Goon's World

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Another day, another tragedy. Air Disaster in Russia.

Image via WikipediaJust when you think the hockey world couldn't suffer anymore this off season there was a plane crash today in Yaroslavl, Russia that killed 43 of 45 people on board.

Former Wild forward Pavel Demitra was one of the passengers on board. Goon's World would like to extend our sympathy and prayers to the people that perished in this horrific crash.

NHL.COM --- A plane crash near the city of Yaroslavl in Central Russia has claimed the lives of at least 43 people, according to Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry. The majority of victims are believed to be members of the Kontinental Hockey League club, Lokomotiv.

The crash occurred at 12 noon Moscow time and the weather was sunny and clear, according to reports.

Eight crew members are also among the dead, according to reports. According to Russian aviation officials, two passengers survived the crash, but are in critical condition. According to Sovetsky Sport, one of the survivors is Russian forward Alexander Galimov.

Lokomotiv has confirmed that the entire main roster, plus four players from the youth team, was on the plane.

"We have no team anymore," Vladimir N. Malkov, the team spokesman, said in a telephone interview with The New York Times. "All our starting players, and all the service people, they all burned in the crash."

Coach Brad McCrimmon, forward Pavol Demitra, forward Josef Vasicek, defenseman Karel Rachunek, forward Jan Marek and forward Alexander Vasyunov are among the confirmed fatalities.

The agent for Demitra, an ex-NHL star, confirmed he was killed in the crash.

Lucic involved in incident with girl friend in North End of Boston.

Image via WikipediaRight away when I read the newspaper article about this incident, it does send up a few warning flags, especially after what has happened this summer.

Boston Herald --- Stanley Cup hero Milan Lucic was questioned by police early yesterday after he and his girlfriend got into an altercation in the North End.

According to a police report of the incident, the Bruins [team stats] left winger was “highly intoxicated and hostile” after he and his galpal argued outside a Starbucks on Commercial Street shortly before 1:30 a.m.

Witnesses told police the 6-foot-4, 220-pound hockey player was yelling at his girlfriend, who was on the ground, and at one point threw her shoes and purse at her. However, the woman told police she was not physically assaulted and “was adamant about not being harmed,” the report states. Police “did not observe any visible injuries,” the report says, and Lucic was not charged.

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Does the NHL have a painkiller problem?

Image via WikipediaI don’t know if the blog post needs a lot of narration but the article is worth a read and the revelations from this article are jaw dropping. One has to wonder if the NHL needs to do a review of it’s chemical dependency protocols.

Stu Hackel, Sports Illustrated --- “Today the biggest problem, which isn’t talked about…is pills. It’s painkillers,” Laperrière said.

Laperrière knows something about pain and medicating it. In addition to losing seven teeth and getting hit in the eye with pucks during the 2009-10 season, he’s had abdominal surgery, an operation to remove bone chips and scar tissue from his knee, and various hand, back, groin and neck ailments that forced him from the lineup at times during his career. “After my operations…I took two or three [pills] a day to ease the pain. But there are guys who take it just for the buzz,” he said Friday morning over CKAC Radio (audio), the French language all-sports station.

“[Painkillers] are appropriate for those who need them,” he said. “If I just had an operation, I may take my pills for two days, but the doctor gives me pills for twelve days. There are pills left over.”

And those leftover pills are apparently provided by some NHLers to their teammates.

Asked by host Michel Langevin how many players might be taking painkillers on a given team, whether or not they really need them, Laperrière responded, “The teams that I’ve played on, I would say four or five guys per team, and those are the ones I saw.”

Dean Millard talks with Brantt Myhres about depression

Dean Millard from the Pipeline Show talks to former NHL enforcer/tough guy Brantt Myhres about the stigma surrounding depression in the NHL. Brantt Myhres also talks to Dean about a new peer support program that Brantt Myhres is trying to start.

Andrew Ference takes Lord Stanley for a bike ride.

What an awesome way to spend a day with the Stanley Cup. It's also nice to see Andrew Ference wearing a helmet while riding his bike.

Monday, September 05, 2011

Effort to Save UAH underway...

Here is a good link to take a look at and if you have a few bucks to spare a good cause to make a donation to, let's not kid ourselves UAH hockey at the Division I level is on life support. Another good source to check out is Save UAH Hockey.

Thunder AAA Hockey --- First of all, the response to the news article sent Friday has been overwhelming! Getting to how everyone can help I’m going to explain where we are in our current campaign. We were told last Wednesday that the annual financial number that needs to be raised over the next 3 years is $500k per year. We set up a three year pledge system to allow the new UAH Athletic Department personnel, under the leadership of Dr. EJ Brophy, time to put together a long term business and marketing plan.

The eminent danger of losing the program has been insulated to the UAH Hockey Alumni to date. Reasons for this was to make sure we had the correct information (i.e. $500k annually) to convey and to keep the current UAH Charger Hockey players separated from the issue until it was officially stated from University officials.

Last Tuesday, the UAH Hockey Coaching staff met with Chancellor Portera and he indicated there is a possibility of dropping the Division 1 Charger Hockey program to the Club level, and a decision could be made in early October. However, there have been some exciting things to happen since these meetings last week: 1 )With our Pledge drive only being exposed to UAH Hockey Alumni and Blueline Club Members, we have raised nearly $200K/year. 2) Local politicians have offered to help fund a marketing position (much needed) within the UAH athletic department. 3) The Huntsville City Council, along with Mayor Tommy Battle, passed a resolution to continually help support the Division 1 UAH Charger Program in any way they can. 4) Local and national media are willing to help in any way possible to get the word out.

CHL vs the NCAA, is there money changing hands

Image via WikipediaAfter reading this article a few times in the past week then going back and re-reading the quotes from Paul Kelly earlier this summer, “As much as the CHL denies it, there are still instances where money is being paid to the family to lure kids away and de-commit from colleges." Those comments Paul Kelly that some have deemed controversial by many have been followed up with these comments.

Craig Custance; Sporting News --- “The amount of money under the table in those leagues is rampant,” said RPI coach Seth Appert, who just ended his term as president of the American Hockey College Association. “That’s against NCAA rules, no matter how we slice it.”

Said Berenson: “I know some kids have been paid, there’s no question about that. I can’t tell you what the OHL allows or what they don’t allow. I know some kids that have been paid.”

In a conversation with Sporting News, one player weighing the decision confirmed he’d been offered a significant financial package to play in Canada, saying it’s not an easy thing to turn down.

“Everybody has their price,” he said.

It’s not a new accusation. Kelly has been publicly vocal in his belief that elite players are getting six-figure payments to lure them away from the NCAA. And, Kelly contends, it’s for more than just education.

Kelly shared a conversation he had with a player who broke a college commitment last summer to play in Quebec. Kelly asked him why he did it.

“He said because ‘they wrote me a check for $100,000 and I’m going to go out and buy a new car,’ ” Kelly said. “This kid never had any education anywhere in his radar.”

With all that happened this summer, I have to wonder if I am the only one from the Fighting Sioux fan base that thought this? Why J.T. Miller all of a sudden de-commit from the Fighting Sioux to sign with the Plymouth Whalers? Did the Plymouth Whalers offer J.T. Miller something to change his mind and go play for the Whalers instead of the Sioux? Miller really hasn't talked about his de-commitment from the Fighting Sioux.I think it's a legitimate question that needs to be explored more.

2010-2011 NCAA College Hockey Attendance

Rank Team Attendance Games Attendance
1. Wisconsin........................................................290,970
2. North Dakota................................................ 235,119
3. Michigan.........................................................233,531
4. Minnesota......................................................209,957
5. N eb. Omaha..................................................159,886
6. C olorado Col..................................................147,114
7. D enver.............................................................116,417
8. Minn. Duluth.................................................110,399
9. N ew Hampshire........................................... 108,729
10. St. Cloud St..................................................... 106,831

Sunday, September 04, 2011

More on the Joel Vienneau story

Goldy Gopher, University of Minnesota-Twin Cit...

Image via WikipediaApparently there is more to the Joel Vienneau story, sounds like a kid that was running out of options.

Mlive.COM ---- Vienneau posted a 15-18-4 record last season with a 3.70 goals-against-average. Vienneau and Paul Berrafato were the Jacks' goaltenders a year ago and both were expected to return this season after earning roster spots in the team's June training camp.

"There's no young man I wanted to succeed more than Joel, but we have an organizational credo here, one that requires our players to work as hard off the ice as on it," Lumberjacks owner Josh Mervis said.

Vienneau came to Muskegon with a commitment to the University of Minnesota, but that commitment was pulled back by the university earlier this year.

"In a word, it's disappointing," Mervis said. "The young man has talent, but that isn't nearly enough to succeed here or at the next level. We wish him the best in his endeavors."

And Another one Jumps to Major Juniors

Maybe this was pointed out earlier but......

2012 Minnesota Gopher recruit Joel Vienneau, a highly touted goaltender (worthy of note, from Canada), signed with Sudbury of the OHL instead of staying in Muskegon for one more year before heading to the Twin Cities.

Here is the article.

It looks like he bought the line about the Major Juniors being the way to go to get to the NHL.

I'd love to blast the Gophers as I'm no fan of theirs but I don't think Minnesota had anything to do with this.

It is nice to see that Joel has his head on straight. I mean, I too would go to an organization where a spot with playing time isn't guaranteed over a team where that same spot is virtually guaranteed. Not to mention the fact that NHL scouts know who the Gophers are.

Well, oh well. Maybe he'll turn into another Josh Unice or Brandon Maxwell (IIRC) or Anthony Grieco.

Best of luck.

Saturday, September 03, 2011

Hockey Prospectus on Forbort and Grimaldi

University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athl...

Image via WikipediaHere is what the Hockey Prospectus has to say on two Fighting Sioux players. Roco Grimaldi and Derek Forbort recently competed in the Team USA, U-20 Camp...

Derek Forbort, Defense, Los Angeles Kings: Forbort is a roller coaster to watch. He's so gifted, as the skating and puck skills abilities are simply tremendous for a big man and he can create "wow" moments on any given shift. His defensive work showed spurts of fine performance as well. However, the hockey sense still has a ways to go, as for every great play he made, it was coupled with a bad one.

Rocco Grimaldi, Center, Florida Panthers: Grimaldi was his standard self: plus skater, plus offensive skills, great work ethic, went to the net for chances, and good two-way play.

Friday, September 02, 2011

Winnipeg Jets Links...

The Winnipeg Jets have a television deal. So if you have the NHL Center Ice package on your Direct TV or Cable service you “should” be able to see all of the Winnipeg Jets games on TV.

NHL.COM ---- True North Sports & Entertainment, in conjunction with Bell Media, are pleased to announce today they have entered into a 10-year agreement awarding the regional television broadcast rights for the Winnipeg Jets and the radio broadcast rights for the hockey club to Sports Radio 1290.

This deal ensures that ALL 82 Winnipeg Jets home and away games will be available for fans on both national and regional television and radio through to the 2011-12 season.

As part of the agreement, TSN will broadcast more than 60 regional regular season and pre-season games each season to fans in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and parts of Northwestern Ontario on the newly launched “TSN Jets” – a part-time television service dedicated to Jets games and launching September 20th.

Dustin Byfuglien’s little run in with the law could prove to be very costly. If Byfuglien is charged and if he is found guilty Byfuglien could have a hard time getting across the border because the Canadians consider DWI to be a very serious offense.

Winnipeg Free Press --- "He's technically not inadmissible into Canada, because he hasn't been found guilty of anything. But they do have the right to refuse. Typically, though, Canadian officials at the Emerson border are very fair, as are those at the Winnipeg airport," Perillo told the Free Press.

Perillo said Byfuglien's life would become much more complicated if he was ultimately convicted. In Minnesota, he could face up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine and a year-long driving suspension. He would then have to apply in writing to the Canadian government for a temporary resident permit to enter the country. If granted, the order would expire after one year.

Byfuglien would have to apply for five consecutive years before he could try to obtain a lifetime pass, said Perillo.

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Dustin Byfuglien arrested on drunk boating allegation

Winnipeg Jets Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien was arrested in Minnesota for boating while intoxicated. As of this afternoon Byfuglien has yet to be charged.

WINNIPEG - Authorities in Minnesota say Winnipeg Jets star Dustin Byfuglien(notes) has been arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated.

The sheriff's jail roster in Hennepin County says the 26-year-old defenseman was brought in just before midnight Wednesday night and released shortly after 2 a.m.

An employee with the county sheriff's office says he was arrested on probable cause and officers have 36 hours to determine if he will actually be charged.

During that time, blood or urine tests will confirm if he was intoxicated.

Another jail official said a mug shot of Byfuglien was taken but a decision was made not to release it to the media.

In the U.S., it is an offense to operate a motorboat with a blood-alcohol limit higher than .08. A conviction carries a maximum $1,000 fine, possible jail time and loss of a boating licence. The offense is raised to a gross misdemeanour, increasing the fine and jail time, if the driver's blood-alcohol level is more than .20, he has similar past convictions or there were children on the boat.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Gino Gaspirini gets extension from SCSU

Image via WikipediaCheck out this gig that former Fighting Sioux hockey coach John "Gino" Gaspirini has, Gino is being paid 15,000.00 a month to advise the Saint Cloud State University athletic department.

I guess I didn't know that the SCSU athletic department was that well off financially, this was the same athletic department that considered dropping their football program, now it appears that they have deep pockets that are bulging with money.

Mick Hatten; Saint Cloud Times --- The continued uncertainty of NCAA Division I men’s hockey conferences has helped John “Gino” Gaspirini receive an extension as a special adviser for athletics to St. Cloud State University President Earl H. Potter III. That extension begins today.

Gasparini’s six-month contract with the university’s foundation has been $15,000 a month plus expenses. He was hired initially to review the athletic department’s organization and advise on the hiring of a new athletic director and to be involved in fundraising for and operations of the National Hockey Center. Morris Kurtz announced in February that he was retiring as St. Cloud State’s athletic director in July.

In the NHL a day of bad news...

Nashville Predators forward Wade Belak prior t...

Image via WikipediaThere are three stories that I have been following today. Former NHL tough Guy Wade Belak (549 games 8g-25a-33pts 1263PIM) was found dead in his condo in Toronto, Ont... Wade Belak is the third current or former NHL hockey player that has died this summer during the offseason, Derek Boogaard and Rick Rypien also died this summer.

NHL.COM --- Former NHL player Wade Belak has been found dead in his condominium in Toronto. Belak, who played in parts of 14 seasons with five NHL teams, was 35 years old.

A source with the Nashville Predators confirmed the news. Belak finished his career with the Predators and remained with the team in an organizational role following his retirement.

According to reports, the cause of death was not immediately known, but foul play was not suspected.

Also it was revealed today that Boston Bruins star center Marc Savard has not improved and will miss the 2011-2012 season. Marc Savard is still suffering from post concussion syndrome and you have to think that his career with the Boston Bruins is in jeopardy.

Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli does not expect Marc Savard to play this coming season, Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe reports.

Savard played 25 games last season, but his campaign started late because of symptoms from a concussion in 2009-10 and ended in January after another concussion.

"Marc Savard won't play this year," Chiarelli told Shinzawa on Wednesday. "Nothing has changed in our monitoring. He'll be examined and he'll be declared unfit to play."

The 34-year-old center had two goals and 10 points last season. In the four seasons before his first concussion in March 2010, Savard averaged more than 89 points and was considered one of the top passers in the League.

If the news couldn't get any worse, today we also learn that former Minnesota Wild and Anaheim Duck's tough guy Todd Fedoruk is also battling addiction issues.

VANCOUVER — You have to give Todd Fedoruk credit; he isn’t shy about discussing his drug and alcohol addictions which he says were the real reason he was bought out in Tampa, ending his NHL career unless he should happen to catch on with the Vancouver Canucks this fall.

The winger says he’s been clean for nearly 18 months, is in terrific shape and is ready to drop the gloves as part of the role he has to play if he’s going to be a regular in the league as he has been for nine seasons, most of those with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Fedoruk has had many legendary fights, the most devastating being the shattering of his face by the late Derek Boogaard in October 2006 when the prospective Canuck was in Anaheim. It had to be rebuilt by doctors.

The first question that comes to mind is what is going on here? Something is not right in the NHL. At first glance one has to wonder if the NHL has a problem with players suffering from depression... Add to that, one has wonder if the NHL also a Drug and alcohol problem. My next question does the NHL have a peer support and counseling service for their players. I am serious these are very serious issues.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Guentzel says Gophers will be back in the NCAA tourney this season.

Another example of how far the mighty have fallen, in the old days there would be no question that the Golden Gophers hockey team would be playing in the NCAA tourney. Add to their yearly NCAA tourney trip, the Gophers would be a shoe in to play in the Final Five which is held in their back yard at the Xcel Energy Center. I guess one out of three NCAA regional tourneys wouldn't be too bad for the Golden Gophers. In case we forgot the Gophers missed the last two regional tourneys that they hosted.

The Roman Empire --- Mike Guentzel, a familiar name, did much of the talking. He was there with assistant coach Grant Potulny and three players. But Mike spoke and first.

"This year we are going to get to the Xcel Center and play in the NCAA tournament," said Guentzel, hired this summer to be the Gophers associate head coach. " We are hosting a regional, and that would be our goal to get back and play in it. If we do that, it probably means we are good enough to get in the Final Five, where Gophers hockey should be."

Last spring, the Gophers were upset by Alaska Anchorage in the first round of the WCHA playoffs and did not advance to the Final. They also missed the NCAA tournament for the third season in a row. To make that blow even worst, the Frozen Four was at the X.

We kid the Golden Gophers hockey team but in reality if the Golden Gophers hockey team have another meltdown this season and fail to make the Final Five and or the NCAA tourney there is going to be a full blown house cleaning the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Basically, the UMN coaching staff's job depends on them making the NCAA tourney.

More on the CHL vs NCAA...

Zach Parise, the United States during the 2010...

Image via WikipediaIt looks like the CHL versus the NCAA is an issue that is not going to go away any time soon. I think one of the reasons the NCAA is losing to the CHL is the NCAA is hand cuffing recruiting rules by not allowing a college hockey coach to talk to a prospective recruit until that recruit has finished his sophomore year of school and after June 15th.

The CHL on the other hand doesn't have to worry about that rule. So by the time the NCAA coaches have talked to the kid the CHL might have already had a chance to convince them to go the CHL route.

Craig Custance; Sporting News --- To slow the trend, college coaches hired former NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly nearly two years ago. As the head of College Hockey, Inc., Kelly has hit the road to educate teenagers, like those in Ann Arbor, on the virtues of playing college hockey. His case is as strong as any major junior franchise.

Colleges also consistently develop NHL players, like Zach Parise (two years at North Dakota), Tim Thomas (four years at Vermont) and Jonathan Toews (two years at North Dakota). For the great majority of young players who never see the NHL, it gives them the backup plan of a college education, often at elite American universities. A degree from Harvard eases the pain of falling short on NHL dreams.

A lighter playing schedule also means college hockey players often have more time to devote to the gym.

Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Bylsma -- who spent four years at Bowling Green -- said he can usually distinguish the players who arrive via college.

“In a word, maturity. On-the-ice maturity,” Bylsma told Sporting News. “You get a player that’s had longer to develop physically and mentally.”

It's not my intention to slam the CHL and I am a big fan of both development routes. In the past both the NCAA and the CHL have proved to be successful routes for prospects that want to play in the NHL. I must admit that it's nice to see a NHL head coach plug the NCAA route.

Eight Miami Football players suspended

In my opinion I think that the Miami players got off easy and I would've liked to have seen stiffer penalties levied by the NCAA for the Miami Hurricane Football program. This basically a slap on the wrist. I guess after the OSU scandal we can't expect too much from the NCAA.

Eight Miami (Fla.) football student-athletes must miss competition and repay benefits as a condition of becoming eligible to play again, according to a decision Tuesday by the NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff. The student-athletes received varying levels of recruiting inducements and extra benefits from university booster Nevin Shapiro and athletics personnel, according to the facts of the case.

Reinstatement decisions are independent of the NCAA enforcement process and typically are made once the facts of the student-athlete’s involvement are determined. This is typically well in advance of infractions decisions. The enforcement investigation into the university's football program is ongoing.

On line gaming options....

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2) There are hundreds of on line casino sites, but only one has been named the best usa casino.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Save UAH Hockey - a program on the "brink"

Image via WikipediaAs the WCHA has extended five CCHA teams invitations to join the WCHA and with the CCHA ceasing to exist after the 2013-2014 season it would appear that the UAH administration is entertaining ideas of dropping their Divsion I hockey program or dropping it down to the club level.

Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times --- UAH hockey has become, by all accounts, an endangered species as you try to erase all the red ink on your ledgers.

At first blush, it'd be an easy thing to do. Drop intercollegiate hockey. Go to club level. Take the heat and hand over the keys to your successor and head back to Tuscaloosa.

It's time to do the hard thing.

It's time to do the right thing.

It's time to commit to save UAH hockey.

We've been told for the last two years that a conference affiliation would save the program. The college hockey buzz says the opportunity is there again. But, rightfully so, a conference needs to see your own commitment. Show it, and show it strongly.

Somebody wants you in the club. Join it.

UAH hockey has been kept alive through private funding through the years, and there's a groundswell of boosters ready with big-time commitments with a lot of zeroes at the end.

Listen to them. Work with them. Give them a price tag.

A program on the "brink"

There are some major problems facing the UAH hockey program and their survivability, first off the UAH Chargers have been on the outside looking in since the CHA disbanded after the 2009-2010 season. The WCHA picked up (or poached depending on how you see this) BSU and UNO but UAH was left on the outside looking in after the CCHA failed to pick up the UAH Chargers.

With the major realignment taking place in college hockey this summer it appears that the CCHA would again be a logical solution to the UAH conference problem since the CCHA would be losing B1G members Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State University and NCHC member Miami and Notre Dame, that train of thought is no longer a viable option as the WCHA extended invitations to the five of the Six remaining CCHA schools. The CCHA will cease to exist after the 2012-2013 season.

As it currently stands there have been no invitations extended to the UAH Chargers to join an existing conference, nor does it look like the Chargers will be extended an invitation for membership into an existing conference. That’s not to say that the WCHA won’t extend them an invitation in the future, I suppose there is still a possibility of that happening if BGSU and WMU were to go to the NCHC. None of us are privy to those conversations so it’s hard to say. With UAF and UAA being in the same conference the WCHA cannot use travel expenses as a reason to not allow UAH a place in the WCHA. What happens from here on out is anyone guess.

Carlson: Pre-special session resumption of Sioux nickname transition 'slap in face' of N.D. Legislature

Image via WikipediaThis is the news of the day on the Fighting Sioux logo retirement. I woke up this morning to find this news story in the Daily Plains, apparently Fargo Republican/ Representative and Former NDSU Graduate Al Carlson has told UND to stand down on the Fighting Sioux logo retirement and not retire the Fighting Sioux logo until the law has been repealed.

Chuck Haga; Grand Forks Herald --- Rep. Al Carlson, R-Fargo, has written to UND President Robert Kelley and the president of the State Board of Higher Education, objecting to the board’s action Aug. 15 directing Kelley to have the anticipated transition from the Fighting Sioux nickname “substantially complete” by the end of the year.

Carlson, the House majority leader and author of a law that says UND’s athletic teams shall be known as the Fighting Sioux, called the board’s action “a slap in the face” of the Legislature.

“When we pass a law, you’re supposed to abide by the law until it’s changed,” he said Monday.

Here is a copy of the Al Carlson letter in question. You can also click on this link to read the letter as well.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Why not Mikael Granlund...

This is the latest highlight in the career of Wild super prospect Mikael Granlund, this time it's another shootout goal from last weekend. I must say that this goal doesn't require a lot of narration but damn this kid is good and shows us a glimpse of the things to come... Seriously? I can't believe that he isn't ready to play for the Minnesota Wild this season. Maybe someone please tell me the logic why Wild prospect Mikael Granlund isn't going to be playing for the Wild this season?

Sunday evening fodder.

Image via WikipediaWhile I was on the Internet tonight I discovered a very interesting blog post; If you haven't seen the blog post in question, it's worth a read. According to the Western Michigan beat writer David Drew, who has a very good beat writer blog I might add, Western Michigan doesn't pull any punches on what College Hockey league the athletic department wants to be a member of. I would say that the the WCHA is WMU's second choice as far as hockey leagues go. The only thing I would tell the Western Michigan athletic department is I wouldn't burn the WCHA bridge just yet.

David Drew; Mlive.com --- The Broncos have a standing invitation from the newly merged CCHA/Western Collegiate Hockey Association, but it shouldn't be their top choice.

WMU has a chance to save a few travel dollars and enjoy quick and consistent success in the 2013-14 WCHA, a league of mostly Division II schools, but the move won't entice fans or bring the same national attention as the NCHC, which is also likely to have a better TV deal.

As a member of the NCHC, WMU would have to spend more on travel and pay nonleague foes more to come to Lawson. The Bemidji States of the world know their value in filling out opponents' schedule increases in 2013.

But by bringing in Murray, an NHL veteran, paying him top dollar ($300,000 annually) and keeping two critical assistants, WMU's commitment to hockey is clear.

"This university recognized that the potential, out of all of our sports, of getting to the Frozen Four and winning a national championship is very real, and the investment in that is very real," Beauregard said.

Brad Schlossman, the North Dakota hockey beat writer for the Grand Forks Herald, said he's heard around the NCHC that WMU is in the mix as a candidate for membership.

Smart Kid.... This from Charlie Walters aka Shooter, you can't make this stuff up.

One 16-year-old local hockey player who's headed for the U.S. National Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich., said he's already narrowed his college choices to Minnesota-Duluth and North Dakota and is passing on the Gophers because they're moving to what he considers an inferior conference - the Big Ten - in 2013.

Harvey Uken Letter to the editor

Image via WikipediaIf you haven't read Harvey Uken's letter to the editor, it's worth a look... Harvey makes some good points and before you attack him for his point of view, Harvey is native American.

Other athletic conferences were “oh so pleased” when UND wanted to join. But when the NCAA talked sanctions, those conferences got scared and ran away. I admit that I don’t understand how the money flows or why so many are so frightened of one group; but, I do know that being held hostage is not right.

Maybe it is time to recognize that the NCAA has too much power. Maybe we’ve lost sight of the sport for the love of money, power and prestige.

As a Yankton Sioux who grew up on the Rosebud and Standing Rock reservations, I’ve been puzzled about how the present-day leaders can turn their backs on the grandfathers’ covenant to UND. The Fighting Sioux name was given a blessing by the Elders, something I was taught not to take lightly.

In this politically correct world, let’s not lose sight of what’s going on here: the diminishing of the Indian, as in “out of sight, out of mind.”

I was raised to be proud of my Sioux heritage. My grandfathers are Baptiste Lambert, Struck the Ree, Rain In The Face, Wabasha and Burnt Thigh, among others. They were strong men and proud warriors, men who stood unwavering by what they believed.

But now, once again, the dominant culture is saying the Sioux name and logo are bad. Being Sioux is not bad. The logo shows a proud, focused warrior. What is there to be ashamed of?

I have yet to be convinced that the FIghting Sioux name and logo are harmful in any way. And at every game, the name of my people is shouted in the spirit of pride of belonging to something good. How great is that?
Harvey Uken

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Couple of Fighting Sioux nickname issues...

The Grand Forks Herald made mention of this L.A. Times article in today's paper and it's worth a look... My personal opinion of the article was that the L.A. Times oped comes off as being condescending, elitist and down right rude.

L.A. Times ---- Unlike 19th century U.S. officials, the North Dakota Board of Higher Education knows how to honor an agreement. It decided to retire the Fighting Sioux mascot. But then the North Dakota Legislature upset that amicable resolution by passing a law mandating that the university keep the old mascot. As a result, the university's athletics program faces various NCAA sanctions and might be excluded from the Big Sky Conference, which it had planned to join.

This is a 21st century conflict, so of course there also are lawsuits. Some members of the Spirit Lake tribe sued to keep the mascot, but their case was thrown out of court. A group of Native American students at the university sued to get rid of the name and accompanying logo of a young Sioux man. Written into the new state law is a provision that calls for suing the NCAA if it imposes any penalties.

Many of the legislators are alumni who understandably cling to this symbol of their college years, but reason should come before sentiment, and the law should be repealed. Lawmakers should have gotten more out of their college experience than the "fighting" part.

ND State Representative Mike Schatz (R-New England) was on with Rob Port on KNOX on Friday 8-26-11 and Rob and Mike Schatz spoke on the Fighting Sioux issue... [Click to listen]

Friday, August 26, 2011

LSSU, FSU and UAF join the WCHA for the 2013-2014 season.

Image via WikipediaYesterday we found out that the WCHA had extended invitations to the 5 CCHA schools (LSSU, FSU, WMU, BGSU and UAF) to join the WCHA. Today it was announced that LSSU, UAF and FSU have accepted bids to join the WCHA for the 2013-2014 season. WMU, BGSU have also been given invitations to join the WCHA but have yet to accept invitations.

It has been rumored that both schools are weighing their options and that BGSU, WMU might be trying to get into the newly formed NCHC. It's been kind of difficult to gauge what BGSU is going to do but this blog post on Falcon Fodder by John Wagner might shed some light on the situation or maybe not.

Western Michigan University had said in the past that the school was waiting to see what the conference the Notre Dame Fighting Irish was going to join before they made an a decision, now according to their athletic director Kathy Beauregard WMU is going do what is best for WMU.

Western Michigan’s Director of Athletics said Friday the school is no longer waiting for Notre Dame to decide first on a future conference affiliation.

“We did that at the time for all the right reasons because we certainly do care about them being a partner with us in the CCHA,” Beauregard said of her prior statements about being committed to trying to follow Notre Dame wherever the Irish end up. “Right now, it’s time for us to make the best decision for Western Michigan University. [David Drew, Mlive.com]

Two former CCHA schools must improve arenas

The WCHA has requested that LSSU and FSU make improvement to their hockey arenas according to Matt Wellens of the Mining Journal and apparently both teams have agreed to upgrade their facilities.

According to NMU President Less Wong, the WCHA did request that LSSU and Ferris upgrade their arenas - Taffy Abel Arena in Sault Ste. Marie and Ewigleben Ice Arena in Big Rapids - and both athletic departments agreed to make improvements.

Who's the "Boss"

When news of the formation of the new NCHC broke there was a lot of discussion about the commissioner of the WCHA Bruce McLeod and there were a few teams in the current WCHA that said they have a problem and or issues with the WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod. With those teams gone; going forward it would appear as if the much maligned WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod is going to survive at least for now as the commissioner of the WCHA. I found this statement by WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod in the St. Cloud Times article by Mick Hatten to be very interesting, it's almost in your face, reading this newspaper article, there is no question who is driving this expansion.

On Thursday, McLeod clarified why Tuesday’s meeting wasn’t about a merger.

“This is really an invitation to join the WCHA, and there’s a real difference there,” McLeod said. “There’s a lot of sensitives to it on both sides of the fence.

“We’re going to be called the WCHA, and this is not some kind of merger.”

Personally, I think in 2013-2014 the WCHA needs to start fresh with a new face at the helm of the WCHA, I would suggest that the WCHA look at former UND head coach and USHL Commissioner Gino Gaspini, whose currently serving as a special adviser for SCSU athletics for SCSU President Earl H. Potter II.

So going forward here is what the new WCHA will look like "so far" for the 2013-2014 season.

SCSU
BSU
UAA
UAF
LSSU
NMU
FSU
MTU
MSU-M

Goon's World Extras

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