It was the last time Maine participated in the NCAA Tournament.

The programs have a lot in common.

Both have been able to overcome geographic disadvantages to build nationally prominent programs.

They are both in remote locations.

Both have benefited from wealthy donors.

The late Harold Alfond and his family not only made Alfond Arena a reality in 1976, they have continued to donate to the program, including a $3.5 million gift announced last week to renovate the arena.

The late Ralph Engelstad provided the Fighting Sioux with a magnificent, state-of-the-art $110 million arena in his name that opened in 2001.

Both teams are the flagship programs for their respective universities and have rabid followings. The Fighting Sioux have won seven national championships and Maine has won two.

RECENT SCORES
10/21/2006 Maine 3 North Dakota 1 Maine
10/20/2006 Maine 6 North Dakota 2 Maine
2005-2006
2004-2005
10/09/2004 North Dakota 3 Maine 1 North Dakota
10/08/2004 North Dakota 4 Maine 3 (ot) North Dakota

Tweet cast for the game [click for link].

McLeod excited about 12-team league, new arenas

I guess you could say that I am excited as well of the new team and buildings that will grace the WCHA this season. While some fans weren’t excited about adding the two new teams to the WCHA, I was excited. I mean I get it; I can see why some WCHA fans were upset about adding BSU and UNO; one of the main reasons was that it meant less of the "attractive big money matchups" against teams like the Badgers, Pioneers and Gophers. I think in the long run the changes (the two new teams) will make the WCHA a better league.

Another thing that I am really excited about is that my favorite team the Fighting Sioux is going to be the guest at both new arenas grand openings. Nothing would make me more happy than watching UND beat UMD in the opening of their new arena.

Goal Gophers --- McLeod said he is also impressed by the commitment that Bemidji and Duluth made to build new arenas. The $70-million AMSOIL arena is nearing completion in Duluth. North Dakota will play against UMD in the first game in the new arena on Dec. 30.

"They are mothballing the old DECC [the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center] on Dec. 30," McLeod said, "and I played in that first game at the DECC."

McLeod was playing for the UMD Bulldogs when they beat the Gophers 8-1 on Nov. 19, 1966 in the first WCHA game at the DECC.

Said McLeod, "So looking forward: two new teams, two new buildings and then of course, the changes in our Final Five, kind of the jewel of the season for the WCHA, our tournament in St. Paul at the Xcel Center. A new format there and I look at it as a very positive thing.

"We are obviously going to continue to call it the Final Five because we will have five games there, but we will have six teams with preset brackets. [Nos.] 1 and 2 get a bye, 3 and 6 and 4 and 5 play on Thursday. 1 and 2 play the winners on Friday. And then we have that wrinkle, the championship on Saturday night, but an afternoon game, an NHL game [the Wild vs. Columbus] which we hope will be a treat for a lot of people that come to our tournament and don't get to see an NHL game a lot.

"I could not be more excited, even at my age."

No webcast for tonight's game.

According to Brad's blog there is no webcast tonight from the Fighting Sioux site.

Today’s game is NOT available for webcast. It is televised on FSSN and Midco Sports Network. It is NOT on FCS.

Bad boy Birkholz feeling at home with the Silver Tips

I guess you could say that this is an interesting spin to this story. I guess this is one person's opinion.

LYNNWOOD -- Josh Birkholz has only been skating with the Everett Silvertips for two days, but already he's feeling reassured about his change in paths.

Birkholz left the University of Minnesota in July to join the Tips, a decision he wrestled with for months. But after just two days of training camp Birkholz is already feeling more comfortable, both with his new setting and his decision.

"It's everything I expected and more," Birkholz said following Friday's veterans practice at Lynnwood Ice Center. "The guys have all been really good at making me feel a part of the team and helping me get into the swing of things right away. Being far away from home, it makes it easier."

Birkholz, a 19-year-old right wing, is Everett's latest recruit. The 6-foot-1, 182-pound native of Maple Grove, Minn., was a third-round pick in the NHL draft by the Florida Panthers, and he's expected to have an immediate impact with the Tips.

But his route to Everett was circituitous.

Birkholz's first encounter with Everett came roughly a year-and-a-half ago when Tips director of player development Scott Scoville spotted Birkholz playing in the USHL for the Fargo Force. Scoville was impressed with Birkholz's abilities, and the Tips added him to their 50-player protected list.

And that's where Birkholz remained. He and the Tips had little contact after that as Birkholz realized the childhood dream of every hockey player growing up in Minnesota, receiving a scholarship to play for the Golden Gophers.

However, the dream didn't exactly play out the way Birkholz pictured it in his head. As a freshman, he found himself buried on Minnesota's depth chart, receiving just a handful of shifts each game and finishing with just five goals and one assist in 36 games.

When I see stories like this one on this kid it kind of illustrates the difference between generations. When I was in high school and college and sports if you were unhappy with your playing time and you felt that you weren’t getting enough playing time you might sit down with the coach and discuss what you needed to do to get more playing time. It was a simple conversation; your coach might tell you that it's simple play better in practice, work hard and you'll earn a spot in the lineup or get more playing time.

Fast forward to today; now players just go find another team to play for. Heck even if you’re facing disciplinary action and a possible suspension, instead of taking your medicine that you deserve, now that player just finds another team. I do not like this entitlement mentality.

Personally, I think it's a character flaw and speaks volumes to the type of people these players are. I would also bet money that this kid never ends up playing in the NHL.

Pirri leaving RPI for shot at AHL

The mass exodus of players at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute continues, as they have now lost two great underclassmen hockey players. Seems a little late to me and almost borderline unethical for professional teams to be signing college players this close to the beginning of the school year. Like another hockey blogger mentioned, there is probably no way that RPI can adequately replace this player without pulling a recruit that may or may not be ready to play this season in college.

Yahoo Sports - Less than two weeks after losing forward Jerry D’Amigo, another crack in the foundation is looming for the RPI Engineers.

Sources tell Yahoo! Sports that star centre Brandon Pirri is set to play with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL this season and that he has already agreed in principal to a three-year entry level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. Like D’Amigo, the signing would end his NCAA eligibility after one season with the Eastern College Athletic Conference school located in Troy, New York.

The news comes less than two weeks after RPI lost ECAC rookie of the year D’Amigo—who left the school after signing a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Right-winger Jordan Watts also left the program recently over ice time and transferred to Division III Adrian College.

According to sources, Pirri has already told RPI head coach Seth Appert of his intention to leave school and sign with the Blackhawks.

Appert did not reply to an email request for an interview.

Don't count on a Big Ten Hockey Conference anytime soon.

For years we have heard how Notre Dame might end up joining the Big Ten Conference, well this is the second article this summer that I have read that said Notre Dame has rejected the idea. So for now it doesn't look like it's going to happen anytime soon.

CHICAGO – Some have suspected the Big Ten has been subtly trying to put pressure on Notre Dame in its latest attempt to woo the college football giant by showing how eager other major schools are to join their lucrative conference

Well, if that was the tactic, it has failed.

For the first time since the conference opened the subject of expansion as a topic last December, it has admitted that Notre Dame as a prospective member is a dead issue. That's three swings and three misses at ND over the better part of the last two decades.

Share “I don't see them as a player,” said Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany on Monday at the Big Ten Football Kickoff event.
[Penn Live]

Holtz: Notre Dame should join Big Ten

First off; Happy Independence day from Goon's World, may your day be safe and may it be a happy day for you and your family... Former Gopher and Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Coach Lou Holtz says that the Irish should join the Big Ten conference.

Lou Holtz changed his mind. He thinks Notre Dame should join the Big Ten.

"I'm an old man, and all my life I've said that Notre Dame should remain independent because it's a national school," said Holtz, a former Fighting Irish coach who was in the Twin Cities last weekend. "We played the very best in the country from Texas to Tennessee to Miami of Florida to Southern Cal.

"However, two days ago was the first time I've ever said that I think Notre Dame ought to seriously consider joining the Big Ten. Because what I see happening, I see four or five superconferences."
[Star Tribune]

University of Minnesota Duluth hockey recruit faces assault charges

I don't know but it seems like there have been a lot of conduct related issues this summer with the College hockey players. Impressive, takes a big man to rough up your girl friend. It will be interesting to see if Sandy pulls the plug on this clown or not.

Duluth News Tribune--- A 2010-11 University of Minnesota Duluth freshman hockey recruit was arrested early Tuesday on domestic assault charges after allegedly attacking his girlfriend in her College of St. Scholastica dorm room.

Christopher Michael Stafne, 20, of Duluth is charged with fifth-degree domestic assault. He was arrested and booked in the St. Louis County Jail about 2 a.m. Tuesday. He was later released pending his next court appearance, scheduled for June 15.

A court order also was filed Tuesday prohibiting Stafne from having contact with his alleged victim. Stafne returned a reporter’s phone call Tuesday but declined to comment on the charge against him.

According to police reports:

Stafne’s girlfriend told police he has an anger problem. She didn’t want to talk to him Monday night and she turned off her cell phone. She said she was trying to sleep when Stafne showed up at her dorm room. The woman said Stafne was upset with her because he thought she was cheating on him, and his suspicions led him to wanting to see her cell phone.

She said he took the cell phone from her and when she tried to take it back, he pushed her down and she fell between the bed and the dresser.

The woman said that Stafne then went into the bathroom with her cell phone and tried to close the door. She tried to open the door but he pushed her and slammed the door, hitting her with the door. A roommate of the woman said Stafne also was verbally abusive to his girlfriend.

The victim sustained a bruise on her forearm, a scrape with redness on her neck and marks on her back, allegedly as a result of the assault.

This should put you in the mood.

Brad Schlossman has the lines posted for tonight's games against the Rodents. The same two buffoon's from last night's game Marco Hunt and Derek Shepherd are going to ref tonight's game as well, let's hope they can do a better job than they did last night. Cepis was diving up and down the ice like the SCSU troll Garrett Roe does and it's sad when their beat writer is making light of it as well.

Wonder how many penalties Papa Chirp Cepis -- he's older and talks a lot -- will draw tonight. Refs probably on high alert he may take dives

Maybe one of the Sioux players will give Mr C-piss a nice wake up or remind him that this is an adult league and we don't dive. That's for high school kids. C-piss is a punk.

UND's lines

17 Jason Gregoire--29 Chris VandeVelde--26 Brett Hextall
19 Evan Trupp--22 Brad Malone--21 Matt Frattin
10 Corban Knight--11 Darcy Zajac--7 Danny Kristo
8 Mike Cichy--9 Mario Lamoureux--13 Brett Bruneteau

2 Andrew MacWilliam--24 Ben Blood
3 Derrick LaPoint--25 Jake Marto
15 Brent Davidson--20 Joe Gleason

31 Brad Eidsness
32 Aaron Dell

Minnesota's lines

17 Jacob Cepis--19 Jordan Schroeder--24 Zach Budish
11 Mike Hoeffel--16 Mike Carman--18 Nick Larson
12 Tony Lucia--7 Patrick White--22 Ryan Flynn
23 Josh Birkholz--13 Nico Sacchetti--21 Jake Hansen

5 Nick Leddy--20 David Fischer
10 Aaron Ness--28 Cade Fairchild
2 Kevin Wehrs--4 Seth Helgeson

33 Alex Kangas
35 Kent Patterson

NCAA Hockey 101.

Ryan Lambert from Puck Daddy interviewed me for the pop quiz this week.

POP QUIZ

In which I ask a blogger five questions about the team they follow. This week, Goon from Goon's World and about a million other places, was kind enough to share his thoughts on the entire landscape of college hockey.

1) What has Miami done the last few years to be so mind-bogglingly successful (short of an actual postseason title, obviously)?

I think you could answer this question in two words; Enrico Blasi. Blasi is a very good coach and he expects a lot out of his players and has been very successful on the ice. I would say that he is recruiting the right mix of players and they are buying into what he is telling them. Color me impressed.

2) Who is the best rookie in the country right now?

Statically it's Stephane Da Costa from Merrimack College (13g-22a-35pts), that being said, putting on my homer glasses and having the opportunity to watch BSU a few times this season I have been impressed with Jordan George from BSU (13g-17a-30pts) I think Jordan George is a diamond in the rough and this recruit is a testament of thetype of recruiter Tom Serratore is. WCHA beware. I would say that George is my rookie of the year candidate.

3) Given the WCHA is about to send the most teams of any conference to the NCAAs (right now I've got six teams going), how likely is an All-WCHA Frozen Four?

I don't think we will ever see another Frozen Four with all 4 team being from the WCHA. In 2005 there were a lot of people that were less than thrilled about the WCHA getting four teams in the Frozen Four. I also think the 2008 Midwest Regional in Madison where you had DU; Wisconsin, UND and Princeton in the same regional was kind of a preview of what will happen if you have five or more teams in the NCAA tourney from a single league. This season there is going to be a bracket or two where there will be WCHA teams doubled up, especially if there are six WCHA teams in the tourney.

4) Do you feel as though we've seen a significant rise in the number of dirty hits or suspensions in college hockey this year?

Loaded question: No and not enough or lengthy suspensions, in my opinion. This is a hot-button issue with many college hockey fans. Untilthe NCAA decides to really get serious about protecting the players you are going to see more incidents like the Aaron Marvin hit on Chay Genoway. Seriously, what's to stop a team from just going out and taking a run a star player with the intent of injuring him if you're only going to have the offending player get suspended for flimsy one or two game suspension? There needs to be a set standard for discipline in NCAA division one hockey, no more smoke filled room decisions, there needs to be more transparency.

A perfect example of how bad the officiating is in college hockey; the one-game suspension to Aaron Marvin is an absolute joke and a travesty, and the WCHA should be ashamed. Let's break it down even more: the league gave Marvin a one-game suspension for knocking out a Hobey Baker candidate and potential All-American for the season on a dirty checking from behind penalty, that the refs actually penalized the wrong player on, the league officials had to review the tape between periods to get the right player.

The Marvin hit on Genoway would probably net at least 2-4 games in the NHL, even with the inconsistency of the Colin Campbell's Wheel of Justice and probably longer in the QMJHL.

In my favorite league it's going to take a player really getting seriously hurt and carried off the ice on a gurney before the WCHA will finally get serious about disciplining the players that commit egregious penalties on the ice, I think the leagues head of officials is culpable for what has transpired on the ice this season because their disciplinary rulings have no teeth to them.

5) With only six points separating second from seventh in Hockey East, who do you think comes out as the league's representatives in the NCAA tournament.

I think it's going to be Boston College because UNH's out of conference record is brutal and is going to kill them in the end, the Wildcats are1-5-1, Boston College is 5-2 in out of conference play.

Comparing the Sioux and the Huskies.

The war of words has started already I have been lectured all weekend by Husky fans telling me that the Huskies are better than the Sioux in every measure. I can prove that this is simply not true. Defensively the Sioux are a better team. [National Stats]

Combined Special Teams: Totals PCT
18 North Dakota 152/295 51.5
38 St. Cloud State 141/286 49.3

Penalty Kill: totals SHF PCT
10 North Dakota 123/142 2 86.6
11 St. Cloud State 108/126 8 85.7

Scoring Defense: Games Goals G/GM
4 North Dakota 28 62 2.21
14 St. Cloud State 30 75 2.50

Strenght of Schedule
UND 5th
SCSU 6th

National Penalty Minutes
1 Alaska Anchorage 28 581 20.8
2 Ferris State 30 590 19.7
3 Canisius 28 530 18.9
4 Wisconsin 27 503 18.6
5 North Dakota 28 520 18.6
6 Miami 30 555 18.5
7 Michigan Tech 28 493 17.6
8 Bowling Green 27 471 17.4
9 Minnesota State 28 488 17.4
10 Minnesota Duluth 30 521 17.4

Little bit of reality here.

This is for all of those Husky fans that are beating your chest about the SCSU Huskies and how great they are. Let's take a closer look at their schedule and who they have played. It's not impressive.

While SCSU may have an impressive record 12-2-2 the last sixteen games the Huskies haven't really played anyone that is very good in their impressive streak, except the C.C. Tigers. Looking closer in fact the Huskies have feasted on the weak sisters of the poor. UAA (X4), Brown (X2), MTU (X2), at Quinnipiac (X2), Minnesota (X2) and C.C. (X4) they were 1-2-1 against C.C.
[SCSU Schedule]

WCHA Issues public remprimand to SCSU head coach Bob Motzko

So here is the official rebuke from the WCHA. So I wonder if we can assume that the coaches in the WCHA are now on notice and they won't tolerate anyone showing up any of Shepherds buffoons’. I would be willing to bet that the officials’ performance WILL BE a point of discussion in the WCHA spring meetings. Further investigation reveals that Don Adam was one of the on ice officials for this weekend's series. I guess you could color me surprised.

WCHA Issues Public Reprimand To SCSU Coach Bob Motzko

MADISON, Wis. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association today (February 2) issued a public reprimand to men’s head coach Bob Motzko of St. Cloud State University for actions at the conclusion of the Jan. 30, 2010 game at Colorado College that were in violation of the WCHA Code of Conduct/Sportsmanship Rules.

– WCHA –

DU Pioneers hockey team faces tough series at North Dakota

Mike Chambers loves to take a swipe at UND when ever he gets a chance, he seems to have UND derangement syndrome, or maybe he is just desperate for hits on his DU hockey blog. I have to admit that this is one of the better series that UND will see this season. DU has become the villains/evil empire and might have actually surpassed Minnesota Gophers as being our hated rivals. There is also a perception that the DU Pioneers have also become the WCHA golden boys that gets all of the breaks as well. Don’t expect Brian Thul, Scott Bokal to ref the games this weekend either.

Last season the Pioneers started running their mouth before they even got to Grand Forks, ND. I guess it's starting already. Just for the record UND has not had a fighting major in two plus seasons.

Last Saturday, the then-No. 1-ranked University of Denver hockey team was greeted by the first Kohl Center sellout of the season, losing 4-3 at Wisconsin before a relatively good-natured gathering of 15,237.

The Badgers' lively student section undoubtedly made it a difficult place to play for the Pioneers. But the atmosphere in Madison will be considered tame compared with the expected antics that will unfold this weekend against North Dakota in Grand Forks.

The Pioneers, who fell to No. 3 in the media polls after failing to win a weekend game for the first time this season, will face the always-willing-to-fight Fighting Sioux, who are ranked fourth.

"I wouldn't say we have to make up for it, but they're big games as far as seeing what we're made of," DU senior center Tyler Ruegsegger said. "Having a tough weekend (at Wisconsin) and then going to North Dakota, where there will be an even more hostile arena, is a big challenge."

DU captain Rhett Rakh-shani is confident the unwanted baggage left from the Wisconsin series won't be brought to North Dakota. The Pioneers played well only in stretches against Wisconsin.

"They're all important from here on out, and this weekend is just as important as next weekend, and so on and so forth," Rakhshani said. "It doesn't matter who you're playing, when you're playing, what the standings are, what you're ranked, what they're ranked. You want to play the same. So we're going to want to bring forth our best game, no matter who we're playing, and that will be the same for North Dakota."
[link to the article here]

In case you forgot the story line from last season's games here are a few story lines from the UND and DU series a year ago. It was a hard fought and fun series to watch.

League to look at Scrums/Fights

AWAITING THE JURY: Not that he wouldn't have reviewed the video anyway, but University of Denver's melee against North Dakota on Friday did not go unnoticed by WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod, who watched the fights unfold live on television from the World Arena press box during CC's tie against St. Cloud.

McLeod said any disciplinary action resulting from the episodes, including coach George Gwozdecky's ejection from the game Saturday, wouldn't be determined until he receives a review from Greg Shepherd, the WCHA's supervisor of officials. [Rocky Mountain News]

Gwozdecky reprimanded by school - Sioux Fighters

My thoughts: Gwozdecky is the most mild-mannered coach I know, and in 14 years I’ve only seen his blood boil twice — both times against North Dakota and with referee Todd Anderson blowing the whistle.

See a pattern there? The “Sioux Fighters” and their fans want minor-league entertainment, Anderson is an emotional official who sometimes jaws at players, and Gwozdecky is a class act. At some point those styles clash, and the mild-mannered coach can’t stomach it. It becomes disgusting, and the coach erupts into what he doesn’t like.

Gwozdecky doesn’t deserve anything except a pat on the back for being the way he is 99 percent of the time. He might be embarrased to have been ejected, but shame on DU for throwing him under the bus.

I think DU is using Gwozdecky to remind the Sioux that it is better than them. But to publicly scorn your respected coach is a bad way to do that.

I can appreciate the Sioux and their fans. They are to North Dakota what football is to Nebraska. The players are hard-nosed and the coaching staff gives them a long leash, maybe too long, but … I don’t hear any apologies from Grand Forks, and there shouldn’t be any from Denver.
[Denver Post Hockey Blog]

FSN’s Rizzo not a fan of Sioux fans

“Honestly, if I’m not covering Denver the next time they go there, I would never have any reason in the world to ever go to a North Dakota hockey game,” she told me Tuesday. “(Sioux fans) need to realize they leave a bad taste in an opponent’s mouth, or anyone that’s going to see the arena for the first time.”

Rizzo’s angst stems from obnoxious and seemingly uncontrollable Fighting Sioux fans — particularly adults.

“It was a little too much for too long,” Rizzo said. “It wasn’t the student section as much as the older crowd, right on top of the DU bench, and I stood in the hallway going into their locker room.

“There were a lot of derogatory comments . . . from men and women, young and old, asking me about Coach Gwozdecky’s behavior, calling him a ‘Little Man,’ asking me ‘Why are you really here?’ and ‘I vote for last night’s outfit.’ It’s one thing to cheer for your own team, I’m all for that, but to constantly berate college athletes that are not being paid to play a sport for the constant length of the game was a little much.”

Rizzo, who also covers the Colorado Rockies, is in her second season working DU hockey for FSN. Previously, she covered the University of Wisconsin’s men and women’s hockey teams in Madison for WISC, a CBS affiliate. She worked Badgers games in 2006, the year both UW teams won NCAA championships.

“The Kohl Center is just as packed, if not more, than Ralph Engelstad Arena is on any given night, and Badgers fans are equally as passionate about hockey as North Dakota fans, but I lived in Madison for 2 ½ years and never in all of my time covering those teams ever heard Badger fans treat opposing teams the way the North Dakota fans treated Denver,” she said. “I never felt uncomfortable in Madison.”
[Denver Post Hockey Blog]

CCHA killing the shoot out?

Here is something that I found interesting. CCHA is thinking of dismantling the shoot out because no one else is currently using them. I thought the NCAA was mandating breaking ties in the future? Personally, I find the shoot out to be exciting and would like to see the NCAA/WCHA break ties that way.

Also, this doesn’t appear to be good news for UAH. I can’t imagine the scheduling nightmare with an 11 team league. Cue the Big Ten Hockey Conference discussion again?

Shootouts out?
Anastos says the future of CCHA shootouts will be discussed in offseason meetings. They could be eliminated, since the rest of the NCAA schools are not using them. The CCHA also must decide whether to keep using four officials for financial reasons, and he doubts another school will be added with Nebraska-Omaha leaving for the WCHA.[Lansing State Journal]

Stepan's missing luggage.

This was on Russo's Twitter. I already saw where people are trying to blame the TSA over on Twitter for this. Stop! Before someone tries to blame the poor TSA for losing Stepan’s luggage it’s not their fault, the airlines lost his bags like Russo said. Also the TSA ENFORCES the laws that DHS and the American congress enact. If you want to blame someone blame Janet Napolitano and DHS.

Just got off phone with Team USA captain Derek Stepan. Airline lost all his bags, including his gold medal, bc no carry-ons out of Canada

Team USA captains.

Here are the captains for team USA's. [USA Hockey Press Release]

• CAPTAINS OF THE SHIP -- On Christmas Eve, Team
USA’s players selected their captains for the 2010 IIHF
World Junior Championship:
Derek Stepan Captain
Jordan Schroeder Alternate
David Warsofsky Alternate
John Carlson Alternate

REA enacts fan code of conduct...

Ralph Engelstad Arena and University of North Dakota


[Fan Code of Conduct]

Ralph Engelstad Arena and the University of North Dakota are committed to providing a safe, comfortable and enjoyable event experience for all fans and event participants. The Fan Code of Conduct is designed to set clear expectations and encourage an event environment that is enjoyable for all. Ralph Engelstad Arena and the University of North Dakota strive to encourage good sportsmanship, and that includes appropriate fan behavior.

We ask all fans to adhere to the following Fan Code of Conduct in order to meet these goals:

• Abusive language or disorderly conduct is unacceptable and unwelcome. Profanity, racial or sexist comments or intimidating actions directed at the student-athletes, coaches or officials will not be tolerated.
• Fans shall not interfere unduly with anyone else's right and opportunity to enjoy the event.
• Fans shall refrain from throwing objects and/or possessing prohibited items.
• Fans who consume alcoholic beverages shall do so in a responsible manner. Intervention with an intoxicated or underage guest will be handled in a prompt and safe manner. Fans appearing intoxicated will be denied entry and/or subject to ejection.
• Offensive or obscene messages on signs or clothing will not be permitted.
• Fans will be courteous to visiting teams and guests. We will cheer for the Sioux, not against our opponents.
• Fans shall comply with the directions and instructions of Ralph Engelstad Arena staff regarding Arena operations and emergency response procedures.
• Season ticket holders are responsible for their conduct as well as the conduct of their guests and/or persons occupying their seats.

Fans shall be treated in a professional and courteous manner by all Ralph Engelstad Arena staff and University of North Dakota personnel.

During games, contact the nearest Ralph Engelstad Arena staff member or text or call our Guest Help Line at (701) 740-5495 if another fan is interfering with your enjoyment of the game. Following the game, please contact us at fans@theralph.com if you would like to report
inappropriate fan behavior.


Fans not adhering to the Fan Code of Conduct provisions may be subject to ejection without refund and may also be subject arrest and prosecution.

Ralph Engelstad Arena and the University of North Dakota thank you for your commitment to creating a safe and enjoyable experience for all fans.



- Go Sioux -