VIEWPOINT: Spirit Lake in support of Standing Rock

Here is an interesting letter to the editor that was in this weekend’s Grand Forks Herald. The writers bring up some very valid points that have been over looked by the pro-change crowd. These writers are right a very small group of people referred to by the letter writers, 'as very small but vocal group of malcontents' have put UND on the verge of changing the University of North Dakota’s historic nick name.

SPIRIT LAKE NATION -- On April 21, 2009, the people of the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe exercised our Democratic rights and privileges as free Americans and participated in a vote to determine the fate of the UND Fighting Sioux nickname. The vote was a landslide in support of keeping the name and logo in place as it has been for more than 80 years, and yet the controversy and opposition we continue to encounter remains surprisingly desperate from a very small but vocal group of malcontents.

In the time since the vote, the leaders of the movement to put the issue on the ballot have reflected on just what has happened and what it means to them. In retrospect, the battle that is now behind the Spirit Lake people has charged the residents with pride, respect and a feeling of self determination that is still strong. The vote has given us all a taste of freedom and a renewed appreciation for democracy. It has also given our people a feeling of unity as we stood together and accomplished our goal.

The matter of the name is far from resolved as a result of this vote, but the success of the Spirit Lake people to speak their own mind and determine their own fate has spurred kindred Sioux people in the state to pursue a similar course of action on the Standing Rock Reservation.

The Spirit Lake Committee for Understanding and Respect was determined from the start to keep the focus on the issue and conduct our campaign in a manner that would leave no room for criticism or condemnation. It has been difficult, especially when members were accused of things like taking money from “The Ralph," or fraudulently obtaining signatures for petitions. This treatment was not limited to the committee members only, but the Engelstad Family Foundation and even Ralph Engelstad himself was dragged through the muck. The internet news forums prior to the vote abounded with emotionally charged missives from both sides of the issue which often overlooked the point of the issue completely. While we appreciate support from any who offer it, we have and will continue to conduct ourselves and our activities in a manner of understanding and respect, just like our committee name says, and encourage our supporters to do likewise.

In reference to the 1969 naming ceremony conducted on the campus of the University of North Dakota when Standing Rock tribal leaders officially blessed the University’s use of the Sioux name, there can be no retractions or dismissals. This ceremony was conducted as a pipe ceremony and a pipe ceremony can never be undone or taken back. Spiritual leaders are the only ones who should talk about these matters and they will not discuss this in public and very seldom in private, because the pipe (c’anunpa) is far too sacred for public discussion. For example, when our chiefs signed a treaty and gave their word with the pipe, individual chiefs could later have a change of heart but the treaty still stands.

Why is it so easy for the ND State Board of Higher Education to change their agreement to allow the ND Sioux Tribes until November, 2010 to approve or disapprove the UND nickname? Is it because treaties are made to be broken?

We want to be remembered by our grandchildren and great grandchildren as Dakota Sioux who fought for the right to be proud of our name in spite of the vicious onslaught by people who let their prejudice overwhelm their sense of pride and dignity. We encourage all of our youth to strive for an education so that they can help their people and become true representatives of the “Fighting Sioux."

The ND State Board of Higher Education will make the ultimate decision regarding the continued use of the “Fighting Sioux“ nickname and logo. The settlement agreement between the State and the NCAA says that the two ND Sioux Tribes must give their approval in order for the University to retain the name and logo. This decision can only be made by the people of Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes and no one else. The news media has given far too much attention to the outcries of a small group of disgruntled faculty and Native students at UND who are neither Sioux nor from the Spirit Lake or Standing Rock reservations.

We would like to take this opportunity to convey our thoughts and feelings to our brothers and sisters of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. We support the right of the people at Standing Rock to be heard and we support their efforts to have a say in the Fighting Sioux name and logo debate.

The Spirit Lake Nation Tribal Council respected the wishes of their people and understood that this issue was far too big and far too personal for just a small group of people to decide. This issue is not a political pawn. This issue is a very personal and individual matter that requires the input of each member of the tribe.

The vote at Spirit Lake gave our people an opportunity to tell the world how the Fighting Sioux name and logo makes each individual tribal member feel. The people of the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe clearly told the world they feel good about the Fighting Sioux name and logo.

No matter what side of the issue they were on, almost unanimously, the people of Spirit Lake Sioux tribe are grateful for the opportunity to voice their opinion and respect the outcome of the people’s vote. We ask for our many relatives at Standing Rock to be given the same opportunity. Let’s put this issue to rest once and for all and get on with the task of tackling the real issues that impact us in Indian country.

Our people are a people of consensus and the only way for this matter to be resolved is to give the people a chance to voice their individual opinions on this very personal matter. We are willing to live with the results of such a vote, whatever the result may be.

This letter was also signed by Spirit Lake Committee for Understand and Respect members Demus McDonald, Frank Black Cloud, Oliver Gourd, Eunice Davidson, Alex Yankton and Renita DeLorme.

Gopher fans are you worried?

From everything I have read this week; I think if Jordan Schroeder was offered the entry level max, I think there is a good chance Schroeder might sign it. Seriously, I mean read the things Schroeder is saying. Schroeder isn't ruling out signing, he isn't ruling out returning either. Interesting statements from him, if I was a Gopher's fan I would be a little nervous about Schroeder until he is in the line opening night.

Schroeder's father John is paying the shot for him to attend the Canucks camp to protect his NCAA eligibility. Schroeder, 19 on Sept. 29, is determined to get his (dad's) money's worth.

"I wanted to come here and show the organization that I'm very interested [in them] and to pay my dues even though it cost our family," he said. "Paying our way up here was worth it. Seeing the city and getting to know all the prospects was definitely worth it."

Schroeder will almost certainly return to the Golden Gophers for another season and, if so, he won't be attending full rookie and main camp in September. After that, who knows? The Canucks could come calling with a contract offer at any time.
[ The Vancouver Sun]

Gaborik setting his goals high.

I think most Wild fans are probably rolling their eyes when they hear Gaborik talk about how he is going to score a bunch of goals during this up coming season. Then all you have to do is look at his list of injuries and if Cornelius Hardenbergh's math is right Gabby has missed 154 games during his NHL Hockey career.

"I'm not worried about that, though. I don't think it will be a problem."

Gaborik scored 13 goals in 17 games for the Wild while missing most of last season with a labrum injury that was surgically repaired on Jan. 5 by Dr. Marc Philippon. Entering what should be his prime years, the 27-year-old winger has scored 123 goals in 207 games over the last four years. That equates to an 82-game pace of 49 goals.

"I'm very confident that the problems with my health are in the past and that if I'm healthy, I can produce the way I expect to," said Gaborik, who traveled here from his home in Trencin, Slovakia, to search for an apartment in Manhattan.

"This is going to be a big change for me after only playing in Minnesota for [eight] years, but I'm very excited about the challenge. I'm going to try to do what I do best, which is to try to make a difference on the ice every time I'm out there.

"I try to be the best player every game." [New York Post]

Dalton could be a keeper...

Here is a nice story on former BSU Goalie Matt Dalton. It will be interesting to see where he ends up playing this season.

WILMINGTON - Most of the interest that NCAA teams showed in Matt Dalton disappeared when the goalie’s self-admitted “academic issues’’ came to light.

“Being from Canada, my high school classes weren’t going to work,’’ said the Clinton, Ontario, native. “I didn’t find that out until my second-to-last year of juniors. So I had to do a full year of university while I was in juniors just to get eligible for NCAAs. That scared a lot of schools off. I was talking to a lot of schools at the time. Once all the academic issues came out, it was like they all quit talking.’’

As Dalton prepares for his first year as a pro goalie, it appears he’s getting the last laugh on the spooked schools.

Dalton has been one of three goalies at Ristuccia Arena this week for development camp (Adam Courchaine and Michael Hutchinson are the others). The 23-year-old is in the Boston fold for the next two seasons, aiming to become the latest unorthodox netminder to make it in Black-and-Gold. Like Tim Thomas, Dalton isn’t committed to following the butterfly style that has become the norm.

“A modified butterfly goalie, maybe?’’ Dalton said. “I don’t think I’m a true butterfly goalie like a lot of the French-Canadian goalies. But I do butterfly quite a bit.’’

The 6-foot-1-inch, 194-pound Dalton considers himself more of a track-and-react goalie. This week, Dalton has put his style to the test against the prospects’ shots. Dalton holds his glove up and out (Courchaine and Hutchinson keep their catchers closer to their bodies) and tries to make himself as big as possible.

“I think I play my best when I’m tracking the puck well and reacting,’’ Dalton said. “More reacting than dropping down into a butterfly. It’s different with every person. It’s something that I found works well for me.’’

It's no mystery where Kevin Paul Dupont stands.

It never ceases to amaze me how Boston Globe Sports Writer KPD is always out there waving the trade Kessel flag. This article comes right after the Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli says that 'Phil Kessel will be back.' I believe this also the rumors he is talking about from that interview on NESN.

No progress in GM Peter Chiarelli’s attempts to strike a new deal with 36-goal scorer Phil Kessel. If an offer sheet is coming from another club, it’s not likely to be made until close to the season opener in October, at which time the Bruins, with little or no cap room left by then, would be forced to let him go or frantically dump salary. Unlike the summer, when clubs are allowed to go 10 percent over the $56.8 million salary cap, there is no overage allowed once the season starts. It’s far more likely that Kessel will be signed in the next few weeks or traded well before the start of October. Restricted free agents who fail to sign by Dec. 1 are forced to sit out the remainder of the season . . . The Ducks and Bruins once might have discussed a Kessel-for-Bobby Ryan swap. Ryan, the No. 2 pick in the ’05 draft, was a finalist last season for Rookie of the Year . . .
[Boston Globe]

Kessel’s faults may scare off bidders

Here is another interesting article on why Kessel remains unsigned by any team. This approach does seem to make sense. There hasn't been any offers from other clubs and the Bruins can just sit and wait and if there is an offer they match it. I wonder how long this game of cat and mouse is going to go on?

While Phil Kessel continues to swing gently in the barely stirring breezes of restricted free agency, the Bruins go calmly about the rest of their business these days, unconcerned that their leading goal-scorer of last season could be tempted by some outrageous offer sheet at any moment.

That may be disconcerting to some in Bruins Nation, but there’s a very good reason general manager Peter Chiarelli has been so willing to let Kessel dangle out there like some oversized carrot on a string for the last week and a half: Because he knows it’s unlikely “Phil the Thrill” will get an offer the B’s can’t match.

Though Kessel scored a team-high 36 goals in just 70 games last season, there seem to be enough questions about the 21-year-old forward’s leaky defense, his lack of a physical game, and his allegedly weak role in the team dynamic, as well as the NHL’s shaky economic and salary-cap climate, to dissuade any team from bidding more than $5 million a year or so for the former University of Minnesota star.

And while Chiarelli might feel Kessel is worth more along the lines of a David Krejci ($3.75 million a year) than, say, a Brian Gionta ($5 million a year from Montreal), the Boston GM wouldn’t hesitate to match either offer. If you’re thinking match-and-trade, forget it — the NHL prohibits trading a player for one year after matching an offer to him — but that doesn’t mean Chiarelli couldn’t unload someone else to make space available.

There’s also the compensation issue for Kessel’s suitors to consider. If they offer him more than $6 million a year (actually, over $6,026,867) and the Bruins don’t match, Boston would get two first-round draft picks, a second-rounder and a third-rounder. If the offer is more than $7.5 million, the compensation would be four first-round picks.

Rest assured there’s not a GM alive who thinks Kessel is worth that much in salary and damages.

On the other hand, the one thing the Bruins lack is a go-to offensive guy, someone they can count on to put the puck in the net in the clutch, a take-over-the-game player. And Kessel could be that guy.

The B’s were right to give up on Joe Thornton because of his frequent malaise and his playoff paralysis, but Kessel has shown signs of being someone they can lean on in the postseason. Besides his 66 goals in three seasons, Kessel has 15 points (including nine goals) in 15 playoff games, with a plus-8 rating.

That’s something he and the Bruins can, and should, build on.
[Telegram.com]

Pontifications on the Bruins that make sense.

Now I am seeing something that makes sense in regards to Phil Kessel and him not signing a contract as of yet, however, I personally would rather see Marco Sturm go and the Bruins keep Chuck Kobasew.

The big Bruins news of the week, however, has to with general manager Peter Chiarelli’s comments on NESN last night. When prompted to speak about current Restricted Free Agent and Bruins’ best goal scorer Phil Kessel’s contract status, Chiarelli stated that Kessel will be back with the Bruins.

Obviously, with the amount of trade rumors circling around Kessel, it is rather surprising that suddenly Chiarelli has come out and said Kessel will be back. Chiarelli even went so far as to say it’s a shame that the rumors get out and that Kessel is a good player and person. Perhaps he is trying to mend some wounds before Kessel’s official return?

That said, until a contract is signed, we can’t be certain of Kessel’s status. Should Kessel return for any price between $3.5 million and $4.5 million, it looks as if one player will have to be traded. With Kessel’s return, the Bruins would have 10 forwards of top-9 skill level. One can safely assume that Marc Savard, Milan Lucic, David Krecji, Mark Recchi, Blake Wheeler, Patrice Bergeron and Michael Ryder will return.

That leaves one of Marco Sturm and Chuck Kobasew left.

Trading either of these forwards will clear up the necessary space. Although trading Sturm and his 3.5 million dollar contract would make more sense than trading Kobasew’s cap-friendly contract, Sturm has a no trade clause. Chiarelli could ask Sturm to waive it, but, as of now, barring a major trade, it would seem Kobasew is on his way out. [Insidehockey.com]

Chiarelli: Phil Kessel will be back

This news should make Bruins fans more at ease. I have been on record in the past as saying Phil Kessel is a core member of the Boston Bruins and unless the Bruins management can get someone to score 35-50 goals from somewhere else they are going to need to resign him. I don't want to hear that Marco Sturm or Patrice Bergeron will pick up the slack because they won't, they are not as dynamic and as pure as a goal scorer as Phil Kessel.

3rd Annual Oshie Sports Celebrity Golf Tournament

<<<<<<< Announcement >>>>>>>>>
On Wednesday, July 29th and Thursday, July 30th, 2009, we will be holding the 3rd Annual Oshie Sports Celebrity Benefit and Golf Tournament.

The event will feature a "Celebrity Shoot-Out" on the afternoon of July 29th which will allow the business leaders to purchase a 4-some at $200.00 plus the cost of golf / carts for the group. Later that night, "A Meet The Celebrities" autograph session will take place from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Rydell GM Auto Center Cadillac Showroom in Grand Forks, ND.

The 3nd Annual Oshie Sports Celebrity Golf Tournament will be held on Thursday, July 30th, at the magnificent links-style King's Walk Golf Course. This Arnold Palmer designed golf course is one of the best courses in North Dakota.

The cost per foursome will remain $500.00 and your team will receive:

- One team of 4 golfers (plus celebrity) for golf / cart at King's Walk Golf Course on Thursday, July 30th, 2009.
- Complimentary gift for each golfer
- Company or players names recognized in program
- Complimentary hamburger upon registration
- Complimentary dinner / appetizers at completion of tournament
- Team prize packages
- Live Auction @ Post Awards Ceremony

Here is a credentials snip-its of all the 2009 - 3rd Annual Oshie Celebrity Golf Tournament Invitees:

T.J. Oshie (St. Louis Blues / UND) HOST
Zach Parise (New Jersey Devils / UND)
Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks / UND)
Dean Blais (Head Coach University of Nebraska - Omaha)
Taylor Chorney (Edmonton Oilers / UND)
Marc Chorney (NHL / UND)
Kyle Okposo (New York Islanders / UM)
Blake Wheeler (Boston Bruins / UM)
David Backes (St. Louis Blues / UM Mankato)
Patrik Berglund (St. Louis Blues)
Matt Niskanen (Dallas Stars / UM-Duluth)
Jordan Parise (UND / Lowell Devils AHL)
Chris Porter (St. Louis Blues / UND)
Matt Jones (Phoenix Coyotes / UND)
Colby Genoway (Manitoba Moose / UND)
Karl Goehring (Manitoba Moose / UND)
Dave Christian ('80 Olympic USA Miracle Team / NHL / UND)
Dave Hakstol (UND Fighting Sioux Head Coach)
Cary Eades (UND Fighting Sioux Associate Head Coach)
Dane Jackson (UND Fighting Sioux Assitant Coach)
Kyle Radke (Idaho Steelheads / UND)
Phil Lamoureux (Alaska Aces / UND)
Nick Fuher (UND)
Mike "Lefty" Curran ('72 Olympic USA Team / MN North Stars / UND)
Ginny Christian ('56 Olympic USA Team / UND)
Billy Christian ('60 Olympic Gold Medal Team USA)
Andrew Kozek (UND Fighting Sioux / Atlanta Thrashers Draft Choice)
Landon Wilson (Dallas Stars / UND)
Brad Miller (UND / Austin ECHL)
Matt Smaby (Tampa Bay Lightning / UND)
David Hale (Phoenix Coyotes / UND)
Dustin Byfulien (Chicago Blackhawks)
Zach Jones (UND Fighting Sioux)

There will be only ONE flight of 36 teams in the tournament. We anticipate a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start for the golf scramble. Due to the very high demand for teams, we will fill the 36 slots on a first-come, first-served basis. We must receive payment in full to reserve your team. Please fill out the enclosed form and mail it with your check to the credentials below.

If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Timothy Oshie at (360) 722-1784 or simply e-mail to oshiesports@gmail.com.

Kindest Regards,



Timothy W. Oshie

***Oshie Sports Celebrity Golf Tournament Invitees's and subject to change at any time.

Im not the only one that thinks Skoula is a Pylon.

While reading the blog HockeyWilderness I came across this most accurate description of Martin Skoula and Marc-Andre Bergeron. The two Players (Pylons) are defensive zone nightmares, and I would hate to think how many times Skoula coughed the puck up in the defensive zone that led to a game tying or game winning goal. I think the Wild should also ban anyone else from ever wearing the number 41 again. Good bye and good riddance.

On defense, Fletcher jettisoned the human pylon Martin Skoula, the only man more entertaining, in that painful kind of way, than the Three Stooges. Gone also is Marc-Andre Bergeron, who played minutes only when there was little or no chance of him screwing anything up. In their places are Greg Zannon and Shane Hnidy. Tow defensive minded d-men. They were needed to be able to unleash the talents of Brent Burns, Kim Johnnson, and hopefully, Marek Zidlicky. Bringing in two guys that have shown they have a nose for keeping the puck out of the net allows the guys who have a nose for putting the puck in the net to do so.
[HockeyWilderness.com]

Canucks prospect Patrick White told no more 'Mr. Nice Guy'

Here is another interesting article on a Cancucks prospect and current Minnesota Golden Gopher Patrick White. It's articles like this that are going to make people question a certain coach down in Minneapolis, MN. Personally, like I said before I think Lucia is doing a great job as the coach of the Minnesota Gophers.

Patrick White has gone from the Vancouver Canucks' No. 1 pick in the 2007 NHL entry draft to No. 1 whipping boy when it comes to scrutinizing the club's draft history this decade.

Canucks fans see red every time David Perron's name is mentioned, as the St. Louis winger who's scored 28 NHL goals already and made the Blues right out of junior two seasons ago was selected one spot after White (26th overall) in 2007. Comparisons won't get any easier, as the Canucks' top pick last month, Jordan Schroeder at 22nd overall, is one of White's teammates at University of Minnesota. Schroeder, a dynamic centre, was one of the top scorers in points per game (1.29) in U.S. college hockey last season as a first-year player, finishing with a dazzling 13-27-40 in 32 games.

White, also a centre, had 7-8-15 in his second season with the Gophers on the heels of a 6-4-10 rookie season.

But is it fair to rag on White, who's here this week as part of the Canucks' five-day summer prospects camp?

He was projected by NHL Central Scouting as a second-rounder and surprised some onlookers when the Canucks, under then-GM Dave Nonis, picked the former Minnesota high school star so high.

Is he another blown first-rounder? Or is there still a chance he could one day wear the Orca on his chest?

The Canucks certainly haven't given up on White, particularly because he's still just 20 years old.

"He's still a young player," said Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman. "Different players develop at different rates."

Don Lucia, White's coach at University of Minnesota, also thinks the jury is still out on the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder.

"The biggest issue is he's got to learn to compete harder one on one," said Lucia. "He's a really nice kid, great student, comes from a wonderful family, but ‘Mr. Nice Guy' has got to go away when he steps on the ice. When he learns to battle consistently he'll take a step as a player. That's been his struggle over two years. We've talked to him about it. He understands it."

This is interesting.

I found this today on the QuickFacts and my reply was that you're going to get a bunch of hate mail from Gophers fans. That being said I enjoy reading her post because she has a lot of interesting hockey news.

As said previously in this space, QuickFacts believes Golden Gopher Jordan Schroeder will not return to the University of MN & will turn pro
10 minutes ago from Seesmic Desktop

I don't think this twitter post/tweet is that far out of the main stream because listen to what he is saying.

But Schroeder wouldn't commit to returning to college, only acknowledging it's likely. "I'll have some decisions to make when I go back home," he said. "[But] a year back in college wouldn't hurt at all."
[Faceoff.com]

Corey Fienhage at the Sabres development camp.

Here is what Kris Baker had to say about Fighting Sioux defenseman Corey Fienhage at the Sabres development camp. I think Sioux fans are going to see some impressive play by Fienhage on the blue line for UND this season. I think he is going to blossom into a monster.

Corey Fienhage is built for the rugged NHL. He's very fluid and uses his excellent size in 1-1s to lean and rub players out. Elements of Derian Hatcher with better feet. Very no-nonsense. Even looks mean in drills. Aside from enjoying the physical contact (I compared him to a safety's patrolling mentality in the back field when he was drafted), he's good at getting in front of shots. For his efforts, he was stung inside a shin guard on both days. From the point, he's shown his hard rising right-handed shot on a couple of occasions. He's set to blossom in Grand Forks. [Sabres Prospects]

Bozak impresses Burke.

I believe this kid is one of the more complete players to play in the WCHA last season. Can you imagine how DU might have fared if Tyler Bozak had been available all of last year and not suffered an knee injury? It will be interesting to see how he fares in the NHL next season.

"That's what stood out the first time I watched him play," said Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, whom signed Bozak to an entry-level contract in April.

"The first time I saw him play was probably the worst game he played in college. His team got spanked at home and he probably only had two shots on net. But I still loved how the rest of his team sagged and he just kept on battling.

"He was average at best, but I still liked him."

For most of his two-year NCAA career, Bozak was anything but average. He led the Pioneers in scoring with 34 points in 41 games as a freshman. And last season, despite playing just 19 games, he finished with 23 points and a team-high plus-14 rating.

But aside from his points or his ability to kill penalties or win crucial face-offs, Bozak's biggest asset is his Chris Drury-like character and competitiveness.

Those qualities were on display when Bozak returned from injury against Miami of Ohio for the West Regional semi-final. He may have been rusty and barely healed. But he still scored a goal and an assist in the 4-2 loss.

"I definitely wasn't 100%," he said, "but it was a do-or-die game and I felt I could help spark the guys on our team and just do what I could do out there to help them."

The Leafs, who beat out about 25 other NHL teams to acquire the late-bloomer, believe Bozak can also provide a spark to its rebuilding dressing room.

Burke said the signing was the equivalent to acquiring a second-round draft choice. But unlike Toronto's actual draft picks this year such as seventh-overall selection Nazem Kadri, Bozak is the only one expected to immediately jump into the NHL. [Faceoff.com]

Kessel negotiations on hold?

I am trying to figure out what the heck Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli is trying to do? Looks like the Bruins GM is playing hard ball with Kessel. To the fans on message boards that I see suggesting that Marco Sturm and Patrice Bergeron are going to be able to pick up the slack if Kessel leaves. Seriously; that isn't going to happen. Patrice Bergeron is one hit away from a medical retirement after suffering two concussions and Sturm has never scored more than 27 goals in a season. Also neither players is a pure scorer like Kessel.

As far as the current Bruins roster goes, according to a source close to the Phil Kessel negotiations, there has been no communication between the Bruins and the Kessel camp since the NHL entry draft. The last time Kessel’s agent Wade Arnott and Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli spoke, they reportedly let it be known where they stand, with Arnott stressing that his client’s first preference was to remain a Bruin. Chiarelli, according to this source, said the Bruins would get back to him, but as of Monday, they had not done so yet... [NESN]

More college kids paying their own way to camp.

It's too bad that there aren't any professional development camps close by, like maybe the Ralph, where a hockey fan could come watch some of the action and take some pictures. It will be interesting to see how Zach Budish does this season after missing all of last winter with a knee injury.

Hockey is not an inexpensive sport by any means. High-end equipment, registration fees, and travel expenses are all part of the commitment a hockey player and that player’s family are forced to endure to continue playing the sport they love. For the players at the Development Camp, they see the financial outlay as money well spent both in terms of their hockey education and the message their presence sends to the Predators.

“It sends the right message to the organization that you want to be here and you want to play in Nashville one day,” forward Nick Oliver said. “I think it is a great tool for college guys to come here to help them get prepared for their upcoming seasons. I’m going to try and learn a lot here.”

The 6’3” 184-pound Oliver is headed for St. Cloud State University in the fall. He was selected in the 4th round (110th overall) of last month’s Entry Draft.

Fellow recent draftee Zach Budish echoed Oliver’s comments.

“It’s a big week in our development, and gets us started off on the right note,” Budish said. “I just got drafted a couple of weeks ago, so I wanted to come down here, have a good experience, and learn a lot of things hopefully.”

The 18-year-old Budish already possesses NHL size at 6’3” and 229 pounds. He is recovering from a torn ACL sustained in a high school football game last fall. That injury prevented him from playing his senior hockey season at Edina High in Edina, Minnesota. Had Budish not sustained the knee injury, there was a good chance he would have been selected in the first round of the Entry Draft. Nashville selected him in the second round with the 41st overall pick.

Budish, who will play for the University of Minnesota in the fall, credited his parents for their financial contribution allowing him to come to Nashville [Examiner.com]

BHO thanks Ovie.

For those of you that haven't seen this on Puck Daddy here is our president thanking the Russian people for Alexander Ovechkin.

Early Signing?

Looks like Jordan Schroeder is non-committal on his future. I would be willing to bet we will see him for one more year in the WCHA.

Although he's clearly got a top-end future, Schroeder's probable path is to return to Minnesota, where he can mature physically for another year while likely contending for the Hobey Baker Award for college hockey's best player.

But Schroeder wouldn't commit to returning to college, only acknowledging it's likely. "I'll have some decisions to make when I go back home," he said. "[But] a year back in college wouldn't hurt at all." [Faceoff.com]

Anaheim Ducks sign Saku Koivu

Confirmed by [Mike Russo] You can take Saku Koivu off of the Wild's list of potential free agents. Looks like Wild fans are stuck with first round bust(s) James Sheppard and Benoit Pouliot. I am hoping the new GM tries to get another prized free agent.

The Anaheim Ducks have signed the free agent centre to a one-year, $3.25-million contract. Koivu, 34, had been the Canadiens' second-longest-serving captain in team history. [montrealgazette]

Canucks prospect pays his own way

Props to Richard from the Illegal Curve. Interesting article on Gophers forward Jordan Schroeder. I am surprised that Gophers coach Don Lucia didn't send Jordan with a shadow to make sure he comes back to Minnesota without a contract in hand. Also in the article you will notice a few familiar names of UMD Bulldog players Mason Raymond and Evan Oberg.

Jordan Schroeder, the Vancouver Canucks’ first-round pick in last month’s draft, had to borrow money from his father to attend the NHL team’s prospect camp at the University of British Columbia this week.

Schroeder, who attends the University of Minnesota, is subject to the strict rules of the U.S. National Collegiate Athletic Association. To protect his amateur status, and to be eligible to play for the Golden Gophers later this year, Schroeder had to pay his own way and must take care of his own lodging while in Vancouver.

“I definitely wanted to come and show the organization that I’m interested,” said Schroeder, the 22nd pick in the draft who has yet to sign a professional contract. “I wanted to prove to them that I can come in and pay my dues, even if it costs a little bit.”

Schroeder, 18, isn’t the only one paying his own way to take part in team-organized events. While other U.S. collegians among the two dozen or so prospects at camp this week face the same financial requirements, the Canucks also have NHL veterans and hopefuls digging into their own pockets to travel to Vancouver this summer.

The Canucks are holding off-ice training sessions with strength and conditioning coach Roger Takahashi. Every player in the organization is invited to take part in the GM Place workouts, though they are more suited for younger players looking to improve their game or their chances of making the team at training camp this fall. [the Globe and Mail]

Here is the video of the new BSU arena

Here is the a video of the new BREC, it is an impressive site and it's a good way to start off on the right foot in the WCHA for BSU. It also levels the playing field with the other haves around the WCHA. According to Moose Richards of KBUN AM 1450 in Bemidji, MN the Beavers head coach Tom Serratore would like to open the new BREC with North Dakota. Stay tuned as soon as we find out who will be the first team to open the new BREC I will let you know.

More on Joe Colborne at the Bruins Development Camp.

I guess in a way I am hoping this kids turns out to be the second coming of Joe Thornton only better. Meaning he won't disappear during the Stanley Cup playoffs and get sent to San Jose in a trade. Also! Good news for the other WCHA teams that big Joe doesn't plan on being at DU for all four years. You do have to love his honesty. As a first round draft choice most of us don't expect to be there that long either.

BEDFORD, Mass. — Denver head coach George Gwozdecky might not like to hear it, but Boston Bruins prospect Joe Colborne isn’t shy about the fact that he doesn’t plan to play four years for the Pioneers.

Fresh off his freshman campaign, Colborne explained that today after the first day of the Bruins’ Third Annual Development Camp at The Edge Sports Center, where the attendees were put through some land testing and then team-bonding exercises.

“I’m ready to be a Bruin whenever I can be,” Colborne, the Bruins’ first-round pick (16th overall) in ‘08, explained. “But again, I’m not going to kind of rush myself in so that I’m not ready. I have a great situation back at Denver, so whenever we sit with management we’ll figure that out.”

Colborne produced 10-21-31 totals in 40 games for the Pioneers this season. But those aren’t the numbers he and the Bruins are most interested in. For Colborne, playing college hockey in the U.S. is all about bulking up. He weighed in today at 206, which he said is 13 pounds more than he weighed at the start of Denver’s season. So eating eggs every day and hitting the weights as often as possible,paid off.

“It was a lot of hard work. That was the main reason I went to the college route because I could be working out three times a week all year,” he said. “We have a great trainer down there and ever since I’ve been home in the summer I’ve been working out in Calgary six times a week. It’s nice to finally see the rewards starting to come.
----------{snip}----------
“I think some of the guys that haven’t been here before, especially today, were a little bit shocked by what we were doing,” said Colborne, who played both center and wing for the Pioneers but thinks he’d still like to be a center in the pros. “But we were all in that situation, especially last year. For me being in that situation, I felt a little bit out of place sometimes, not knowing what to expect. They’ll learn quick just like we did last year.”

Colborne obviously caught on quick to college life. He said he kept his grades up and learned to cook a bit. And on the ice and in the weight room he made major strides. The next step is to turn pro — when it’s determined by all parties he is ready, but sooner rather than later.

Purple Mavs and Red Mavs...

Nice article by Purple Mav's blogger Shane Frederick in yesterdays Mankato paper. Interesting take on BSU, UNO and MSU-M. One of the things that hasn't come up much during the realignment was that UND, MSU-M SCSU, UNO and for a few years UMD were in the now defunct NCC conference and that these schools had a history together in Division II sports such as baseball, basketball and football.

The last time the WCHA added a team was in 1999 when Minnesota State joined the league.

That was a much different situation 10 years ago, as the local, purple Mavericks were making the transition from the dying Division II ranks to Division I.

Minnesota State’s short stint as a D-I independent involved a sort of initiation process, playing in the nine-team WCHA’s conference tournament as the 10th seed for two years before becoming a full-fledged member of the fraternity. Even then, Minnesota State had to pay an expansion fee and not share in the conference tournament and Final Five money.

Like MSU, Bemidji State jumped from Division II to Division I. In 1999 it left the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association behind and helped found the now nearly defunct College Hockey America conference. Omaha started its program from scratch and began playing in 1997. After its overtures to the WCHA were turned down, it joined the Central Collegiate Hockey Association in 1999.

Both schools’ stock jumped up recently, as the Beavers shocked the college-hockey world by advancing to the NCAA Frozen Four in April and, a month ago, the red Mavericks hired ex-North Dakota coach Dean Blais, who won two national championships with the Sioux, to run the program.

The WCHA certainly isn’t adding a pair of powder-puffs, and all 10 of its current members might be just a tad nervous right now.

While the addition of those two schools will give the WCHA a much different look in a couple of years, it might not be too strange for Minnesota State and its fans.

The purple Mavericks practically have considered the schools their D-I cousins and have maintained rivalries with both. A longtime D-II rival with Bemidji, Minnesota State has played the Beavers every year since 1998, going 14-5-2 against them in that span. MSU has played Omaha, an old North Central Conference rival in other sports, every year but two since 1997 and has a 14-6-4 all-time record against the red Mavs.

Minnesota State and Nebraska-Omaha have played for the “Spirit of the Maverick” trophy every year since 2001-02. Come 2010, the WCHA will undergo a spirit of change. [Mankato Free Press]

College Hockey players in Bruins development camp.

Here is a list of players in the Bruins development camp that have college hockey experience. Most notable is Joe Colborne who was a first round draft choice in last years draft.

F Scott Campbell Umass-Lowell 14-16-30 in 38 games
F Joe Colborne 16th in 2008 University of Denver 10-21-31 in 40 games
D Tommy Cross 35th in 2007 Boston College 0-8-8 in 24 games
G Matt Dalton signed in 2009 Bemidji State University 2.19 GAA .921 Sv%
D Alain Goulet 159th in 2007 University of Nebraska-Omaha 2-3-5 in 17 games
D Brady Lamb University of Minnesota-Duluth 1-1-2 in 21 games
F Jason Lawrence Boston University 25-14-39 in 44 games
D Tyler Ludwig Western Michigan University 8-21-29 in 41 games
D Zach McKelvie Army (NCAA) 5-12-17 in 33 games
[WickedBruinsFan's Blog]

Joe Colborne at the Bruins development camp.

I think this kid is an impressive sight and is going to have a monster season in the WCHA. As a Bruins fan it would love to see this kid succeed and move on. By him succeeding and moving on means my favorite team the Fighting Sioux won't have to worry about checking him during WCHA league games. Looks like DU fans will get to enjoy him for another season as well.

Boston Globe: How Joe Colborne is growing into his body and game. Big Joe currently checks in at 6-foot-6, 196 pounds. That's an inch taller than he was last summer. He is arguably the club's brightest prospect because of his size and skill. Colborne will return to the University of Denver for his sophomore season.[Bruins Blog]

More on Zajac filing for arbitration.

Here is an interesting article about former Fighting Sioux hockey Travis Zajac and him filing for arbitration. It will be interesting to see what he gets for a contract. Zajac played in 82 games scoring 20g-42a-62 pts and was a +33.

The short-term and initial good news is that Travis Zajac will (almost) definitely return next season. I emphasize almost as teams have "walk-away" rights after the results of arbitration that they can invoke within a vast number of requirements. Based on past arbitration hearings with the Devils that I can recall, the player has returned next season. Moreover, I don't expect the Devils to walk away from Zajac, not with their current lack of depth at the position and with their current surplus of cap space. So expect Zajac to continue to be the center for Zach Parise. However, considering the process, this could turn out to be some serious bad news for the Devils. [In Lou We Trust]

Michael Forney still undecided.

Brad Elliott Schlossman has confirmed that Michael Forney HAS NOT made his decision on wether he is going to return to UND or not. I would imagine that we will hear some kind of announcedment soon on what his decision is going to be.

Forney still has not made his final decision. I think everyone involved thought that the answer would be known by now, but it is not. When I know, I'll pass it along. [UND Hockey Blog]

Hunwick files for arbitration. (Zajac and Smaby too)

The Bruins need to have Matt Hunwick and Phil Kessel signed and in their lineup for the next season. First off this is a good sign for Matt Hunwick. Also, former Sioux hockey playersTravis Zajac (New Jersey) and Matt Smaby (Tampa Bay)filed for arbitration as well.

As expected, Matt Hunwick filed for arbitration by today's 5 p.m. deadline. Hunwick was one of 20 restricted free agents to file for arbitration. Hunwick is expected to come to an agreement prior to his hearing.

"Still negotiating with B's," agent Peter Fish wrote in an e-mail to colleague Kevin Dupont. "It will work out."

Hearings will take place in Toronto from July 20 to Aug. 4. Players who have filed for arbitration are not eligible to sign offer sheets. The deadline for club-elected arbitration is tomorrow at 5 p.m.

The other players to file:

James Wisniewski
Colby Armstrong
Clarke MacArthur
Tuomo Ruutu
Aaron Johnson
Marc Methot
Jiri Hudler
Denis Grebeshkov
Kyle Brodziak
Tomas Plekanec
Travis Zajac
Nate Thompson
Ryan Callahan
Nikolai Zherdev
Nigel Dawes
Daniel Winnik
Matt Smaby
Kyle Wellwood
Milan Jurcina
[Boston.com]

Here is what was on the Quick facts twitter.
QuickFacts: Mpls native D Matt Smaby of the Tampa Bay Lightning filed for salary arbitration. He made $825K in last yr of 3yr entry level deal in 08-09.

Sports Broadcaster job posted on UND web site.

As someone mentioned over on Sioux sports the UND hockey broadcaster position is open at the UND human resources site. I sure hope the University doesn't plan on replacing Tim Hennesy.

POSITION: Sports Broadcaster (20 hr/wk, TBA), #10-002

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 7/15/2009

COMPENSATION: $ 25,000
UND determines employment eligibility through the E-Verify system. Upon successful completion of the initial probation period, an employee may be eligible for a salary adjustment. Comprehensive fringe benefit package that includes full health insurance coverage for single or family plans, retirement plan and much more is provided. A complete summary of benefits for staff employees may be seen at:

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:
Current UND employees may receive first consideration. To serve as play by play announcer for men’s ice hockey and other sports as assigned by Associate Athletic Director; To serve as host and emcee for various radio and television productions including but not limited to men’s hockey coach’s TV and radio show; emcee at various athletics functions; fill in as public address announcer; assist with press conferences and public relations; other duties as assigned by Associate Director of Athletics.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree or minimum of 5 years hockey play by play experience
Hockey play by play radio/TV broadcast experience
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Familiar with NCAA rules and regulations

Education of an A.D.: Alberts Is a Quick Study

[Props] Here is an interesting article that appeared in the New York Times on the UNO Mavericks. While I can't stand the New York Times political slant they do have decent college and professional hockey coverage and some really nice blog articles. I also think the Hockey blogger has a very cool name in Stu Hackel.

As a college hockey fan I have to say that I have been very impressed with the direction that Trev Alberts has taken the UNO hockey program since he was hired at UNO. First he hired former UND hockey coach Dean Blais, gained membership in the WCHA and hired a good assistant coach in Mike Hastings.

It is going to be interesting to see how the Mavericks do in their last season in the CCHA. I also wonder how long it will take before Dean Blais has the Mavericks challenging the elite teams in the WCHA for home ice playoff spot, MacNaughton Cup and or Broadmoor Trophy?

Facing a tight deadline, Alberts tapped boosters for nearly $400,000 so he could lure Dean Blais, a two-time national champion at North Dakota, to coach men’s hockey, Nebraska-Omaha’s only Division I program.

Alberts also leveraged financial concessions from the Western Collegiate Hockey Association as a condition of admitting the Mavericks. On a conference call announcing the acceptance of Nebraska-Omaha and Bemidji State late last month, Bruce McLeod, the conference commissioner, told Alberts, “Trev, you can be one tough guy to deal with, and I’ve got the scars to prove it.”

Alberts is trying to rework the hockey team’s lease at the Qwest Center downtown. The university pays rent and receives nothing from parking or concessions, Alberts said.

“He has been able to open doors I couldn’t get close to,” said Don Leahy, a former Nebraska-Omaha athletic director whom Alberts brought back as a part-time associate athletic director. [New York Times]

Kessel not going any where yet.

Happy 4th of July to everyone. Also, props to Richard of the Illegal Curve. Kessel is not being traded to Toronto yet! The rumor deal is off the table right now.

Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke is not about to book Phil Kessel a flight to Toronto.

Burke reported yesterday that a deal between the Leafs and the Boston Bruins, which would have seen Toronto defenceman Tomas Kaberle head to Boston for the high-scoring Kessel, is not on the table anymore, at least not at this point.

In fact, Burke added that interest in Kaberle's services, once very high, has cooled down.

Kessel, 21, is a restricted free agent, meaning that the Bruins can match any offer sheet he receives from other NHL clubs, and reportedly is looking for something in the neighbourhood of $5 million US. The Bruins, however, quickly are running out of cap space and probably would have to deal some players to keep him. If not, a trade with the Leafs may again become a possibility.

Kessel, a native of Madison, Wis., led all Bruins with 36 goals last season (the only Beantowner to score more than 30) and added 11 points in 11 playoff games. Kessel has been criticized for his defensive game, but was plus-23 under head coach Claude Julien.

The deal between the Leafs and Bruins fell apart over a miscommunication, that is, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli thought that Toronto's first-round pick in the 2009 draft (seventh overall) was part of the swap. Burke said it never was. [Sun Media]

Ryan Hill press release.

I found this article while reading the World of Junior Hockey. The thing that stuck out from the article was Michael Forney being committed to the Sioux. As of right now we have yet to get an official confirmation that Michael Forney is in fact coming back to UND. I would imagine we will find out pretty soon.

Ryan Hill Commits to University of North Dakota The Sioux Falls Stampede announced today that defenseman Ryan Hill has committed to the University of North Dakota for the upcoming 2009-2010 season. He becomes the 15th player on the 2008-09 squad to commit to a Division I school.

Hill was acquired by the Stampede in trade with Waterloo in early January and went on to post three assists in 29 games while helping anchor the Stampede blueline. The Hermantown, Minnesota native recorded a total of six assists in 51 USHL games last season. Prior to playing for the Stampede and Waterloo, Hill spent the majority of the 2006-07 season with the Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets.

"We're ecstatic," said head coach Kevin Hartzell. "Ryan paid his dues more then most and we're excited he found a great home."

The Fighting Sioux went 24-15-4 en route to their WCHA-leading 14th league championship in 2008-09. The Sioux also advanced to the NCAA tournament for the fifth straight season under head coach Dave Hakstol, who also took home WCHA Coach of the Year honors. The Fighting Sioux have advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four in four of Hakstol's five seasons behind the bench. He began his career as the head coach of the Sioux City Musketeers (1997-2000).

A total of eight players who spent the 2008-09 season in the USHL have committed to the University of North Dakota; Brett Bruneteau (Des Moines), Mike Fink (Des Moines), Joe Gleason (Des Moines), Matt White (Des Moines), Michael Forney (Green Bay), Mike Cichy (Indiana), Danny Kristo (Omaha), and Ryan Hill (Sioux Falls).

The Fighting Sioux had 11 former USHL players on their roster during the 2008-09 season; Joe Finley (Sioux Falls), Derrick LaPoint (Green Bay), Mario Lamoureux (Tri-City), Brad Miller (Green Bay), Jason Gregoire (Lincoln), Brad Malone (Sioux Falls), Ben Blood (Indiana/Des Moines), Jake Marto (Omaha), Evan Trupp (Des Moines), Chris Vande Velde (Lincoln), and Aaron Walski (Lincoln).

The USHL celebrated its 30th season of junior hockey in 2008-09. With nearly 180 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 17 NHL Draft picks that played in the league this season, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.ushl.com.

Avs fan say good bye to Tyler Arnason.

Sounds like Avs fans are ecstatic to get rid of former SCSU Husky Tyler Arnason. The Comments on this subject are comical and worth the read. I first saw Tyler Arnason play for the Ice Sharks of the USHL in 1997-1998 and my first impression of Arnason was that he was lazy, a weak player that shied away from contact in the corners. The fact that he has made it this long in the NHL puzzles me.

Relief is finally here, Avs fans. No more startling, sweat-soaked leaps from the pillow at 3 a.m., following visions of Tyler Arnason playing for your team.
No longer will you have to pound the table after seeing Arnie get the puck taken off his stick, then watching him casually skate back to the bench with that “who cares?” look on his face.

No longer will you have to pull your hair after seeing Arnie misfire on another shot, or have it easily blocked and taken the other way, Arnie a full three strides behind in pursuit.

No longer will you have to look at an Avalanche payroll list and see Arnie making more money than guys like Lappy. No longer will you have to see Arnie shy away from making any contact with an opponent, which if he’d done so might have resulted in the Avalanche having the puck.

It’s all over. Arnie is, appropriately enough, a New York Ranger - the team that never saw an over-the-hill, overpaid Avs player they didn’t like.

Bon voyage, Arnie.

Or should it be: bon bon voyage? [All things Avs]

Kyle Keslo on Ryan Hill.

Here is what Kyle Kosior from the IllegalCurve had to say about the new Sioux defenseman Ryan Hill. That is the kind of defenseman I like to see playing for UND.

The Fighting Sioux have picked up USHL journeyman Ryan Hill, who skated last winter with Waterloo and Sioux Falls. An actual defensive defensive that will help the Sioux. Nothing flashy, but not very fun to play against.

College hockey: NCAA wants crackdown on late contact, facewashing, obstruction

This is really good news for college hockey fans. I guess I should read my home town newspaper that comes to my house more often. I have to admit that most of my reading is of Brad Schlossman’s blog and or his hockey articles and that's it, the other stuff in the Grand Forks Herald is basically page filler and worthy of bird cage lining. Today, As I was checking out the Grand Forks Herald website for information on UND's newest defensive recruit Ryan Hill, I found this information of the impending changes that is music to my ears. The NCAA wants to eliminate the bush league face wash. I applaud this action and I think it's a very good rule for college hockey; I am sick and tired of seeing players give each other face washes especially after the whistle. I would like to see the NHL do this as well.

Brad Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald: The NCAA wants referees to clean up the after-the-whistle shenanigans in college hockey.

The Rules Committee announced its points of emphasis for the 2009-10 season on Thursday, and at the top of the list was eliminating both contact after the whistle and facewashing, the act of sticking a glove in an opponent’s face.

Facewashing is a common form of retaliation that doesn’t draw penalties.

Hockey gloves, covered in perspiration, tend to smell awful. So players will skate up to an opponent, stick their palm in his face and let him take a whiff of the stench.

The Rules Committee, however, views this as a violation of the “grasping the facemask” rule. Planting an open hand in an opponents face should result in a minor penalty, it says.

Pushing the facemask or moving the hand back-and-forth on it should result in a major penalty, and twisting or pulling on the mask should be a game disqualification under the excessive roughness category.

“The committee believes altercations after the whistle are a growing and disturbing trend,” the NCAA said in a release. “Any contact to the head tends to escalate altercations. After reviewing numerous situations, the committee expressed its concern about student-athlete safety as well as the negative effect on the game’s image.”

I was wondering how long it would take to get to this discussion came up? The subject of obstruction on the puck carrier has come up again this summer and the NCAA rules committee has said that it would like to have the puck carrier protected, “the expectation of overall enforcement is higher.” Yeah, I hope that the WCHA officials can figure it out this year and call the game the way it is supposed to be called. If you take your hand off of your stick to hold up the person with the puck it’s a penalty. If you slash, hook, hold interfere with the opposition moving the puck up ice it’s a penalty.

Protecting the puck carrier

Last year, the NCAA’s big mandate was to do a better job protecting the puck carrier.

This was an effort to increase scoring chances and the excitement of the game by letting skilled players proceed without being hooked or held.

Midway through the year, however, multiple Western Collegiate Hockey Association coaches said they felt that the referees had backed off on making those calls.

The NCAA again addressed that rule this summer.

“As all levels of NCAA ice hockey enter the second season with the two-referee system,” it writes, “the expectation of overall enforcement is higher.”

Boston Bruins salary break down.

The Boston Bruins Hockey Boston Globe beat writer Fluto Shinzawa has this over on his blog today. It would appear that the Bruins are going to have a tough time signing both former Michigan star Matt Hunwick former Gopher Phil Kessel. I suppose someone could be traded to make room for them. Personally if I was the general manager I would trade Marco Sturm and 3.5 million dollar salary for a draft pick or for a less expensive forward so the B's could free up some salary cap room. Sturm has never scored thirty goals in a season and Kessel had 36 this past season.

I also don't see a lot of teams offering Kessel more than the 3.75 that Krejci is making. I think the five million a year is a little unrealistic. Heck! Zach Parise is set to make 3 million dollars next season and he scored (45g-49a-94 points)last season. I just don't see the current market letting Kessel getting paid more than Zach Parise.

With Steve Begin, Mark Recchi, and Byron Bitz in the fold, the 2009-10 roster is rounding into form. Here's where the Bruins stand:

Forwards

Marc Savard, $5 million
Patrice Bergeron, $4.75 million
Michael Ryder, $4 million
David Krejci, $3.75 million
Marco Sturm, $3.5 million
Chuck Kobasew, $2,333,333 million
Glen Murray, $1,383,333 million (buyout)
Mark Recchi, $1 million
Blake Wheeler, $875,000
Milan Lucic, $850,000
Steve Begin, $850,000
Byron Bitz, $687,500
Peter Schaefer, $566,667 (buyout)
Shawn Thornton, $516,667

* Phil Kessel is a restricted free agent.

Defensemen

Zdeno Chara, $7.5 million
Dennis Wideman, $3.875 million
Aaron Ward, $2.5 million
Andrew Ference, $1.4 million
Mark Stuart, $1.3 million

* Matt Hunwick is a restricted free agent.

* Because Johnny Boychuk is considered a bubble player (similar to Vladimir Sobotka), he is not included in this model.

Goalies

Tim Thomas, $5 million
Tuukka Rask, $850,000

Current cap hit: $52,487,500.

ANALYSIS: The Bruins have $4,312,500 of cap space under the $56.8 million ceiling with Kessel and Hunwick yet to sign. Just about impossible to sign both unless movement of existing salaries takes place

Wild Sign Shane Hnidy.

From Wild Blogger Michael Russo's Twitter "Wild signs tough defenseman Shane Hnidy.

I think it is a good move, also, it would appear that he isn't going to cost the Wild very much. This is a pick up that I like and will help the Minnesota Wild, Hnidy is tough defenseman and he will stick up for team mates as Matt Niskanen found out.

The Wild has signed gritty defenseman Shane Hnidy to a one-year, $750,000 contract. He spent the last two years in Boston. In 477 NHL games, he has 14 goals, 57 points, is a plus-22 and 565 penalty minutes. [Russo's Rants]

Toews makes the team Canada Orientation Camp Roster.

Here is the roster for the team Canada orientation camp roster. Former Badger forward Danny Heatley and Former Sioux forward Jonathan Toews have made the roster.

Goaltenders

Martin Brodeur L/G 6'2" 210 05/06/72 Montreal, Que./QC New Jersey Devils (NHL)
Marc-André Fleury L/G 6'2" 180 11/28/84 Sorel, Que./QC Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Roberto Luongo L/G 6'3" 205 04/04/79 Montreal, Que./QC Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Steve Mason R/D 6'4" 212 05/29/88 Oakville, Ont. Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Cam Ward L/G 6'1" 200 02/29/84 Sherwood Park, Alta./Alb. Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)

Defense

François Beauchemin L/G 6'0" 213 06/04/80 Sorel, Que./QC Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Jay Bouwmeester L/G 6'4" 218 09/27/83 Edmonton, Alta./Alb. Calgary Flames (NHL)
Dan Boyle R/D 5'11" 190 07/12/76 Ottawa, Ont. San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Brent Burns R/D 6'5" 219 03/09/85 Ajax, Ont. Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Drew Doughty R/D 6'1" 203 08/12/89 London, Ont. Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Mike Green R/D 6'2" 208 10/12/85 Calgary, Alta./Alb. Washington Capitals (NHL)
Dan Hamhuis L/G 6'1" 203 12/13/82 Smithers, B.C./C.-B. Nashville Predators (NHL)
Duncan Keith L/G 6'1" 194 07/16/83 Penticton, B.C./C.-B. Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Scott Niedermayer L/G 6'1" 200 08/31/73 Cranbrook, B.C./C.-B. Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Dion Phaneuf L/G 6'3" 214 04/10/85 Edmonton, Alta./Alb. Calgary Flames (NHL)
Chris Pronger L/G 6'6" 213 10/10/74 Dryden, Ont. Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Robyn Regehr L/G 6'3" 225 04/19/80 Rosthern, Sask. Calgary Flames (NHL)
Stéphane Robidas R/D 5'11" 190 03/03/77 Sherbrooke, Que./QC Dallas Stars (NHL)
Brent Seabrook R/D 6'3" 220 04/20/85 Tsawwassen, B.C./C.-B. Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Marc Staal L/G 6'4" 202 01/13/87 Thunder Bay, Ont. New York Rangers (NHL)
Shea Weber R/D 6'4" 230 08/14/85 Sicamous, B.C./C.-B. Nashville Predators (NHL)

Forwards

Jeff Carter R/D 6'3" 200 01/01/85 London, Ont. Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Dan Cleary L/G 6'0" 210 12/18/78 Carbonear, Nfld/ T.-N.-L. Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Sidney Crosby L/G 5'11" 200 08/07/87 Cole Harbour, N.S./N.-É. Pittsburgh (NHL)
Shane Doan R/D 6'1" 216 10/10/76 Halkirk, Alta./Alb. Phoenix Coyotes (NHL)
Simon Gagné L/G 6'0" 195 02/29/80 Ste-Foy, Que./QC Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Ryan Getzlaf R/D 6'4" 221 05/10/85 Regina, Sask. Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Dany Heatley L/G 6'3" 216 01/21/81 Calgary, Alta./Alb. Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Jarome Iginla R/D 6'1" 203 07/01/77 St. Albert, Alta./Alb. Calgary Flames (NHL)
Vincent Lecavalier L/G 6'4" 215 04/21/80 Ile-Bizard, Que./QC Tampa Bay (NHL)
Milan Lucic L/G 6'3" 228 06/07/88 Vancouver, B.C./C.-B. Boston Bruins (NHL)
Patrick Marleau L/G 6'2" 220 09//15/79 Aneroid, Sask. San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Andy McDonald L/G 5'11" 183 08/25/77 Strathroy, Ont. St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Brenden Morrow L/G 5'11" 205 01/16/79 Carlyle, Sask. Dallas Stars (NHL)
Rick Nash L/G 6'4" 218 06/16/84 Brampton, Ont. Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Corey Perry R/D 6'3" 209 03/16/85 Peterborough, Ont. Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Michael Richards L/G 5'11" 195 02/11/85 Kenora, Ont. Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Derek Roy L/G 5'9" 188 05/04/83 Rockland, Ont. Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Joe Sakic L/G 5'11" 195 07/07/69 Burnaby, B.C./C.-B. Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Patrick Sharp R/D 6'1" 197 12/27/81 Thunder Bay, Ont. Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Ryan Smyth L/G 6'1" 190 02/21/76 Banff, Alta./Alb. Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Martin St. Louis L/G 5'9" 177 06/18/75 Laval, Que./QC Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
Eric Staal L/G 6'4" 205 10/29/84 Thunder Bay, Ont. Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Jordan Staal L/G 6'4" 215 09/10/88 Thunder Bay, Ont. Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Joe Thornton L/G 6'4" 235 07/02/79 St. Thomas, Ont. San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Jonathan Toews L/G 6'2" 209 04/29/88 Winnipeg, Man. Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)

The Wild sign injury prone Czech

My head just about exploded when I saw this. Here is Martin Havlat's injury list.
So basically the the Wild traded an injury prone and soft Slovak for an injury prone Czech. Yikes.

13-Mar-09 Missed 1 game (lower body injury).
11-Mar-09 Lower body injury, day-to-day.
06-Apr-08 Missed the last 19 games of the regular season (left shoulder injury).
28-Feb-08 Left shoulder injury, day-to-day.
06-Jan-08 Missed 6 games (groin).
23-Dec-07 Groin, sidelined indefinitely.
28-Nov-07 Missed 22 games (shoulder injury).
17-Nov-07 Shoulder injury, day-to-day.
17-Oct-07 Shoulder injury, mid-November.
05-Oct-07 Shoulder injury, sidelined indefinitely.
09-Apr-07 Missed the last 3 games of the regular season (shoulder injury).
05-Apr-07 Shoulder injury, remainder of the regular season.
01-Mar-07 Missed 1 game (flu).
27-Feb-07 Flu, day-to-day.
13-Jan-07 Missed 3 games (groin).
05-Jan-07 Groin, day-to-day.
09-Dec-06 Missed 19 games (right ankle injury).
06-Dec-06 Right ankle injury, day-to-day.
21-Oct-06 Right ankle injury, early December.
20-Oct-06 Leg injury, left Friday's game.
15-Apr-06 Missed 58 games (shoulder surgery).
07-Dec-05 Shoulder surgery, mid-April.
29-Nov-05 Dislocated right shoulder, left Tuesday's game.
26-Nov-05 Missed 1 game (hamstring).
23-Nov-05 Hamstring, day-to-day.
22-Nov-05 Hamstring, left Tuesday's game.
03-Feb-04 Missed 2 games (groin).
29-Jan-04 Groin, day-to-day.
27-Nov-03 Missed 3 games (hamstring).
22-Nov-03 Hamstring, day-to-day.
11-Mar-03 Missed 2 games (groin).
05-Mar-03 Groin, day-to-day.
04-Mar-03 Groin, left Tuesday's game.
01-Mar-03 Missed 4 games (groin).
20-Feb-03 Groin, day-to-day.
27-Jan-03 Missed 2 games (elbow injury).
23-Jan-03 Elbow injury, day-to-day.
22-Jan-03 Missed 0 game (right arm injury).
21-Jan-03 Right arm injury, day-to-day.
20-Jan-03 Leg injury, left Monday's game.
14-Nov-02 Missed 6 games (groin).
08-Nov-02 Groin, mid-November.
29-Oct-02 Groin, day-to-day.
17-Apr-02 Missed the last 7 games of the regular season (groin).
30-Mar-02 Groin, day-to-day.
23-Mar-02 Missed 2 games (groin).
19-Mar-02 Groin, day-to-day.
06-Feb-02 Missed 1 game (groin).
01-Feb-02 Groin, day-to-day.
13-Apr-01 Missed the last game of the regular season (groin).
07-Apr-01 Groin, day-to-day.
01-Apr-01 Named NHL Rookie of the Month for March.
14-Dec-00 Missed 8 games (right shoulder injury).
25-Nov-00 Right shoulder injury, mid-December.

Gabby done in Minnesota. (Good Riddance)

The Maryann Gaborik era is over in Minnesota. The prima donna is on his way to New York to play for the New York Rangers. As a Wild fan I say, "good riddance, don't let the door hit you in the ass." Now the Rangers can put up with the glass groin and the multiple games missed due to various injuries.

As of this moment forward Wild fans also no longer have to put up with your antics and side shows. You will be booed when you return to Minnesota, hope one of your ex-team mates puts a shoulder into you as well. Now hopefully the Wild can make a play for some one that can actually sore goals, because with their current roster the Wild would be hard pressed to beat an AHL team let alone a NHL franchise. True to form the Wild have picked up a defenseman that isn't impressive as far as numbers go.

Former Minnesota Wild winger Marian Gaborik has agreed to a five-year contract with the New York Rangers.

The Slovakian forward will earn $7.5 million per year.

Gaborik played his entire seven-year career with the Wild, scoring 219 goals and 437 points in 502 games. Injuries limited Gaborik to just 13 goals and 23 points in 17 games this season. Gaborik set career highs in goals (42), assists (41) and points (83) in 77 games during the 2007-2008 campaign.

The 27-year-old was Minnesota's first pick (third overall) at the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. [TSN]

Heatly to the Oilers. (Not so fast)

TSN is reporting this deal if Heatley will waive his no-trade clause. If this is true the Edmonton Oilers will have gotten a lot better or at least added some fire power they didn't have last year. The Senators give up an unhappy star in Heatley for three decent role players.

Sources say Dany Heatley has been asked to waive his no-trade clause to go to Edmonton in exchange for Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner and Ladislav Smid.

If Heatley agrees to waive, it would appear the Sens and Oilers will have a deal, pending the official trade call with NHL central registry, but that is generally a formality.

Heatley informed the Senators in early June that despite having five-years remaining on a six-year contract extension that he recently signed that he wished to be moved. The contract calls for Heatley to make $7.5 million per season against the cap. [TSN]

UPDATE: Here is the latest from [Puck Daddy] .

Dany Heatley(notes) was this close to becoming a member of the Edmonton Oilers. As was reported last night on TSN and Sportsnet, the Oilers and Ottawa Senators had a deal in place that would have sent Andrew Cogliano(notes), Dustin Penner(notes) and Ladislav Smid(notes) to Ottawa in exchange for Heatley, as long as he approved the deal. Just after midnight Eastern time, TSN's Bob McKenzie put the kibosh on the trade reporting that Heatley had rejected the deal saying, "For now, and quite possibly forever, the deal is dead."

2009 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Orientation Camp Roster

Here is the Team USA roster for the U.S. Olympic Hockey Teams Ice Hockey orientation camp. There is a nice mix of ex NCAA and CHL players.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey today announced that 34 players, representing 22National Hockey League teams, have been invited to the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Orientation Camp from Aug. 17-19, at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, Ill.


2009 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Orientation Camp Roster

Goaltenders: Ryan Miller (MSU), Jonathan Quick (UMASS), Tim Thomas (UVM)
Defensemen: Tom Gilbert (UW), Tim Gleason (OHL), Ron Hainsey (UML), Erik Johnson(UMN), Jack Johnson (UM), Mike Komisarek (UM), Paul Martin (UMN), Brooks Orpik (B.C.), Brian Rafalski (UW), Rob Scuderi (B.C.), Ryan Suter (UW), Ryan Whitney (BU).

Forwards: David Backes (MSU-M), David Booth (MSU), Dustin Brown (OHL), Dustin Byfuglien (WHL), Ryan Callahan (OHL), Chris Drury (BU), Scott Gomez (WHL), Patrick Kane (OHL), Ryan Kesler (OSU), Phil Kessel (UMN), Jamie Langenbrunner (OHL), Ryan Malone (SCSU), Mike Modano (WHL), Kyle Okposo (UMN), T.J. Oshie (UND), Zach Parise (UND), Joe Pavelski (UW), Bobby Ryan (OHL), Paul Stastny (DU).

From Brad Elliott Schlossman's Blog.

Six of the 10 WCHA teams have a representative at the camp.

Wisconsin has four (Tom Gilbert, Brian Rafalski, Ryan Suter and Joe Pavelski), Minnesota has four (Paul Martin, Erik Johnson, Phil Kessel and Kyle Okposo), St. Cloud State has Ryan Malone, MSU-Mankato has David Backes and Denver has Paul Stastny.

Key

(UM) = Michigan
(UMN) = Minnesota
(UML) = U Mass Lowell

Expansion linkorama

There have been a few interesting articles to come out since the WCHA went from 10 teams to 12 teams.

~BSU, Bemidji celebrate WCHA membership [Pioneer]

~McRae column: Our little town is never going to be the same with BSU in the WCHA [Pioneer]

~Nebraska-Omaha pulls out of CCHA [Newsminer.com]

~Bemidji State hockey travels the country in news of WCHA expansion [Pioneer]

Todd Milewski, a writer for United States College Hockey Online tweeted: “But seriously, the WCHA got this one right. Wouldn’t have been right to turn the other way while Bemidji faded away.”

But not everyone was happy. WCHA officials characterized BSU’s and UNO’s move to the WCHA as good for college hockey.

A sportswriter on the conference call challenged that generalization and asked: “The CCHA lost a team … the WCHA’s gain is the CCHA’s loss and how is that supposed to be good for college hockey?”

The writer also cited a statement issued by CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos.

“We are disappointed to hear of UNO’s decision to leave the CCHA as they have been a very good member of our league. We have an excellent league, with a very strong membership, and we will continue to focus all of our attention on being a great conference and a leader in helping to shape the future of college hockey,” Anastos said in a statement.

McLeod did not waver.

“Sometimes I have to look out for what’s best in college hockey in general,” he said. “We did not want to look at losing another program.”

~BG to hold 'hockey personnel' press conference [Sentinal Tribune]

~CCHA Issues Statement Regarding Nebraska-Omaha [CCHA]

June 26, 2009 ---- Farmington Hills, Mich. CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos today issued the following statement, on behalf of the CCHA Executive Committee and CCHA Council, in response to Nebraska-Omaha's announcement that it will be leaving the CCHA to join the WCHA in the 2010-11 season.

"We are disappointed to hear of UNO's decision to leave the CCHA as they have been a very good member of our league, and we wish them well. We have an excellent league, with a very strong membership, and we will continue to focus all of our attention on being a great conference and a leader in helping to shape the future of college hockey.

"At this time, it serves no purpose to speculate on how this latest decision will impact the future makeup of CCHA membership. There is a process being followed with respect to admittance of any new member and we are committed to following that process through to completion."

~UAH path clears for league entry. [The Huntsville Times]

Free agents offered contracts from the Wild.

These are the free agents from the Minnesota Wild hockey team that have received offers from the Wild. Former Gopher Danny Irmen and Robbie Earl were given offers from the Minnesota Wild, it will be interesting to see if Irmen or Earl get to play with the big team if they accept their offers. I would imagine they will get two way deals. Interesting that Dan Fritsche was not offered a qualifying offer sheet.

Here’s the breakdown of the players who received qualifying offers from the Wild:

C Kyle Brodziak
LW Robbie Earl
G Josh Harding
RW Danny Irmen
LW Benoit Pouliot
D Clayton Stoner

And here’s the list of those who didn’t get offers and now become unrestricted free agents who can shop for a team starting July 1:

D Paul Albers
LW Riley Emmerson
LW Dan Fritsche
LW Peter Olvecky

How will he be recieved?

I wounder how well Phillip Sameulesson will be recieved in Boston? I know there are more than a few fans in Boston (and other locations) that don't like his father's or his on ice antics and we will never forget what he did to Cam Neely. It's also ironic that the Pen's drafted him. That being said Phillip is a pretty solid player and I got to see him play in Fago, ND during the U-18 tourney.

MONTREAL - Philip Samuelsson is headed to Boston College this fall to play hockey, and his father figures that alone is proof of the kid’s mental toughness.

“If he can handle that,’’ said his father, ex-NHL villain Ulf Samuelsson, still reviled in Boston for his nasty hit on Cam Neely that accelerated the power forward’s departure from the game, “then he can handle Pittsburgh.’’

The younger Samuelsson was chosen by the Penguins yesterday as the 61st pick (last in the second round) of the 2009 draft at the Bell Centre. Like his dad, Samuelsson is a defenseman, nearly 6 feet 3 inches and 200 pounds. With Chris Kreider also headed to The Heights in September, the Eagles should be a force in Hockey East.

“I saw my dad win two Cups there,’’ said Samuelsson, reflecting on the family’s time in Steel City, “so I know how passionate they are about their sports.’’

The senior Samuelsson said he hopes his son can develop quickly and “get to play with those superstars’’ in Pittsburgh, where youngsters Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby recently led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup.

Lemaire scoffs at Wild's plans for more offense

I know this is a little late and got lost late in the shuffle while I was focusing on the WCHA expanding to 12 teams; however this article is worth taking a look at because it’s kind of hilarious. None the less, I think Lemaire is right to a certain degree; all teams’ play the trap from time to time, and the Wild will too, however, I don't see them falling back into the same boring defense first team they were under Lemaire. If they do they could bore the fans enough that they might stay home. I think the Wild are going to step it up and try to push the puck up the ice, if they get a few offensive players. Hint: Let's make a push for the Sedin twins.

MONTREAL — The Wild vows to be an up-tempo, attacking, let-defensemen-roam-free team next season.

Jacques Lemaire, who ran a structured, disciplined system during his eight seasons as the Wild's coach, doesn't buy it. Not for one second.

"You know what? You know what? They'll play the same way. They will play the same way," Lemaire said after being announced as one of Mike Babcock's assistants on Canada's 2010 men's Olympic hockey team. "You know why? Everybody plays this way. Detroit's a little different. But look at all the other teams.

"It's 95 percent defense. It's the details that are different, but that's about it. So what do you want to change?"

Lemaire, a two-time Jack Adams Award winner as coach of the year, gives new coach Todd Richards one week, maybe a month, next season before he pulls back the reins.

Lemaire used Atlanta, Florida and Tampa Bay, all three of which had new coaches last season, as examples. The Wild swept the three during an October trip, including a 6-2 pummeling of the Panthers.

"It's normal that the new guy would come in and say, 'Wait, we're going offense,'" Lemaire said. "Talk to the new coach in Florida [Peter DeBoer]. He came in and said it and won [four] games in the first 12. [Former Tampa Bay coach Barry] Melrose said that, too.

WCHA: prestige, passion, power...

I found this article in the Omaha newspaper, I think this newspaper article gives a pretty good illustration of the WCHA and how tough the league truely is. You can not take a night off, that is so true. The tenth place team can beat the top ranked team.

“I look through different glasses at the University of Minnesota than I did at the University of Denver, but when it comes to hockey there is a lot of similarity.”

That kind of commitment shines through on the ice. WCHA teams won six national championships from 2000 through 2006, and the league has 27 national runner-up finishes to go with its three dozen titles. The CCHA, formed in 1971, has nine national championships and seven runner-up finishes — Michigan and Michigan State combined to win eight titles when those schools belonged to the WCHA.

“Week in and week out, you can't take a night off,” said Jeff Sauer, the former Wisconsin coach who now works for the WCHA as an assistant to Commissioner Bruce McLeod. “That's why we think we've had so much success in the national tournament. When you win a MacNaughton Cup (regular-season championship), our coaches will tell you to a man that winning that championship is tougher than winning an NCAA championship — when you consider everything that goes into it.”

UNO Associate Athletic Director Mike Kemp, who was the only coach in the program's history before Dean Blais was hired to replace him earlier this month, grew up on WCHA hockey. He served as Sauer's long-time assistant at Wisconsin before coming to UNO. When, in the 1990s, the WCHA started taking steps to recognize the legends that had passed through, it crystallized for Kemp all the special things he had thought about the league.

“The conference isn't just what it is today,” Kemp said. “It's what it has been since 1951. It's one for the ages.”

Last year a WCHA team didn't reach the Frozen Four for just the fourth time ever, but one year earlier the final top 10 poll included seven WCHA teams.

The league boasts the top three teams (Wisconsin, North Dakota and Minnesota) in attendance nationally, and the addition of UNO now gives the WCHA six of last year's top seven. All but Alaska-Anchorage, Michigan Tech and newcomer Bemidji State ranked in the top 25 in attendance. [Omaha.com]