Gabby noncommittal.

After reading this article I am beginning to think that Wild management has really done a poor job running this hockey team during the offseason. Now the Minnesota Wild are in grave danger of losing the face of their franchise, the best player to ever play for the Minnesota Wild.

It is time for the Wild fans to speak up and let the Wild Management know how we feel about the way things are being run, and this franchise is not being run well. In my opinion Gabby is worth 8-10 million dollars a year. Now it is time for the Wild Management to step up and offer a serious contract offer.

Gaborik remains noncommittal about signing with Wild
By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune
Skating with three dozen other players, Marian Gaborik danced in and out of traffic like he was in midseason form Wednesday at the Rec Center in St. Louis Park.

Wearing his green No. 10 helmet, green pants and striped red and green socks, Gaborik, feeling strong on his surgically repaired hip, sure looked like the Wild player who owns the franchise mark for nearly every offensive category.

But the events of the next month could determine how long Gaborik will remain in Wild colors.

The Wild is trying desperately to sign the right wing to a contract extension before the Oct. 11 opener, but Gaborik was noncommittal Wednesday when asked whether he's willing to forgo unrestricted free agency next summer to sign long-term in Minnesota.

"I like it here, I am willing to stay here, but I also know what my options are if we won't agree on the terms," Gaborik said during his first North American interview since the end of last season's playoffs.

"I have one year left on my contract. That's all I'm thinking about. I'm going to leave everything out there, work hard and enjoy it. And I'm going to try the best I can to help the team win this year like I've done always."

Told that sounds like he has decided to play out the final year of his contract and leave as a free agent, Gaborik said, "I'm not saying I'm leaving. I'm not saying I'm staying. I'm saying I have one year left on my contract. I'm leaving it up to the Wild and my agent to discuss it. But I want to be left out of it.

"I like it here. Of course, it's been great times and experiences here. But I still have one more year on my contract. I want to be respected that I still have one year left, and I want to just focus on this year and just try to play the best I can. That's how it is. I don't want to think about my contract right now, and I don't want to be put in a position where I have to talk about it."

But asked again if he's at least willing to sign long-term, Gaborik said, "I'm not saying either or. We'll play it by ear. The Wild and my agent are talking right now. I just want to play hockey and not worry about it."

Wild assistant GM Tom Lynn said the Wild is in the process of negotiating, "so we're having back and forth, which is good. I think Marian is rightly reluctant to try to characterize the process, one for his own position and two because he doesn't want it to be accidentally mischaracterized."

With training camp set to open Sept. 20 in Grand Forks, N.D., Gaborik, 26, who will make $7.5 million this season after coming off a career-best 42 goals and 83 points last season, is in the driver's seat.

If he hits the open market next summer, Gaborik, at his age and talent level, could become one of the highest-sought free agents in NHL history.

The Wild is offering Gaborik the richest, longest contract in franchise history, so Lynn said negotiations are "complicated" because the sides are trying to agree on salary, term and what the future market is for star players.

No player averages more than Alex Ovechkin's $9.538 million cap hit. The max for an individual player is $11.26 million, a number GM Doug Risebrough has said he's not willing to approach. Gaborik declined to identify how much money or how long a contract he's seeking.

"I'm willing to stay, but it depends on what kind of deal they're going to propose," Gaborik said. "I had a good discussion with Doug and Tom [last month in Slovakia]. They explained how they want to go forward. Of course, I want to win. If it's here, I would love that, but who knows what's going to happen."

If there's an impasse, Gaborik knows the Wild might be forced to trade him to avoid a season-long distraction and to ensure it receives assets in return for a talent such as Gaborik.

"I'm not thinking that far right now. I can't control that," Gaborik said. "I'm just here to play hockey." But asked again if he's at least willing to sign long-term, Gaborik said, "I'm not saying either or. We'll play it by ear. The Wild and my agent are talking right now. I just want to play hockey and not worry about it."

Wild assistant GM Tom Lynn said the Wild is in the process of negotiating, "so we're having back and forth, which is good. I think Marian is rightly reluctant to try to characterize the process, one for his own position and two because he doesn't want it to be accidentally mischaracterized."

With training camp set to open Sept. 20 in Grand Forks, N.D., Gaborik, 26, who will make $7.5 million this season after coming off a career-best 42 goals and 83 points last season, is in the driver's seat.
(Read the rest of the story here)

Lightning coach Melrose wants toughness to return

This article is a must read and one of the more thought provoking article I have seen in a long time, and this article addresses why there is a need for fighting in hockey. I am excited about Barry Melrose being back in the NHL because of all of the things that he says.

Lightning coach Melrose wants toughness to return
By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer

Imagine if the ice in front of an NHL net were a place where the rules of the game were different. Players could hack and whack like the old days, before the league decided a tug on a jersey was obstruction. Lightning coach Barry Melrose can only hope. "In today's game, anybody can go and stand there, and I don't think that's right," he said. "I don't want to see that leave the game, those areas of battles." Melrose, 52, is old school. He cheers the uptick in fighting the past few seasons, not for its own sake but because, "It's a tool. … It can change the mood of a game." Melrose, who had enforcer tendencies in his NHL career, does not want a return to the days of bench-clearing brawls. At the same time, he said, "I never want to get to the point in my life when cowards can play hockey."

How do you feel about the league's long-term crackdown on fighting?

I think toughness is leaving our game, and I hope that people realize it's wrong. I hate to mention this, but the fastest growing sport in the world is ultimate fighting. We've got that as part of our game. To act ashamed of that has been wrong of the NHL for a lot of years. You can say you don't like fighting or you love fighting, but it creates conversation. It creates energy and excitement. And, as you see it, perhaps a strategic advantage. It's a useful part of the game. It's a tool, and that's how coaches use fighting. It can change the mood of a game. It's like a big hit or a power-play goal or anything else.

It also can set boundaries between teams, correct?

If someone does something to (Steven) Stamkos, there have to be repercussions, and that's where fighting is still part of the game. Hockey is about bravery. I never want to get to the point in my life when cowards can play hockey. You're not advocating a return to the bad old days, are you? Of course not. I call that the dark ages. They were burning priests at the stake at the same time, I think. But hockey is a game of intimidation. If someone can walk into our building and intimidate us with hitting, with power plays, with fighting, then they're going a long way to winning the game, and it's part of the game.

How can you strike a balance between making the game more physical and the no-touch rules put in place to hike scoring?

I would love to see sort of a different set of rules in front of the net. You make like a key area in basketball where it becomes tougher to stand. In today's game, anybody can go and stand there, and I don't think that's right. I think that still should be very fought-over ice and an area with different rules. Such as … The hacking and the whacking and the cross-checking, so the guy has to have some grit to get in there, where you can't go in there with no pads the way you basically can do it now. That should be an area of highly fought-over ice.

What do you think of enforcers?

I love them. They're my favorite guys on the team. I love them like I do superstars. They do the dirtiest job in the world for less money than the other guys. They're always the most popular guy on the team, and they never get the thanks they should. I love them. I ask them to do a terrible thing, and a tough thing, every night. I reward them. I hate taking them out of a lineup. It is much easier for me to take a skill guy out of the lineup than it is to take a tough guy out of the lineup.

Describe their job.
He's got to walk into Philadelphia in the third game of five nights on the road, and if somebody is going nuts, he still has to go over the boards and do it. It's still a job of proving it. It's the old gunfighter mentality that every year there are young guys that want to prove they're tougher, and that still happens. Not to the extent of the (Bob) Probert era, but when you're a tough guy in the NHL, there's always a young guy coming every year who thinks they are tougher.

Given the salary cap and the instigator rule, no team can afford a goon who can't play and is being paid to sit in the penalty box.
In a perfect scenario, he would be able to play regular. That's why a guy like Probert worked and (Marty) McSorley. Those guys were so great because they could do both. But realistically, they have to be so they don't hurt you. What I mean by that is a team's eyes don't light up when they step on the ice. Ideally, you want a kid who's tough enough to play regular and do the job.

Boston Bruins Sign Stephane Yell

It had been rumored that the Minnestoa Wild were interested in signing defensive forward and face off specialist Stephane Yelle but it appears that the Wild have lost out in another bid for a free agent.

Boston, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has signed center Stephane Yelle to a contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

A 12-year veteran of 844 regular season games and 154 postseason contests, Yelle comes to the Bruins having won two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996 and 2001. Yelle made his NHL debut during the 1995-1996 season with Colorado and played in all 22 of the Avalanche’s playoff games during their Stanley Cup title run. During his rookie year in 95-96, Yelle tallied a career best 13 goals and 14 assists in the regular season and added one goal and four assists in the playoffs. When the Avs captured the Cup a second time in 2000-2001, Yelle again appeared in every playoff game (23) and registered a goal and two assists in the postseason to go along with 4-10-14 totals in the regular season.

He played a total of seven seasons in Colorado, appearing in 505 games with 54 goals and 89 assists.

Yelle spent the last five seasons with the Calgary Flames. On October 1, 2002, he and Chris Drury were traded by Colorado to the Flames in exchange for Dean McAmmond, Derek Morris and Jeff Shantz. During those five years, Yelle contributed 31 goals and 65 assists. Last season, Yelle tallied three goals and nine assists in 74 regular season games and added two goals in seven postseason contests.

The 34-year-old Ottawa, Ontario native was originally drafted in the 8th round (186th overall) of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils, Yelle was dealt to Quebec on June 1, 1994 and then relocated with the franchise to Colorado on June 21, 1995.

His team has missed the playoffs only once in his 12-year NHL career (02-03 with Calgary).

Pictures of Zach Parise's 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe

 
When I saw the pictures of Zach's Tahoe on line I knew I had to run over to Rydell Chevy get a picture of it before it was sold. Here is the link to the page from eBay, there are some really cool pictures of Zach's 2007 Chevy Tahoe on the eBay page.
 



 

 

Zach Parise's car for sale at Rydell's

Here is an interesting story that I haven't seen posted any where but on Puck Daddy. I am going to have to go to Rydell's and check it out... I wonder how long it will be before it is sold? I wounder if there will be any discussion on whether Thomas Vanek has a better car or not?

You could be the proud owner of New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise's 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
By Greg Wyshynski
OK, so it doesn't have the gravitas of Jon Voight's '89 LeBaron, but New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise's 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe is being auctioned off on eBay until Sept. 12 -- or you can buy it now for $36,000.

Rydell Automotive Center in Grand Forks, ND (also serving Fargo!) is selling what it calls an "NHL Star Zach Parise Ed. Tahoe"; which is just your typical suburban assault vehicle that keeps the U.S. suckling on the foreign oil teat, only with several Zach Parise autographs on the leather interior. From Rydell, via eBay:
(read the rst of the story)

Linkorama:

Chris Dilks from Western College Hockey is reporting that Mike Guentzel has been hired as the assistant coach at Colorado College it will be interesting to see how Mike fits in at C.C.

Guentzel To Join CC Coaching Staff
September 2nd, 2008 -- posted by kcrandall

Mike Guentzel, who resigned from Minnesota coach Don Lucia’s staff in April, will be named an assistant coach Wednesday, a source close to the program said Tuesday.

Guentzel spent the last 14 seasons coaching Gopher defensemen, but will be on the bench as his son, Gabe, starts his career as a Tiger defenseman this fall.

Guentzel replaces Norm Bazin, who left in August to become head coach at Division III Hamilton College and was responsible for recruiting some of CC’s top talent. Though his particular duties have yet to be spelled out, Guentzel adds his knowledge of Minnesota talent to CC’s staff.

His hiring is marks the first major change to coach Scott Owens‘ staff since Owens hired Bazin and Joe Bonnett after his first season at CC.

Over at the Blog that Yost Built Packer487 covers the subject of No Yost Regional in 2010 or 2011 and there are some really good points in the comments section of this blog post. I don't think people are buying the reasons Minnesota is getting two regionals in their own back yard two years in a row. You want to talk about an unfair home field advantage, I give you the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Minnesota. The NCAA has probably just given Minnesota a ticket to the Frozen Four. It will be interesting to see the teams the NCAA stuffs in the two regionals in Minnesota. You will probably have some farce like last years Madison regional.

I believe this is a conflict of interest because the athletic director for the University of Minnesota Joel Maturi is the chairman Ice Hockey Committee and he is looking out for his schools own best interests first. On top of that Maturi is trying to sell is notion that the Xcel Energy Center is neutral site. I say bullshit I mean bravo sierra. The Xcel Energy Center is not a neutral site it is 7 miles from the University of Minnesota campus.

Packer487 said...
It wouldn't shock me a bit if the "We can't host a regional because of the cya chant" thing was slightly embellished to try to get the students to cut it out.

Even the NCAA official being quoted indicated it wasn't a major factor and simply pointed to Michigan having a competitive advantage at Yost.

Plenty of other schools have hosted, but it seems Michigan is being penalized for actually taking advantage of our opportunity when we did host.

I have no sympathy for DU missing the tournament when they hosted in Denver, or when CC missed it a year or two back when they hosted. It ain't our fault that Wisconsin didn't come out of their regional this year, they still got the home crowd.

If you're getting away from campus sites, so be it. But don't shove a line of bull like "We're going for neutral sites" and then throw a regional in St. Paul.

If you're not allowing teams to have a "competitive advantage" then go to all neutral sites or take out the rule that automatically lets the host play in that regional.

If you're ok with teams having a competitive advantage (with Minnesota at XCel) then let's have some campus sites instead of the horrible selections of St. Louis and Ft. Wayne.

I don't have a problem with it either way, but let's be consistent.

I do like the idea of only playing on NHL sized rinks though.

East Coast Bias.

Here was an interesting blog by Kat Kealy, so more her post really hits home. As a college hockey fan of a western college hockey team I can agree with her, how many times have we had to watch yet another game between two east coast teams, or better yet; last season CSTV should have been called the CCHA network because they loved showing the CCHA games on a weekly basis.

As for CBC why do they call it hockey night in Canada? They should call it hockey night in Toronto, every Saturday you get to see the mediocre Maple Leafs lose yet another game in prime time on CBC.

US National Television Extending the East Coast Bias
Kat Kealy
Since I grew up in the northeast, I must admit that I never cared about the sports world being so biased towards the east coast… until I moved to California. Then, I realized that although some sports definitely alter their schedules a bit for the east coast (Monday Night Football would clearly not be as late if they only cared about the east coast viewers), most things in sports are centered on the east coast. Whenever I see a game time, I automatically subtract 3 hours. It’s just the way things go out here.

Clearly, when the national broadcast schedules were released for hockey, I knew there would be more games with east coast teams than west coast teams, but the bottom 10 for US nationally televised games (all with zero or one game) has only two teams from the eastern conference and the top 10 for US nationally televised games (with 5-9 games) has only 3 western conference teams.

Calgary, Edmonton, and Los Angeles have no games that are nationally televised in the US. Clearly, Calgary and Edmonton have a lot of games that will be on CBC and TSN. The Kings have three games that will be nationally televised in Canada and none in the US. I certainly wouldn’t argue that the Kings deserve more air time than they’re getting. They were just barely the 29th team in the league last season. However, using that same argument, why is Tampa Bay going to be on national television in the US 4 times?

I understand that the big hockey markets (like New York, Boston, Minnesota, Detroit, etc.) come first. However, how can the NHL grow the sport in other markets if they only show teams from the cities where they already have good ratings?

Patrice Bergeron to rejoin the Bruins

Last season the Bruins lost one of their star offensive players Patrice Bergeron due to a very questionable hit from behind from Randy Jones in late October, Jones was given what I would consider a very light two game suspension. Bergeron's season was over in October and the Bruins played on without Patrice Bergeron. Even without Bergeron the Bruins still made the playoffs and took the Montreal Canadians to seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs before bowing out. I can't imagine that Bergeron could have made the differnce. This season the Bruins have a healthy Patrice Bergeron ready to rejoin the team.

Will Patrice Bergeron be...Patrice Bergeron?
Allan Muir INSIDE THE NHL
The image of Bergeron lying motionless against the boards, victimized by an illegal hit from behind, haunted Boston fans throughout a season that saw the team take significant steps toward legitimacy even without its best forward. And while there had to be a temptation to bring him back for the playoff push and the first round -- a loss to the Canadiens --the Bruins brass wisely held Bergeron out, keeping the bigger picture in mind.

Now we'll see if their patience pays off.

Outside of Marian Hossa in Detroit, the return of a healthy Bergeron could be the most impactful addition any team makes to its lineup this season. Slotted as the No. 2 center behind Marc Savard, he has the offensive chops to chip in 80 points, and the defensive skills to asset himself as one of the best two-way forwards in the conference.

But the ability to play the body is a critical component part of Bergeron's game. Even if the flesh is willing, there's no way of knowing if the spirit is weak without seeing if Bergeron will hesitate, even slightly, before going into the corners or initiating contact.

But even at 75 percent, Bergeron makes Boston a better team. He needs to be 100 percent, both physically and mentally, for the Bruins to move forward.

Proof that summer is almost over...

First off my thoughts and prayers go out to the people in the gulf that are going through another hurricane. One of my buddies that I worked with at the TSA from the moblie screening force (during the federalization of our nations airports in 2002) is hunkered down at MSY airport in New Orleans until the storm is over. I wish him well. As they say in the military keep your powder dry.

I was just perusing my schedule and it appears that another summer is almost officially in the books as today is September 1st.

Significant fall dates

Sep 13, 2008: North Dakota small game opener Sharptail, Hun, Ruffed Grouse
Sep 27, 2008: Opening day waterfowl season for North Dakota residents
Sep 28, 2008 Final day of the 2008 regular season
Oct. 1, 2008: MLB Divisional playoffs begin
Oct. 4 - 5 2008: NHL Regular season opens in Sweden and Czech Republic
Oct. 5, 2008: Fighting Sioux hockey versus University of Manitoba Exhibition
Oct. 9, 2008: NHL Regular season opens in North America
Oct. 9, 2008: MLB League championship series begin
Oct 10, 2008: 7:30 ET Fighting Sioux hockey @Boston University Icebreaker (Boston, MA)
Oct 11, 2008 4:30 ET Fighting Sioux hockey @Massachusetts Icebreaker (Boston, MA)
*Oct 17, 2008 7:35 CT Fighting Sioux versus the Purple cows of MSU- Mankato
Oct 18, 2008 7:05 CT Fighting Sioux versus the Purple cows of MSU- Mankato
Oct 22, 2008 MLB World Series begins (in American League city)



*First WCHA series.

The latest Hot List...

Ohio State recruit Zac Dalpe is the only college hockey players to make the latest Hot List.

The Hot List: Patience is a virtue
6. Zac Dalpe, RW – Ohio State Buckeyes (CCHA): Many were speculating Dalpe would jump ship on his Buckeyes commitment and head to OHL Plymouth, but The Hot List knew better all along. That gentle sound you’re hearing is the collective exhalation of every OSU fan in central Ohio. Drafted 45th overall by Carolina in 2008.

check out this funny commercial...

UNDER REVIEW had this new Boston Bruins commercial posted on his blog from NESN and it is a very funny commerical. I have to say it is one of more creative ones.

Former Sioux Bob Joyce and Landon Wilson

I was bored and surfing the Internet when I found these interesting post of two former Sioux. The first one is from Boston Bruins Legends

Bob Joyce
A product of Saskatchewan's famous Notre Dame Hounds, Joyce joined the University of North Dakota in 1984 where he quickly established himself as on of the best hockey players in American college hockey. By 1986-87 he scored 52 goals in 48 games, earning a berth on the WCHA First All-Star Team, NCAA West First All-American Team, and NCAA All-Tournament Team.

Joyce dropped out of school a year earlier in order to play under Dave King with the Canadian National team. It was a great opportunity for Joyce to learn to play under one of the best coaches in hockey, and also gave him a chance to play for his country in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. Joyce learned the defensive aspects of the game under King and his skating improved on the big ice surface. He scored 12 goals and 10 assists in IIHF sanctioned events and appeared in 4 Olympic matches, scoring one goal.

Bob was Boston's 4th choice, 82nd overall in the 1984 Entry Draft. He joined the Bruins after the 1988 Olympics, scoring 7 goals and 5 assists in only 15 games. He added 8 more goals and 6 assists in 23 playoff contests helping the Bruins advance to the Stanley Cup finals against the mighty Edmonton Oilers. Along side Joyce was another Bruin prospect who also played in the Olympics. New Englander Craig Janney had a strong Olympic tournament for Team USA and chipped in 7 goals and 16 points in his 15 post-Olympic NHL games. He also added 16 points in the playoffs.
(Read the whole article here)

Here is another article on a former Fighting Sioux hockey player Landon Wilson. I had forgotten that Landon Wilson had been traded for some big time players. Wilson was traded for Wendel Clark, IIRC Landon was traded away from the Leafs before he ever left the Fighting Sioux. I am just hoping that Landon Wilson can make a contribution with the Dallas Stars.

What the heck happened to … Landon Wilson?
Landon Wilson came to the Boston Bruins from the Colorado Avalanche along with Anders Myrvold for B’s first-round choice (Robyn Regehr) in 1998 Entry Draft on November 22, 1996.

What a trade!

It wasn’t the first time that Wilson was dealt in a deal involving a big-name talent. On June 28, 1994, he was traded to Quebec by Toronto with Wendel Clark, Sylvain Lefebvre and Toronto’s first-round choice (Jeffrey Kealty) in 1994 Entry Draft for Mats Sundin, Garth Butcher, Todd Warriner and Philadelphia’s first-round choice (previously acquired, later traded to Washington - Washington selected Nolan Baumgartner) in 1994 Entry Draft.

In 130 games in a B’s uniform, Wilson totaled 12 goals and 21 assists.

Wilson missed the majority of 2002-03 season recovering from eye injury he suffered in game against the Washington Capitals on Dec. 13, 2002. He was partially-blinded in one eye when a flying puck collided with his face while he was not wearing a visor.

The former first-round pick of the Maple Leafs then went on to play for the Phoenix Coyotes and Pittsburgh Penguins before bringing his game over seas to Finland and Switzerland.

Last season, with Lugano of the Swiss-A league, Wilson potted 13 goals to go with seven assists in 30 games. In three seasons in the Swiss-A league, Wilson has 60 goals and 32 assists (92 points) in 101 games.

Tim Thomas' new mask...

I have always been a fan of goalie masks, they say a lot about the player that wears them. Here is the new mask that former Vermont Star Tim Thomas will wear for the Boston Bruins this season. Also, I found this new blog that covers the Boston Bruins hockey team called Hub Hockey it is a must see if you are a Boston Bruins fan.

Lucia is against the Shoot-out...

I suppose now that Don Lucia doesn't want or like the shootout, the WCHA won't adopt the shootout. God forbid, we would want pretty boy Lucia upset. Don what else do you want while we are at it? The Gophers have the next two regionals in his own back yard. I can't wait till the Sioux can bounce the Gophers in their own back yard to go to the Frozen Four.

I think with the WCHA women going with the shoot out I think one could infer that the WCHA is a experiments with how the shootout is going to work.

College Hockey Report / Shootout separates WCHA women, men
By Bruce Brothers

Don Lucia detests the idea.

Brad Frost likes it.

So go the opinions of the hockey coaches at the University of Minnesota concerning a shootout to decide ties in their sport, a practice Western Collegiate Hockey Association women's teams will begin using this season.

"Good for them," said Lucia, the men's coach. "I am adamantly opposed. And I think if you talk to the coaches in our league, they are uniformly opposed to the shootout."

True, WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod said.

"Right now, it's not on the radar screen," McLeod said, noting that the men's coaches simply "don't want to do it."

Frost, who coaches the Gophers women, believes the addition of a shootout to decide ties in WCHA women's games, which the league announced Friday, might be a predictor of the future in the sport.

As arguably the premier women's college hockey league in the country, the WCHA wants "to be leaders on the women's side of game, to do some things that will make it exciting for our fans," Frost said. "We don't know if shootouts are going to be the wave of future or not, but we thought at least we'd give it a try."

The WCHA women announced the league would install a shootout for league games only, joining Central Collegiate Hockey Association men's teams in a practice similar to that used by the NHL.

Sara Martin, commissioner of the WCHA women, said the league's coaches were unanimous in adopting the tiebreaking procedure, adding it "will add an extra element

of drama to our games."
The women will try it for one season, and then decide whether to continue it.

As in the NHL, teams tied after a five-minute overtime will alternate sending three skaters against the opposing goalie to sever the tie. They'll use additional skaters on a sudden-death basis if the score is still tied after three. The winner of the shootout will receive two points and the loser will still get one point for the overtime tie.

Shootout results will count only in league standings, however, according to a ruling by the NCAA Ice Hockey Committee. In national statistics and national won-lost records, the games will continue to be registered as ties.

"Let it count in the NCAA, if it's so great," Lucia said, adding he has "never been a fan" of shootouts. "It's not how the game is played," he explained, "and we only play 28 (league) games. If we played 80

games, maybe we'd look at it."

Two or three points could prove decisive in the conference standings, Lucia noted.

"I don't think a team should go on the road based on a gimmick; I don't think a team should win a championship based on a gimmick," he said. "To me, there's nothing wrong with a tie."

McLeod pointed out that the shootout, tried unsuccessfully by Hockey East men's teams in the mid-1990s, is more attractive to fans than coaches, adding, "The real value is entertainment."

Unlike the men's teams, the WCHA women almost never sell out their games, so making the games more fan-friendly is a goal.

"I've gone to a few NHL games myself," Frost said. "You're almost hoping no one scores in regulation so you can watch that shootout."

Lucia, whose team sold out every home game at the 10,000-seat Mariucci Arena last season, disagrees. "I don't think a fan is going to go to a game based on a shootout," he said.

John McCain picks hockey mom as VP candidate.

Normally I like to keep politics off this blog but this is a nice story. Dggoddard from Lets Go Du Hockey and Puck Daddy had posted this story over on their blogs about the Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin Hockey Mom turned GOP Vice Presidential candidate.

I have to admit as an unapologetic republican I am very excited about this Vice President selection. I also think that she is a very impressive speaker and I think she is going to do well in the VP debates, Joe Biden beware. I heard on the news today that there was a poll where she has a 80% approval rating, that folks is pretty impressive in my opinion.

America's most famous Hockey Mom

Senator John McCain astonished the political world on Friday by naming Sarah Palin, a little-known governor of Alaska and self-described “Hockey Mom” as his running mate on the Republican presidential ticket.

If the Clinton's rode the backs of Soccer Moms to the White House, what other differences are there between Hockey Moms and Soccer Moms?

LetsGoDU's Soccer Mom vs. Hockey Mom Comparison

Soccer Mom: Democrat
Hockey Mom: Republican

Soccer Mom: Drives mini-van
Hockey Mom: SUV with 250,000 miles on it driving to tournaments

Soccer Mom: Spends $200 per year on youth sports
Hockey Mom: Spends $10,000 per year on youth sports

Soccer Mom: Barely watches game while gabbing with the gals about tomorrow's Mahjong get-together
Hockey Mom: Yells at ref and intimidates opposing players

Soccer Mom: Fools around with tennis pro at country club
Hockey Mom: Sleeps with kid's hockey coach to get son on #1 Power Play unit

Soccer Mom: Has white collar career at Honeywell
Hockey Mom: Has second job to help pay for Power Skating Camp in Summer

Soccer Mom: Hosts bake sale to raise money for team
Hockey Mom: Billets three extra kids to help pay second mortgage

Soccer Mom: Reads Vanity Fair in spare time
Hockey Mom: Has Blog, MySpace Page & Hockey's Future Message Board Thread about her hockey playing kid to attract scouts attention

Here is what Puck Daddy had to say on this story. Again, I am giddy with this selection.

What we do know about Palin: She's a hockey mom. To the point where author Kaylene Johnson pimped that fact in her book "Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down." Palin's son Track (Middle name: Enfield) played for the Alaska Avalanche Junior A team and then a AAA midget team in Michigan before leaving to become an infantryman in the U.S. Army last September.

Let's face it: Soccer moms are sooooooooo 1996. Hockey moms are where it's at in 2008. They're more dedicated, they're more antagonistic (video not available, but you've seen it) and, in some cases, they're just plain hotter.

(Side note: Is the movie too obscure for news organizations to use "Mystery, Alaska" in headlines today about an obscure VP pick?)

Actually, McCain had two good choices to boost his hockey cred: Hockey mom Palin and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who not only plays the game but famously joked that his wife was more likely to watch a hockey game than have sex with him. Which might be one reason why he won't be at McCain's side today ...

Of course, if hockey cred meant anything when it comes to the White House, things might have turned out a bit differently for John Kerry.

FSSN hockey broadcast schedule.

Thanks to Sprig for posting this on Sioux Sports. It is nice that we get three away games carried as well. I am very excited that we get to see the Sioux take on Running with the Dogs favorite college hockey team the UMD bulldogs in the DECC.

FIGHTING SIOUX SPORTS NETWORK 2008-2009 Season
Sunday 10/5/08
Hockey – Manitoba 6:00pm

Saturday 10/18/08
Football – Western Washington 1:00pm

Friday 10/31/08
Hockey – Wisconsin 7:30pm (Z)

Saturday 11/1/08
Hockey – Wisconsin 7:00pm

Friday 11/14/08
Hockey – Alaska 7:30pm

Saturday 11/15/08
Hockey – Alaska 7:00pm

Friday 11/21/08
Hockey – UM-Duluth (away) 7:30pm (Z)

Saturday 11/22/08
Hockey – UM-Duluth (away) 7:00pm

Friday 11/28/08
Hockey – Cornell 7:30pm

Saturday 11/29/08
Hockey – Cornell 7:00pm

Friday 12/12/09
Hockey – St. Cloud State 7:30pm (Z)

Saturday 12/13/09
Hockey – St. Cloud State 7:00pm

Friday 12/19/09
Hockey – US Under-18 Team 7:30pm

Friday 1/2/09
Hockey – Bemidji State (away) 7:30pm

Saturday 1/3/09
Hockey – Bemidji State (home) 7:00pm

Friday 1/9/09
Hockey – Minnesota 7:30pm

Saturday 1/10/09
Hockey – Minnesota 7:00pm

Friday 1/23/09
Hockey – Denver 7:30pm (Z)

Saturday 1/24/09
Hockey – Denver 7:00pm

Friday 2/13/09
Hockey – MSU-Mankato 7:30pm

Saturday 2/14/09
Hockey – MSU-Mankato 7:00pm

Saturday 2/28/09
Hockey – Colorado College 3:30pm (Z)

Sunday 3/1/09
Hockey – Colorado College 3:30pm

Fr/Sa/Su 3/13 - 3/15/09
Hockey – WCHA Playoffs TBA

REA not getting a regional...

I was hoping that UND would get a regional in 2010 or 2011 but it would appear that NCAA is moving away from campus sites after all of the whining that has taken place by coaches, fans and college administrators the last few years.

So if we are going to neutral sites why does Minnesota get a regional in their back yard? Seriously, someone needs to tell Hockey Committee Chairman Joel Maturi, who I might add is from the University of Minnesota, that the Xcell energy center in St. Paul, Minnesota is not a neutral site. The Xcel energy center is 7 miles from the campus of the University of Minnesota. You are going to be hosting a game in your back yard. I can see fans unhappy with that one as well. Fort Wayne is a horrible selection for a NCAA hockey regional can we say empty building, so it will be a neutral site.

Midwest and West Regionals Awarded Through 2011.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Aug. 28) — The NCAA Ice Hockey Committee has set the sites for the NCAA Championships all the way through 2011 with the announcement of the West and Midwest Regionals for 2010 and 2011.

In 2010, Notre Dame will host the Midwest regional from March 27-28 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind. and the West regional will be hosted by Minnestoa at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. from March 26-27.

Michigan Tech will host the Midwest regional at the ReschCenter in Green Bay, Wis. from March 26-27, 2011 and the CCHA will host the West regional at Scottrade Center in St. Louis on March 25-26, 2011.

Of the four sites only the Resch Center has held a regional before, with Wisconsin coming out of this regional en route to the championship in 2006.

But both the Xcel Center and the Scottrade Center have hosted the Frozen Four. The Xcel Center hosted the Frozen Four in 2002 with Minnesota winning and will host it again in 2011. In 2006 Scottrade Center hosted the Frozen Four with Michigan State taking the title.

This will be the first time the NCAA Ice Hockey Championships will have a regional in the state of Indiana.

“We focused on selecting sites that have NHL size ice sheets and are in neutral buildings,” said Ice Hockey Committee Chairman Joel Maturi, the AD of Minnesota. “We really feel that each of these buildings will showcase college hockey, give our student-athletes a tremendous experience and help take our championship to another level.”

The announcements round of the sites for all of the regionals and Frozen Fours until 2011.

Previously the 2010 and 2011 East and Northeast regional sites were awarded. The 2010 East regional will be held at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. and will behosted by ECAC Hockey and Rensselaer from March 26-27 and the Northeast regional will be held at DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. and will be hosted by Holy Cross from March 27-28.

The 2011 East regional will be held at the Bridgeport Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn. and be hosted by Yale and Fairfield on March 25-26 and the Northeast regional will be held at the Verizon Wireless Center in Manchester, N.H.and be hosted by New Hampshire on March 26-27.

Next year the Frozen Four will be in Washington, D.C.’s Verizon Center, the 2010 Frozen Four will be at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., the 2011 Frozen Four at the Xcel Center in St. Paul, Minn. and the 2012 Frozen Four will be at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla.

QMJHL to get tough on brawling.

Check out this video, this is the reason the QMJHL decided to punished players that get into brawls and and acts of gratuitous violence. While the QMJHL didn't ban fighting out right they will punish player more severly who participate in brawls like the one that Patrick Roy's son was involved in. I honestly think Fighting has a place in hockey and to think other wise is silly, however, there is no reason for the goalies to be fighting. If you watch the video you will see that Patrick gave his son the green light to go fight the other goalie. Notice the other goalie doesn't fight back. That folks is a busch league move and that goes against the code. My hat goes out to the player that challenged Roy to a fight.

Tougher penalties, but no outright fighting ban in Quebec junior league
Bill Beacon, THE CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL - There will be tougher sanctions on brawling, but no outright ban on fighting in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season.

A committee examining hockey violence following a melee during the playoffs in the spring did not include an automatic ejection for fighting among the 31 recommendations in a report submitted to the league’s board of governors on Saturday in Victoriaville, Que.

Instead, it calls for stiffer penalties for brawling and other acts of “gratuitous violence,”’ for files to be kept on repeat offenders, better support for players, coaches and officials and an anti-violence campaign.

The governors are to decide whether to adopt the recommendations at a meeting in Montreal on Sept. 8, a day before the regular season begins.

“There was a consensus not to punish through ejection players who voluntarily get into a fight,” said Jacques Letellier, co-president of the committee along with former national women’s team coach Daniele Sauvageau. “There were those for and against it.

“We opted to strengthen the penalties without adopting an automatic ejection.”

League commissioner Gilles Courteau did not rule out a ban on fighting when the committee was announced in May on the urging of Quebec sports minister Michelle Courchesne, following a savage attack by Quebec Remparts goaltender Jonathan Roy on Chicoutimi Sagueneens goalie Bobby Nadeau.

Video of Roy beating on Nadeau, who did not fight back, were shown repeatedly on television newscasts, raising debate about violence in junior and minor hockey.

Quebec justice officials did not wait for the league to police itself, but brought a charge of one count of assault against Roy, 19. He is set to appear in court Sept. 16 and may be fined up to $2,000 with six months in prison.

Courteau did not comment on the recommendations, other than to say the committee did exactly what it was asked.

“The league’s hockey operations committee will now take the time it needs to analyze the recommendations,” Courteau said. “I assure you the league will make the appropriate decisions.”

The recommendations include:

- A plan to communicate clearly the rules and sanctions for brawling and other acts of violence to all players, coaches and teams, as well as an anti-violence awareness campaign.

-Hiring resource people or counsellors that players, coaches and officials can turn too confidentially on questions of violence, harassment, intimidation or other issues.

- A charter of values and a code of ethics for the league.

-That two referees be used in all games, that a supervisor of officials attend all games and better training be provided for officials.

-Penalties for abusive talk on the ice, particularly during stoppages in play, and a ban on anyone other than a team captain or coach from talking to officials.

-Files to be kept on players’ and coaches’ histories of major penalties, misconducts and ejections, plus automatic one-game suspensions for players after four misconducts or match penalties.

-Automatic fines for coaches whose players commit acts of gratuitous violence.

-Stiffer suspensions or other sanctions for acts of violence. They include automatic one-game suspensions for major and gross misconduct penalties for everything from high-sticking and boarding to spitting at an opponent, and a five-game suspension and $1,000 fine to the player and a two-game suspension for his coach for leaving the bench to fight.

Courteau said Courchesne would be informed of the board of governors decisions as soon as they are voted upon.

He said the goal in forming the committee was to assure players and their parents that the league was taking measures to control violence in hockey. He said some of the measures were planned even before the Roy-Nadeau incident.

It remains to be seen if what the league adopts will be enough for Courchesne.

This week, she voiced approval for a report by Hockey Quebec outlining much stiffer penalties for violence in minor hockey.

In that report, players who fight, instigate, or jump into an on-ice brawl as a third combatant will be suspended for two games on a first offence. A second offence puts the player out for four games and means a trip before a disciplinary committee.

A third offence brings an indefinite suspension.

Former Badger Chelios wants to play till he is 50.

I had to take a second look at what was said here; Chris Chelios is no spring chicken he is 46 years old, that is the oldest player to get his name on Lord Stanley's Cup, that is no small feat folks.

Agent: Chelios will re-sign with Red Wings
Posted by George James Malik August 23, 2008 16:53PM
The Sporting News's Craig Custance spoke to Detroit Red Wings defenceman Chris Chelios's agent, Tom Reich, and Reich confirms that Chelios will re-sign with the Red Wings shortly: August 23, Sporting News Today: The delay in the Chris Chelios signing? Don't read anything into it, agent Tom Reich said. The Red Wings want a deal, Chelios wants to keep playing in Detroit. It's just a matter of Detroit GM Ken Holland and Chelios making it official.

"These last couple years, they've just been working it out together," Reich told Sporting News Today. "Chelly wants to be there, should be there, his family is there and his boys are hockey players in the area. He is committed to that and he's on a very special team."

According to Reich, money is rarely an issue with Chelios. Instead, playing on a winning team in an area where his family is comfortable outweighs maximizing every last penny.

"Right now, his mind is on a fifth Stanley Cup," Reich said.

And don't talk about retirement, either. He's the oldest player in the league, and oldest to ever win the Stanley Cup. But at 46, Chelios is in as good of shape as anyone in the league.

"He works like nobody I've ever seen," Reich said. "He really does want to play until he's 50."

Hey Sundin would you make a decision?

I am begining to wonder if hockey fans are ever going to have a answer. Hey Mats please make a decision, it really isn't all that though. 1.) You're either going to play hockey this season or 2.) Yyou are not going to play. What is wrong with some of these guys?

Execs want Sundin's answer
Wednesday August 27
Mats Sundin's decision on his future may or may not come this week. While teams slowly start to get ready to go back to work with the opening of training camp less than three weeks away, many are wondering what the 37-year-old captain of the Maple Leafs is going to do this season. With several teams -- including the Leafs, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and Philadelphia Flyers -- making pitches for Sundin, the unrestricted free agent center is at home in Sweden weighing his options and trying to decide if he's even going to suit up this season. Oddly enough, the teams involved in the sweepstakes aren't the only ones who wish that Sundin would make a decision. Several teams trying to make moves are being handcuffed because if Sundin does decide to play, then it's going to affect how much they spend under the $56.8-million salary cap.

Gophers get two home regionals in a row.

This was posted on Brad's blog today. Nothing like stacking the deck in the Gophers favor. I can just imagine we will hear some silly statements about how the Xcel energy center isn't a home game for the Gophers. Yeah OK... The Xcel energy center is is a nice arena and a great venue for the Sioux to stomp the Gophers yet again.

Maybe the NCAA will send the Sioux out east. I see some nice venues out east as well. I can imagine we will hear complaining from some fans about teams holding regionals on their home arenas. The Xcel energy center will drawl well and will be a great place to watch a regional and the regional will sell a lot of tickets if the Gophers make the regional.

Xcel Center to host 2010 regional
The Xcel Energy Center and Minnesota have been awarded the 2010 West Regional, the school announced today. That means the Gophers will host the next two West Regionals. This season's is at Mariucci.

Future sites:

2009
Northeast: Manchester, N.H.
East: Bridgeport, Conn.
West: Minneapolis (Mariucci)
Midwest: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Frozen Four: Washington, D.C.

2010
Northeast: Worcester, Mass.
East: Albany, N.Y.
West: St. Paul (Xcel)
Midwest: Fort Wayne, Ind.
Frozen Four: Detroit (Ford Field)

2011
Northeast: Manchester, N.H.
East: Bridgeport, Conn.
West: TBA.
Midwest: TBA.
Frozen Four: St. Paul (Xcel Center)

2012
Frozen Four: Tampa

Free agents most likely to bust (Commodore)

I saw this article on Allan Muir INSIDE THE NHL. Apparently he seems to think that former Sioux Mike Commodore is not worth the 4th-highest salary on the Blue Jackets and that he is going to be a bust this season with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Oh well! I guess this is why they pay these hockey writers all of this money to pontificate about hockey during the offseason.

Free agents most likely to bust
was driving on a rural road on the outskirts of Dallas a few weeks back when I happened upon something shocking: A station selling gas at $3.49 a gallon.

Considering what it would cost to fill up a tank in town, I paid my $40 and was happy to do it.

Of course, you know what's next. The same station is at $3.29 this week, and that $40 doesn't seem like such a great deal in hindsight.

Which brings me to the central theme of today's discussion: Though the concept of what qualifies as a good value is constantly shifting, the necessity of actually finding value is constant. And that's as true for NHL teams working under the constraints of a salary cap as it is for average Joes like us who are trying to afford a full tank without the lucrative benefits of free agency.

We're still more than two months out from the start of the new season, so at this point every team that played the free agent market probably feels like it got someone it wanted at a price it was happy to pay.

But did they?

History shows that more free agent signings lead to buyer's remorse than invites to speak at bargain hunter conferences. Odds are that there'll be a few spectacular busts among this year's crop. But whose deal will look the worst by the end of the season? The contracts of Jeff Finger (Toronto), Michael Ryder (Boston), Jose Theodore (Washington) and Ryan Malone (Tampa Bay) all have raised eyebrows, but they don't have the same whiff of potential failure as these.

4. Mike Commodore (five years, $18.75 million)
Go ahead. Roll those numbers around a bit, see if you can figure out exactly what the Blue Jackets hope to get from a deal that essentially makes a No. 1 blueliner out of a guy who's better known for a wheels-off hairdo and wearing housecoats than for anything he's done on the ice. It's not just the nearly $4 million per year -- the fourth-highest salary on the team -- but the term. This is the sort of deal that will hamstring Columbus GM Scott Howson when he gets serious about building a playoff-worthy defense.

Blues have surplus of talent

Here is another article that makes mention of T.J. Oshie. I think it would be accurte tosay that there is a lot of excitement surrounding T.J. Oshie and him being in camp with the Blue this season.

CENTER T.J. Oshie -- The Blues' first-round pick in 2005 may play the wing before he gets to center his own line, but the bottom line is the Blues expect Oshie to play in the NHL this coming season.

After three successful years at the University of North Dakota, Oshie gave up his fourth collegiate season to sign his first professional contract in May. Davidson said he will be given every opportunity to make the Blues' roster coming out of training camp.

"He's a dogged hockey player and a smart hockey player," Davidson said. "He can make plays at top speed. He can play the wing or center ice. There is nothing not to like about him."

Oshie, who is 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, showed remarkable consistency at UND. He had 45 points as a freshman, 52 as a sophomore and 45 again as a junior, but he told NHL.com that if it weren't for some injuries his junior numbers would have been even better. As it is, he led the Fighting Sioux to the Frozen Four for the third straight season.

Oshie was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and a first-team West All-American as voted on by the American Hockey Coaches Association.

"Everybody comes to camp to compete for a job and he'll have to do the same thing," said Jarmo Kekalainen, the Blues Assistant GM and Director of Amateur scouting. "He's been one of the best college hockey players in the country. He was a first-round draft pick. Those are the things that build the expectation and I think he has those expectations for himself, but it does come down to how he does in September."

McPhee excited over Caps' prospects (Finley)

Here is what was posted on big Joe Finley on the Caps site.

Joe Finley -- The hulking Finley, who'll enter his senior year at the University of North Dakota, was a first-round pick (27th overall) in 2005. In addition to his intimidating frame, Finley, the prototypical defensive-defenseman, offers a great work ethic and is agile. In three seasons with the Fighting Sioux, Finley has compiled five goals, 20 assists and 245 penalty minutes in 126 games. He notched career highs in goals (four), assists (11) and points (15) in 2007-08.

Plenty of hype follows Oshie to St. Louis ...

Here is a nice article on former Sioux Star T.J. Oshie. T.J. Oshie is right there will be a lot of us Fighting Sioux fans tuning in to see how he does in the NHL. I will be renewing my NHL center Ice again, but this year I will be watching the St. Louis Blue a little more than I did in the past. T.J. Oshie is a hard working hockey player and he will expect nothing to be handed to him, Oshie will work for everything that comes his way.

Plenty of hype follows Oshie to St. Louis
No one in the St. Louis Blues organization has told T.J. Oshie that he must be on the team's NHL roster next season. No one really has to, either.

"I can sense it a little bit just from being around town," Oshie, the Blues' first-round pick in 2005, told NHL.com. "People are talking. There are expectations, but I'm not really too worried about them. I'm not letting it get to my head too much."

Oshie plans on living up to those expectations soon enough, but the hype began May 13 when he signed his first professional contract. Oshie followed that up the next day with a press conference, where he sat between Blues President John Davidson and Lars Eller, another former first-rounder who also signed his entry-level deal.

With the welcome mat rolled up now, Oshie has to show Davidson, Larry Pleau and the Blues' team of executives why he's worth all the fuss.

"He's a dogged hockey player and a smart hockey player," Davidson told NHL.com. "He can make plays at top speed. He can play the wing or center ice. There is nothing not to like about him. He'll be given every opportunity."

Oshie could have signed his first pro contract last summer, but felt another year of maturing at the University of North Dakota was warranted. He finished the season with 45 points, capping a remarkable collegiate career that included 142 points in 128 games, three trips to the Frozen Four and consideration for the Hobey Baker Award.

"Everybody comes to camp to compete for a job and he'll have to do the same thing, then we'll see where he's at," Jarmo Kekalainen, the Blues' assistant general manager and chief amateur scout, told NHL.com. "He's been one of the best college hockey players in the country. He has taken his team to the Frozen Four twice in a row as one of the best players on that team. Those are the things that build the expectation and I think he has those expectations for himself. We definitely have them, but it does come down to how he does in September."

Oshie Number: #7
Position: Center
Born: 12/23/1986
Birthplace: Mt. Vernon, WA
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 170 lbs.
Shoots: Right


Even with much to prove, Oshie said his friends and family are already thinking of booking trips to see him in St. Louis.

"The boys in North Dakota, they keep telling me I'm going to do fine and they're going to all be watching me," Oshie said. "All my family wants to make it to every game, so they're looking for tickets. It's overwhelming. I think they're ahead of themselves, but it's great. I don't think it's really going to hit me until I get to camp and see where I am."

"The boys in North Dakota, they keep telling me I'm going to do fine and they're going to all be watching me," Oshie said. "All my family wants to make it to every game, so they're looking for tickets. It's overwhelming. I think they're ahead of themselves, but it's great. I don't think it's really going to hit me until I get to camp and see where I am."

Where he is right now is at the top of the Blues' growing list of prospects, along with fellow center Patrik Berglund and Eller. Davidson and Kekalainen say Oshie and Berglund have the best shots to make the team out of training camp; but Oshie feels he'll probably make it as a winger instead of a center only because of maturity.

"I would probably guess winger right away, being a rookie," he said, "but I would like to move to the center position in the future."

Oshie admits he's nervous about coming to camp. It has nothing to do with his talent and everything to do with him not being familiar with the NHL game.

"I feel good, but I haven't skated with the big guns yet," Oshie said. "They told me to expect a faster game. The game is a lot different than it is in college. Once I adapt I should be OK. I think I'm just wondering if I will be able to keep up and be able to contribute."
(Read the rest of the article here)

Akim Aliu signs with Chicago

Steve Downie's former Junior team mate Akim Aliu was signed by the Blackhawks.

Blackhawks sign Aliu to 3-year
CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Blackhawks signed 19-year-old right wing Akim Aliu, the 56th overall pick in the 2007 draft, to a three-year contract on Monday. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The native of Nigeria played for the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights last year, scoring 28 goals with 33 assists and 133 penalty minutes in 60 games.

After being signed to an amateur tryout contract on April 4, Aliu made his professional debut with the AHL's Rockford IceHogs. Aliu posted two penalty minutes in two contests.

Bruins looking to move Kessel?

I saw this over on Mike McMahon's Bruins Hockey blog. This is not the first time I have heard these rumblings. This makes me wonder if there might be some truth to them. Maybe just maybe; Phil Kessel could be a trade deadline casualty in the spring? From reading the messages boards fodder there seems to be a bunch of impatient and unhappy Bruins fans when it comes to Phil Kessel. Also, from watching the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring, Phil Kessel was a healthy scratch for three games before being reinserted into the Boston Bruins line up; to me that was a head scratching personnel move. It makes you wonder if his days in Boston are numbered. Nothing would surprise me after watching Joe Thornton be traded from Boston for little. Let me say I am still not happy with that move.

Bruins looking to move Kessel? That’s what the rumors are saying...

If you believe the rumor mill, Peter Chiarelli is dangling Phil Kessel and P.J. Axelsson to the rest of the NHL in an attempt to acquire a puck-moving defenseman.

Umm, no thanks.

Kessel is just 20 years old. A proven goal scorer at every level in which he has played. What do I know, I’m just a sportswriter, but I saw significant strides in Kessel’s play from his freshman to sophomore season in the league, especially after he was given his little kick in the butt during this playoff series with Montreal.

It doesn’t bother me if Axelsson, who is in the last year of his contract, is dealt. I like his play, and I love the role he plays, that of a penalty killer and defensive specialist forward, but if Chiarelli doesn’t plan or doesn’t think that he will be able to re-sign the Swede, then dealing him is the right move.

Dealing Kessel, a 20-year-old sniper, is not the brighest idea.

Plus, isn’t Dennis Wideman supposed to be the puck mover? I understand the B’s need more than one on their roster, but Wideman at nearly $4 million eats a nice chunk of cap space. If the B’s are going to add another defenseman, who is good enough for a return involving Kessel, his salary would have to be in upwards of $5-$7 million. Unless your adding a youngster still on their rookie deal (ala Kessel), then the price tag will be high. And, for a team with over a $54 million cap hit as currently constituted, they can’t afford it.

If you asked me to look into my crystal ball, I’d say that both Kessel and Axe are on the B’s roster come training camp.

Check out this NHL power ranking...

I saw this over on my favorite NHL blogger puck daddy. This is USA today's Kevin Allen's pre-season power rankings. I think some this guys rankings are kind of comical.
1.) Montreal is not the number two team in the NHL. I predict they will be a 5-8 seed in the Eastern Division.
2.) So according to this clown the Wild aren't going to make the playoffs? Even with their personnel losses the boring defense minded Wild should still make the playoffs.
3.) The Bruins are better than last season with the addition of Michael Ryder and will be in the playoffs.
4.) The Lightning and the Hurricanes are ranked way too high in my opinion, both team WILL NOT make the playoffs.

1. Detroit Red Wings: The Red Wings are the New York Yankees of the NHL. You can hate them if you want, but they have more talent than any other team by far. The only caution is that there was another pro sports team in Detroit that was supposed to march to the title this summer and that didn’t go as planned.

2. Montreal Canadiens: This team may score 280-plus goals this season. Mike Komisarek is one of the more underrated players in the league. I didn’t like Bob Gainey’s decision to turn over the goaltending to Carey Price last spring, but I think he will be ready this season.

3. Pittsburgh Penguins: I’m not sure I believe Miroslav Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko can make up for the loss of Hossa and Ryan Malone. But I do believe that Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can be among the scoring leaders even if they had a trained chimpanzee on their wing. The Penguins will be in the Stanley Cup mix as long as Crosby is captain.

4. San Jose Sharks: It’s almost as if everyone has forgotten that San Jose had more regular-season wins than any NHL team except the Red Wings. Dan Boyle’s arrival will improve the transition and new coach Todd McLellan will freshen the outlook.

5. Dallas Stars: With Sean Avery now joining Brenden Morrow and Steve Ott, this team will have the annoyance factor of fingernails across a chalkboard. They have enough offense now and their goaltending and defense is better than you think.

6. Anaheim Ducks: You have every right to worry about whether this team has enough offense, particularly if Teemu Selanne doesn’t come back. But as long as they boast Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger anchoring the defense, they will be in contention.

7. New Jersey Devils: Marty Brodeur is still king of the goaltenders and the defense is dependable, and that means their goals-against total will again be in the 210 range at the end of the season. They will be in the hunt.

8. Washington Capitals: As I’ve mentioned before, this is the NHL’s most intriguing team. I usually don’t believe it’s advisable to sign players to contracts over five years, but I think the Capitals' move of signing Ovechkin to 13 years was shrewd. He eventually will be to the Washington Capitals what Gordie Howe was to the Red Wings.

9. Calgary Flames: Mike Keenan, Jarome Iginla and Dion Phaneuf are painful to play against. Keenan is also painful to play for. The Flames need more goals, but their defense and goalkeeping are enough to carry them.

10. New York Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist is No. 2 behind Brodeur among Eastern goalies. Regardless of how the offseason moves work, he keeps the Rangers in the hunt.

11. Ottawa Senators: I don’t like their goaltending, but I still like their offense. Who’s betting that Martin Gerber doesn’t finish the season as the team’s No. 1 goalie?

12. Tampa Bay Lightning: Owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie moved around their pieces this summer like they were running a pea and shell game. It’s difficult to know exactly where they are at right now, but they have a lineup that fascinates me. I honestly don’t know if they will be first or last in their division, but my hunch is they could improve as dramatically as the Flyers did this past season.

13. Buffalo Sabres: Tomas Vanek scored 36 scored at 23 and somehow fans view him as a disappointment because the Sabres are paying him a bundle. Daniel Briere and Chris Drury left and Jason Pominville and Derek Roy stepped up. They look like a playoff team to me.

14. Philadelphia Flyers: Paul Holmgren is a rising managerial star. He runs wide open in his race to make this team a contender. He seems to manage with intensity, looking at every possible scenario. He manages the way he played.

15. Carolina Hurricanes: The Canes were 10 games over .500 last year and were banged up all season with injuries. If Cam Ward is sharp, this will be Hurricane season.

16. Chicago Blackhawks: This is my guilty pleasure selection. Sure they aren't there yet, but I like the direction Dale Tallon has them headed.

Puck Daddy on the Wild and the Bruins not being in the top 16.

On the outside of the top 16, after making the playoffs last season: The Nashville Predators, Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche. Obviously, Colorado's chances rest on the respective hearts of Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg, and some rather questionable goaltending. Russian millions probably put the Predators out of the postseason. But Minnesota and Boston aren't top 16 teams? If nothing else, their coaches will continue to strangle the life out of opponents (and, on some nights, the joy out of hockey) to ensure their positions in the standings.

14 year old commits to the Badgers.

I think this is a must read, I mean really; most 14 year old kids are not even usually playing high school hockey yet, well in most cases. If the are on the varsity they are freshman. I think the NCAA needs to start looking into what age is TOO young to commit to a scholarship. So what if this kid doesn't develop? Does Wisconsin still have to honor their commitment and still give him a scholarship if he stops developing as a hockey players? I would imagine not. There are going to be other question if it still hands off for other colleges to make a pitch to recruit him? Don Lucia has been on record as saying he would like to see the gentleman's agreement go away. These are legitimate questions.

Q & A with 14-year-old hockey recruit
By Mark Stewart
Thursday, Aug 21 2008, 09:07 AM

Madison - Last night, I spoke with Jordn Schmaltz, the 14-year-old hockey player who created a buzz by committing to the Badgers before he started high school. It was a brief conversation, but he came across as a solid, mature kid. He didn't give a lot of long answers but seemed comfortable talking to a reporter. I don't know what I would have said if someone interviewed me when I was 14.

Does that make him ready to choose a college? Time will tell. Here is what he and his father, Mike, had to say.

Jordan Schmaltz

Q: It's not often that a 14-year-old commits to a college. Why now? What made you decide that this was the right time to get your college choice out of the way?

A: I just felt I really liked the campus and I really liked the coaches as well. I thought this would be a perfect fit for me to go to college.

Q: Being from Verona, are you a fan of the program? Do you follow them closely?

A: I have season tickets.

Q: How long has Wisconsin shown interest in you?

A: (Since) the national camp for players. It's supposed to be the best 200 kids go to this camp and at the Central District tryout is when I think they started to look at me. That was early May.

Q: Did you commit to UW after making an unofficial visit?

A: Yeah on Friday, August 15.

Q: Describe your playing style and strengths.

A: I'm an offensive defenseman. I like to join the play. I can quarterback a power play. I'm a pretty good skater. That is how I'd describe myself.

Q: Did the way this whole process unfolded surprise you? What were your thoughts when UW offered you a scholarship?

A: After the season where we actually got second in nationals, I didn't think I would be committing to a college before I started high school, but I guess it happened. I was pretty surprised.

Q: What has been people's reaction to your decision to play for UW and deciding so early?

A: I guess they were kind of shocked. They didn't know what committed means. Are you actually going to play? Does it really mean anything? Kind of shocked is what I'd put it as.

Q: Considering there is so much time between now and the time you'd sign at UW, how committed is your commitment? Some times players commit and then have a change of heart or they give what is called a soft commitment. How strong is your commitment?

A: This is where I want to go and I don't think I'd ever back out of it.

Q: Had you any other scholarship offers at this point?

A: I took a visit to North Dakota. Notre Dame I was actually going to go on a visit until Wisconsin had offered me a scholarship. So I was just going to see how every campus was but I toured UW. I just felt this was the place that I want to go

Gomez to Minnesota?

Here is a entertaining rumor from Eklund The Anonymous Hockey Blogger. I don't see that happening because Gomez and Gabby are two different types of players Marian Gaborik scores goals he had 42 of them last season and well Gomez doesn't score as many goals as Gabby. 42 > 16... This would be a one sided deal.

Had a long day of travel and I am just now getting to all of the emails and texts from various sources now that the Gomez rumours have begun.

One source told me that although he has heard that Vancouver is the likely destination that Gomez would end up should Sundin sign with the NY Rangers in the next few days don't think for a second that Edmonton and Minnesota won't also get involved.

"I heard a Gomez for Gaborik rumour (this morning)...of course this wouldn't help the cap situation for the NY Rangers, but Gaborik who is in the last year of his deal could come to NY and Minnesota would get a player in Gomez who is under contract for some time."

Another source, connected to the Oilers since the W days said, "It is no seret that the Oilers were VERY in on Gomez on July 1 2007 and I am quite sure that if he becomes available they are in line."

Is there a spot for Steve Downie?

I found this over on Hockeybuzz.com and it appears that Steve the Hack Downie might not have a place in the Flyer's lineup. It makes a person wonder if his antics are welcome even in Philly?

Today's question: How and where does Steve Downie fit in the Flyer's starting lineup?

It's a question that neither John Stevens nor Paul Holmgren can answer at the moment.

But if the regular season were to start today and the Flyers opened the season with a fully healthy lineup, chances are that the Flyers' 2005 first-round pick would find himself in the same place where he spent much of the stretch drive and the playoffs: as a coach's decision scratch.

The numbers game works against Downie right now. There are four centers (Mike Richards, Daniel Briere, Jeff Carter and Glen Metropolit) and six wingers (Simon Gagne, Scott Hartnell, Joffrey Lupul, Mike Knuble, Scottie Upshall and Arron Asham) who are virtual locks to be in the opening night starting lineup.

Rookie Claude Giroux has the inside track to earning a starting spot in the lineup, playing either on the Briere or Carter line (personally, I prefer the latter). He would have to have an exceptionally poor camp to end up on the Phantoms, and I don't see that happening. So now we're up to 11 starting forwards.

Enforcer Riley Cote is likely to continue to dress as the 12th and final starting forward, at least during the regular season.

Guess who that leaves as a scratch, no matter what he does during the preseason: Steve Downie. Barring a trade of another winger before the season (which remains a distinct possibility with the Flyers' cap problems), the only way Downie would start on opening night would be if there's an injury or if someone played himself out of a job in camp.

Was Bill Howard forced out in Madison?

I saw this over on Brad Elliott Schlossman's blog this morning and according to Andy Baggot of The Wisconsin State Journal coach Howard's departure might not be 100% amicable.

I would imagine that there are probably a few teams (high school, college, junior and possibly professional) that would love to have a guy like Howard mentoring their young goalies. In my opinion the guy is a genius.

Bill Howard stepping down as Badger goaltending coach

I just saw this story this morning and this is a big time lose to the Badgers. Bill Howard is known for developing young collegiate goaltenders into the Badgers system.

MADISON, Wis. — He's coached some college hockey's top goaltenders -- many of whom went on to long NHL careers -- and is the only person to have been a part of all six of Wisconsin's national titles. Now, after 36 years, Badgers hockey assistant and goaltending Coach Bill Howard is stepping down.

"I wish to thank all the wonderful support staff, the three head coaches that I worked for (the late Bob Johnson, Jeff Sauer and Mike Eaves), the past and present administration, all the media personnel, the players and specifically all of the great goalies that I had the opportunity to work with and coach over the past four decades," Howard said in a statement.

"Although this was a long thought out and difficult decision for me and my family to make, their support, thoughts, insight and understanding made this decision much easier to make. I am fortunate at this time to have many other opportunities as a goalie consultant and coach.

"I still have a great passion for teaching and coaching players and goalies at all age levels. I therefore am not retiring from coaching but simply moving in a different direction. It's been a lot of fun, a great run, and has been very rewarding."

Eaves had Howard as part of the staff for the program's most recent national title, with Brian Elliott in net.

“Bill Howard has been an invaluable part of the Wisconsin family and tradition for 36 years. One constant in life is change and Coach Howard feels that the time is right for this change in his life. We wish him nothing but the best health and success in the future," Eaves said.

Howard coached, among others, Curtis Joseph and Mike Richter -- two standout NHL performers

Jaspers' Rink addresses realingment

Jaspers' Rink has a realignment plan that I really like. I think the NHL should look into this. I would love to go back to the old Norris days. This realignment would renew the old rivalries 1.) Detroit and Minnesota, 2.) Minnesota and Chicago and finally 3.) St Louis and Minnesota. I would also be able to see more of Former Sioux players T. J. Oshie and Jonathon Toews.

1. Realignment. I wouldn't even have my jacket off or feet up on Gary Bettman's desk before this was a done deal. Here's how the new divisions would look:
Wales Conference, Adams Division: BOS, BUF, MTL, NJD, NYI, NYR, OTT, TOR
Wales Conference, Patrick Division: ATL, CAR, FLA, PHI, PIT, TBL, WSH
Campbell Conference, Norris Division: CHI, CLM, COL, DET, MIN, NSH, STL

Campbell Conference, Sunbelt Division: ANA, CGY, DAL, EDM, LAK, PHX, SJS, VAN

Head size related to penalty minutes (Commodore)

I found this story on line. I find it interesting. I remember reading about studies like this when I was in college but I honestly didn't think people still conducted studies like this today.

Hockey fatheads end up in the penalty box more often: study
Joanne Laucius, Canwest News Service
Published: Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Fatheaded hockey players are more aggressive than their slimmer-faced counterparts, a St. Catharines, Ont., study has found.

Results of the study published Wednesday in the prestigious Proceedings of the Royal Society, concluded of the six Canadian-based NHL teams, the faces of the Ottawa Senators are dead giveaways when it comes to predicting how much time players spend in the penalty box.

"We're not saying that Ottawa is more aggressive than any other team. But each individual player's face predicts how much time he had in the box," said Brock University neuroscience researcher Justin Carre.

Carre, who studies fluctuations in hormone levels, wanted to test recent theories that link male facial width-to-height ratio to behaviour such as aggression. Changes in male facial shape start at puberty, when boys are exposed to the influences of testosterone, a hormone that also sparks aggressive behaviour.

The researcher devised a lab experiment comparing facial ratios of a group of student volunteers with their aggressiveness while playing a video game.

The measurements, performed with the help of a digital ruler, compare the width of the face at the cheekbones with the height between the bottom of the eyebrows and the upper lip. An unusually wide male face has a ratio of about 2.3, while a relatively narrow face has a ratio of about 1.6.

Among the male students, those with wide faces were more likely to play the video game aggressively, even downright vengefully.

Carre, who had played American college level hockey and is currently assistant coach of the Brock Badgers, decided to take the theory into the real world.

"We wanted to come up with the idea of readily-available statistics - penalty minutes," said Cheryl McCormick, co-author of the paper and the Canada research chair in behavioural neuroscience at Brock.

He shifted his gaze to the NHL and calculated the facial ratio for the players on Canada's NHL_teams using 2007-2008 roster photos and compared the results with the average number of penalty minutes per game the player racked up for aggressive behaviour such as slashing, cross-checking, high-sticking, boarding, elbowing, checking from behind and fighting. Goalies were not analyzed.

Of the 18 Senators, Carre looked at defenceman Mike Commodore, who has since left the Senators, with a facial ratio of about 1.6 and only about a minute per game in the penalty box, was at the low end of the scale.

Right-winger Chris Neil, with a facial ratio of almost 2.4 and about three minutes per game in the box, was at the opposite end. "(Chris) Neil was off the chart in the face ratio," said Carre.

Of the Canadian teams the Ottawa Senators had the strongest "correlation" between facial width and aggression - although overall, the Senators were relatively gentlemanly players with relatively few penalties.

The teams had an average correlation ranking of .30. The Senators scored the highest with .51, with the Montreal Canadiens next at .39, closely followed by the Toronto Maple Leafs at .37. The Vancouver Canucks rated .24, followed by the Edmonton Oilers at .20 and the Calgary Flames at .17.

Brian Morris, a spokesman for the Senators, was at a loss for a comment on Carre's findings. It would be hard to draw conclusions based on facial measurements working from photographs alone, he suggested.

"Seemingly, it's more of a theory than a scientific fact," he said.

Carre spent Wednesday juggling requests from the international media to perform his calculations on the faces of other sports figures, mostly British footballers.

And Carre believes there's a fascinating follow-up study to be done on how facial ratios affect hockey referees. Perhaps wide-faced players are more likely to be penalized than players whose faces are less threatening.

"It might have implications for the type of officiating they get," he said.

Ottawa Citizen

Myles Brand is at it again.

Here is the latest from Myles Brand. I mean seriously folks, we all know college athletes shouldn't be paid for their efforts on the field they are amateurs. I thought we debunked the arguments for paying college athelets a long time ago. I can't wait till this guy is done at the NCAA.

Pay for play is fine. But not in college sports - Aug 21, 2008
posted by: Myles Brand

Let's be clear.

There is nothing wrong with paying athletes to play sports. Professional sports is big business in America. The athletes, as a labor force, are rightly paid what the market will bear. That's the professional model.

But it isn't the right approach for the collegiate model of sports.
For the professional model, the bottom line is...well...the bottom line. For the collegiate model, the bottom line is education. In the professional model, the athletes are commodities who can be traded to meet market needs. In the collegiate model, the athletes are students.

For the last couple of weeks, I've written about the two reasons most people give for why student-athletes should be paid.

The first one is the capitalism argument. Big-time college sports, especially football and men's basketball, is big business. Student-athletes are a significant part of that capitalism machine and are generating the revenue. As labor, as with their professional counterpart, they have a right to share in the money they help bring in.

It's an appealing argument, but it doesn't hold up. Neither higher education, of which college sports is only a small part, nor intercollegiate athletics is truly capitalistic. They do not generate revenue to make a profit; they generate revenue to fulfill a purpose, to meet the mission of higher education. If they were models of capitalism, many academic programs and nearly all sports other than football and men's basketball would be dropped because they are too costly and do not generate enough revenue to pay their own way.

In fact, based on that model a large number - 30 to 40 percent in Division I - of the football and men's basketball programs would shut down because they fail even to cover their own costs.

The second argument is that it just isn't fair. Everyone else gets paid - some of the coaches get paid millions. Why shouldn't student-athletes?

Another appealing argument, but as flawed as the first. While it is true that student-athletes are the only amateurs in amateur college sports, the collegiate model has never been otherwise. Like every other human resource on campus, coaches, athletics directors, trainers, and all the other personnel in an athletics department are paid based on the demands of the market. We can argue, fairly in my opinion, that the market for coaches at the highest levels is artificially inflated by professional sports and may be damaging to the propriety of higher education as a whole.

The second argument is that it just isn't fair. Everyone else gets paid - some of the coaches get paid millions. Why shouldn't student-athletes?

Another appealing argument, but as flawed as the first. While it is true that student-athletes are the only amateurs in amateur college sports, the collegiate model has never been otherwise. Like every other human resource on campus, coaches, athletics directors, trainers, and all the other personnel in an athletics department are paid based on the demands of the market. We can argue, fairly in my opinion, that the market for coaches at the highest levels is artificially inflated by professional sports and may be damaging to the propriety of higher education as a whole.

But the idea that a market should be created for the employment of students to play sports because it is only fair would benefit only a few individuals in only a couple of sports on only a handful of campuses where revenues exceed expenses. Such a market would disadvantage all other student-athletes who would unquestionably be deprived of opportunities to participate so that revenues could be reallocated to compensate the lucky few.

Nothing fair about that.

These arguments, as appealing as they are around the water cooler or in the sports bar, miss the point. College sports has survived as a component of campus for a century and a half now for two reasons: 1) Those who play are students, and 2) Intercollegiate athletics shares in the driving purpose of higher education - to educate students.
I know. That collective groan I hear rising is the chorus of cynics singing in unison, "Come on, Brand, give us a break."

To be sure, there are athletes playing college sports who have little or no intention of being a student. After 40 years in the classroom, as a philosophy professor, I can tell you that lack of sincerity isn't confined to athletes. You will find it all over campus. And, clearly, there are coaches who care much more about X's and O's than about A's and B's.

There are abuses and abusers.

But the majority of student-athletes - including those in the sports of football and men's basketball - would be or would want to be in college whether they are athletes or not. Some have the opportunity to be students only because of athletics, including young men and women from low-income families. The driving purpose of higher education all over campus, including athletics, is to educate. And on average, more student-athletes earn their degree than all the other students. Ten years after enrollment, 88 percent of all student-athletes earn their degrees!

It requires professionals and lots of money to carry out the higher education mission. We understand that.

But somehow, the obvious and even noble acquiring of money to finance the mission of higher education is characterized as little more than a ravenous greed for filthy lucre when it comes to financing the mission of intercollegiate athletics.

Intercollegiate athletics is not the entertainment division of the higher education business; it enhances the educational experience of student-athletes. Student-athletes are not a human resource in the great business machine of intercollegiate athletics; they are the object of intercollegiate athletics.

Professional athletes are paid because playing sports is their job. Playing sports is not the job of student-athletes.

They are amateurs at it.

Gee Myles we know they are amateurs.