From the yeah right department...

Image via WikipediaFirst Potter was against the accepting an invitation to the NCHC even though his school was never offered an invitation.  Now Potter sounds like he is ready to listen if that invitation is extended, this is the problem with university presidents like St. Cloud State University President Earl H. Potter III they lack the leadership skills to lead...

Mick Hatten and David Unze; SC Times --- On July 13, the six-team National Collegiate Hockey Conference was introduced at a news conference in Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado College, Denver College, University of Minnesota-Duluth, University of Nebraska-Omaha and University of North Dakota are the WCHA members headed for the NCHC, along with Miami University in Ohio out of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

“This has not been a surprise, but it has offered very difficult questions for us to deal with,” Potter said. “The WCHA as a league never sat down together and talked about its future. The five who left never said to the rest of us that they were thinking about it.”

St. Cloud State never asked to join the NCHC and was not invited, Potter said. He changed his tone a bit last week after previously saying St. Cloud State wouldn’t accept an invitation to the NCHC if one were extended. He’s committed to be the best partner in the WCHA that he can be, he said, but the uncertainty that permeates college hockey has him keeping his options open.

“I have to stay in a position where I’m working very hard for success with the WCHA but never get stubborn about our position and always be open to looking at our options as things change,” he said.

 Anyone troubled by this statement? “This has not been a surprise, but it has offered very difficult questions for us to deal with,” Potter said. “The WCHA as a league never sat down together and talked about its future. The five who left never said to the rest of us that they were thinking about it.” If I was a fan of the teams staying in the WCHA I would be. 

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Jets new logo unveiled.

Winnipeg Jets Hockey Team NHL.COM

The Winnipeg Jets have released their new logo and I must say that I am disappointed. I like the old Winnipeg Jets logo they had back in 1996 before the team moved to Phoenix and became the Coyotes.

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Fighting Sioux nickname meeting with NCAA rescheduled for Aug. 12

Image via Wikipedia
Here is the latest from the meeting between the NCAA and the UND delegation.

BISMARCK — A meeting between North Dakota and NCAA officials to discuss the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname has been rescheduled for Aug. 12.

It's being held in the association's headquarters in Indianapolis. It is set three days before the NCAA intends to sanction the university for continuing to use its Fighting Sioux nickname and an American Indian head logo.

The NCAA considers the name and logo offensive, but a new state law says UND has to use them.

The meeting had been set for Monday, but it was postponed because of the death of the North Dakota Senate's Republican majority leader, Bob Stenehjem (STEN'-jum).

State Board of Higher Education president Grant Shaft says the meeting is likely to be in the afternoon.

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• Fighting Sioux nickname meeting may face snag (mvn.com)
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Versus may be interested in college hockey TV package

When the news about the new college hockey conference the National Collegiate Hockey Conference first broke; there was a story written by Duluth News Tribune writer Kevin Pates that mentioned the possibility of the television channel Versus being in the mix. Many hockey fans and self professed experts were skeptical about this development; it appears that just maybe the rest of this story is emerging… Now Ken Schott has this story in his blog today. Stay tuned.

Ken Schott; Parting Schotts --- There could be a national college hockey package coming to Versus this season.

Numerous sources have indicated that Versus is discussing the possibility of televising regular-season college hockey games, beginning in January. What conferences would be involved, or what night the games would be shown (either Friday or Saturday) is unclear right now. Versus, part of the NBC Sports Group, is the cable home of the NHL. A few months ago, the NBC Sports Group signed a 10-year deal to keep the NHL on NBC and Versus.

A Versus spokesman declined comment.

New Jets Logo?

Stick tap Hockey Mode. Rumor has it that this is the new Jets logo. Honestly, I have have to admit that I sure hope not.

Things that make you go huh?

This is the latest shot across the bow... Not sure what the motivation is? Really!!! McLeod is kidding right, he isn’t sure what the motivation is? How confident are you in WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod if your school is one of the teams left behind in the WCHA when the B1G and NCHC kicks off?

Mick Hatten; SC Times --- “I just never thought we’d get here and I never thought we’d be like (Division I) football and basketball,” said Bruce McLeod, who has been WCHA commissioner since 1994. “You understand with those cases that there’s millions and millions of dollars involved.

“I’m not sure what the motivation is,” he said of hockey. “It’s turned into much more of a business — I need to take care of me. I’m just surprised we got here.”

There will be 59 schools that will compete in Division I hockey for the 2013-14 season. That’s minute compared to Division I men’s college basketball (335) and less than half of the number of teams in the Football Bowl Series (120).
That is part of why the shock may seem greater in hockey. It’s a pretty tight-knit sport and why people who have been around it a long time are having a tough time wrapping their heads around all the movement, including why five WCHA teams left to form the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.
“No one can really explain why all this really happened,” said Craig Dahl, St. Cloud State’s Division I coach from 1988-2005. “I don’t think the coaches were all that fired up about it.

“For whatever reason, a couple schools decided the league wasn’t going to be big time enough for them and decided to move in a different direction, look sideways at the tradition of the league. They could care less about the smaller schools in the league. They’re only worried about their situation.”

Will the Gophers want to duck the Sioux?

Image via WikipediaHere is my Thursday afternoon discussion; I have been thinking about this subject and I am throwing out there for discussion purposes. I decided to expound on the subject after seeing the story linked below from yesterday's St. Cloud Times.

I do believe that the Minnesota Golden Gophers hockey team is going to want to play the UND Fighting Sioux on a regular basis for financial reasons, it's advantageous to both programs to continue the storied rivalry, next to the Badgers, the UND Fighting Sioux are one of the top rivals of the Minnesota Golden Gopher's, it's a fact. Before you throw the Fighting Sioux nickname out there, the nick name issue will be resolved before the NCHC conference plays it's first game (just a prediction, UND is not going to give up a chance to pay in the Big Sky Conference). I don't care what the so called self described experts say, (I am sure we know who these people are), UMN needs UND too. Let's not kid ourselves, UND is going to sell more tickets than a match up against OSU, MSU-M and or SCSU.

Mick Hatton; Saint Cloud Times --- The University of Minnesota men’s hockey team is in preliminary discussions with St. Cloud State, Bemidji State and Minnesota State-Mankato about playing nonconference games and a tournament both on an annual basis, according to Gophers coach Don Lucia.

Lucia said he has talked with Huskies coach Bob Motzko, Beavers coach Tom Serratore and Mavericks coach Troy Jutting about the Gophers playing games against their programs beginning in 2013-14, which is the first season that the Gophers and Wisconsin leave the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for the Big Ten Conference.

Lucia also said that he plans to talk with Minnesota-Duluth coach Scott Sandelin about the same arrangement with the Bulldogs, who also leave the WCHA after the 2012-13 season and will join the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

“We have 14 nonleague games to work with and our goal is to play those (four) teams every year,” Lucia said. “It would be good for our program, all the other programs and for the state of Minnesota.

“I think it’s a win-win for everyone, for our fans and the proximity of playing each other. We should continue playing each other.”

So when the nickname issue is worked out do you think the Gophers and Sioux will play on a "semi-regular" basis? I do, because it's beneficial to both parties.

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Gophers want to play state teams

Image via WikipediaIt will be interesting to see what kind of arrangements these various teams will come up with as we get closer to the 2013-2014 season. I would imagine that other teams will have simular tourneys and arrangements. It will also be a good way to schedule nonconference games and spread the wealth around.

Mick Hatten; St Cloud Times --- The University of Minnesota men’s hockey team is in preliminary discussions with St. Cloud State, Bemidji State and Minnesota State-Mankato about playing nonconference games and a tournament both on an annual basis, according to Gophers coach Don Lucia.

Lucia said he has talked with Huskies coach Bob Motzko, Beavers coach Tom Serratore and Mavericks coach Troy Jutting about the Gophers playing games against their programs beginning in 2013-14, which is the first season that the Gophers and Wisconsin leave the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for the Big Ten Conference.

Lucia also said that he plans to talk with Minnesota-Duluth coach Scott Sandelin about the same arrangement with the Bulldogs, who also leave the WCHA after the 2012-13 season and will join the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

“We have 14 nonleague games to work with and our goal is to play those (four) teams every year,” Lucia said. “It would be good for our program, all the other programs and for the state of Minnesota.

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UPDATE: Shaft: NCAA meeting about Fighting Sioux nickname postponed

Image via Wikipedia
The meeting on the 25th of July has been postponed.

Ryan Johnson, Grand Forks Herald ---- UPDATE: North Dakota GOP Senate leader's death leaves questions A meeting with NCAA officials about UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname and logo has been postponed because of the death of North Dakota Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem, officials said Wednesday.

The meeting was scheduled to take place Monday in Indianapolis.

But Grant Shaft, president of the State Board of Higher Education, said the meeting was postponed after Stenehjem’s funeral arrangements were set for the same day.

“We’re in the process of contacting the NCAA to let them know that we will have to postpone the meeting,” he said. “They’ll provide us with some alternate dates and I should have those in a day or two.”

Stenehjem was among several state officials expected to attend the meeting, including his brother, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, as well as House Majority Leader Al Carlson, North Dakota University System Chancellor William Goetz and UND President Robert Kelley.

Shaft said NCAA officials were contacted Monday shortly after Stenehjem was killed in a single-vehicle rollover accident in Alaska and were told that the visit might have to be delayed.

“My understanding was the NCAA was fine with that and very understanding,” he said.

Fighting Sioux nickname meeting may face snag

Image via Wikipedia Here is the latest news.

BISMARCK — A planned meeting with NCAA officials next week about the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname may hit a snag because of the death of North Dakota Senate Republican majority leader Bob Stenehjem.

Stenehjem was killed in a rollover accident in Alaska. His funeral hasn't been scheduled but it's likely to be close to Monday's date for the NCAA meeting in Indianapolis.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple and state House Republican majority leader Al Carlson plan to attend the meeting. But Carlson says it should be postponed if Bob Stenehjem's funeral is on the same day.

The issue revisited - Is Chris Osgood worthy of the Hall of Fame?

Back on December 28th, 2010 I asked the question if Detroit Redwings goalie Chris Osgood worthy of being in the Hall of Fame? I still believe that Osgood belongs in the hall of fame. Let the debate begin... Tell me what you think.

I think the table has been set for the discussion that is about to follow. Chris Osgood is 10th all time in wins, most of the people above him on the list are in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Lets break it down further - (3) Thee Stanley Cups 1997, 1998, 2008, (401) four hundred wins, Osgood has played in 744 NHL game has a .905 save percentage and a 2.49 goals against average, in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Osgood has played in 129 games .916 save percentage and a goals against average of 2.09. Just for comparison sake Grant Fuhr played in 868 games had a not so impressive 3.38 goals against average and .887 save percentage and he was inducted into the hall of game in 2003. In my opinion it kind of sounds like Osgood had a NHL Hall of Fame career to me...

1 MARTIN BRODEUR 607
2 Patrick Roy 551
3 Ed Belfour 484
4 Curtis Joseph 454
5 Terry Sawchuk 447
6 Jacques Plante 437
7 Tony Esposito 423
8 Glenn Hall 407
9 Grant Fuhr 403
10 CHRIS OSGOOD 401

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Detroit Red Wings sign G Ty Conklin

Image via WikipediaYesterday Redwing77 said this.

It's no surprise that Detroit wants to sign another goaltender to backup Howard and MacDonald. I'd love to see someone signed who can compete with MacDonald for the #2 spot. MacCollom isn't ready yet.

Here are a few goaltenders I'd love to see Detroit look at (all UFAs):
Ty Conklin
Brent Krahn
Pascal Leclaire
Justin Pogge
Hannu Toivonen

Looks like Redwing77 got his wish as his favorite team the Detroit Redwings signed former UNH star Ty Conklin to a one year deal. Personally, I think that Conklin is a serviceable backup that can step in and play valuable minutes when the starter needs a break or suffers an injury.

DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings have signed goaltender Ty Conklin to a one-year contract.

The move Wednesday comes a day after veteran Chris Osgood announced his retirement, leaving the Red Wings needing a backup for starting goalie Jimmy Howard.

Conklin started 20 games for the St. Louis Blues last season, going 8-8-4 with a 3.22 goals-against average.

The 35-year-old Conklin has played eight seasons in the NHL with Edmonton, Columbus, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Detroit and St. Louis. He was with the Red Wings in 2008-09, going 25-11-2 with a 2.51 GAA.

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Tuesday evening free for all

I have been reading a lot of comments from fans of the programs that weren’t invited to join the NCHC or the B1G. First off I understand the anger that some fans are experiencing. This is a scary time for college hockey and I believe all of the schools that are not in the B1G are nervous about their college hockey team’s future, I think that’s understandable.

I have to admit that I am nervous as well and like everyone else I am trying to make some sense out of all of this. First off, UND and DU fans seem to be getting a lot of undeserved flak from other college hockey fans, this anger is misdirected and the fans of these two fan bases are not culpable. I mean let’s be serious; the NCHC was formed by the athletic directors of the six charter member schools (UND, DU, UMD, MU, UNO, C.C.). To suggest that only UND and DU is driving this bus is misguided and wrong, why is it that the other schools aren’t receiving some blow back as well? Also, if you have a concern contact one of the AD’s from the various schools in the NCHC, let them know how you feel.

The day the WCHA and the CCHA died?

In my opinion, I also don't think that those schools were wrong to look into the prospects of the new league; I think the WCHA and the CCHA basically died the day the BTHC decided to make their own league, “WE” will never have what we once had. This is why we have the drastic changes that are happening right now. Let’s not kid ourselves it’s easy for a fan of one of the schools in BTHC to lecture the NCHC fans by telling us that the WCHA would have been fine and there was no reason to start another conference even though our schools are not going to be there. Does that not stink of elitism? Maybe, maybe not, I do think that mind set is short sighted to suggest one group of teams is OK to move forward and improve their lot in college hockey while the others are not and accused of ruining the college hockey landscape. I even read on line today that LSSU can blame UND for their plight, WTF? No I don’t think so.

That being said, I also don’t think it’s wrong to be just a little bit excited about the prospects of having our teams play in a new league as well. I am going to be honest here and say that I am torn, I love the WCHA in it’s “current” 12 team configuration, last season’s Final Five in Saint Paul, Minnesota was a blast, I enjoyed sitting in the press box of the Xcel Energy Center and reporting on the game, however, minus the Gophers and Badges the WCHA is just not as attractive of a league without the two Big Ten Schools. The CCHA looks even worse minus Michigan and Michigan State; I can see why Northern Michigan, Western Michigan and Notre Dame are looking at other options. All I can say is can we blame them and no one seems to be angry with them; at least right now.

Holding on to the status quo

I just don’t know how college hockey fans are supposed to process all of this and I do believe that there are going to be some hurt feeling when it’s all said and done. When I said that this stuff makes my chest hurt, I am being serious, there are too many variables out there, no one knows how this is going to end now that the proverbial genie is out of the bottle.

To a certain degree I believe that human being are afraid of change and want to hang on to the status quo as long as they can, I get that, I am the same way, I don’t want to lose the current WCHA either, so I guess I will have to enjoy the last two seasons before the seismic shift in the college hockey landscape.

Who do we really blame?

Moving forward there are two more years till the final Crescendo in the WCHA as we know it, two years are an eternity in college hockey a lot can still happen between now and then. I am hoping we can all get along and contrary to public believe there is a lot of blame to go around for why all these changes are happening, it’s short sighted to just blame UND and DU, there are more factors driving these changes than UND and DU wanting to improve their lot. DU and UND are just a small part of the equation, there are many other factors out there driving these changes in college hockey, there are teams in the breakaway five that unhappy with the WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod, there are also teams that aren’t all on the same page when it comes to vision on where they believe they want college hockey to go. There are other teams that aren’t as committed financially to college hockey as some of the other schools. Finally you can add the Big Ten Hockey Conference to this equation, there are all kinds of things going on.

I also think it’s funny that very few actually blame Terry Pegula and his act of kindness to donate 88 million dollars to Penn State University so that they could get the ball moving on Division I hockey. Also, I do remember something happening back during the summer of 2009 when a certain AD in the WCHA from Wisconsin was looking to improve his schools lot and wanted to play Michigan and Michigan State more in college hockey... s/t to Gandalf The Red and 60 Minutes...

There were several conference calls between the Big 10 schools w/ varsity hockey along w/ Big 10 commissioner Jim Delany to discuss the creation of a BTHC. There was support for the idea including UW in the form of UW senior associate athletic director Sean Frazier and AD Barry Alvarez. Joel Maturi (gopher AD) spoke out strongly against it, and for probably the only time in world history I agree w/ a ground squirrel.

So I wonder if some of these fans want to amend their statement and still say that it’s all UND and DU’s fault and that UND and DU are killing College hockey. It's more complicated than that.

That’s why I find it funny that no one is blaming Wisconsin A.D. Barry Alvarez and Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany for any of this mess, didn’t Barry Alvarez inquire two seasons ago about having a BTHC? Or are fans just to blinded by their hate for everything UND? I think the later might be true. What do you think?

Detroit Red Wings Offseason Notes (Redwing77)

Since we're talking NY Islanders prospects (what a goal!) and all, I thought I'd chime in about what's going on in Motown.

Former UW defenseman Brian Rafalski and All American Mike Modano have retired. I would have liked to see someone like Chay Genoway get a sniff from the Red Wings to replace Rafalski because I feel Genoway is just as good with the puck.

However, the Wings did sign Ian White to replace Rafalski. I don't feel he's as good as Brian but he'll do.

Also, Chris Osgood just announced his retirement. This is a VERY good thing. The Wings would have had to pay him too much (anything above veteran minimum for him is too much) to bring him back to be a backup. I thought Joey MacDonald played very well in the backup roll last year.

Nevertheless, Osgood had a stellar career and will certainly get HOF consideration. I'm not sure if he'll make it in, but I'll be rooting for him. He retires with 401 career wins. That's good for 10th all time. Not too shabby. He's also 4th all time in career playoff shutouts with 15.

Good luck running the Detroit Goaltending scouting and development program, Chris. And good luck with your golf game. Mine stinks.

What's next?

It's no surprise that Detroit wants to sign another goaltender to back up Howard and MacDonald. I'd love to see someone signed who can compete with MacDonald for the #2 spot. MacCollom isn't ready yet.

Here are a few goaltenders I'd love to see Detroit look at (all UFAs):

Ty Conklin
Brent Krahn
Pascal Leclaire
Justin Pogge
Hannu Toivonen

Only Conklin is really established as an NHL backup. The others might not pan out at all, but Leclaire and Toivonen intrigue me. Leclaire has the potential to be a great backup in the NHL but has been plagued by injury and playing for bad teams. Toivonen is a Finnish player and I argue that only San Jose has as good luck with Scandinavian players as Detroit. Krahn (along with Leclaire and Toivonen) are all former 1st round picks. I think Conklin is the only one on this list that would demand a higher price tag than the others. And I don't think Detroit needs to pay a lot for a backup.

Notice I did not put Ray Emery on this list. I don't like the guy. He probably has the most talent of the available goaltenders out there, but his head isn't screwed on tight enough and he is very inconsistent with his work ethic. Maybe he would work out with Detroit and undoubtedly Ray will get signed somewhere, but I don't think Motown needs a distraction like Emery.

Ryan Strome shootout goal.

Check out this sick goal by New York Islanders prospect Ryan Strome, who was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft. The video was taken at the New York Islanders development camp at the Nassau Coliseum over the weekend. Ryan Strome is known for highlight goals [click to view].

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WCHA commish has no guarantees for MSU Moorhead

Image via WikipediaBut of course!!! Maybe I am looking at this the wrong way but wouldn't it be better for McLeod to encourage MSU-M? Don't the powers that be want more teams in college hockey?

Ryan S. Clark, Forum Communications — If one thing has held true in college hockey lately, there are no guarantees.

That is the point Western Collegiate Hockey Association commissioner Bruce McLeod made Monday in regards to Minnesota State Moorhead’s attempt at starting a Division I ice hockey program.

“It is really tough to make a commitment … and if I could tell Moorhead in three years you’ll be in the WCHA I would, but in these circumstances, I cannot even come close to that,” McLeod said. “I cannot make promises, but at the same time I’d love to encourage that the Fargo-Moorhead area is really fine.”

McLeod used the WCHA as a prism to explain college hockey’s changing landscape with newly formed conferences coming into play — leaving current conferences to form a new shape.

Schools like MSUM could play a role if it is able to raise the money needed to fund a program.

MSUM officials said last Friday the school is hoping to raise $22 million in a self-imposed three-month window to fund Division I hockey for both men and women. The feeling has been for some time that if MSUM added hockey, its preferred destination would be the WCHA.

McLeod said he hasn’t been in contact with MSUM officials lately.

“We’ve had some contact via email,” he said. “And some direct phone calls, but I cannot tell you when but it has been a few months ago.”

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Blake Wheeler re-signs with the Jets...

Image via Wikipedia The Winnipeg Jets have re-signed former Boston Bruins and Minnesota Golden Gopher Blake Wheeler to a two year deal . In my opinion; I believe the Jets have overpaid Blake Wheeler who is set to be paid 2.5+ million a year. Wheeler has never scored more than 45 points in a season (21g-24a-45pts) and the knock on Blake Wheeler is he is a 6'5" player that plays like he is 5'8".

TSN.COM ---- The Winnipeg Jets were busy on Monday signing seven players including right-winger Blake Wheeler to new contract. Wheeler signed a two-year deal worth $5.1 million total.

Wheeler scored seven goals and 17 points in 23 games with the Thrashers last season after being acquired in a trade with the Boston Bruins. He scored 18 goals and 44 points in 81 games overall last year.

The Thrashers acquired the 24-year-old from the Bruins on Feb. 28, 2011, along with defenceman Mark Stuart in exchange for centre Rich Peverley and defenceman Boris Valabik.

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Kyle Radke re-signs with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees...

Image via WikipediaMy Friend Kevin sent me an email with this story. Former Fighting Sioux forward/defenseman Kyle Radke has re-signed with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League.

Killer Bee Hockey ---- The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League, under the leadership of General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski are happy to announce their first signing 2011-12 campaign. The Killer Bees have retained the services of defenseman Kyle Radke for the 2011-12 season.

Radke was one of the key members of the Killer Bees defense last season appearing in 62 games before an injury sidelined him for the playoffs. A highly-skilled, stay-at-home defensemen Radke also added four goals and 12 assists while racking up 171 penalty minutes.

“Playing against Kyle was never fun for me last season. He is a good skater, gritty in the corners, and very responsible defensively. I think Kyle will only continue to get better with his second year with the Killer Bees,” said Bees coach Terry Ruskowski.

Radke’s best offensive performance last season came December 21st against Laredo where Radke assisted on three of the Killer Bees goals. At the end of the season Radke was awarded the Fan Favorite Award as voted by the fans in arena and online.

“I’m looking forward to the Valley cooling off a bit so that we can play hockey again. It will be good to see the faces that became so familiar to around the rink last year,” said Radke.

LSSU Lakers face crucial decisions...

Image via WikipediaPeter Pietrangelo; Sault Ste. Marie Evening News has this article in today's newspaper. This is definitely a doom and gloom scenario. There is time for a solution, there are two years before the Big Ten and NCHC start play.

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. — If Lake Superior finds its place in the rapidly shifting world of college hockey, in five years it will be competitive for a spot in the NCAA tournament for the first time in 15 years.

But if LSSU gets it wrong, it will be the end of Laker hockey. There is no middle ground.

The WCHA has no interest in taking the CCHA's leftovers — LSSU, Ferris St. and Bowling Green — and without a conference with an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, the Lakers will find it almost impossible to schedule enough home games to fund the program.

LSSU is never going to be competitive on a yearly basis with the Michigans, Notre Dames and North Dakotas of the world; it has neither the money nor the cachet to keep up with the sport's big spenders like the Big Ten or the newly-formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference. While LSSU has enjoyed a relatively problem-free ride with the CCHA for nearly 40 years, those days are numbered. Going forward, here are LSSU's choices:

• Attempt to join the WCHA. This solution would be good for LSSU athletically, but neither competitively nor financially. And the WCHA doesn't seem to be open to a school that isn't a good geographic fit. This will not happen.

• Attempt to join an already-established conference. Atlantic Hockey already has 12 teams — and the Lakers would have to drop six scholarships to join. The NCHC, ECAC and Hockey East are also out of the question. Again, not going to happen.
• Go on as an independent. The only current independent team is Alabama-Huntsville. The Chargers played just 10 home games last year and have 12 home games this year (two are against the U.S. U-18 program). LSSU couldn't make enough money in this arrangement and would have even more difficulty drawing recruits.

• Attempt to salvage the CCHA. If Alaska stays, the CCHA could get Alabama-Huntsville on board to make a five-team conference. Then just one more team would have to be recruited. Mercyhurst, Niagara, Canisius, Robert Morris and Rochester Institute of Technology could be viable candidates, both geographically and competitively. If Alaska bolts for the WCHA, then two teams would have to be recruited to join.

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• New hockey conference for DU, CC named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (denverpost.com)
• College Hockey: Reshuffling Blurs Picture, Jeopardizing Conferences (nytimes.com)
• National Collegiate Hockey Conference is new home for DU, Colorado College (denverpost.com)
• WCHA: Shake up in college hockey (robertforto.wordpress.com)

Former Sioux defenseman Chay Genoway; Working It Out

Image via WikipediaIt sounds like Chay Genoway made quite the impression this past week at the Minnesota Wild development camp. It would be awesome to see a player like Chay Genoway make it to the NHL.

Minnesota Wild --- At 5-foot-9, 177 pounds, Chay Genoway doesn’t look like your prototypical NHL defensemen.
But looks are often deceiving.

At the Minnesota Wild Development Camp, the recent free agent signee out of the University of North Dakota is doing what he can to show that height is just a number, and strength knows no limits.

Genoway’s off-ice strength testing has been as impressive as his coast-to-coast goal in Saturday’s scrimmage. Word has it that after piling up the most consecutive pushups among the prospects, he immediately started his pull ups and tallied the highest number of those.

“He is quite strong physically,” said Kirk Olson, the Wild’s recently hired strength and conditioning coach, whose first order of business was working out the prospects this week. “He has a low center of gravity and is hard to knock off his feet.”

If anyone knows size isn’t always relative to strength, it’s Genoway. The former UND captain is showing that he arrived at camp ready to make a run at a professional career.

“I’ve been doing the normal summer time stuff, like lifting weights and conditioning,” Genoway said. “But I also tried to get on the ice more than usual this summer so it wouldn’t be too strenuous on things like the groin or hip-flexors, like the ice can be when you jump right to it.”

In his first camp, at 23 years old, Genoway was one of the elder statesmen. His development as a player is advanced compared to his younger counterparts, and he knows the importance of making a good first impression.

The last paragraph caught my attention because of what has transpired this past week at the University of North Dakota; as most college hockey fans know the Fighting Sioux had a commitment from J.T. Miller, who was drafted in the first round of the NHL draft by the New York Rangers, to play at UND... Then for some unknown reason J.T. Miller decides with less than a month and a half before the school year is about to start that he would rather play for the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL. If one of Miller's concerns is player development, playing at UND wouldn't hinder his development.

Maybe this is a stretch, but I think one could make the inference that Chay's development at UND helped him  made an impression on the Minnesota Wild management, the Wild coaching staff and the fans of the Minnesota Wild that attended the Wild Development Camp.

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Chay Genoway's sweet goal...

Someone asked me if I had the video of former Fighting Sioux defenseman Chay Genoway's goal that he scored during the Minnesota Wild development camp that was held last week. Well, I finally have found the video in question, Chay's goal is around the 36 second mark of the video. Reminds me of the goal that Chay scored against the UNO Mavericks last season.

Sunday tornadoes bring college hockey links...

Image via WikipediaThere is a lot of news going on right now in the world of college hockey… I will try to keep up to date as much as I can.

If you haven’t listened to this interview;  [Click this link] to listen to athletic director Forrest Karr talk about the changes in college hockey...

In case you haven't seen it, Dave DeLand; the sports editor of the Saint Cloud Times wrote this column that was in yesterdays newspaper -> Huskies are left with only questions. Talk about doom and gloom article that has a theme of poor me. If you don’t believe me take a look for yourself, below is the crux of the article. The schools involved in the new conference have said that they are going to need to play the teams left in the WCHA. So I wouldn't cancel any renovations yet.

»SCSU is getting ready to start a $28.8 million renovation project at the National Hockey Center. Is that even needed now that the building’s primary tenant is headed for a significant league downgrade — and, in all likelihood, an attendance downsizing?

» How does the WCHA implosion affect fundraising for the NHC renovation? Funds for the initial $14 million stage are in hand, but part of the funds for the $14.8 million second stage are supposed to come from future revenue — and that will almost certainly be diminished by the conference’s breakup.

» How do you sell naming rights for the arena of a team in a third-tier conference? In 2013-14, that’s exactly what the WCHA will be.

» How do you sell tickets for conference games against Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech and MSU-Mankato instead of North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Minnesota-Duluth?

» How much will recruiting suffer? St. Cloud State has always been able to sell its elite WCHA schedule to recruits, but that advantage disappears when you’re playing conference games against Michigan Tech instead of Minnesota and North Dakota.

» The remaining WCHA schools keep pointing out that they’ll still play nonconference games against the Gophers and Sioux and Bulldogs, but will they play them at home? Or, will St. Cloud State just play road games at NCHC schools — sort of like the lower-rung cupcakes that the Gophers import during the nonleague portion of their football schedule?

Another aritcle from the same newspaper -> College hockey: 'It's a tough day for the WCHA'

There was sentiment from multiple schools that WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod needed to step down.

When the discussion turned to schools possibly pulling out of the WCHA, one of the small-school athletic directors made a motion that called for a six-figure fine to be imposed on all defectors, a point confirmed Wednesday by Faison. The sanction idea was supported by another small-school AD but subsequently withdrawn.

I keep seeing this same topic pop up over and over again in the various blogs and newspapers, and after thinking about it for a while I must ask; are the five schools leaving the WCHA the "only" schools that were in favor of getting rid of WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod?

The next question that I must ask is, are the other schools not in the mix of joining the new conferene; are you happy with the status quo in the WCHA under the leadership of Commissioner Bruce McLeod? I think these are legitimate questions that need to be asked, it would be interesting to see how they would answer that question if they could. Obviously they are still in the league and don't want to bite the hand that feeds them.

I have also read where some SCSU fans think that the reason the Huskies weren’t asked to join the NCHC because of their former president Roy H. Saigo and his stance on the Fighting Sioux logo… I highly doubt that was a reason for SCSU not being invited to join the NCHC... If that was a reason that SCSU was not asked to be in the NCHC, that would be very petty reason in my opinion... Also, the schools involved in this new league are very professional organizations and I can’t see this being a factor because UND AD Brian Faison UND President Robert O. Kelley are both on record as wanting to move forward away from the Fighting Sioux logo and the controversy that surrounds the historic nickname.

Moving forward does the WCHA (those schools that are left) really want Bruce McLeod as the face of their league if he is such a polarizing figure? If in fact one of the reasons these five power schools left the WCHA was because of Brue McLeod (it does appear to be one of the reasons) then maybe the league might want to consider getting rid of him even if it means spending some money to buy his contract out.

Another topic that keeps coming out is some of the AD’s in the WCHA said that they didn’t see this move coming. Yet the head hockey coach for BSU knew this conference was in the works for some time.

Eric Stromgren; Bemidji Pioneer --- When the National Collegiate Hockey Conference became a reality Wednesday, it was an announcement Bemidji State head coach Tom Serratore saw coming.

“We knew this was probably going to happen,” Serratore said. “It has been in the fold for a few months and we’ve had time to digest this. Basically what we just need to do now is move on. We’re still in the WCHA.”

So I have to ask, if BSU knew about the new conference forming, how did the UAA AD Steve Cobb not know that this new college hockey conference was coming down the pike? Does he not have the Internet, email and a telephone/cell phone. Cobb said earlier this past week; "I blame everybody for being less than honest with their own league members. It's a really sneaky back-door deal." Again, I must ask where is the communication between member schools in college hockey. Do they not talk to each other? It would appear that they do not. I am going to call shenanigans on this one because I am just not buying it.

If this is the case, it’s time for the WCHA teams/schools that are not in the NCHC to start having more frequent communications with their fellow conference members. I mean; come on!!! Everyone and his brother knew that there was a very "big possibility" that the new “NCHC” was going to form. When I say "big ossibility” I mean there was a lot of unofficial talk that was out there and someone at UAA must have actually seen some of it, it’s not like it was a really big secret.

Where are the Irish going?

With the CCHA disintegrating before our very eyes and with NMU announcing that they are going to the WCHA pending final approval because of a legal issue, which should be resolved this up coming week.

WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod told ESPN 970-AM's Casey Ford Friday morning that 75 percent of the league would have to accept NMU, but the bylaws are unclear whether that applies only to the current 12-team WCHA or the 2013-14 five-team WCHA, as well.

League lawyers are expected to resolve the issue soon and "formal approval of Northern Michigan's application for membership in the WCHA will occur next week," according to Friday's WCHA statement.

Holding all of the cards at a poker game, the $64,000.00 question remains where are the ND Fighting Irish going. Mike McMahon from the Eagle Tribune seems to think that ND is going to Hockey East...

Word around the league is that Notre Dame, one of the leftovers in the wake of the Big 10 formation, is currently deciding whether to join the new NCHC or Hockey East, which it has connections to with other Catholic colleges (Merrimack, Providence and Boston College) as well as the fact that all of the Irish sports besides football compete in the Big East.

According to what I've been told by multiple sources within the league, if Notre Dame wants to join Hockey East, they would be welcomed with open arms.

Related articles

• WCHA: Shake up in college hockey (robertforto.wordpress.com)
• College Hockey: Reshuffling Blurs Picture, Jeopardizing Conferences (nytimes.com)
• Is The New National Collegiate Hockey Conference Good For College Hockey? (stupidhockey.typepad.com)
• New hockey conference for DU, CC named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (denverpost.com)

Mikael Granlund shootout goal...

This is Minnesota Wild prospect Mikael Granlund's goal during the shootout of Saturday's scrimmage during Development Camp. Remind me why he isn't going to be playing for the Minnesota Wild this season, this kid is the real deal. I can't wait till he is playing for the Minnesota Wild.

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• Video: Finland's Granlund joins Forsberg with stamped goal (thestar.com)
• Finland's Granlund scores incredible goal at worlds (theglobeandmail.com)

College Hockey Tonight - Summer Special the BSU response to the NCHC

Yesterday on the day of the Galen Nagle golf tourney in Bemidji, Minnesota, my friends Scott Williams and Moose Richards had their summer addition of the College Hockey tonight...

Click here to listen to the College Hockey Tonight Summer Special with Scott Williams & Moose Richards... The podcast will feature BSU Athletic Director Rick Goeb, BSU Hockey Coach Tom Serratorre & Matt Read

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• Powerhouse programs form new college hockey league (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

DU promo video - National Collegiate Hockey Conference

If you haven't seen this, this was well done by DU athletics. S/T to Let's Go DU Hockey Sports Blog

Related articles

• Is The New National Collegiate Hockey Conference Good For College Hockey? (stupidhockey.typepad.com)
• New hockey conference for DU, CC named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (denverpost.com)
• National Collegiate Hockey Conference is new home for DU, Colorado College (denverpost.com)
• New DI hockey conference formed; Schools create National Collegiate Hockey Conference (gloucestercitynews.net)