Goon's World

Monday, September 19, 2011

Notre Dame to the Big Ten?

Image via WikipediaThis would be an interesting turn of events but not unpredictable because there has been a lot written on this subject during the past week.

Neil Hayes; Chicago Sun Times --- The tectonic plates beneath the college football landscape may soon be shifting, which could increase the likelihood of Notre Dame joining the Big Ten in the future.

Brian Kelly is aware that Big East Conference members Pittsburgh and Syracuse have submitted letters of application to the Atlantic Coach Conference, which could impact Notre Dame basketball and other sports. With other significant changes to major conferences expected, joining the Big Ten might make sense now than it did a decade ago, especially if Texas is involved.

Imagine a Big Ten “Western” division that includes Nebraska, Iowa, Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, llinois and Northwestern and an “Eastern” sub-conference featuring Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Purdue and Indiana. Such a scenario would maintain many of the Big Ten’s geographical rivalries as well as allowing Notre Dame to continue to play traditional foes such as USC and/or Navy.

“I know personally as the head coach, you’re always listening to what’s going on out there,” the Notre Dame coach said. “How it affects our day-to-day operation is none. It doesn’t affect what we do. Nothing is going to be decided during this season.

So if Notre Dames decided to join the B1G that would mean that the Fighting Irish would join the B1G in all sports to include Division I hockey as well, meaning that the Fighting Irish would not be in the NCHC. I don't think it's as devastating to the NCHC as some hockey fans have predicted or hoped. Let's get real, the NCHC in it's current form is still more of an attractive option than the WCHA. One scenario I would like to see happen is, if Notre Dame ends up going to the B1G, I would hope the NCHC would extend an invitation to BGSU and WMU to join the NCHC. I would also caution the NCHC about offering an invitation to SCSU to join the NCHC.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Waiting to Exhale, the WCHA is Back

This season I will be writing for Inside Hockey with a big blog from out east run by Tim Rosenthal… I will be one of the WCHA writers this season. Here was the first article that I submitted.

The whirl wind summer that saw a bunch of realignment in college hockey has finally come to an end and now college hockey fans can worry about... watching college hockey games as the hockey season is once again upon us. Most college hockey teams have already started their captain’s practices and college hockey coaches are allowed by NCAA rules to practice for two hours each week with their teams until October 1st 2011.

The college hockey season will officially kick off their exhibition games during the first weekend of October. The following weekend all 12 WCHA teams WCHA teams will kick off their non-conference and preseason tourney games. Here is the link composite WCHA schedule for the 2011-12 season. [Link to the composite WCHA schedule]

Re-alignment almost set?

As mentioned in the preceding paragraph; this past summer has been a whirl wind for college hockey fans of the WCHA with the defections of teams to the B1G (Wisconsin, Minnesota) and the defections of teams to the newly formed and National Collegiate Hockey Conference (Colorado College, Denver University, University of Minnesota Duluth, University of Nebraska Omaha and University of North Dakota), the WCHA in its present form will change after the 2012-13 season.

Starting in 2013-14 the WCHA will consist of the following teams, University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Bemidji State University, Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Tech University, Minnesota State University Mankato, Northern Michigan University, and Saint Cloud State University. Two other schools have been given invitations to join the WCHA from the CCHA, Western Michigan University and Bowling Green State University have been given invitations to join the WCHA but neither school has accepted or declined the invitation at this point. The WCHA would like to add WMU and BGSU as members to the WCHA because without either school, none of the schools in the WCHA are Division I in any other sport besides hockey.

Teams bolting for super conferences:

We already have an idea what the new WCHA will look like; there may be an addition or subtraction in the future. Based on the moves that have taken place this summer, it also appears that there will no longer be a CCHA. While re-alignment is almost over for the WCHA there are still a few moves yet to be played out. While holding up the show for most of the summer, Notre Dame has yet to pick a home for its college hockey team; there have been rumblings that the Fighting Irish are close to selecting a conference. Stay with me now; there are three or four scenarios in play for them right now, Notre Dame could join the NCHC, Hockey East, go independent or join the Big Ten. The later scenario has surfaced in the last week or so.

Big Ten driving re-alignment:

Due to a very generous donation from PSU alumnus Terry Pegula; Penn State University will now have a college hockey team to start the 2012-13 college hockey season. Peulla opened his rather large wallet and wrote Penn State a check for 88 million to help the Nittany Lions build Pegula Ice arena. That donation rocked the college hockey world, now that the Big Ten “will have” six teams that play college hockey, they are required by conference rules to have a B1G hockey conference. The addition of one college hockey team set the ball in motion for a very chaotic summer. The Big Ten Schools that used to be in both the WCHA and the CCHA are now going to form the Big Ten Hockey Conference.

Not to be out done and in response to the Big Ten hockey conference formation; Miami University from the CCHA decided to join North Dakota, Denver University, Colorado College University Nebraska Omaha to form the NCHC. The NCHC schools have been trying to lure Notre Dame to become a member of the six team super conference. WMU is also said to be very interested in joining the NCHC, and they have spent the summer trying to convince the NCHC that they would be a worthy suitor in the NCHC. If WMU is unable to join the NCHC they will probably join the WCHA. BGSU has yet to make decision but are leaning towards joining the WCHA.
There have been rumblings that if Notre Dames doesn’t join the NCHC that SCSU “might” get an invite to the NCHC but at this time they are still on the outside looking in. This move would stink with hypocrisy especially after Saint Cloud State University President Dr Earl H. Potter III said he wouldn’t join the NCHC even if his school was offered a spot in the conference. Potter has since backed off this statement.

How will things shake out?

While I don’t get a vote in the WCHA media pre-season poll, this is how I think the standings will shake out for the 2011-12 season. The top six – seven teams in the WCHA are pretty equal and could finish anywhere from first to seventh. Like last season, we could see one or both B1G schools failing to make the Final Five once again. I believe Denver, Colorado College and North Dakota are cream of the crop in the WCHA this season. In the future I will break down the teams to watch in the WCHA.

1. Denver
2. Colorado College
3. North Dakota
4. Minnesota
5. Nebraska-Omaha
6. Wisconsin
6. Minnesota-Duluth
8. Alaska-Anchorage
9. St. Cloud State
10. Bemidji State
11. Michigan Tech
12.MinnesotaState

Jaroslav Halak's mask honor's Pavol Demitra

s/t to In Goal Magazine. St Louis Blues goalie Jaroslav Halak's mask will honor the memory of his former Slovakian teammate Pavol Demitra who was killed last week when his KHL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team flight crashed after take off.

Brett Hextall is no Matt Cooke...

I want to preface this blog post by saying that, I liked what Brett Hextall brought to the table during his three seasons at the University of North Dakota, however I am disappointed that Brett would compare himself to a gutless puke like Matt Cooke. I don't think we will every see Hextall suspended for the playoffs because he hit someone with a dirty elbow or an illegal hit... While Hextall plays the game with an edge I wouldn't say that he is a goon or a dirty player.

Pro Hockey Talk --- Phoenix Coyotes prospect Brett Hextall signed a pro contract this April and will be wreaking havoc all over the Coyotes training camp this week. He spent two seasons with Junior A Penticton before moving on to the University of North Dakota.

“Yeah, [the chippiness] probably my strongest point—at least when I’m playing my most effective,” Hextall explained. “I’m really getting under people’s skin just because I’m a pest. Like a Max Talbot, Matt Cooke, or someone like that. If I can be a relentless guy, [play] in-your-face, winning pucks, and just getting under people’s skin because I’m always around, always there, and always getting a piece of them. That’s definitely when I’m at my best.”

That’s right. A Hextall just said that he’s at his best when he’s playing like Matt Cooke. Not surprisingly, it’s something he’s learned from his family. He’s known from the start what it would take to be a good hockey player.

One player that I would probably compare Brett Hextall to is Boston Bruins forward and pest extraordinaire Brad Marchand. In case you have already forgotten, Marchand, was the player that the Montreal Canadians and the Vancouver Canucks came to hate during the Stanley Cup playoffs, by the end of both series Marchand was in Canadians and Canucks heads. Brett Hextall like Brad Marchand has been known to throw players but also whole teams off their games being a super pest, if you don't believe me just ask the Denver Pioneers.

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Thursday, September 15, 2011

Former Fighting Sioux forward Brad Malone interviewed by Mike Chambers

Wow!!! Here is one for the record books, self professed Fighting Sioux hockey hater and beat writer for the Denver Post; Mike Chambers, has come a long way, Mike Chambers was able to interview former Fighting Sioux forward Brad Malone without insulting the Fighting Sioux hockey team and or mentioning the Brad Malone's check on Jesse Martin. Goon's World must give Mike Chambers credit where credit is due, now the question is; will Mike Chambers be able to write to columns/blog posts in a row without doing either.

Mike Chambers All things AV's --- (Brad)Malone, listed at 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds, was a first-line center as a senior at UND, but he is pegged as a third- or fourth-line grinder as a pro. He has embraced that model and would love to be the next Cody McLeod for the Avs.

“Keeping it simple. I don’t think there anything real mysterious about my game,” Malone said. “Just shooting pucks out (of the defensive zone), shooting pucks in, being physical, limiting mistakes. I don’t think I’ll have a scoring role, but . . . I try and resemble myself after a guy like (McLeod).”

That would include fighting, an art that would require Malone to shake off some rust. (Of course, the NCAA hands out ejections and suspensions for fighting, so it doesn’t happen much.)

“I haven’t played junior hockey or anything in four years, but you know what, it’s part of the game,” he said of fighting. “I’m not going to go out and look for it, but with the physical play and the way that I play, I’m sure things are going to come around. You can’t really shy away from it. We’ll see what happens.”

Burke on Frattin - “He’s going to get a good look in camp.”

With the new season comes new chance for former Fighting Sioux hockey players to get their shot at playing in the NHL, this season former Fighting Sioux power forward Matt Frattin is making an early impression and has a decent chance of making the NHL out of the Toronto Maple Leafs training camp.

Kevin McGran; The Star --- One of few players who may actually get some ice time with the Leafs this year is Matt Frattin, easily the best player on the ice Tuesday night. The puck followed him around, it seemed. He scored the Leafs’ first goal, on a fine feed from defenceman Jake Gardiner.

It was a power-play goal with Frattin — a forward — playing the point.

“He clearly showed some of what he can do and I think he still has more to give,” Eakins said of Frattin. “We used him in all situations. We had him on the point on the power play, up front on the power play, 5-on-5, 4-on-4, penalty killing and he wasn’t falling away. It looks like he’s fairly fit as well.”

At 23, Frattin was one of the older players at the four-team tournament. It was expected he would dominate and he did. GM Brian Burke was impressed.

“I think he’s a good player,” Burke said of Frattin. “He’s going to get a good look in camp.”

Vancouver Canucks beat writer still bitter?

From time to time I check out the Orland Kurtenblog because I find his posts to be interesting and thought provoking. Seems like Vancouver media just can't get over losing to the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup finals, not only did Brand Marchand get under the skin of the Vancouver Canucks, it appears that Brad Marchand also got under the skin of the Vancouver media as well. Hell I think that makes Marchand even more valuable.

Orland Kurtenblog --- The $5 mil total also proves that, if you want to make some serious money in the league, you should try speedbagging a Sedin.

I mean, let’s be real here. Marchand is a good player and you can’t downplay his postseason effectiveness — but everyone knows how he made a name for himself, and it wasn’t for relentless back-checking. Marchand whaled on the Art Ross trophy winner, bragged about it, and everybody ate it up. Fans, media and television talking heads were tripping over each other to anoint him the rodent du jour, taking the “next Ken Linesman” label away from Dave Bolland (who, to be fair, took it away from Steve Ott. I think the point here is the “rat king” label frequently changes holders.) This wasn’t necessarily wrong, just overblown. On the list of things that prevented Vancouver from winning, Marchand’s agitation skills were somewhere in the middle

Brad Marchand plays on the edge all the time and during the Stanley Cup finals Marchand was up in Daniel Sedin's grill for most of the series... Just a little reminder in case anyone forgot, how about this move by Brad Marchand as he showed Daniel Sedin if you going to keep skating after the whistle Marchand is going to protect himself. [Click to view video] Again, did people expect Marchand to just let Sedin run him?

Hockey is in the air...

Waking up this morning I noticed some frost on the roof of my garage and have come to the conclusion that our short summer in the north land is officially now over and the hockey season is upon us. The Fighting Sioux hockey team play their exhibition game on October 1st against Regina 16 days from now.

Some of the first media and pseudo media have begun to release their preseason rankings/ballots [Bucky's Fifth Quarter], [Western College Hockey], [Roman Empire]

This is how I see the WCHA shaking out this season.
1. Denver
2. Colorado College
3. North Dakota
4. Minnesota
5. Nebraska-Omaha
6. Wisconsin
6. Minnesota-Duluth
8. Alaska-Anchorage
9. St. Cloud State
10. Bemidji State
11. Michigan Tech
12. Minnesota State

Fratts making an impression

From reading all of the press clipping coming from the Toronto newspapers it sounds like former Fighting Sioux forward Matt Frattin has made quite an impression on the Toronto Maple Leafs brain trust during this week’s rookie camp and Matt Frattin may have a chance to make the Leafs rosters out of training camp.

Frattin looking good at camp [Toronto Sun]

OSHAWA - The playing field is about to level for Matt Frattin.

But the 23-year-old Maple Leafs freshman couldn’t have had a better send-off to training camp as he played in all situations and shone in a 4-3 Leafs loss to the Ottawa Senators in the rookie tournament closer at the General Motors Centre.

“He clearly showed some of what he can do and I think he has more to give,” said Toronto Marlies coach Dallas Eakins, who was behind the Leafs bench. “He didn’t fall away. And it looks like he is fairly fit as well, which is encouraging.”

Frattin played the point on the power play and one-timed a shot past goalie Robin Lehner late in the second period during a man-advantage. He also killed penalties, and his smarts demonstrated why he should have a good shot at winning a spot on the Leafs’ roster when camp breaks. He played in one game for the Leafs last season.

Leaf's Roster has WCHA flavor

If you glance at the Toronto Leafs training camp roster you will see a hint of a WCHA influence. Currently there are seven former WCHA players on the Leaf's training camp roster. [Toronto Maple Leafs training camp roster]

Brad Malone also making an impression with AV's

Sounds like former Fighting Sioux forward Brad Malone is also making an impression with the Colorado Avalanche coaching staff as well. Here is what the Mile High City had to say about Brad Malone.

Brad Malone: The first thing that jumped off the ice about Malone yesterday and was only reinforced today was that he moves well for a guy his size. He's a smooth skater with a long, powerful stride who isn't blessed with great acceleration but has a top speed that won't cause him to be overwhelmed in the NHL. He was focused on firing a few more pucks past goalies today (same for Landy, who he's living with at a hotel near Park Meadows) and used his quick, compact release to pick some corners. Maybe most surprising on the day was some actual hitting showed up as he and Landeskog came together in front of Pickard for an amusing confrontation. Later during the scrimmages Malone received a pretty significant body check from O'Byrne and took it in stride. As they skated down the ice, Malone was definitely looking to let O'Byrne know he saw the number of that freight train and seemed anxious to get into O'Byrne. Sadly, everyone remembered it was day 2 of rookie camp and the two quickly skated away with smiles on their faces. Don't be surprised to see Malone happily lay into O'Byrne this weekend. From what I saw, Malone had himself a pretty solid day and I'm really liking his potential to make an impact on the bottom 6 this season. It may not be immediate but I wouldn't be surprised to see Malone donning an Avs jersey at some point in this campaign.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

ND Attorney General Seeking Dismissal of UND Students' Nickname Lawsuit

University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athl...

Image via WikipediaHere is the latest news involving the Fighting Sioux nickname. I have to agree there was no reason for this lawsuit to be filed, I also think it would be a long shot to prove that these 8 students had their 14 amendment rights violated.

GRAND FORKS (WDAZ-TV) - North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem's office has filed a motion asking the Federal Court to dismiss a suit by eight current and former UND students over the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

The students allege the state law requiring the school to keep the nickname violates the state constitution and reverses a court-ordered settlement between UND and the NCAA that retired the logo.

In the motion to dismiss, the Attorney General's office says the settlement with the NCAA does not require the nickname and logo to be retired, but only specifies the penalties that will ensue if the nickname were to remain.

Sidney Crosby on headshots

Image via WikipediaThis is what Sidney Crosby the face of the NHL had to say about headshots. Unfortunately the face of the NHL hasn't played a game since January 5th of this year.

Bill Beacon; Globe and Mail--- (Sidney) Crosby has been out of action with concussion symptoms since early January after taking shots to the head in consecutive games. While the Pittsburgh Penguins centre is optimistic he will be able to play again, no date has been set for his return.

The 24-year-old urged the league to take action on shots to the head when he met with the media Sept. 7 in Pittsburgh.

“As a league, as a union, I think we've all educated ourselves a lot in the last six or seven months,” Crosby said. “I think it can go further. At the end of the day, I don't think there's a reason not to take (headshots) out.”

Bruins re-sign Brad Marchand

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 14: Brad Marchand #63 of t...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Boston Bruins fans breathed a collective sigh of relief today as their up and coming star forward re-upped for two more seasons. Brad Marchand was a restricted free agent and was coming a great post season where he scored 11 goals and added 9 assists in 25 Stanley Cup playoff games. Marchand was a major reason the Bruins won the Stanley Cup this past season. Marchand’s deal is worth about 5.5 million over two seasons.

Fluto Shinzawa; Boston.com --- The Bruins have confirmed that Brad Marchand has agreed to a contract extension. According to TSN, Marchand has signed a two-year, $5 million contract, giving him an annual cap hit of $2.5 million. Marchand will earn $2 million this season and $3 million in 2012-13. Marchand will be under contract and alongside his teammates when camp officially opens on Friday at TD Garden.

“From the get-go, I never was going to miss a day of camp,” Marchand said during a conference call. “I never wanted that. I wanted to be here the first day and show everyone I wanted to be here. I wanted to go through the whole camp with the guys and be part of the team. I’m very happy it didn’t have to come down to [a holdout] and that we could get a deal done before camp.”

Marchand’s extension was framed primarily by the two-year, $5.75 million contract that Logan Couture signed with San Jose. Couture, one of three finalists for the Calder Trophy last year, scored 32 goals. Marchand scored 21 goals and 20 assists.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

New York Daily News covers Sioux nickname issue

Image via WikipediaThis is an interesting story that I found in the New York Daily News. To be honest with you I didn't expect to read a story like this in a newspaper from New York City, but it's refreshing to read none-the-less.

New York Daily News --- Native American tribe officials are battling to save the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname. Members of the Spirit Lake Tribe are working to block the controversial removal of the nickname and the school's Indian head logo. KXMB TV Bismarck is reporting an injunction has been filed in tribal court seeking to stop the retirement and force the transfer of the Fighting Sioux licensing and merchandising rights to the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe.

NCAA officials forced UND to retire the nickname because of political correctness and have threatened sanctions against the school unless it removed the Sioux nickname. Ironically, the very people who the NCAA claims should be offended love the nickname. Frank Black Cloud, spokesperson for Spirit Lake Nation, says the use of the nickname has always been respectful of the Sioux nation and is a source of pride.

"We gave UND permission years ago. This was a gift and that's what the NCAA doesn't understand. Nobody has the right to take that gift away except a Sioux tribe and the only reason we would take it away is if they were doing dishonor to the Sioux name -- and the aren't doing that. They are holding it respectfully and with honor and in its tradition."

Tuesday Morning Links

Image via WikipediaFighting Sioux defensive recruit Jordan Schmaltz who is expected to go high in next summer's NHL entry draft, is Ryan Clark's, (the beat writer for the Fargo Force from the Fargo Forum), top defensive recruit to watch in the USHL this season.

Ryan S. Clarke Slightly Chilled --- 1. Jordan Schmaltz, Sioux City: Eh, he’s bum. Really, he’s actually the truth and might be the most high-profile player heading into the league this season. Schmaltz is arguably the USHL’s most gifted offensive defenseman and he certainly showed why last season. When Sioux City was looking to edge into the playoffs, Schmaltz went all T-800 series and basically said, “Come with me if you want to live” by scoring 12 points in his last 13 games. That includes a 10-game point streak he used to end the season. In all, Schmaltz scored 44 points (13 goals and 31 assists) in just 59 games. Very few players could control a game last season like Schmaltz and there’s a good chance that it could be that way this year. Some have wondered if the 6-2, 175-pound North Dakota will come out a bit more defensive-minded this year. If Schmaltz is able to do that along with having another electric year on offense, it could be an amazing season for the Wisconsin native.

This season could prove to be a big for former Fighting Sioux forward T.J. Oshie. Jeremy Ruthorford the Blues beat writer from St Louis Today interviewed former Fighting Sioux forward T.J. Oshie.

Now armed with a one-year, $2.35 contract extension, Oshie says he's healthy and ready to begin the 2011-12 season. Here's my conversation with T.J. Oshie...

JR: Congratulations on your contract. What was that process like for you?

TJO: "It was tough. The first time for me. I was kind of just sitting back, trying to take it all in ... take it slow. It came down to the wire (before the start of restricted free agency). They threw out a number that we were really comfortable with and felt like it was best for both sides."

JR: Some Blues fans were hoping that you would signing a long-term deal. Why only one year?

TJO: "It's a chance for me to prove that I can go away for a summer, have a good summer on my own, working out and training. I was doing all of (Blues strength coach Nelson Ayotte's) stuff, but I just wanted to prove to them after everything that happened (an unexcused absence at practice, leading to a two-game suspension), that I've matured and have grown up. I'm just ready to step in and hopefully play as good

There has been increasing chatter that there is a possibility that Notre Dame might be joining the Big Ten along with the University of Texas. This might also explain why the Fighting Irish have not joined the NCHC or Hockey East. It also might explain why BGSU and WMU haven't accepted the WCHA's bid for membership as well.

Larry Phillips;Telegraph-Forum ---- In the Internet community, when Purple Book Cat talks, folks listen. On Thursday, the anonymous PBC started a thread revealing at a Wednesday night meeting, Notre Dame and Texas jointly presented the Big Ten Conference a proposal for terms of entry into the league. Such terms came after lengthy discussions involving both schools over the past several months.

Interestingly, the top priority for both institutions was to get the Big Ten to back off its mandate of a 9-game conference schedule beginning later this decade and maintain the current 8-game slate. This would allow Texas and Notre Dame to continue traditional rivalries, with Oklahoma and USC, respectively.

Monday, September 12, 2011

'Goon' a Hockey movie...

Finally a movie about a hockey goon. Coming to a theater near you in 2012, the movie 'Goon'. I have to admit that I can't wait for this movie, one of my favorite actors Seann William Scott the actor that played the character Steve Stifler in American Pie that is going to play a hockey enforcer/goon.

Alex Billington. MTV --- It's hockey time! This isn't Kevin Smith's hockey comedy (that's titled Hit Somebody), but Goon is another hockey comedy, directed by Canadian Michael Dowse. It's currently shooting and MTV just debuted a few new photos. Seann William Scott plays Doug, a small town bouncer who, after "physically" defending his best friend, played by Jay Baruchel, at a hockey game, is recruited to play the enforcer for a minor league team. It's basically a good ole time hockey flick and that means plenty of fights and hocke. You can see two photos below, plus one on their site. "[This is a movie for] guys that are sick of PG blood and just nonsense."

Goon's World Extras

Monday, September 19, 2011

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