Craig Custance: NHL overtime rules be changed

I know that hockey purists don't like to see hockey games decided by the shootout. I also know that fans are split on the shootout. When the NCHC announced that they were going to settle games by the shootout, many fans chimed in to tell me their disgust and how they hate the shootout. This could be a proposal that might be well received.

Craig Custance, ESPN - Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland isn't anti-shootout. He's just in favor of letting actual hockey decide games.

So during NHL GM meetings in the past, he's suggested that overtime sessions consist of five (or four) minutes of 4-on-4, then five (or four) minutes of 3-on-3. If the game is still tied, then a shootout would determine the winner.

There was some support in the past, just not enough.

In the prospect tournament he runs in Traverse City, Michigan, Holland implemented his version of overtime. On Sunday, he and other general managers in the building got to see what it looked like in actual game action for the first time when the Dallas Stars' prospects beat those from the Minnesota Wild in a shootout that followed the first 3-on-3 overtime session of the tournament.

What do you think of this idea? Would you be in favor of these O.T. rules to settle ties? Would you be in favor of college hockey using these rules to break ties as well?

Related articles

• Goalie Tim Thomas reported to be close to deal with unspecified hockey team (nhl.si.com)
• An NHL Rule Change I'd Like to See: Three-on-Three Overtime (hockeywilderness.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Conference to use Shootouts to Break Ties (thehockeywriters.com)

NHL Hockey: League clarifies illegal check to head rule

Original NHL logo, used until 2005. A version of the logo features it in the shape of a hockey puck. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to the Elliotte Friedman of CBC's Hockey Night in Canada, the NHL has changed their wording of Rule 48. It's nice to see the rule get clarified and cleaned up a bit.

Now Rule 48.1 declares an illegal check to the head as "a hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head was the main point of contact and such contact to the head was avoidable."

You're going to ask the obvious follow-up. How do you determine if the hit is avoidable? There are three circumstances to be considered:

First, whether the player attempted to hit squarely through the opponent's body and the head was not "picked" as a result of poor timing, poor angle of approach or unnecessary extension of the body upward or outward.

Second, whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position by assuming a posture that made head contact on an otherwise full body check unavoidable.

Third, whether the opponent materially changed the position of his body or head immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit in a way that significantly contributed to the head contact.

Obviously, we need game action to see how this change affects things. But in theory, it makes a lot of sense. By eliminating "targeted" and adding "avoidable," it puts added onus on the hitter to avoid recklessness. Ultimately, that's what you want.

Related articles

• Report: NHL to reword head-shot rule (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)
• Sidney Crosby Thinks Zdeno Chara's Punch 'Crossed the Line,' Saw It as Attempt to Shut Him Down (nesn.com)

Andrew MacWilliam Impressing Toronto Maples Leafs at Rookie Tournament

"...he's a guy who is full of character." RT @SchlossmanGF: Andrew MacWilliam impressing Toronto so far http://t.co/t92UwnTuce
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) September 9, 2013

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Andrew MacWilliam is making an impression on the Toronto Maples Leafs. It also sounds like he has been throwing some punishing checks as well. The Toronto Maple Leafs wrapped up their rookie tournament last night with a 6-2 loss. The Leafs finished the tournament with 2-1 record.

Big Mac

If you want to make Spott smile, just mention the name Andrew MacWilliam.

"Oh boy, he's big, strong and powerful," the Marlies coach said. "He's going to be one of our alternate captains and he's a guy who is full of character. He's probably going to catch somebody early with their head down in this tournament.

"He's just a big, strong man that has an edge. He's going to relish the physicality. I don't think a lot of people know him so he's going to open some eyes here this week."

MacWilliam was a physical force in Toronto's game against Chicago rookies Thursday night. He lambasted Chicago's Chris DeSousa late in the second period with the hardest check of the game. DeSousa left the contest.

MacWilliam, 23, scored two goals and 13 points in 41 games with North Dakota last season to go with a team-high 116 penalty minutes. It is his penalty total - 327 minutes in four seasons - that is the best indicator of what to expect from the six-foot-two, 230-pound Calgary, Alta., native.

In the previous two seasons with the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, MacWilliam totalled 350 PIM in 111 games. You get the picture

Former UND defenseman Joe Gleason Invited to Blackhawks Training Camp

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman/forward Joe Gleason has been invited to the defending Stanley Cup Champions, aka the Chicago Blackhawks training camp. You can see for yourself by clicking this link.

Joe Gleason slapper makes it 2-0 CHI. Gleason has been impressive all camp.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) September 8, 2013

NCHC Hockey Releases Media Guide

2013-14 @TheNCHC Media Guide Available Online http://t.co/VuOiY3Kv1Z
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) September 9, 2013

You can go to this link and look at the NCHC's new Media Guide. It's pretty sharp as well. On this link you will be able to navigate to the page where you can peruse at all of the teams in the NCHC. This is the link for the UND page.

Related articles

• NCHC UNVEILS NEW WEBSITE - NCHCHockey.com (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Top Stories Surrounding New League (thehockeywriters.com)
• Most Anticipated NCHC Game: North Dakota vs. Miami (thehockeywriters.com)

Adrian Peterson takes it 78-yards for the Touch Down

I would say that this was a "good way" for the Minnesota Viking to start their season. This is the Vikings first play from scrimmage, a 78-yard touchdown run for All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson.

Peterson would be shut down the rest of the way as he would rush 17 more time and only gain 15 yards. The Detroit Lions were relentless and shut down the running game for the Minnesota Vikings the rest of the way.

SDSU's Zack Zenner takes it 46-yards to the house

In my opinion, this was the difference in the football game between SDSU and UND. UND would go on to lose the game 35-28, as a late rally would fall short. All in all, it was an impressive day for All-American Running Back Zach Zenner. On this play in question, Zenner was untouched as he scampered 46 yards to the end zone.

 Zenner Line 

Here's the line on Zenner 37 rushing attempts for 296 yards. Zenner only had one rush for a loss. Zenner also tied the schools record for 295 yards rushing in a game, scoring three touchdown… Zenner’s longest run was for 46.

UND Football: Great anthem picture

Intense @UNDfootball picture. pic.twitter.com/KUWPZlfR2a
— Eric Classen (@eric_classen) September 8, 2013

Nice picture by my Through These Doors friend Eric Classen.

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Remembering the 'Old Ralph' Engelstad Arena (thehockeywriters.com)
• Forum headline: Former UNO, UND football coach arrested in Iowa (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

UMN Hockey: Lou Nanne wants to make a name for himself

British Columbia Hockey League (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This was a story that of broke on twitter tonight. I was at the football game when these tweets hit twitter. Sounds like University of Minnesota Golden Gopher hockey recruit is wanting to make a name for himself and doesn't want live in the shadows of his Grand Father former Minnesota North Stars great Lou Nanne. Personally, I see nothing wrong with that, and more power to him.

According to Jason Gonzalez, beat writer for the Star and Tribune who covers the Minnesota Gophers; Nanne has decommited from the University of Minnesota and will again explore  and ponder his options on where he will play his college hockey.

Spoke to Louie Nanne, who said he's ready to create his own identity away from MN & without #Gophers. Story: http://t.co/1ViMg0UZDe #Edina
— Jason Gonzalez (@JGonStrib) September 8, 2013

This Lou Nanne is grandson of the older MN hockey legend. Played 2012-13 in BCHL. Full Twitter statement: pic.twitter.com/4UinVBPZLY #Gophers
— Jason Gonzalez (@JGonStrib) September 7, 2013

Saturday Evening: 24 days until the NHL starts

24 days !!! Until hockey is back pic.twitter.com/4XCbYQGmxW
— HockeyPerks® (@HockeyPerks) September 7, 2013

Related articles

• Saturday Afternoon Dreaming: How about Paul Martin? (hockeywilderness.com)

UND vs. SDSU on FCS

@siouxhockey78 @GreenWhiteGear @UNDsports @MidcoSN Also on Fox College Sports Pacific and DirecTV 623.
— NorthDakota Football (@UNDfootball) September 7, 2013

Good news for fans that can't make the game tonight. The game will be on Fox College Sports.

UND football game on FCS! pic.twitter.com/MZeJ5Q83nn
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) September 7, 2013

Related articles

• UND Football: Dexter Albrecht explains '30 Minutes or Less' (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Top Stories Surrounding New League (thehockeywriters.com)

UND Hockey Jersey's for 2013-14

Here's the new UND Hockey Jersey's via the NCHC twitter account. Thoughts? Based on some of the responses I have seen, I maybe in the minority, but I like these jerseys. I did confirme with the UND Hockey team, that there’s no difference in this season’s jersey from last year.

Related articles

• NCHC Hockey: Top Stories Surrounding New League (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCAA Hockey: Current NCHC Television Deal is Unacceptable (thehockeywriters.com)
• Most Anticipated NCHC Game: North Dakota vs. Miami (thehockeywriters.com)

Dave St. Peter: Renew the UND-NDSU football rivalry

If you haven’t seen this newspaper article it’s worth a look. I agree with what Mr. St. Peter is saying. I think it’s time to renew the rivalry, and he’s right, all of our other teams are already playing each other and they have been for a couple of years now. Looking backwards, Roger Thomas made a huge mistake by not playing NDSU during their transition. It’s time that both schools make this happen.

Dave St. Peter, Grand Forks Herald – As a UND alum and avid follower of all UND athletics, I’ve never been easily impressed by anything NDSU-related. But as a native of the great state of North Dakota, I couldn’t be more proud of what the NDSU football program has accomplished.

Congratulations to Coach Craig Bohl, the balance of the coaching and training staff and all of the players on their well-deserved victory. Best of luck throughout the 2013 football season.

Speaking of my boys, Friday night’s game sparked an interesting discussion within the St. Peter household. That dialogue focused on why NDSU and UND no longer play each other in football.

I shared many stories from my time in Grand Forks detailing personal experiences with the NDSU-UND rivalry — many of which were painful losses both at Dacotah Field and Memorial Stadium at the hands of Bison greats Jeff Bentrim, Tyrone Braxton, Chad Stark, Tony Satter and others.

Each story included the buildup, the pageantry and the legends that accompany one of America’s longest-standing college football rivalries.

In my professional career, I’ve been lucky enough to experience so many wonderful sporting events. Moreover, I’ve seen firsthand how those events have brought communities together — perhaps like nothing else can.

Oh yeah! To our friends to south that say that they would rather watch NDSU vs. Ferris State are delusional. No matter how you spin it, the game against FSU is probably at best a high intensity practice, and let’s not kid ourselves; the Bison would get a better look from their scout team than they will from the Division II version of Ferris State. .

Toews sporting Canada's Olympic Jersey

Canadians making fun of The USA jerseys and then they come out with this?😂 #karma pic.twitter.com/iVO7y47WQ8
— The Beauts Life™ (@TheBeautsLife) September 6, 2013

I don't know about you, but Canada's Olympic jersey is, well, unimpressive.

Hockey Buzz: Is Thomas Vanek Minnesota Bound?

Minnesota Wild (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I found this article over on Hockey Buzz. I wonder if this unconfirmed rumor is an e3 or an e5? Look, I like many Wild fans would like to see this happen, but you have to consider the source. If the news pertains to the Wild and it doesn’t come from Michael Russo, I am going to be skeptical.

Josh Rimer, Hockey Buzz -- Last night a solid source informed me that If Thomas Vanek is moved prior to the Trade Deadline, his destination of choice would be Minnesota Wild. Fitting since he played for the Gophers in 2004, Vanek has had his off-season home in Minneapolis and trains in Edina, Minnesota. His wife is from Minnesota and he has always wanted to play in Minny, especially having good friend Jason Pominville there increases his desire to be there.

Related articles

• Reiterating the Case for Thomas Vanek to the Wild (hockeywilderness.com)
• Feeling Minnesota: Why not Phil Kessel? (hockeywilderness.com)
• Vanek Keeping Options Open Entering Camp (wkbw.com)
• Rumors: Vanek hasn't asked Sabres for a trade (cbssports.com)

Breakaway Academy pioneers hockey-focused schooling in Chaska

KMSP-TV

Here’s a nice story about my brother-in-law Andy Brink and the school where he’s the hockey coach.

CHASKA, Minn. (KMSP) - Education has evolved over the past few decades with charter schools and others that focus intensively on music, theater and the arts -- but a new school in Chaska may be the first to cater to the hockey set.

The middle school students who spoke with FOX 9 News about the new school did so with enthusiasm, and their parents say the focus on hockey has their kids are highly-motivated to learn.

Even though it's not unusual for kids to hit the ice after school this time of year, there are a lot of questions being directed toward a teaching institution that puts a priority on a single sport.

"We're a private school, licensed teachers, small classroom sizes combined with specific hockey training," explained coach and co-founder Andy Brink. "There's nothing else like it in the Twin Cities."

Combining hockey with academics has been a five-year vision for Brink, and practice is a part of the daily school curriculum at the new Breakaway Academy in Chaska -- but that doesn't mean students get a pass on grades if they have skill on the ice.

In case anyone is interested, here’s the link to Breakaway Academy and Breakaway Hockey...

CC fans don’t’ have to purchase three game packages

English: Denver Pioneers logo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I was reading Joe Paisley’s blog yesterday and I got to thinking. I am also wondering if anyone else is thinking the same thing as well. I would imagine that you can probably expect other schools to do the same thing to the UND fans as well. So, do other NCHC schools expect UND to carry their water for them? Is DU taking advantage of a fan base, knowing that they will buy tickets and fill their arena? One must ask the question, is DU having trouble filling their arena? Maybe REA and UND should do the same thing to school that do these kinds of questionable things UND’s fans. Turnabout is fair play. Right?

Joe Paisley, Colorado Springs Gazette -- Denver single-game tickets go on sale at 9 am. Friday and the Pioneers are now requiring only North Dakota fans to purchase three games. CC fans are not required to do so, according to the ticket office.

North Dakota fans, who already pay $10 more for the premium game (CC is $8 more), will be required to buy two tickets to one of the following seven games: the Merrimack series, Nebraska-Omaha series, Western Michigan series and the single game against Brown.

Do you think that UND should make Denver fans that want to buy tickets to UND's games pay extra or buy tickets to other games? I mean seriously, this seems like a petty policy. I guess Denver also sees UND as a bigger rival than Colorado College as well.

Western Michigan University and Miami University Hockey Ticket Details.

A friend of mine sent me the details on two of our new rivals ticket purchasing details.

Miami University Hockey Tickets

Goggin Ice Center..Relatively new renovated arena (2012) with two NHL-size ice sheets.  The 3,200 seat arena has only 2,800 lower bowl seats, 102 club seats, four “opera” boxes and six suites.  Apparently they also sell 800 standing room only seats to bring the total arena capacity to an even 4,000. 

Single game tickets go on sale September 10, 2013 at 10 am for “Red and White Club” members and on September 11, 2013 at 10 am for the general public.  The seating chart indicates all single game seats are behind one end in the corners.   The Miami University box office indicates the tickets with seats go fast on the day of the sale.  Reserved seats are $25, and standing room tickets are $18, with discounts for youth and exhibition games.  Tickets can be bought online or by calling the box office at 1-866-684-2957 or 513-529-4295. [Webpage for Miami University Hockey Tickets]

Western Michigan Hockey Tickets...

They have single game seats go on sale ($30) the Monday before the North Dakota (12-2-13) series at 9 am.  Unknown how many seats would be available since they have a rather small arena and they also sell a “Pick 8” game package that includes the North Dakota games ahead of time.  They also have standing room only tickets which the box office tells me go on sale after the available seats are sold.  They are $16 each. 

PHONE NUMBER: 1-888-4-WMU-TIX (269-387-8092)... [Western Michigan Webpage for tickets]

TICKET OFFICE HOURS: The Bronco Ticket Office at Waldo Stadium is open Monday - Friday

August - November     9:00am - 5:30pm

December - March      10:00am - 5:30pm

April - July                 10:00am - 5:00pm

Minot State Football: Former Football Player Charged with Attempted Murder

I hope they throw the book at this guy and he rots in jail for the next 20-years. I also must take issue with buffoonish, senseless comments like this from a clueless Bison Fan no doubt. These comments were posted on Sioux Sports. “Kinda extreme to charge that kid with attempted murder. It sure as heck was wrong to knock out the cop.....but it isn't attempted murder.” Unnamed Bison Fan Really! So you think it's extreme to charge a perpetrator with Attempted Murder because he was slamming Officer Schmidt's head into a post... Yeah, how dare they advocate protecting their law enforcement personal from Minot! Again, I really hope that the Ward Co District Attorney throws the book at this guy. It’s one thing to rig an election or drink underage, this is a felonious assault.

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — A former Minot State University football player charged with attempted murder and assault following a scuffle with police beat an already unconscious officer's head against a post, according to court documents.

Jesse Ili, 21, beat two officers who responded to a report of suspected drug use in a parked vehicle off campus in Minot on Friday. He has since been kicked off the Minot State team.

Police say in court documents that the 6-foot-tall, 220-pound Ili overpowered Officer Brandon Schmidt while Schmidt was trying to arrest him, and that Officer Erik Laudenschlager saw Ili slamming Schmidt's head into a post while Schmidt "appeared to be limp and unconscious," according to the Minot Daily News.

Ward County State's Attorney Rozanna Larson asked that bond be set at $250,000. Hagar set Ili's bond at $200,000. He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of attempted murder.

"Anybody who attacks police officers, almost kills one, is a danger to society," Larson said.

Have we become that callous of a nation that we don’t care when a Police Officer is assaulted by a violent thug? Some football fans from some fan bases might excuse behavior like this, but this is anti-social behavior. So no! The punishment does fit the crime.

Related articles

• Minot St. football player off team over brawl (timesleader.com)
• MSU athlete allegedly beat unconscious officer (utsandiego.com)
• Minot St. football player off team over brawl (sacbee.com)

NCHC Hockey: Total of the Early Departures

With the hockey season approaching, I would think that the NCHC is done with its early departures.

Colorado College (0)

None

Denver (3)

Scott Mayfield So. D NY Islanders (NHL), April 5
Juho Olkinoura So. G Winnipeg (NHL), April 7 (FA)
Nick Shore Jr. F Los Angeles (NHL), April 12

Miami (0)

None

Minnesota Duluth (1)

Chris Casto So. D Boston (NHL), March 26 (FA)

Nebraska-Omaha (2)

Andrej Sustr Jr. D Tampa Bay (NHL), March 21 (FA)
Tony Turgeon Jr. D San Antonio (AHL), July 18 (FA)

North Dakota (1)

Derek Forbort Jr. D Los Angeles (NHL), April 5

St. Cloud State (1)

Nick Jensen Jr. D Detroit (NHL), May 2

Western Michigan (1)

Danny DeKeyser Jr. D Detroit (NHL), March 29 (FA)

Related articles

• NCHC Hockey: Top Stories Surrounding New League (thehockeywriters.com)
• Nchc Championship Tickets on Sale Now to General Public (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
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UND Hockey: DU's silly ticket policy

English: Denver Pioneers logo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Apparently, Denver’s four fans are upset that the Magness Arena is like a home game for the UND hockey team. Brad Elliot Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald is reporting that Denver doesn’t want to make Magness Arena in Denver, Co. Ralph Engelstad West. Good luck with that Denver. Sounds like Denver is taking a page out of the Nashville Predators hand book on ticket sales. So, Denver wants a keep the green out ticket campaign.

Brad Elliot Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald – The University of Denver is trying to make some money on UND men’s hockey fans — or keep them out of Magness Arena this season.

When single-game tickets go on sale Friday morning for UND’s road series at Denver, the Pioneers will require that fans buy tickets to two other selected Pioneer games if they want to go to a UND-DU game. The website doesn’t currently list which other games will be part of the three-game pack, but it won’t be a second UND-DU game.

For fans who don’t want to purchase sets of three, there are two other options.

The first is getting them through the UND Alumni Association, which has a number of tickets for that series.

Minnesota doesn't want our team in their arena. Now DU doesn't want our fans in their arena. Did you guys not get hugged enough as children?
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) September 4, 2013

Related articles

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• NCHC Hockey: Top Stories Surrounding New League (thehockeywriters.com)
• Saturday Pontifications: Let them eat Deep-Fried Twinkies on a Stick (hockeywilderness.com)
• Good Bye to an old friend,Old REA Demolished on Monday (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Minnesota Wild: Tuesday at the Links

The NHL and college hockey season is right around the corner.

Via Puck Daddy

Minnesota Wild: If he hits UFA status, should the Wild try to acquire Phil Kessel? Oh I don't know he's probably one of the world's premier goalscoring right wings so I guess they probably shouldn't because who likes guys who can score goals not me and definitely not Toronto and definitely definitely not Minnesota.

Russo's Rants: Pominville extension talks going "back and forth"

Globe and Mail: Contract talks with Sedin brothers could be complicated

Russo's Rants: Wild unveils new white road jersey

Hockey Wilderness: Feeling Minnesota: Why not Phil Kessel?

NCHC Hockey: Top Stories Surrounding New League

Globe and Mail: Campaign against bear hunt catches NHL blueliner in graphic film

St. Charles Chill Invites former UND goalie Tate Maris To Training Camp

Seal of the University of North Dakota (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I would mark this story down in the nice story department. Nice to see that Tate Maris has a chance to play after college, having watched Maris practice quite a bit the past two seasons, I have thought that he developed nicely during his time at UND. It also doesn’t hurt to have former UND goalie Karl Goehring as your goalie coach as well.

Randall Ritchey, St Louis Game Time – Tate Maris, 23, attended The University of North Dakota and played as the third string goalie for the Fighting Souix for four years, has a chance to come into the Chill's training camp and compete for a back up position. The 5-foot-9 goaltender joined tryouts on the last day and was dominate in net. Rivers spoke on Maris and his joining the team during tryouts, "Maris came in on the last day and absolutely stood on his head, to the point in which we couldn't turn him away. He showed us enough in one day that he had the ability to play."

Maris truly was the best goalie on the ice during the scrimmage on Sunday, making countless highlight reel saves. Maris described his style of play, "I'm more of a hybrid style goalie. I'll do whatever it takes to stop the puck in the most controlled way, but sometimes desperation is needed. I worked a lot with Karl Goehring at North Dakota on improving my puck tracking skills and my lateral movement and it really helped improve my game." Maris also talked about what it takes to make the team out of training camp. "I have to do whatever it takes. The only thing that can hold me back is myself, so there is no excuse for not giving it my all. The game plan is to head back to Grand Forks, ND and bust my butt for a few weeks, come back here in October and play my best."

Gophers Freshman Gabe Guertler arrested for DUI on a Moped

Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Minnesota Gophers hockey team is going to have to ban Mopeds for their athletes. You can bet, that Gopher head coach Don Lucia didn’t want to deal with this issue to start the season. Our friends to the south, at the NDSU, in the football program, could learn a lesson from the Gophers Hockey program on how to deal with off of the field issues.

Jason Gonzalez, Star Tribune – Hennepin County public records show that [Gabe] Guertler was arrested early Saturday morning by the University of Minnesota Police Department and charged with drunken driving. He was released later that morning. He is scheduled to make a court appearance on Oct. 11.

He faces up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

A university representative confirmed that Guertler was driving a moped when he was pulled over.

No other details about the incident were immediately available. University police said more details should be available after the holiday weekend

For those that were asking for a link, here’s the links to this story...

Western College Hockey: Minnesota Freshman Gabe Guertler Suspended Following DWI Arrest

CBS Minnesota: Gopher Hockey Player Suspended After DWI

Arrest Nation: University of Minnesota Forward Gabe Guertler Arrested

The College Daily: Freshman University of Minnesota Hockey Player Arrested For DWI

USCHO: Minnesota Suspends Guertler indefinitely: incoming freshman faces DWI charge

Bring me the news: Lucia suspends incoming freshman Guertler indefinitely

Gopher Freshman Gabe Guertler Suspended Indefinitely for DWI Arrest

Well what do we have here? Looks like incoming University of Minnesota Gopher freshman forward Gabe Guertler has been suspended indefinitely for a DWI arrest. You can see the court on-line record here. You can bet that the Gophers coaching staff didn't want to deal with this issue this fall.

USCHO -- The team suspension will be reevaluated in November, a school statement released Sunday said. “While we are still gathering information at this time, we take this matter seriously and feel a suspension is warranted,” Gophers coach Don Lucia said in the statement. “We will continue to monitor the situation and will handle the matter internally.”

The former Fargo Force forward Guertler is the first player from Florida to commit to play hockey for the Minnesota Gophers. Guertler played two seasons for the Fargo Force of the USHL and scored (40g-39a—79 pts) in 117 regular season games.

Gabe Guertler's indefinite suspension announced on Sun. comes a day after the 18-year-old fr. forward was stopped by U of M police.
— Roman Augustoviz (@RomanStrib) September 1, 2013

Guertler was charged with driving while impaired, a misdemeanor. He will appear in court Oct. 11, same day U opens the season without him
— Roman Augustoviz (@RomanStrib) September 1, 2013

EDIT: College Hockey: More Outdoor Games added to Burgeoning list of Outdoor Games

#Gophers to announce today a news conference Tuesday with details of outdoor hockey game at TCF Stadium vs. Ohio State weekend of Jan 17-19
— RandBall (@RandBall) August 30, 2013

Wow! If we didn't have enough outdoor games already, we now have more games to add to a growing list of outdoor hockey games. The NHL already has six games and now we can add these additional five games. That means if your mathematically challenged, that's at least 11 outdoor hockey games this season.

Here's the break down... So, if my math is right, we have the Frozen Fenway series, game one is Merrimack vs. Providence (4:00 p.m.) and game two is Notre Dame vs. Boston College (7:30 p,m.) both game will be on Saturday, January 4, 2014. The following weekend, we have game three, UMass-Lowell vs. Northeastern (3:00 p.m.) and game four will be the classic match-up between Maine and Boston University (6:30 p.m.).

There is some good news, all four of the Frozen Fenway games will be seen on NESN. That means, if you have the DirecTV sports pack you will be able to watch the games. Add the Gophers vs. Ohio State during the weekend of January 17, 2014.

EDIT: s/t to cberkas for bringing this up. We can add these five outdoor games that I originally mentioned, to the four games from the Great Lakes Invitational that will take place on December 27-28, 2013. Lastly, there is also an outdoor game between RIT and Niagara on December 14. So this means there's going to be nine college outdoor games. There will actually be 10 if you count the woman's game between RIT and Clarkson. Using our addition skills, that brings the total to six NHL outdoor games, plus 10 college hockey outdoor games, and then you can also add the AHL outdoor game between Rochester Americans and Lake Erie Monsters. That means were going to have "at least" 17 outdoor hockey games this season.

So there you have it, an additional outdoor games. Yay! Can you say over saturation? Seriously? My question is, how much is too much. I wonder if we have reached that threshold?

Press conference at Fenway Park to official announce #FrozenFenway2014. Eagles face Notre Dame on Jan. 4 at 7:30 pic.twitter.com/N5uoQcSjGY
— BC Hockey (@BCHockeyNews) August 30, 2013

As expected, all Frozen Fenway games will be televised on NESN
— Mike McMahon (@MikeMcMahonCHN) August 30, 2013

Related articles

• Citi will sponsor the Frozen Fenway 2014 hockey and ice-skating event (boston.com)
• Citi Frozen Fenway 2014 Hosting College Hockey, Free Public Skating at Fenway Park (nesn.com)
• Wilderness Walk: 08-30-2013 (hockeywilderness.com)
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NHL Hockey: In the Wake of the NFL Settlement, is the NHL Next

English: A faceoff in the New York Islanders' first game of the 2009-10 NHL season, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I don’t know about this? I think that when an athlete plays a contact sport they assume a certain amount of risk and that participant should have to sign a waiver to play.

The Globe and Mail — Like the NFL, the NHL had had its feet held to the fire in recent years over the manner in which it deals with the incidence and severity of head injuries, both their prevention and monitoring. The Boston University Centre for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy has found evidence of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) in the brains of several former players. CTE is a degenerative disease caused by repeated brain injuries.

Several high-profile players, including Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have missed large amounts of playing time with concussions and the league has rewritten rules and changed their interpretation in response.

Frank Brown, a spokesman for the NHL, said the league would not comment on the settlement.

The NFL, which generates an estimated $9-billion in annual revenue, will not be compelled to share internal documents that would indicate how much the league knew about concussions and when it knew. That is one reason why Paul Echlin, a Burlington, Ont.,-based sports-medicine specialist and an expert in the field of concussion research, said the NFL settlement serves the economic interests of each side without having much of an influence on the bigger picture.

In sports like racing, hockey, football, MMA, you’re playing in a sport that the next play could be your last. It’s not outside the realm of possibility that you could suffer a fatal injury and be killed. I do have a problem with football players turning around and suing the NFL, especially the ones that have made a lot of money to play a kids game. That doesn’t mean I don’t feel for their plight if they’re injured in a questionable play.

Sabres star Thomas Vanek hasn’t requested a trade

Good read MT @BillHoppeNHL Thomas Vanek: http://t.co/Z3yLE8NDx0 "I’m telling you right now, that’s not true. I’ve never asked for a trade"
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 29, 2013

If I am reading this right, it would appear, at least from my vantage point, that Thomas Vanek might not be all that happy about the Sabres being in a rebuilding year. Of course, a player like Vanek doesn't have to worry too much, he's going to be in demand and he's going to command at least 7-7.5 million. I also think that he will have a few offers to look over like Zach Parise did.

Bill Hoppe, Olean Times Herald – Thomas Vanek spoke firmly. No, the high-scoring winger said, he hasn’t asked to be traded from the Buffalo Sabres. The widespread belief he wants out of town doesn’t bother him. But it’s simply not true.

“The media and people, they can make up their own assumptions as long as I know where I’m at and stuff and my family’s at. That’s fine,” Vanek said following an off-ice workout Wednesday morning. “At the end of the day, people will find out, either from me or the Sabres, just like I’m telling you right now, that’s not true. I’ve never asked for a trade, so I’m not surprised that I’m still here.

”Nonetheless, the Sabres have said Vanek and starting goalie Ryan Miller, the two franchise cornerstones whose contracts expire after the upcoming season, could be dealt.

After the Sabres dished several high-profile veterans late last season and began looking to the future, Vanek was the most outspoken, voicing some disappointment and saying he didn’t want to partake in a two- or three-year rebuild. But the 29-year-old also said he would wait and see before making another commitment to the Sabres, something that he repeated on Wednesday.

Related articles

• Vanek Keeping Options Open Entering Camp (wkbw.com)
• Saturday Pontifications: The Thomas Vanek File (hockeywilderness.com)
• Vanek: 'I didn't ask to be traded' (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)

UND Football: Game is on DirecTV FCS 623

LIVE FROM GRAND FORKS
TV: Midco Sports Network (Channel 27, 622, and DirecTV 623)
Video: Watch Big Sky (www.WatchBigSky.com - FREE webcast)
Radio: UND Radio Network (96.1 FM — Grand Forks) - pregame show at 6 p.m. CT
Audio: UND Radio Network broadcast also available at www.UNDSports.com
Chat: Chat live at www.UNDSports.com
Stats: Live stats available at www.UNDSports.com
Twitter: For live scoring updates and game notes follow @UNDFootball

So, my wife informs me that she has to work late tonight, that was news to me and that I have to take our daughter to a friend’s birthday party tonight. Yay! Right?

I said, "You can't be serious? I was going to go to the football game." Was, is the key word here. No problem though, I, like many UND football fans, that don’t have MIDCO will be able to watch the game on FCS 623 DirecTV tonight. So, to quote Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty, “everyone is happy, happy, happy… “

Wild Hockey: Would the Wild go after the Leafs Phil Kessel?

Last week over on the Hockey Wilderness, I touched on the subject about the possibility of the NHL’s salary cap moving to $80 Million, over the next four years. One of the big-time free agents that’s going to come available is Phil Kessel, Toronto might be willing to let him go. I am just throwing it out there, I wonder if the Wild management would consider taking a run at Kessel

A dynamic player like Kessel might fit into the Wild’s offensively challenged offense, and he could give the offensive spark that the Wild are begging for.

Currently, Kessel is in the last year of a five-year deal that is paying him $ 5.4 Million dollars a year. Based on his play during the last three seasons, you have to think that he’s going to be worth more. I am betting he’s going to command 6-7 million.

The Leafs might be ready to part with Kessel because they might not have a lot of salary room left. Here’s the deal, the Toronto Maple leafs have $19.5 million wrapped up annually in David Clarkson, Tyler Bozak, James van Riemsdyk and Joffrey Lupul until the 2018 season. Now, Kessel is on record as saying that he would like to stay in Toronto.

“Phil (Kessel) is still a really young man,” Arnott told the SportsNet Fan590. “He really enjoys living in Toronto and playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“This young man lives and breathes hockey. He was very excited to come here four years ago. I think if you asked Phil today, he’d love to finish his career here in Toronto. But it’s still young in his career right now.”

So, anything could be possible. Again, with the salary cap possibly moving to $80 Million dollars, there could be a lot of money being thrown around.

Team USA Women's Hockey - Bring On the World

This is a really good video that someone had posted on-line. Kind of gets your blood going for Sochi, Russia. You will notice some very familiar names in the video as well. Obviously, you have Grand Forks own, former UND Women's Hockey players Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux... Jessica Vetter was a goaltender at Wisconsin. You will also see a few others name that are familiar as well.

UND Hockey: Four Former Players in the Top 200 Overall Fantasy Hockey Rankings

1. Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Steven Stamkos, C, Tampa Bay Lightning
3. Alex Ovechkin, RW, Washington Capitals
4. Evgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
5. John Tavares, C, New York Islanders
6. Henrik Lundqvist, G, New York Rangers
7. Jonathan Quick, G , L.A. Kings, UMASS
8. Jonathan Toews, C, Chicago Blackhawks, UND
9. Claude Giroux, C, Philadelphia Flyers
10. Patrick Kane, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
30. Zach Parise, LW, Minnesota Wild, UND
131. T.J. Oshie, RW, St Louis, UND
193. Travis Zajac, C, New Jersey Devils, UND

Four former UND hockey players are in the Top 200 Overall Fantasy Hockey Rankings over on the NHL.com webpage. There are also many former college hockey players in the top 200 as well.

Rangers Hockey: Former UND Forward Danny Kristo has Chance to make Rangers Roster

Perusing the Internet this morning, I found this story that some might find interesting. I was wondering myself if Danny Kristo might have a chance to make the New York Rangers out of training camp with all of the injuries the Rangers have had in the off-season. I guess we will find out soon?

Ryan Kennedy, The Hockey News – Across the river in New York, Kristo will be looking to make a good first impression at Rangers camp. Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin will likely start the year on the shelf due to off-season surgeries, meaning the right winger from the University of North Dakota may earn some time with the big club right away.

But on a cold Grand Forks night in early 2011, Kristo made a poor decision that almost cost him his livelihood, if not some extremities. Walking outside in minus-40 fahrenheit weather, he lost his shoe in a snowbank and after trying in vain to dislodge it, walked the rest of the way home without it. Kristo got frostbite on one hand and one foot and initially, doctors feared they would have to amputate.

“It makes you put things in perspective,” Kristo said. “A little bit scary, but I came out fine. I had good teammates and a good coaching staff plus my family to help me through that.”

Originally drafted 56th overall by Montreal in 2008, Kristo was dealt to the Rangers in July for fellow prospect Christian Thomas. Kristo believes New York was interested thanks to his showing at the World Championship, where he played in all 10 games for Team USA, winning a surprise bronze medal in the process.

Know your enemy DU Hockey Roster up

Let’s Go DU has the DU Hockey Roster Up for your perusing.

WCHA Promoting B1G Hockey Tourney

I touched on this subject back in March, after the Press Conference,  before the championship game of the Final Five. Looks like the WCHA marketing plan is coming to fruition. Here's a screen shot of the WCHA's webpage. 

Rachel Blount asked, “Can you explain exactly how the Big Ten and the WCHA will be working together and what kinds of things you will be working together on and how you will be partnered?”

Jennifer Heppel responded back with this, “What we have done so far is again the WCHA and the Xcel Energy Center since the time the facility has opened has really built a tradition with the fan base here. We recognize the support the fans in this area have given to college hockey. We have for the last month made available the opportunity to purchase tickets in advance for those fans in this area that supported the WCHA tournament. Tickets for the general public go on sale on Monday. We wanted to extend that opportunity. We worked out some initial joint marketing efforts and we will continue to do that. Again, this community has a lot of fans of specific schools, but you also have just incredible support for hockey and college hockey.  The WCHA and the Big Ten want it to be a seamless transition from year-to-year for those that support college hockey and the “X” has been on that same page, and they don’t want there to be any drop-off in the tradition that has been created.”

So after Jennifer Heppel gave us her canned answer, WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod jumped in and said this.

“Rachel… we set a record this year in our packages [tickets]," McLeod said . "We sold pre-tournament wise, I would have to check, almost 13,000 [tickets]. I think. That was a record for us. All of those ticket bases; those email addresses have been shared with the Big Ten people, and hopefully as Jen said the end result is, everyone benefits.  We’re working on the same, you know, kind of the same [fan] base, and sharing all of those names, and I think the basic idea of what Jen says if we can provide, I don’t know what you’re going to call it eventually, the collegiate hockey weekend, or something like that. One year it’s the Big Ten Hockey weekend, the next year it’s the WCHA. The more we can get that across, the better off we’re going to be.”

You got that? Those people that bought tickets to the Red Baron Final Five will get a first crack at next year’s Big Ten Hockey tourney.  So the Big Ten is hoping that you will decide to not go to the WCHA conference tourney in Grand Rapids and instead go the Xcel next season.

That’s absolutely brilliant.

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Remembering the 'Old Ralph' Engelstad Arena (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCAA Hockey: Dog Days of Summer (thehockeywriters.com)

UND Hockey: Official 2013-14 Roster Posted

The Official 2013-14 UND Hockey Roster is posted. You will notice that there's a name missing from the Roster.

Dan Senkbeil has transferred to the University of Vermont. Will sit out this year per NCAA transfer rules.
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) August 26, 2013