Herald practices gutter journalism.

Our friend the Whistler from sayanythingblog.com has an interesting article on the city beats Tu-Uyen Tran and his shameful example of gutter journalism.

The Herald “reporter” says that the person who brought this up has an affidavit that this happened, but can’t find it right now. I realize that they are claiming that they are only reporting on the accusation, not the underlying baseless charge. But the fact is that this is a smear put on by the Editor and reporter of the Grand Forks Herald.

The Herald’s also been reporting unfounded accusations that the Ralph Engelstad Arena people have been flooding the reservation with money to pass this referendum. Of course the Herald’s reporter hasn’t been able to come up with any examples so once again he’s stuck reporting what the opponents say. It seems to me that the reporter could at least bother to find out how that money is supposedly being spent.

I guess trying to confirm a news story isn’t important when you’re on a moral crusade.

Not only is Ralph Engelstad the largest benefactor ever for a North Dakota college, his gift was one of the top gifts at the time of his death and is probably still in the top ten for the country.

I wish I was paying for a subscription to the Herald because if I was I’d be canceling it Monday morning.

Update: I’ve never done this before but I want to ask the Grand Forks Readers to send this story around. To do so you can click on the share button right under the title of the post. We need to show the Herald were outraged by the smear.
(Read the whole article right here)

Here is a hint to the second rate city beat writer Tu-Uyen Tran if you don't have a signed affidavit that someone claims they have it doesn't exist and until you have this alleged affidavit it in your hot little hand it doesn't exist and it's nothing more than tabloid conjecture. I would think ethically you shouldn't have wrote this story. This is nothing more than a dirty rumor or an urban legend that isn't going to be confirmed or never will be, but don't worry you got that story out.

Let's not let facts get into the way of a good story right. I would be willing to bet that you have no intentions of getting the signed affidavit that doesn't exist it either. Another point is your just trying to cloud the waters and muck up the story so eventually UND will be forced to change the name, but hey you had the story that got everyone riled up.

I also find it funny that that when the anti-name change crowd begins to lose the debate of ideas they resorts to dirty tricks and tactis the Herald city beat reporter plays right into their hands. If it wasn't for the coverage of the Sioux hockey beat writer I would cancel this rag and never pay another dime for this leftist rag. Mike Jacobs is a second rate editor at a back water newspaper and is by far one of the worst editors in the state of North Dakota that never lets facts get in the way of a good story. Maybe the people of Grand Forks should boycott the Grand Forks Herald?

The origins

It’s difficult to convey the impact of the alleged Engelstad quote containing the racial epithet, but the Herald is choosing not to repeat it because the newspaper cannot verify its origin.

Terry Morgan, another anti-nickname organizer, said Friday that opponents had a “signed affidavit” from a witness who allegedly heard the damning quote but that he’d have to find it.

The Herald could not reach him Saturday to see if he found the document.

Morgan said the witness was a white bartender who served two men in 1997. The men said terrible things about Indians in the course of a conversation about the Fighting Sioux nickname. The bartender thought one of the men was Ralph Engelstad and checked with his manager, who verified it was.

Morgan noted that the bartender said he was proud of the nickname until he heard those words.

Jody Hodgson, the general manager of Ralph Engelstad Arena and a representative of the foundation, questioned the timing of the allegation. This quote was spoken 12 years ago, he said, but it is just now emerging in the middle of a contentious political campaign.

Milan Lucic to the principals office.

TSN is reporting that Milan Lucic is being sent to Colin Campbell's office for a hearing for his cross check to the chops on Lapierre's with 4:00 + minutes left in the game. Maybe while the Bruins are at the league office they should show some of the game film of Hab's hack Mike Komisarek and how he is trying to gouge the Bruins player's eyes out. While the cross check may or may not warrant a suspension (it probably does) Komisarek is going to blind someone or hurt their eyes with his bush league face scrapes. I thought it was only the Gophers players that did these bush league moves. (tongue in cheek)

TSN ---- Sources say Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic will have a disciplinary hearing with NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell today.

The exact time of the hearing hasn't been set.

Lucic received a minor and match penalty for crosschecking Montreal's Maxim Lapierre in the neck and head late in the third period of Boston's 5-1 win over the Canadiens.

Following Game 2, the Bruins, hoping to avoid losing one of their stars to suspension, submitted a video clip to Campbell they believe shows Lucic's gloved hand striking Lapierre's neck and head before his stick.

It will be up to Campbell to decide whether all of the factors, including the time of the game, score and Lucic's reaction to Lapierre, who approached the Boston forward in defense of Montreal's Mathieu Schneider add up to a suspension.

Bruins go up 2-0 on the Habs. (Lucic suspension coming)

Nothing pleases me more than watching the Habs go down to defeat against the Bruins.
It has been a long time since the Big Bad Bruins have played this well or this physical. This years team is big, fast and agressive and when they play their game they are very hard to beat.

Lucic to be suspended? It would appear that a suspension is coming for Milan Lucic.

While the Bruins hold all the momentum now that they are up 2-0 in the series, they likely will be without sparkplug Milan Lucic for Game 3, if not longer, for a third period incident in which Lucic cross-checked Montreal’s Maxim Lapierre in the face. Lucic received a two-minute cross checking minor and match penalty on the play.

“(The match penalty) means he is automatically suspended, pending a review,”league disciplinarian Colin Campbell said in an email to Sun Media after the game.

Lapierre shrugged his shoulders when asked about the incident.

“It’s not my business to say if there will be one or not,” Lapierre said, sporting a gash on the bridge of his nose where the stick of Lucic made contact. “In the playoffs, you give some, you get some ... This time I got mine.

“He tried to cross check (Mathieu Schneider). We needed to show them that we have plenty of team unity.”

Lucic was not made available to the media after the game.

So does Lucic get suspended?

This happened at the end of the game and you have to wonder if Lucic will get suspended for a game by the NHL for his vicious high cross check on Maxim Lapierre. Not that Lapierre didn't deserve it, because he did I am hoping the league doesn't suspend Lucic based on the fact that Lapierre came flying at Lucic.

The Montreal Canadians are getting their asses handed to them by the Bruins and their frustration is starting to show and the lack of class by the Canadians as well. Mike Komisarek is also begging for a beat down and his bush league face washes and it has become tiresome and one of the Bruins need to answer the bell.

Josh Gorges vs Patrice Bergeron

This series has been nasty. Patrice Bergeron is not known for his fighting skills knocks the crap out of Josh Gorges. That is the second time in less than two weeks that Gorges has had the snot knocked out of him by a Boston Bruins. Shane Hnidy also had his way with him as well.

More unflattering things about Risebrough.

Minnesota Wild beat writer Mike Russo has a few more interesting revelations that make you really shake your head and wonder how Risebrough could get away with this stuff for so long. You can not play a player with a concussion and you hope that Brent Burns doesn't have any long term effects because of him playing with a concussion. Sinus infection? Give me a break the team trainer needs to be sent packing as well.

Burns, 24, was injured in practice Jan. 26 but wasn't shut down until March 7. He is still affected with severe postconcussion syndrome.

"I met with Brent in L.A. [March 6]," Salcer said. "We're having lunch with him and [fellow client Derek Boogaard] and he's telling me about when he hit his head six weeks earlier. So I'm listening to him, and I'm incredulous listening to him.

"He's telling me how, 'Ronny, I'm an avid reader and I'm not able to read on the bus anymore. I get headaches that go all around my head. I can't sleep. During the game, I'm not focusing. I feel like everything is happening, but I'm reacting slow. I go, 'Brent, are you kidding me? You've got a concussion. You cannot play. You cannot play anymore!'

He's so loyal to the team, he was afraid. He said, 'I don't want to tell them that. I don't want to burn a bridge.' I said, 'Burn a bridge? They just exploded one on you. You cannot play.'"

Burns was shut down the next day.

There you go Wild fans the General Manager didn't re-open negotiations with Gaborik's agent said that the Wild didn't even open negotiations, how the hell are they going to sign him if you don't at least make an offer to sign him? This doesn't make sense at all. The old school general manager that treats players like piece of meat are over.

Salcer said this all comes back to Risebrough.

"It starts at the top. He's the manager, and he's got that old-school, you've-got-to-play-through-everything [attitude]," Salcer said. "They did the same thing to Marian before he had hip surgery."

With Risebrough and coach Jacques Lemaire gone, Salcer was asked if this would sway Gaborik to returning.

"I called Tom Lynn personally in November, spoke with Tom and said, 'Would you be interested in reopening negotiations with Marian?' I'm still waiting for him to return that phone call. I never heard back ever," Salcer said.

"That's in November. And so, the season went. And now when you look at July 1 on the horizon where we can talk to every team in the league, certainly we have to take that opportunity very seriously and we will. Having said that, should the organization want to call me, we'll listen to and explore anything. But we certainly see July 1 in the landscape here."

Is James Sheppard a bust?

There is this mind set that we have to give James Sheppard a break because he is young and needs to grow. Under Doug Risebrough he was untouchable. I don't see anything in this kids play that leads me to believe that he is going to come to camp next season and light it up. Just think the Wild could have had Olli Jokinen (29g-28a-57pts) but Rishebrough wouldn't trade Sheppard to get him, Sheppard was untouchable.

Now that Doug Risebrough is finished with the Wild lets look at some of the players drafted after Sheppard in the 2006 entry draft.

9. James Sheppard Minnesota 160 games (9g-34a-43pts)
10. Michael Frolik Florida 79 games (21g-24a-45pts)
12. Bryan Little Atlanta 127 games (37g-30a-67pts)
25. Patrik Berglund St. Louis 76 games (21g-26g-47pts)
28. Nick Foligno Ottawa 126 games (23g-18a-41pts)
44. Nikolai Kulemin Toronto 73 games (15g-16a-31pts)
50. Milan Lucic Boston 149 games (25g-44a-69pts)

Yep Mike Komisarek is still a hack.

I am going to say this is one of the dirtier things that I have seen in some time. Check it out; this is at the end of the game time clock at 0:00 and watch where Bruins defenseman Matt Hunwick gets his eye gouged by his a fellow former Wolverine Mike Komisarek. This is why Bruins fans hate Mike Komisarek and he is public enemy number one in Boston. This should make for an exciting game two tomorrow night.

Matt Gilroy signs with Rangers.

Former BU star and Hobey Baker Memorial winner Matt Gilroy has signed a professional contract with the New York Rangers.

TSN ----- Boston University free agent defenceman Matt Gilroy has signed a two-year deal worth $3.5 million with the New York Rangers.

It is a one-way contract however, he is not eligible to play for the Rangers in this year's playoffs. He will be eligible for free agency in three years.

Last week, Gilroy was named the winner of the Hobey Baker Award as the best U.S. college hockey player.

He followed that with a victory over Miami of Ohio in the national championship game at the NCAA's Frozen Four tournament.

One of the most sought-after free agent players, Gilroy scored eight goals and added 29 assists for 37 points in 45 games this past season.

BU's Wilson signs with the Preds.

It's offical BU's super star Colin Wilson has signed an entry level professional contract with the Nashville Predators. Ussually it is the WCHA that gets hit hard in the off season but this is the third underclass man to leave Hockey East in the last two weeks (James van Riemsdyk Flyers, Colin Wilson Predators and Viktor Stahlberg Leafs).

Predators sign top prospect Wilson
By John Glennon • THE TENNESSEAN • April 17, 2009

The Predators have signed top prospect Colin Wilson to a three-year entry-level contract.

Terms of the deal weren’t immediately available, but it’s likely that Wilson will receive the maximum allowed for an entry-level contract.

Wilson, who just finished his sophomore season at Boston University, will leave Sunday for the World Championship in Switzerland. He’ll be playing there for the U.S. team and under the watch of Predators general manager David Poile, who’s an associate GM for Team USA.

A finalist this season for the Hobey Baker award as college hockey’s best player, Wilson is likely to challenge for an NHL roster spot at Nashville’s training camp this fall.

He helped Boston University win the NCAA championship earlier this month, posting a team-best 55 points (17 goals, 38 assists) in 43 games.

The 6-foot-1, 213-pound Wilson was the seventh overall pick in the 2008 draft.

The Canucks are a bunch of whimps.

This one is way too funny the Canucks are crying about the St. Louis Blues skating through Roberto Luongo's crease and spraying him with snow. This is hockey and it's game played by men not a bunch of girls. Come on Roberto your 6+ feet tall be a man not some sniveling junior high girl.

Well, if you are one who thinks the game has tamed down perhaps too much over the years, the latest round of whining out of Vancouver will make you laugh.

After Game 1 Canucks coach Alain Vigneault complained that the St. Louis Blues weren't just skating through Roberto Luongo's crease and bumping into him a couple of times, they were spraying him with (gasp!) snow.

"I'm embarrassed to talk about that. It's ridiculous. Nonsense," said St. Louis winger Keith Tkachuk. "There is no way our game plan is to go out and try to spray their goalie. You have to stop on the puck - just in case he tries to play it.

"You can tell the game has changed over my 17-year career, when you complain about something like that. As opposed to runnin' someone from behind or starting a brawl."

Vigneault did not want to address the situation again on Thursday. He said on Wednesday that he would talk to the league about his concerns.

Risebrough gong show is over.

As WCHA Dominates mentioned earlier, Leipold had decided a month a go that Risebrough was gone, this is right decision and it couldn't have been made a minute too soon. I will be tossing back a few beers this weekend to celebrate this event. This feels like Christmas in April

These are some of the questions/answers that MICHAEL RUSSO has come up with. As you can see Russo has touch on a lot of the issues the team of 18,000 were also frustrated with. One of them is the inaction of Risebrough and his willingness not to trade a couple of players to make the team better. Josh Harding could have gotten the Wild a top player at the dead line.

It would have been interesting to see what Harding would have gotten from the Redwings in a trade at the dead line. From reading all of the rumors it would appear James Sheppard is a cancer, a prima donna and needs to go. I would also like to see some players from the area that could help the Wild.

When did owner Craig Leipold decide?

A month ago, but he didn't want to disrupt a potential playoff run.

Does Leipold have a candidate in mind?

He has compiled a list, and was solicited by candidates Thursday.

How does this affect the hiring of a coach?

The new GM will determine the new coach and style of coach he wants, and this will be Priority No. 1.

In the past, James Sheppard and Josh Harding have been untouchable in trades. Has that changed?

Leipold said it was important to get "new eyes" in here, which usually means new opinions.

It's official Risebrough is gone.

I have to say that I am giddy as well. Today is a good day. The Wild will be better for this move. I would like to see the Wild hire a GM that is more user friendly, one that likes draft players from the CHL and the NCAA.

Wild owner Craig Leipold thanked the Wild GM, but decided a change at the top was in order.

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune --- Last update: April 16, 2009 - 12:40 PM

Wild GM Doug Risebrough has been fired by owner Craig Leipold, in a surprise decision annouced by the team today.

The Wild, in an annoucement released to the media just after noon, said Risebrough's contract will not be renewed "beyond the 2008-2009 season."

“The entire Minnesota Wild organization is forever indebted to Doug for his substantial efforts in establishing this franchise’s solid foundation and winning tradition,” said Leipold in the statement. “The positive impact of Doug’s service will be felt for many years to come. We wish Doug the very best.”

The search for a new General Manager will begin immediately. The first order of business for the incoming General Manager will be to select the Team’s next Head Coach.

Until a replacement is found, Assistant General Manager Tom Lynn, will be acting-general manager, the team said.

Is Risebrough gone?

Props to BigGreyAnt41 Michael Russo is a good blogger and I can't see him printing this without being true. This would make my whole summer. Risebrough has done a horrible job running the Wild and it's time for him to go. Out next should be James Sheppard.

Sources: Risebrough fired as Wild GM According to two outside NHL sources, Wild GM Doug Risebrough has been fired by owner Craig Leipold.

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune ---- Last update: April 16, 2009 - 12:04 PM
According to two outside NHL sources, Wild GM Doug Risebrough has been fired by owner Craig Leipold.

The report has not yet been confirmed by members of the Wild organization.

Come back to startribune.com for more details.

Show us the money MSU-M

We keep hearing a lot of talk about MSU-M has the money to start and support a division one hockey program. First thing that comes to mind is the line from the movie Jerry McGuire, "show me the money." Talk is cheap it takes a lot of money to sustain a hockey program. It will cost the university even more money if they are going to run both a woman's and men's program.

I also disagree with the comment that their program would be on the level of a North Dakota or Minnesota, I think that is a ridiculous statement. It takes a long time to develop a hockey program and they would be lucky to get to the same level of an SCSU, MSU-M Mankato or a BSU.

Now comes Minnesota State University Moorhead with an intriguing proposal to add Division I men’s and women’s hockey to its sports programs. MSUM is serious about taking the plunge if all the pieces of the D-I puzzle can be put into place. It’s very early in the process, but a couple of the major pieces – affiliation with the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and playing at the new Urban Plains Center – appear to be sliding into place.

But there is a much bigger piece: money, at least $10 million in external funding, said MSUM President Edna Szymanski. The president said a D-I hockey program could be very good for the school in terms of profile and student recruiting, but she said MSUM will not proceed unless the money is on the table.

Which brings us back to the intensity and dedication of hockey fans: The $10 million would have to come from sources other than public higher education appropriations. Private money will fund the hockey venture. MSUM Athletic Director Doug Peters says at this point getting a program up and running has a 50-50 chance. But it is unlikely the school would have gone public without some sort of commitment from a heavy hitter, or two or three, regarding the $10 million.

Make no mistake about it: D-I hockey at MSUM would mean world-class hockey in the style of the University of North Dakota Sioux and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers would come to town. Collegiate hockey does not get any better. It would be a huge coup for obsessive fans and a high-quality sports attraction for casual fans.

It’s worth a look. It’s worth a hard-headed, eyes-wide-open analysis. When all is said and done, it will mean one of two things: another successful D-I sport for Fargo-Moorhead or another indication Fargo is not a hockey town.
(read the whole article here)

Habs want to play the Bruins.

Check this quote posted below. This should be up in the Bruins locker room either written on the black board or posted on the bulletin board. It would be interesting to see who this unnamed player was. Funny that they would say this to a former Bruin's players as well.

Interestingly enough, former Bruins scrapper P.J. Stock works as a TV analyst for CBC’s “Hockey Night in Canada” and said prior to Saturday night’s Canadiens game that an unnamed Habs player told Stock that the Canadiens preferred to play the B’s rather than face Alexander Ovechkin and the second-seeded Washington Capitals. According to Stock, the Canadiens believe that they can do damage against Boston’s second and third D pairings. That doesn’t exactly scream out the sort of cliched athlete-speak you normally hear from hockey teams prior to a playoff series. Let the war of words — and gloved fists — begin.

Here is why this unamed Hab's logic is flawed. 1.) The Habs have not beat the Bruins in regulation this season. 2.) The Bruins defense has played well against the Habs. The Canadians have scored something like a whopping 12 goals in 6 games that isn't very good. 3.) The Bruins aren't starved for offense as they have seven players with 20 goals or more.

This should worry logo supporters.

This statement should worry Sioux fans that want to keep the Fighting Sioux name. I interpret this as a plea to get the name/logo issue solved (Fighting Sioux name changed very quickly) so we can get into the less than stellar Summit League. There is a lot of pressure from the football and basketball cabal to change the name so they can find a conference.

Personally, I would like to see UND still try to get into the Big Sky Conference because I feel there are better more attractive teams in the BSC than the Summit. I think that the nick name committee should be allowed to see transpires at Standing Rock and Spirit Lake before the University moves with their decision. Again, the Fighting Sioux should not be changed on a whim but after all avenues have been exhausted with the two tribes. The university and the State board of higher education owe it to the people that helped fund the lawsuit with their donations. If not; please tell me why they spent a million plus suing the NCAA if the University was going to just change the name anyways? It isn't just about football and basketball. I also don't believe that the University needs to rush change the name and undo the work of Sam Dupris who seems to be making progress with his out reach to the two Sioux tribes.

USD to announce Summit League acceptance today
“From my perspective, it’s been urgent all along,” Faison said. “It isn’t any less urgent. There’s a new committee and they’re in the process of going through their work.

“Obviously it makes it even more problematic in terms of our league affiliation,” UND athletic director Brian Faison said. “We’ll have lost an important part of that conference.”

On Tuesday, the Summit’s Presidents Council voted unanimously to invite the school into the conference beginning July 1, 2011, according to an e-mail sent to Summit League member schools. USD will not compete in team tournaments that season, the last that the Coyotes are ineligible for NCAA postseason competitions.

In 2012-13 USD will be an active member of NCAA Division I and will participate in Summit League tournaments.

USD announced it would lift its athletic programs from NCAA Division II to Division I in 2006 and is now competing as a Division I independent. UND is in the same situation.

USD and South Dakota State, a member of the Summit League, will resume head-to-head competitions in sports other than football by fall 2011. The in-state rivals have not competed against each other in most sports since SDSU left Division II after the 2003-04 season.

The same is true for North Dakota State, a member of the Summit League, and UND.

So South Dakota’s good fortune means UND’s ability to resolve the nickname and logo issue quickly has heightened.

“From my perspective, it’s been urgent all along,” Faison said. “It isn’t any less urgent. There’s a new committee and they’re in the process of going through their work.

But again that’s a time line that we don’t really control. All we can do is encourage that they go as quickly as they can, and I’m sure they are.”

Faison said the nickname and logo issue has affected many UND programs. The University of Minnesota, for instance, won’t play UND in sports hosted by the school.

Faison said the Sioux might have been able to get the Gophers on the schedule for football, if the issue had been resolved.

The Gophers play South Dakota State this year, South Dakota in 2010 and NDSU in 2011.

Minnesota plans to play at least one BCS opponent every year while also committing to play Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) opponents from the region.

“If we would have had things resolved, I think we could have been in the mix,” Faison said.

It’s hurting other programs, too. They can’t get games or competitions against Minnesota. It means fewer opportunities to compete close to home, Faison said.

“At this point we need to get the nickname and logo issue resolved so we can move on,” he said.

Komisarek "you must be in control of your emotions.

Former Michigan Star Mike Komisarek is public enemy #1 to Bruins and their fans but he is right. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs you have to play with controlled recklessnes, meaning you can not lose your mind. You must pick your time and place to exact revenge. Use also must use your head and don't put your team in a bad situation.

The Canadiens defenceman got a generous taste of Boston leather last Thursday, his face massaged by the gauntlets of Milan Lucic and used as a speed bag by Zdeno Chara in a boxing match that earned the Bruins captain a double minor for roughing, a great non-call in a game teeming with them.

Komisarek must play on the edge. He’s an imposing presence who must ticket the Bruins for parking – even idling – in front of the Canadiens net. He must win the battles, or at least wage ruggedly good ones, on the walls in Montreal’s zone.

“Controlled recklessness,” Komisarek called it Monday as his team set up three days of practice shop in Brossard. “You have to be in control of your emotions and intensity.”

Stanley Cup playoffs begin tonight.

East

Montreal at Boston, I predict the Bruins will win in 5 games.
NY Rangers at Washington, I predict the Caps will win in 6 games
Carolina at New Jersey I predict the Canes to win in 7 games.
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh I predict the Pittsburgh in 6 games.

West

Anaheim at San Jose, I predict the Sharks will win in 5 games.
Columbus at Detroit, I predict the Blue Jackets will win in 7 games.
St. Louis at Vancouver, I predict the Canucks will win in 7 games.
Calgary at Chicago, I predict the Blackhawks will win in 7 games.

3-2-1 points systems?

Our friend Kyle from the illegalcurve.com has an idea for points in NHL hockey games. Personally, I think that the NHL will never take this approach because there would be less parity in the leagues and teams would be out of the races for a playoff spots earlier in the season and would effect attendance and the over-all dollar. The idea does make you think though. Makes you think how long the Wild would have been in the race with this system?

I thought I could gain some traction for a 3-2-1 system of points. Since I am now a lame duck, I doubt this idea will go anywhere but thought I should share it with readers to get some feedback.

The idea is certainly not new or original by any means, but merely stems by the growing dislike of the “loser point”. My proposal was to change the points system for wins to a 3-2-1 system. 3 points for a regulation win, 2 points for an overtime win and 1 point for a shootout win. Losing teams would be awarded no points. The idea behind this is to not only eliminate the loser point, but to give teams incentives to win games in regulation. I believe this was the NHL’s original intent when it instituted the shootout and the loser point.

Tavares is No. 1 target for Burke

In a way you kinda have to admire Burke's bravado but there is no way in hell the Islanders are going to give up John Tavares, not in a million years. Also, what does Burke have to bargain with, there is not a lot of talent on the Leafs.

TORONTO -- The Maple Leafs are going to aggressively pursue a top NHL entry draft spot, perhaps even the No. 1 position, says GM Brian Burke.

Going into the draft lottery Tuesday night, Toronto was seventh in the selection order and could move up a maximum of four spots if it wins the weighted draw.

Burke intends to be wheeling and dealing before the top teen talent is dispersed in Montreal with an eye on landing highly touted forward John Tavares.

"We'll immediately attempt to move up," Burke said during a news conference Tuesday morning. "We're going to talk to everyone between us and the first pick and see what the landscape is.

This is the type of General Manager the Minnesota Wild need to hire. I also think there are a few players on the Wild that feel they are entitled as well and don't respect the game, or think the name on the back of the jersey is more important than the logo on the front. After reading all of the crap that James Sheppard has pulled this past season with the Wild a good GM would have shipped his ass off to Houston faster in a New York Minute. Untouchable, I don't know what Risebrough sees in James Sheppard because he has done nothing in his two shorts years for the Wild. Ryan Jones the player they traded away to Nashville is developing at a faster rate than James Sheppard. Ryan Jones has scored two less goals than James Sheppard in 114 less games. Tell me who you would rather have traded last summer?

Burke said he and head coach Ron Wilson have progressed in their attempt to end the "culture of entitlement" some players feel when they play for the Leafs.

"Anyone who thinks he's on this roster because he has a contract is sadly mistaken," he said, adding a mention that the buyout option kicks in July 1.

Joe Finley's first professional fight.

Former Sioux Joe Finley probably was a little rusty and hasn't fought for a while. First off the announcer needs to work on reading the rosters, it's not that hard to do. I mean seriously, it's Joe Finley and not Jeff Finley. Second, politely and professionally my ass, the goon whacked him two more times with Joe's jersey pulled over his head.

Bruins in 6?

Neil from the illegal curve predicts that the Bruins will win in 6. I am going to say Bruins in 5 because Boston has not lost to the Habs in regulation all season and they for the most part have dominated them. Bruins beat them in Offense, Defense and goaltending.

Prediction:

Overall, the Bruins’ offense (especially on the power play), should be the difference maker. As we all know, special teams is always of upmost importance come playoff time. The Habs may have a chance if Price catches fire and steals the series, but the likely outcome will be the B’s heading to the second round and Price heading to Crescent St. for a smoke.

Bruins in 6

.

Game winning goal BU and Miami

Check out this game winning goal. This an incredible ending to one of the most exciting NCAA FROZEN FOURS that I have ever seen.

Vandy 75/25 staying at UND.

Someone had this posted over on Sioux Sports; man I hope Chris VandeVelde comes back for his senior season at UND. This would be some welcome news if it turns out to be true this is some really good news for the Fighting Sioux. This season VandeVelde scored some big goals at crucial times in important games.

VandeVelde ‘75 percent’ on staying with Sioux
VandeVelde said Friday that there is about a 75-percent chance he will stay with the Sioux instead of signing with the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers drafted the forward in the fourth round of the 2005 NHL draft.

The decision will be made in the next two weeks, VandeVelde said.

“I still have holes in my game that I think I can get better,” he said. “… I think (staying) would help me out.”

BU wins the 2009 NCAA title.

I was on Face book last night after watching the NCAA title game and people were instant messaging me and telling me they were unhappy with the results of the game. Personally, I have to say that I am not all that unhappy with the results; I think the best team in division one hockey won last night (21-1-3 since Jan. 15) and last played in a game that will go down in history as being one of the most exciting NCAA division one finals ever. This was one of the most exciting finals that I have ever witnessed. The Miami Redhawks had the game in the proverbial bag when they were up 3-1 with about 3:24 to go and lost the game.

If BSU wasn’t going to be the winner in the NCAA tourney I would rather see BU win the tourney than Miami or Vermont. I am not into the whole underdog thing, it’s just me. In my opinion, Boston University was the best team in hockey all season long and played the game of hockey the way it should be. The Terriers were fast up front and could score in bunches and were fun to watch. In the era of the neutral zone trap, college hockey has become less watchable than the NHL and this year’s version of Boston University is a breath of fresh air because they attack and counter attack. It just seemed that no lead was possible when playing BU as they found another gear, shifted and won the game when they needed to. Colin Wilson is and awesome player and is probably going to make an immediate impact with the Nashville preditors.

Defensively I thought the BU Terrier were really impressive and I could see why NHL teams are drooling at the prospects of getting free agent Matt Gilroy, he would be a nice addition to any team’s defensive corps. On the blue line the players that stuck out the most for me were Matt Gilroy, Kevin Shattenkirk, Colby Cohen.

This season Boston University was at the top or near the top nationally in a lot of categories: 1st in scoring offense, 3rd in scoring defense, 1st in scoring margin, 12th in penalty minutes, 2nd in power play, 12th penalty kill. So there victory is no fluke.

More on the Fighting Sioux name.

I found some interesting points/things in a series of articles in the Grand Forks Herald regarding the Fighting Sioux name and logo. I think we have basically pinned down the major issue here. The anti-logo crowd had gained a lot of traction, their vocal minority was moving the ball forward and they were on the verge of getting the name changed, then the roof fell in on them. These people have basically had their own way for so long. The anti-logo crowd has thrown a lot of stuff out there rarely been challenged by the media.

Now the tide is starting to turn against them, and frankly they don’t like it. Notice the part of the article that mentions that the Spirit Lake nickname supporters, for example, have done an informal survey of tribal members that found an overwhelming majority approve the nickname and logo. Hum! Kind of throws a curveball to the people the anti-logo crowd and to the NCAA’s argument, I guess the people that call themselves Sioux don’t find the name hostile and abusive. Memo to Myles Brand and the hand wringing P.C. Nazi’s, are you hearing the people you claim to represent?

So basically one could read from this is the people that are know as the Sioux don’t want UND to change the Fighting Sioux name. So what does this do to the anti-logo crowd, they are not happy. I look at this way the anti-logo crowd is being beat at their own game and it starting to piss them off, because they are accusing the pro-name crowd of doing the some the same thing they do themselves. They are talking to people and informing them of their side of the issue. The anti-logo people are also trying to blame REA on the matter.

What’s at stake

There’s a lot at stake with the referendums because they may be the last best hope for the nickname.

A 2007 settlement between UND and the NCAA requires the university to win the blessings of the state’s two Sioux tribes to continue using the Fighting Sioux nickname and Indian head logo.

The NCAA considers the use of Indian nicknames in collegiate sports to be derogatory, but it could make an exception if the tribes’ leadership or their enrolled members approve.

Tribal leaders on both reservations have been largely hostile or ambivalent toward the nickname. The Standing Rock Tribal Council, for example, has both opposed the nickname and banned referendums on its use.

Tribal members, though, tend to favor the nickname, and supporters have turned to them. The Spirit Lake nickname supporters, for example, have done an informal survey of tribal members that found an overwhelming majority approve the nickname and logo.

The Spirit Lake survey confirms what Dupris had earlier discovered for the Ralph.

Jody Hodgson, the arena’s general manager, said Dupris’ most valuable role was helping his organization to understand the attitudes of tribal members and why they support or oppose the nickname.

Spirit Lake nickname opponents are scrambling to turn the tide, sending campaigners out to talk to voters, whom they feel do not fully understand what supporters say is the racially charged atmosphere on campus because of the nickname and logo.

In the meantime, Standing Rock supporters are seeking their own referendum

The accusations

Erich Longie, a longtime nickname opponent who’s now fighting the Spirit Lake referendum, is one of many who think the Ralph’s involvement is much deeper than just gathering information.

He theorized that the arena is paying the supporters to talk to their relatives and persuade them to vote for the nickname, using the traditional method of campaigning on the reservation. If that’s the case, he said, “that’s insidious. A small group gets paid, and the majority group that votes for it gets nothing.”
(Read the whole article here)

This is what the Herald editor Mike Jacobs had to say on the issue. It's pretty clear that is for changing the Fighting Sioux name.

Politics in native communities are notoriously complex in North Dakota and elsewhere. The normal means of gauging political opinion might be brought to bear — polling, for example — but since there’s little data about their reliability, there’s little reason to trust them.

So, the issue is in a kind of suspended animation, pending these referendums.

What are we to expect?

While it’s impossible to know for sure, it’s possible that the name might be supported in these referendums.

But will that resolve the issue?

Almost certainly not.

Opponents see this as a moral issue, remember, and they’re not likely to give it up no matter the election results this time around. They’ll continue to raise the issue on campus and in native communities.

That means that the issue will fester — until the name is changed.

It seems to me that this is the political reality and that the best move is to give up the name. That’s the only way to put the issue decisively behind us, and to move on.

This is the position that the Herald has held pretty consistently put forward in its editorials, and that it repeated as recently as January.
(read the whole story here)

Jacques Lemair is done as Wild coach.

Mike Russo is confirming what many thought might happen, Wild Coach Jacques Lemair is stepping down as the head coach of the Minnesota Wild. Lemaire is the only coach the Wild have ever known. In away I wish it was the General Manager Doug Risebrough that was announcing his resignation/retirement, because he has screwed up this team in a bad way. Good luck Jacques, you're a hall of fame player. Holy Cow this didn't take long. The thing that really kills me is that the Wild scored 14 goals in two games, there were times during this season were the Wild didn't score that many goals in two weeks. Where art thou?

Jacques Lemaire, the only coach the Wild’s ever known, has coached his final game with the Wild.

With clear signs before the game that Lemaire was indeed done, Lemaire finally confirmed it after the Wild’s 6-3 win.

“I think it’s time for the players to get a new coach and myself look at other stuff.”

With you coach elsewhere? “I’ll see. It’s exciting. It’s an exciting job. I was behind the bench there just before the game there, and I felt I was getting really tight because it’s something I’ve done for 15 years and I like it and I have to go.”

Lets get it on. Bruins and Habs.

This should get the Bruins fans charged up for the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Bruins owe the Habs after losing to them in seven games last season. This season the Bruins have not lost in regulation to the hated Habs from Montreal. To take a page from Jack Edwards book, "We have beaten them and we have beaten them up." The need to play smart and pick their places to even scores.

NHL --- Pittsburgh's 3-1 victory at Montreal on Saturday night has set up all four Eastern Conference pairings in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Montreal's loss assured that the Canadiens will finish eighth. That earned the Canadiens an opening-round matchup with first-place Boston -- a repeat of last year's first round, in which the Canadiens outlasted the Bruins 4-3. The teams have met 31 times in the playoffs, with Montreal winning 24 times. The Bruins finish their season Sunday on the road against the New York Islanders.

Wild officially done.

As I slept in my bed last night the Anaheim Ducks were putting the finishing touches on ending the Minnesota Wild's season, in a shootout no doubt. It should not have come down to this. The Wild should have been able to compete on the ice but were short changed an incompetent general manager who has missmanged the Wild so poorly they have no room under the cap to operate. Maybe Risbrough could learn from the Boston, Detroit and St Louis GM's.

This paragraph from the Minneapolis Star and Tribune really makes my blood boil because it should have never come down to this. It's not really Jacques Lemaire fault, he did a good job he could coaching the Wild with what he given to him from the teams GM.

I could see that [the fans] were happy the way the guys were working because they let us know," said a proud Lemaire, who might have coached his last home game. "I wish we would have had more games like this and we wouldn't be in the situation that we're in right now.

"Tonight was special. Behind the bench, I don't know how many times I thought, 'Gee, the guys are playing with their heart,' and you could tell."

I get what he is saying. So if only they had given this effort in February or March? I think the Wild gave the best effor they could based on injuries and lack of talented players. What if the Wild had more talented players necessary to make a run. Imagine if Gabby had been around maybe 10 more games this season? You have to wonder if Doug Risebrough had only resigned Brian Rolston during the off season? Come on! Rolston wasn't asking for that much money, it was a drop in the barrel, and who did you get to replace him with?

Could you imagine how Marian Hossa would have looked playing the forward possition in the land of 10,000 lakes. Great! Hossa took less money to play hockey in Detroit a team that has a chance to win a stanley cup and a general manager that knows how to manage the salary cap and develop players in their organization. Their players actually take less money to stay in their organization. The same can't be said about the state of hockey.

Now maybe Jacques Lemaire has coached his last game I don't hold him as responsible as I do Risebrough Lemaire did a lot with very little. Hopefully Doug Risebrough will be shown the door. I have followed this team since their born on date in 2000-2001 season, it is time for a change.

Something to look forward to

While the Wild are out of the Playoff as predicted, T.J. Oshie will get his first kick at the Stanley Cup with the St Louis Blues. The Blues played to a 18-6-3 since Feburary 12th. Oshie was also awarded the goal of the year by the NHL.

According to Brad's blog there will be seven former Fighting Sioux playing for the Stanley Cup. Zach Parise, Travis Zajac (New Jersey), Ryan Bayda (Carolina), Jonathan Toews (Chicago), Ryan Johnson (Vancouver), Mike Commodore (Columbus), T.J. Oshie with the (St Louis). I think the Sioux player(s) that has the best chance of going the furthest in the Stanley Cup playoffs is probably Ryan Bayda and Ryan Johnson. The Devils are a mess right now have gone 11-9-1 the last 20 games and three of their last four wins are against teams not in the Stanley cup playoffs (Lighting, Senators, Sabres).

Clearing up a few things.

During Bemidji’s amazing run to the Frozen Four I have heard a few things that need clearing up or addressing. First off there is one more year to the hockey Conference College Hockey America. The only issue remaining is whether the NCAA is going to grant them an auto bid next season. So the person that wrote to me an email to inform me that BSU doesn’t have a conference. Wrong!

Not deserving of an Auto-Bid

To the people that said Bemidji didn’t deserve to be in the NCAA tourney and took an at large bid away from a more deserving team. I believe that is a straw man’s argument. Evidence is the way BSU took down a number one seed in Notre Dame and beat a tough defensive three seed Cornell to advance to the Frozen Four. While Traditional powers like Michigan, North Dakota and Denver couldn’t get out of their regionals. That is hardly a fluke or an enigma in my opinion. Notre Dame was ranked number one or two for a good part of the college hockey season and was the number two over all seed in the NCAA hockey tourney. BSU has already done what MSU-M and SCSU have ever been able to accomplish advance to the Frozen Four and they have been a Division one hockey team for a shorter period of time that either of the fore mentioned teams.

BSU to the WCHA or not?

There seems to be a lot of emotions on both ends of the argument on whether BSU should be admitted to the WCHA or not. I think Bemidji State University has made a strong case to gain membership to the WCHA. I keep reading where people say just let Bemidji State and University of Alabama Huntsville wither and die on the vine or show apathy towards these two teams.

Like Donna from RWD’s said from a previous blog post that there will be people that will cry whine and complain if the WCHA lets BSU into the league because they won’t get their traditional rivalries like Wisconsin, DU, C.C. or Minnesota. I will buy that argument; however, my next question is what is worse? No match up with your favorite hockey team or missing the NCAA tourney because your favorite league was short sighted? I am going to take not playing a common opponent for one season because I would rather see my team go to the NCAA hockey tourney and possibly to the Frozen Four than being left at home because of stuborness.

I am going to take this argument one further. Imagine your favorite college has a strong season just missed winning their conference tourney, now off to the NCAA tourney. Not so fast. Imagine that favorite college hockey team being eligible under the current PWR and 16 team NCAA hockey tourney, you make your plans to attend a regional and watch your team play. Not going to happen. Due to a number teams folding and not being picked up by one of the five division one hockey conferences the NCAA has decided to drop the NCAA hockey tourney from sixteen to twelve bids. Your favorite hockey team’s season is over and there is no NCAA tourney for you. Do you see what I am getting at? The NCAA is going to pull at large bids if anymore hockey teams decide to fold. Now tell me who does UAH and BSU look. How about adding a few Canadian CIS teams? The University of British Columbia looking pretty good right now.

My Pick for the NCAA championship

I think that the Boston University Terriers are the most complete and balanced team in this season NCAA field and it would be only fitting that they win the NCAA tourney. While Miami trip to the Frozen Four is a nice story I don't think they are going to be able to slow down the Terriers tonight. Also, the final game is going to feature refs from the WCHA according to Fiona Quick on a recent twitter post. Note to the Redhawks expect the refs from the WCHA to make their presence know by calling a bunch of ticky tacky penalties. Also don’t expect the rash of penalties to have much of an effect on the Boston University Terriers who were one of the top penalized teams in the NCAA this season.

Stalock gone. Signs with the Sharks.

With the defection of Alex Stalock to the NHL that bring the total of 9 underclassmen that have left early to sign professional contracts so far this off season. After Stalock's run in the playoffs this spring you had to wonder if the Mighty Stalock's stock had risen pretty high. UND, MTU and SCSU are the only teams not to suffer any early defections as of yet. Also, in today's Grand Forks Herald UND beat writer Brad Elliott Schlossman is reporting that Chris VandeVelde is leaning towards staying at UND for his senior season.

Rink and Run had the details of Stalock's contract and even if Alex only plays in the AHL next season 62,000.00 is pretty good start to a post college career.

His two-way contract will be worth $62,500 if playing in the American Hockey League and $630,700 if playing in the NHL, plus an annual signing bonus of $85,000. Its possible Stalock may be assigned next week to San Jose’s American Hockey League affiliate in Worcester, Mass.

Early departures in the WCHA (9)

Alaska-Anchorage (1)
Paul Crowder, jr, forward, N.Y. Rangers

Colorado College (2)
Brian Connelly, jr, defenseman, Chicago Blackhawks
Richard Bachman, so, goaltender, Dallas Stars

Denver (1)
Tyler Bozak, so, forward, Toronto Maple Leafs

Minnesota (1)
Ryan Stoa, jr, forward, Colorado Avalanche

Minnesota-Duluth (1)
Evan Oberg, so, defenseman, Vancouver Canucks
Alex Stalock, jr, goaltender,

MSU-Mankato (1)
Trevor Bruess, jr, forward, Washington Capitals

Wisconsin (1)
Jamie McBain, jr, defenseman, Carolina Hurricanes

Did Chara break the code?

Our friend BrettB mentioned in another blog post earlier that Chara had broke the code when he was pounding on Les Hab's hack Mike Komisarek during last night's game.

BrenttB said:Chara guy was punching guys with gloves on?? Uh oh... numerous amounts of hockey code were broken from the highlights I saw..

True Zedno Chara did run in to the pile and start wailing away on someone that was sort out of the play and being held back by two officials and Chara did keep his gloves on. What does everyone think?

Bruins and Habs first round?

God I hope so and it is looking like that might be the case. I have to say that Jack Edwards is my favorite homer hockey announcer. I am sure he grates on some people but being a Bruins fan his commentary is music to my hears. There are so many Edwardisms that they actually have a Jack Edwards bingo game. Hockey Fights got the names of the combatants wrong for this fight, it was actually Shane Hnidy and Josh Georges and not Maxim Lapierre who was dropped by Brian Lee ealier in the week. Lapierre is really, really, really lucky that Lucic wasn't able to get his hands on him or he would have gotten his ass beaten for a second time this week.

I guess it would be an understatement to say that Milan Lucic was in an ornery mood last night and was looking to dance with former Michigan player Mike Komisarek.

It's just one of the general rules of life: when Canadiens meet Bruins, gloves, helmets and sticks end up as litter on the ice (true to form, there was a line brawl in the second).

Rough-hewn Bruins forward Milan Lucic renewed hostilities with nemesis Mike Komisarek and at one point in the second period chased down the Habs defenceman after he hit Lucic from behind in the neutral zone.

As Komisarek jousted with Bruins enforcer Shawn Thornton, Lucic skated up behind the Canadiens player and grabbed his head with both hands, dragging him to the ice.

Lucic was assessed a double-minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct.

And as the horn blew to end the first, a scrum saw colossus defenceman Zdeno Chara raining blows on a hapless Komisarek - who clearly featured as the top target in the Bruins gameplan.

Though Chara sought out Komisarek, who was exchanging angry words with another Bruin, he received only a double-minor for roughing.

The story that won't go away.

When I first read this story I thought it was a joke, so I checked the calender for the date and it wasn't April 1st. This story contiunes to keep motoring on and won't die, maybe it will die once MSU-M gets rejected by the WCHA.

Earlier this week I said, "Immediately we hear the pontifications about Dean Blais coaching the team." Wow, that didn't take long and Blais angle came full circle in just one short week (three - four days). I wonder if MSU-M realize how expensive it is to have a division one men's and woman's program? Also, coaches like Dean Blais don't work for free either.

MSUM hockey plan includes Blais ---- by Eric Peterson

Metro Sports Foundation proposal outlines potential Division I hockey team

A proposal presented to Minnesota State University Moorhead last month outlines launching Division I hockey with well-known coach Dean Blais leading the men's team.

The Forum obtained a similar proposal through an open records request to North Dakota State.

MSUM is responding to a similar request from The Forum, but had not provided documents as of Thursday.

"I would not be surprised if both of the presentations were exactly the same, exchanging the logos and names of the universities," MSUM Athletic Director Doug Peters said.

MSUM is holding a news conference at 10 a.m. today in the Comstock Memorial Union to discuss its potential move to Division I hockey.

"At this point in time, we are exploring the opportunity," Peters said.

Peters said he received the proposal from Metro Sports Foundation President Todd Berning and Urban Plains Center General Manager Lance Johnson in early March.

The MSF owns and operates the UP Center, which would house the potential Division I program.

Peters said the proposal he received was dated March 7.

"It's a good starting point and a good reference point, and it's been prepared by people that are very, very experienced," Peters said. "We're taking a good look at it. It doesn't mean we have adopted it. It's a good starting point."

The 14-page plan NDSU received is titled, "North Dakota State University Men's and Women's Division I Hockey Plan." It's dated March 25.

On Page 10 of the plan, a section reads:

"Finally, Dean Blais, who will serve as the head coach of the men's team, was the head coach of the Sioux for 10 years."

Peters confirmed the MSUM plan contained the same statement.

Links to the Story

In Forum --- MSUM AD says chances better than 50 percent the school will add D-I men's and women's hockey.

McFeely: No harm in MSUM's push for D-I hockey.

Could we see the Gophers playing the Dragons in a weekend series at the Urban Plains Center in the next few years? Excuse me while I pick myself up off the floor and give a urine sample just for writing that sentence.

Reality check time: The odds of this actually happening, of the Dragons actually fielding a Division I hockey program and playing in the WCHA, are so in excess of astronomical that it is not even worth discussing beyond the hallucinatory level. Drop two acids and call me in the morning.

In Forum --- Dragons, Szymanski set hockey press conference for Friday

So is Standing Rock going to vote as well?

This is the first step in the right direction if UND wants to keep the Fighting Sioux name. I think this is something that should have been started a long time agon and it still might be a little to late.

I also wonder if the Tribal Council Chairman Ron "His Horse Thunder" will let his tribal members vote or not. In the past he has been against it. If RHT doesn't let them have a referendum, what is he afraid of? I would say let the member of the Standing Rock Tribe vote. If after both tribe vote and the results show that the two North Dakota Sioux tribes are against the Fighting Sioux name then it's time to move on and change the name. I don't see any reason why UND needs to rush and change the name without first exhausting all steps in the process.

Sioux tribes begin nickname campaigns
Spirit Lake, Standing Rock reservations to hold referendums
Supporters of the Fighting Sioux nickname on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation are seeking a referendum on the issue, similar to the one being held in a few weeks on the Spirit Lake reservation Antoine American Horse Jr. said he and some other veterans from Standing Rock will be asking the Tribal Council to let tribal members decide whether they support the nickname.

A longtime supporter of the nickname, he’s probably best known as a participant in a tribal flag ceremony at Ralph Engelstad Arena in October.

On the Spirit Lake reservation, nickname opponents are gearing up to win hearts and minds, convinced that, if they could tell voters their side of the story, they could turn the public against the nickname.

Referendums are key because, under a legal settlement with the NCAA, UND needs the blessings of both namesake tribes in North Dakota to keep the Fighting Sioux nickname.

The NCAA opposes the use of American Indian nicknames because it considers them derogatory. Nickname opponents agree, calling the nickname racist.

Tribal councils on both reservations have generally been hostile or ambivalent about the nickname. The Standing Rock Tribal Council has not only opposed the nickname, it also voted to ban a referendum in June.

But tribal members have been more open to the nickname’s use. In the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation, nickname supporters, backed by a survey, are confident they’ll win a substantial majority.

Opponents have essentially conceded as much, but they cautioned voters to heed the experience of tribal members that have actually attended UND and felt the sting of racism.

These are not the quotes of a leader.

I have been reading the comments of WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod for the last few months leading up to Bemidji State University applying for membership in the WCHA. There are no other option for BSU due to no fault of their own. Frankly I have to say that I am unimpressed with McLeod’s leadership so far to date. I keep hearing a lot of excuses from McLeod on how 11 teams won’t work, so McLeod is throwing his hand up in surrender. Just once I would like to here some suggestion on how the league might/will try to accommodate BSU and look to to correct the problem in the future.

Time for a change at the top

I have been told that McLeod is looking for an extension on his contract. Maybe the league schools should think twice before they go ahead and renew his contract. Personally, I think there are other people more qualified that would make a much better commissioner than Bruce McLeod, heck I can think of a few off of the top of my head. Here are just a few that come to mind; RH Bob Peters, Gino Gasperini, Jeff Sauer or Dean Blais. There are many people that could do the job. Why does the WCHA we have to settle with Bruce McLeod?

All of these fore mentioned men would be a better choice IMHO to run the WCHA. The WCHA needs a strong leader not just a figure head. A real leader would have been on the fore front to absorb these teams from the CHA and not let it become catastrophe. It is not these teams fault that their league is about to disband. It is also not these teams fault that their future could be on the brink of extinction.

Loss of At-Large Bids Next?

I predict that if NCAA division one hockey loses anymore teams the NCAA will start pulling at large bids. I also believe that some of these leagues are waiting for the stick/carrot approach before they chug ahead with re-alignment. It is a big poker game and they are waiting for someone to make the first move and lay their cards down on the table. I believe we have one season to work things out before the NCAA threatens to start pulling at-large bids. I don't want to see my team stay home because everyone was to stubborn to make concessions. I suggest the big four conferences commishioners start coming up with some solutions. Enough of the excuses.

With January’s announcement that Niagara and Robert Morris are joining Atlantic Hockey for the 2010-11 season, the CHA is officially a dead league walking. Bemidji has applied for membership to the WCHA and Alabama-Huntsville has applied to the CCHA. If either team is rejected, they will have to go it as an independent or…the unthinkable.

Bemidji needs the approval of eight of the ten WCHA teams to join. The league meeting in April 27. It’s going to be a tall order, especially getting the approval of schools that seem to have more to lose than to gain: Colorado College, Denver and Alaska-Anchorage. More travel, and, for all the schools, a lesser share of playoff revenue and a crazy 11-team schedule (since no other team applied for admission, although reportedly as many as four teams from other conferences expressed interest).

Will the feel-good story of the Beavers help?

“It doesn’t change the facts,” WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod told the Grand Forks Herald. “But it certainly changes the feelings when you deal with your heart. In one case, you’re dealing with your heart…You also have to deal with your head and business sense, too.
(read the whole thing here)

Wild Season just about over.

I am going to have to say that it's over for the Wild dead man walking.

Team Pts Games remaining

6. Columbus 92 2 @StL, vs. Wild
7. Anaheim 88 2 vs. Dal, @Phx.
8. St. Louis 88 2 vs. Clb., @Colo.
9. Nashville 86 2 @Det., @Wild
10. Wild 85 2 vs. Nash., @Clb.

While mathematically the Wild are still alive; I don't see St. Louis losing to the Av's nor do I see the Ducks losing two games either especially when the two team they play are really bad. So I think we can finally start kicking dirt on the Wild season. Note to owner Craig Leipold please tell Doug Risebrough he is fired and tell him to pack up his thing. Risebrough is one of the major reasons this team sucks and no free agents want to play here. If think I am being silly look at the development of James Sheppard and Colton Gillies how is that working out for the Wild?

Keep Voting for T.J. Oshie.

Here are the latest numbers for Goal of the Season.

1.) T.J. Oshie (vs. VAN): 53.56 %
2.) Blake Wheeler (vs. STL): 19.33 %
3.) Alex Ovechkin (vs. MTL): 13.67 %
4.) Niklas Hagman (vs. FLA): 7.75 %
5.) Johan Franzen (vs. MTL): 5.69 %

Keep voting on line, as they say in Chicago vote early and vote often. Also, a nice honor for the WCHA, two of their former players are in the top two right now for goals of the season.

Here is what is wrong with the new NHL. (Moron of the week)

I found this blog for the Columbus Blue Jackets and this post really kind of illustrates what is wrong with the NHL right now. There is this mind set if you hit your opponent with a legal hit an then someone on your team needs to go after the player that just hammered your teammate with a legal. I call shenanigans and say that is BUSH LEAGUE.

If you are hit with a good clean check you take that player's number and wait for the time you can line that player up. It may be later in the game or in another game. The end. If your on the ice and someone slashes your goaltender, another player or you that is ground for droppign the mits. That is different. All these prima Donna's today that think they can't be checked. Hockey is a contact sport.

Last night, after Rick Nash was steamrolled by T.J. Oshie, the smallest player on the ice was the first responder with his team trailing the Blues 3-1 early in the third period. Kris Russell, all 5-foot-10, 180 pounds of him, went after Oshie. The hit produced a wild scrum and landed Russell in the box for four minutes (double minor, roughing). Oshie went for two minutes.

The entire sequence seemed to wake up the Jackets who responded with two quick goals from Kristian Huselius and Nash to tie it. The Jackets eventually lost 4-3 in a shootout, but coach Ken Hitchcock was proud of the response on individual and collective levels.

It was a valuable point for the Jackets on a night it appeared they might be run out of the building. They maintained sixth place and remained five points clear of ninth. It also gives them a little momentum heading into today's game.
(read the whole article here)

Moron of the week

Here is this week's candidate for moron of the week. This person here should stop watching hockey because they don't have a clue what a legal hit is. Maybe some of northern boys need come down to Ohio and give some of the rubes in OHIO classes about the ins and outs of hockey. T.J. Oshie is not a chippy, dirty player.

Anonymous:
oshie's hit could have been legal, but it was cheap. maybe that is what oshie wants to be. he better be ready to pay. think what a shelley will do to him...fresh punk meat... Posted by Anonymous | March 29, 2009 10:53 AM

College Hockey players in the NHL.

Last night I was watching a game between the Boston Bruins and the Ottawa Senators and started doing a mental accounting of all the college hockey players that were on both teams. If you think about it, this is an impressive list. For the Senators: Mike Comrie F Michigan, Danny Heatley F Wisconsin, Brian Lee D North Dakota Ottawa, Ryan Shannon F Boston College, Jesse Winchester F Colgate. On the other bench for the Bruins you had Byron Bitz F Cornell, Matt Hunwick D Michigan, Phil Kessel F Minnesota, Chuck Kobasew F Boston College, Mark Stuart D Colorado College, Tim Thomas G Vermont, Aaron Ward D Michigan. Blake Wheeler F Minnesota Boston. You see a pattern here, there are more and more division one college hockey players playing in the NHL each.

This a press release that I recieved from the editor of Letsplayhockey.com

From college to the NHL

Nearly a third of all NHL players in 2008-09 honed their skills in college before making the leap to the pros

In the world of NCAA hockey, the vast majority of players on the 58 Division I and 78Division II/III men’s teams will not make the jump to the NHL, AHL, ECHL or any other of the various professional hockey leagues around the world. But for a growing number of players, college hockey is a steppingstone to the bright lights of the National Hockey League.

In fact, according to next week’s issue of Let’s Play Hockey (www.letsplayhockey.com), 279 players who saw at least one regular season NHL game in 2008-09 honed their skills in college before making the leap to the professional ranks. That number represents nearly a third of all NHL players from the current season. In 2008-09, 61 former collegiate hockey players made their NHL debut.

Leading the list of former college players now in the NHL are standouts such as New Jersey’s Zach Parise (North Dakota), Tampa Bay’s Martin St. Louis (Vermont), Calgary’s Mike Cammalleri (Michigan), Atlanta’s Todd White (Clarkson), Ottawa’s Dany Heatley (Wisconsin), Chicago’s Jonathan Toews (North Dakota) and Boston’s Tim Thomas (Vermont).

Former college players are also among the leading 2008-09 rookies. Eight players who competed in the college ranks are currently among the top 33 rookie scorers in the NHL. They are: Boston’s Blake Wheeler (Minnesota), N.Y. Islanders’ Kyle Okposo (Minnesota), St. Louis’ T.J. Oshie (North Dakota), Anaheim’s Andrew Ebbett (Michigan), Boston’s Matt Hunwick (Michigan), Phoenix’s Kyle Turris (Wisconsin), Pittsburgh’s Alex Goligoski (Minnesota) and Nashville’s Ryan Jones (Miami).

Former college players are also among the leading 2008-09 rookies. Eight players who competed in the college ranks are currently among the top 33 rookie scorers in the NHL. They are: Boston’s Blake Wheeler (Minnesota), N.Y. Islanders’ Kyle Okposo (Minnesota), St. Louis’ T.J. Oshie (North Dakota), Anaheim’s Andrew Ebbett (Michigan), Boston’s Matt Hunwick (Michigan), Phoenix’s Kyle Turris (Wisconsin), Pittsburgh’s Alex Goligoski (Minnesota) and Nashville’s Ryan Jones (Miami).

Breaking down the list of 279 players by college sees the University of Michigan lead the way with 25 players, followed by Boston College (16), North Dakota (16), Wisconsin (16), Michigan State (15) and Minnesota (14).

And the numbers will only continue to grow. During the 2008-09 college hockey season, there were 197 players whose rights were owned by an NHL franchise. In addition, the NHL Central Scouting Service’s rankings for the 2009 Entry Draft list numerous prospects who will head to college hockey programs across the nation this fall.

Phil Housley was the rare hockey player to make the quantum leap from high school to the NHL. Countless Canadians take the Major Junior route before making the jump to the pros. European players compete in the numerous leagues throughout the continent in hopes of someday earning a spot on an NHL team. But for 279 NHL players, college was the path to take.

Colleges Represented in the NHL

Michigan 25
Boston College 16
North Dakota 16
Wisconsin 16
Michigan State 15
Minnesota 14
Boston University 13
St. Cloud State 13
Colorado College 10
Denver 10
Maine 9
Clarkson 8
Cornell 7
Dartmouth 6
Notre Dame 6
Ohio State 6
Vermont 6
Harvard 5
Michigan Tech 5
Minnesota Duluth 5
Minnesota State 5
Nebraska-Omaha 5
New Hampshire 5
Bowling Green 4
Princeton 4
Western Michigan 4
Alaska 3
Colgate 3
Miami 3
Providence 3
St. Lawrence 3
UMass-Lowell 3
Yale 3
Alaska Anchorage 2
Bemidji State 2
Lake Superior State 2
Massachusetts 2
Northern Michigan 2
Norwich 2
Alabama-Huntsville 1
Army 1
Brown 1
Ferris State 1
Holy Cross 1
Niagara 1
Northeastern 1
RPI 1

Vote for Oshie goal of the year.

Here is the link to the NHL web page to vote for T.J. Oshie who is a candidate for goal of the year. Currently Oshie is leading the vote with 45.60%, Alex Ovechkin 21.06%, Niklas Hagman 13.39%, Blake Wheeler 10.44%, Johan Franzen 9.51%. Ok Sioux fans and Blues fans vote for T.J. Oshie for goal of the year.

What's the Goal of the Season? You decide! Tuesday, 04.07.2009 / 11:20 AM / NHL Insider By Adam Schwartz and Brad Holland - NHL.com Staff Writers Below you'll find our five nominees for the Fan's Choice Goal of the Season.

Watch the videos, consider their merits, and record your choice by voting in the poll.

Vote as many times as you like.

The choice is personal, but some things to consider when voting are degree of difficulty, skill, and showmanship.

The voting ends this Friday at 10:00 a.m. ET, when the top goal, hit and save of the season is revealed.

Enjoy

Bemidji's new arena.

Check out the ins and outs of BSU's new arena that is going to be open for the 2010 season. This is going to be the new Beaver pond.

Beaver Linkorama.

Sean Leahy of Puck Daddy had an awesome write up on Matt Read one of the Stars for the Bemidji State Beavers. Having gone to Bemidji State University myself I know there is a lot of ice fishing to be had as well as an occasional party here and there. LOL, I can't believe he didn't mention the Beaver bashes, those were always fun when I attended BSU.

Matt Read, a sophomore forward on Bemidji State, was the CHA's Rookie of the Year and a member of the conference's All-Rookie team in 2007-08; as well as an all-CHA selection this season. For the second season in a row, Read is leading the team in scoring. It was his overtime goal in the CHA championship game against Robert Morris that put the Beavers into the NCAA tournament.

Read talked to Puck Daddy about making an immediate impact as a freshman, beating Notre Dame, and college life in Bemidji, Minnesota.

Q. Since you upset Notre Dame in the opening round of the tournament, how much more confidence is there now in the locker room?

READ: There's a lot more confidence now. You can tell within our practices now, a lot of us are all excited and having a good time now. We're starting to get a little bit stressed out now going to Washington next Tuesday, but right now our whole team is confident and it's fun to be around the guys and we're just having a great time.

How strong is the feeling around the locker room now that "Cinderella label be-damned, we can win this thing?"

I've never been in a locker room where there's such a good feeling going around and, all of us, we know what we have at stake and what we can do. It's an unbelievable experience right now and I don't know how to put it into words.

Having a chance, coming to Bemidji, you never think of even in a national tournament of coming to the Frozen Four and now you have the opportunity we've got to make the best out of it. It's just exciting right now.
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Q. So, you're a 22-year-old college-athlete ... what the are the parties like in Bemidji? What does a college kid do up there?

READ: Um, ice fishing. [Laughs] There's not much here in Bemidji , but we have our fun. We like to play cards once in a while. Trying to think, we don't do much up here really, just do what we can. Spend a lot of time at the rink and just goofing around on campus.

Other great reads

Bemidji State Hockey Goes From 16th Seed to the Frozen Four.

Grand Forks Hearld: Men's hockey: Busy Beavers.

Bemidji State fitting itself for hockey's glass slipper

WCCO --- Bemidji State Hockey Looks To Erase Underdog Status.

Adam Wodon, CHN --- Bemidji State Playing For Something More.

Matthew Conyers, CHN --- Beaver Players Trying to Re-Focus.

Kessel, Thornton and Ward back in for the Bruins.

The three Bruins that were hurt this week are back in tonight's line up to play against Brian Lee's team the Ottawa Senators. Manny Fernandez in net.

Blake Wheeler---Marc Savard----Phil Kessel
Mark Recchi---Patrice Bergeron---Chuck Kobasew
Milan Lucic---David Krejci---Michael Ryder
Shawn Thornton---Stephane Yelle--- Byron Bitz

Zdeno Chara --- Aaron Ward
Matt Hunwick --- Steve Montador
Mark Stuart --- Shane Hnidy

Manny Fernandez
Tim Thomas
(source Boston Globe)

Drew Stafford vs Jonathan Ericsson

Not a good season for the Sabres and this is not former Sioux Drew Staffords best effort as far as fighting goes but I have to give him credit he stood up for a team mate that was getting cheap shoted.

MSU-M Dragon's Hockey.

I think I am going to call shenanigans on this one. I just don't see this happening. While I think realignment is on the way I don't see how MSU-M thinks they can get a college hockey team together that would even be remotely competitive in the WCHA let alone one of the lesser conferences. Immediately we hear the pontifications about Dean Blais coaching the team. Come on now! Also, I think the WCHA is going to expand to twelve teams but it won't include a team from the Fargo Moorhead area. I would rather see an established team like UAH, UNO or NMU than Moorhead State.

MSUM considers D-I hockey
Urban Plains Center could be home to team. Minnesota State University Moorhead is considering launching an NCAA Division I hockey team and using the Urban Plains Center as a possible home, MSUM President Edna Szymanski said Monday.

Szymanski said no state money could be used to fund the proposal with the school and state facing a budget deficit.

“Not to explore it would be crazy,” Szymanski said. “This is a hockey community. It would help us increase our recognition in the region.”

MSUM athletic director Doug Peters said campus and community members began studying the idea after the Western Collegiate Hockey Association voted in January to lift a moratorium on adding teams.

“The time is right to take a look at it,” Peters said.

The WCHA is a 10-team league that includes the University of North Dakota and is widely regarded as one of the top ice hockey conferences in the country.

Brian Lee vs Maxim Lapierre

I thought this was a pretty good fight between former Fighting Sioux hockey player Brian Lee and Maxim Lapierre what ever it takes to stay in the line up. This was Brian Lee's first fight in the NHL. Brian Lee also had one fight against Pascal Morency when he was with the Binghamton Senators.

Sharks and Ducks brawl.

I watched the ending of this game last night and I must say that I would love to see the Sharks and the Ducks face off in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Checking the standings and IF the Ducks can finish eighth they could end up facing the Sharks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Holy Cow that would be a great series. The ending of the game was an old fashion donnybrook. You have to wonder if the NHL will take a look at this? I don't expect any suspensions to come out of this.

The Ducks had chances at the end, but could not convert and frustrated by the lack of calls in their favor, things boiled over on the ice. It wasn't a scrum, it was a brawl that primarily focused on Getzlaf and Marc-Edouard Vlasic going full tilt, Boucher coming out of his net to get involved. and Teemu Selanne yapping at the referee in either disgust, disbelief or both. The penalties handed out, including several misconducts, were 26 minutes for San Jose and 38 minutes for Anaheim.

The primary frustration was not the calls, but lack thereof that befuddled the Ducks.

"There were obviously some emotions, frustrations and what not," commented coach Randy Carlyle. "We're not saying we haven't committed fouls. We have. When we've played in the offensive zone for as many minutes as we have and watch what other teams do to defend our players, and if we do the same thing, it doesn't seem like there is an equal playing field at times. But that's perception."
(read the whole article here)

Ballard whoops Crosby.

I had to watch this video a few times and all I can say is good for Keith Ballard nice to see Cindy Crosby get what's coming to him. Crosby while a great player acts like a spoiled toddler that has had his pacifier taken away from him.

I am also sick and tired of seeing hockey players go after the opposition after they have recieved a legal body check or one of their teammates have been hit by a legal check. Grow the hell up and be a man, your part of the ice. This is unacceptable, If you don't like to get hit play tennis. There is no rule that you can't hit a teams star player.

Season over for the Wild. Note to Ownership Fire GM.

I was watching this game this afternoon on NBC and frankly the team put me to sleep, talk about boring, it almost looks as if the Wild accepted the fact that they aren't going to make the playoffs and just bagged the game. Gabby can say that Osgood was shakey but I didn't see a lot from him except for his goal. I almost wonder if Gaborik is hockey's version of Randy Moss I play when I want to.

I think the real truth is that the GM didn't give the coach a team that could have did much even if they would have had Gaborik for the whole season. Also when you have offensive defenseman like Marek Zidlicky they are prone to make big time mistakes that cost goals and if they Wild could have held on they would've at least gotten a point.

This team is pathetic and needs leadership at the top, there is nothing in the way of talent developing in Houston, General Manager Doug Risebrough is a joke and the one that should take all of the blame. I wish I could be the one to tell Risebrough he is fired. Gone, clean out your office because your toast. Take the train.

Teams that can’t put together a single real winning streak in a season shouldn’t have been in this position anyway. But that’s an indictment of the system.

Tonight’s loss was deserved, but it was heartbreaking nonetheless. The Wild was outshot 44-23, 34-11 at one point. Only Niklas Backstrom, a shaky Chris Osgood, and a couple posts, too (first period must have been sponsored by the Minnesota & Michigan Iron Range’s cuz Koivu, Hossa and Hudler hit iron), allowed the Wild to even be a minute from overtime.

And then, in one flawed, fatal last-minute shift, three players — Cal Clutterbuck, Eric Belanger and Marek Zidlicky, according to coach Jacques Lemaire — made mistakes.

Belanger fell. Clutterbuck joined Marian Gaborik on a forecheck when he shouldn’t have. But as often is the case, it was Mr. Zidlicky who caused the 2-on-1 by again carelessly stepping up in the neutral zone like he’s done so many times this season (most recent on Zach Parise in New Jersey, resulting in Brian Gionta’s nail in the coffin).

Zidlicky got lured into stepping up on Pavel Datsyuk. One pass later, 2-on-1 between Tomas Holmstrom and Marian Hossa.

Game over. Season over.

Lemaire roasted the players, but I point you to the game story for those quotes. The locker room was pretty glum after the game, obviously, because this week vacation plans will begin and native country’s will begin to phone about world championship availability. (read the whole article here)