But Sele and the rest of the table said Clinton “stumbled” when she repeatedly used the full, and controversial, nickname of UND’s Fighting Sioux hockey team. Sele called herself a serious sports fan who’s not a nickname advocate, but not forcefully opposed to the nickname either.
By using the controversial nickname, Sele said, Clinton invited a divisive issue into the conversation that needn’t be there.
“I don’t think she recognized how contentious that is,” Sele said. “Unless you’re here, you can’t know that.”
A variety of UND student and faculty groups and many of the campuses’ American Indians have long opposed the school’s nickname. A legal settlement with the NCAA requires UND to retire the nickname within three years if it cannot win the endorsement of both the state’s Sioux tribes.
Clinton used the Fighting Sioux nickname at the opening of her speech after Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., presented her with a hockey stick signed by the entire UND men’s hockey team. She used the nickname again at the end of speech, comparing the determination that sent UND men’s hockey players to the upcoming Frozen Four competition in Denver with her own determination to stay in the presidential race.
Obama was also presented with an autographed hockey stick, but did not use the nickname while accepting it, joking instead that he’s a worse hockey player than he is a bowler.
Glassheim also called the Fighting Sioux statements an “error,” noting that Sen. Byron Dorgan called the team the “UND Sioux,” when presenting the hockey stick, considered by many to be a less offensive version of the name.
“I’m not violently anti-nickname, but it disturbed me a little,” Glassheim said.
Glassheim speculated Clinton was likely poorly prepared for the hockey stick acceptance, by staffers that aren’t sensitive to local issues.
However, he said, it’s just possible Clinton’s use of the nickname was a calculated appeal to her base. In primaries and caucuses nationwide Clinton’s supporters have tended to be more working class and socially conservative than Obama’s.
Here is some of the important points: This issue is not a clash of Native vs. White, or any combination of the two. This is an issue of people who seek to divide versus people who wish to unite.
Both races share these groups. The dividers respond to one another by creating turmoil, and the animosity that results radiates to the rest of us. Now our social atmosphere is in increased discord.
This topic has been long ignored by those who were indifferent; many of us believed this issue was settled in 1969, when Standing Rock gave our blessing to UND, but because of these divider groups, the issue has resurfaced and is now affecting us all.
Some believe that by taking back this given Sioux name from UND will result in some victory against racism, like a logo is going affect a racist person's behavior. We have no control of these people's thoughts and actions, removing the logo will not change their view of Natives.
To chastise UND for opposing team's antics and our states local bigoted population is fruitless; nothing good will come from it, but more importantly, nothing will change.
The people that create this turmoil will still be here. UND is not to blame; it is the immoral third party chauvinists who are. Reality: If we take back the Sioux name and logo we gave to UND, we are taking a piece of their adopted culture, heritage and identity. Sound familiar?
---snip----
We do not need outside entities speaking for us like we're some dysfunctional dim-witted defeated shells of our ancestors. The NCAA, APA, NAACP and whoever else who think they know what's best for Natives, do not speak for me, and should not speak for Standing Rock.
We are the decedents of the greatest culture to have ever walked these plains, and it's time to start acting like it. The self-pity attitude that many have adopted has reached its apex.
We cannot claim any honor by hiding behind these groups.
Chairman His Horses Thunder, I respect you and your accomplishments, your job I'm sure is challenging; I would respect you more as a leader if you actually visited our communities, and in a unbiased manner spoke to your members about this most debatable topic, or visited with the UND students who never experienced all the negative incidents others attest to.
It's evident that there are a very large number of your constituents who don't agree with what is happening. It's obvious this debate is split; I'm sure as the highest ranking officer of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation, you would want to represent us accurately. After all; it is your job as our democratic leader to represent the majority, a vote would settle the issue once and for all. (Read the whole article here)
Fan question: What is the status of Blake Wheeler?
General Manager, Don Maloney: right now we are not making much headway towards getting Blake signed but we are talking to his agent. Wheeler is very much a prospect, not someone we see as coming to the big club straight off and making an impact. He’s a very good prospect and we will continue to try to get him signed. If the contract doesn’t get done we have a *5th round* pick coming our way and that is good for the team too. *gotta confirm the exact pick… * probably like 2nd round (31st , or so pick)
OTTAWA (AP) — The Boston Bruins took the front door into the Stanley Cup playoffs while the Ottawa Senators backed their way in as both teams clinched postseason berths, with a little outside help and plenty of scoreboard watching.
Tim Thomas came within 8:14 of recording his third straight shutout against Ottawa and Zdeno Chara scored against his former team, leading Boston to a 2-1 win over the Senators on Friday night.
Phil Kessel also scored for the Bruins, who also drew even with Ottawa for sixth overall in the Eastern Conference with 94 points.
"We knew what was at stake and we approached it that way," Chara said. "We just played every shift very, very hard and it was a great team effort."
The Senators completed their regular-season schedule, clinching a playoff spot midway through the third period — despite trailing 2-0 against the Bruins — when Florida beat Carolina 4-3.
"There was just kind of chatter on the bench and we could hear a few guys talking about it," Ottawa center Jason Spezza said.
The result out of Raleigh was also good news on the Bruins bench.
"Halfway through the third we found out that we were in if we won the game or at least got a point," Boston coach Claude Julien said. "It was good to know and obviously gave us a bit of breathing room and helped us finish the game on a strong note."
The sold-out Scotiabank Place crowd was advised that the Senators had clinched their playoff spot during a stoppage in play with 1:35 remaining, drawing a huge cheer.
"We didn't want to be sitting in front of the T.V. (Saturday) and Sunday," Spezza said. (read the rest of the story)
I saw this story reading the B.C. sports blog; B.C. Interruption. From the student newspaper that brought you Ice hockey on brink of dynasty now we have they bring us this article. My only question is where do they find these guys?Dan Kukla
NCAA needs to change rules of tournament
Issue date: 4/1/08 Section: Sports
Win or lose, there was always one question Miami University hockey fans were bound to be asking after this weekend: "Why did we have to play Boston College 40 miles away from BC's campus?"
The No. 1 seeded RedHawks were 32-7-1 coming into the tournament and had recently come within one goal of Michigan, the top overall team in the entire tournament, in the CCHA Championship game. Boston College was 21-11-6, seeded behind the Red and White.
So why, when Miami had earned a higher ranking, were the Eagles rewarded with the distinct advantage of playing in their backyard?
The official NCAA rule says that host teams, if they make the tournament, must play at their host site.
This means that 15-16-7 University of Wisconsin, the host of the Midwest region, got to play on their home ice despite the fact that a week ago no one was even sure that they would be in the tournament at all. In other words: Hooray mediocrity!
But that's not even the most absurd part of all this. If the NCAA wants to screw over the tournament's top seeded teams by making a rule that guarantees home games to any school that generates them money by providing a host site, I guess they're entitled to do that. Read the whole article here.
Heather from Win-Twins isn't going to be happy with this news, I predicted that this was going to happen and now it is official; the Broad Street Bullies of the NHL have signed Andreas Nodl to a contract.
Nodl Signs with Flyers
CHN Staff Report
The Philadelphia Flyers' raid on college hockey continued today with the signing of St. Cloud State sophomore Andreas Nodl.
Nodl, the College Hockey News Rookie of the Year in 2006-07, was a second-round pick of the Flyers in the 2006 draft.
Nodl, a native of Vienna, Austria, is the fourth college player with eligibility remaining to sign with the Flyers organization since that player's season ended — joining Matt Clackson (Western Michigan), Michael-Lee Teslak (Michigan Tech) and Jon Kalinski (Minnesota State).
Nodl broke out with 46 points his freshman season and was a plus-16. He finished third in scoring in the WCHA this season, though his production actually dropped, going to 44 points and a minus-6.
During last year's NCAA West Regional in Denver, an Inside College Hockey staffer in attendance at North Dakota's wins against Michigan and Minnesota noted that Fighting Sioux goalie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux was a battler. Listed as 5-foot-8, the Grand Forks native never cedes control of the blue paint and never, ever gives up on a puck.
Sure, he's a scrapper, but Lamoureux is also one of the nation's elite goaltenders. He leads Division I backstops in goals against average (1.64), save percentage (.936), is tied for first in the country with six shutouts, and ranks tied for second in the land in wins (27).
The guy who puts the fight in the Fighting Sioux and one of the 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award is a major reason North Dakota is making its fourth consecutive Frozen Four appearance. In order to win the school's first national title since 2000, Lamoureux and Co. will have to conquer Boston College, the team that has knocked the Sioux in the semifinal round in both 2006 and 2007. (Read the whole interview) here.
Star and Tribune Photo Senior left wing Ryan Jones took his team's 4-3 overtime loss to Boston College on Sunday night in the title game of Northeast Regional hockey pretty hard.
Jones came to the postgame press conference in Worcester, Mass., red-eyed, still wearing his Miami (Ohio) jersey and breezers. Even his skates were still on. The two-year RedHawks captain said he was unsure if he could put on another uniform this season.
But Wednesday, the Wild announced they had signed Jones to a one-year contract that included a $293,000 signing bonus. His salary will be $625,000 if he plays a full season in the NHL, or $70,000 if he plays in the minors.
Minnesota selected him in the fourth round of the 2004 NHL draft. He was the 111th pick overall.
Michelle Stocker Captial Times
This is one of the funniest pictures I have seen in a long time. It was on INCH and the question is: Caption This: What Is J-P Doing? I think we could call it the Lammy Leap. The Midwest – Madison, WI
First Round
Princeton 1 North Dakota 5
TJ Oshie, 2007 Hobey Baker Winner Ryan Duncan, Taylor Chorney and Joe Finley - otherwise known as the team leaders of the Fighting Sioux - decided not to follow former teammate Jonathan Towes to the NHL figuring if enough of them decided to stay, this year could be special. ECAC Champions, the Princeton Tigers sounded like Academy Award nominees – we’re just happy to be here, blah, blah, blah. North Dakota in a roll right? Well yes, but not really…They might have won by four goals, but don’t let that lopsided score fool you – two of them were empty netters and the other three were on the man advantage. Princeton took it to the Fighting Sioux going step for step, playing physical and getting offensive opportunities the entire game, they just couldn’t solve NoDak’s goalie Jean-Phillippe Lamoureux.
Sidenote – Duncan , who scored his first career hat trick during this game, is an undrafted free-agent, but did participate in the Blues Prospect camp this past summer…will he jump to the NHL after this season?
Sidenote #2 – Ivy League athletes literally blow my mind…Princeton’s captain, Landis Stankievech, studies mechanical and areospace engineering and was named ECAC Student Athlete of the Year. I dated an engineer once and he practically lived at the lab…this guy’s ability to play D-I hockey and study what he does – at Princeton, no less – and be good at both, shows his commitment to success. He’s a rockstar in my book!
Second Round
Wisconsin 2 North Dakota 3 OT
This was the last game of the weekend and what a game it was! The Badgers fed of their home crowd and absolutely dominated the first period peppering Lamoureux with 17 shots after one and 30 after two. It was fast paced and physical and the larger ice surface allowed the guys to use the open spaces and get the transition game going creating end to end rushes. Wisconsin led after two with North Dakota holding a 1-24-0 record in such situations, but North Dakota’s leaders stepped up as Kaip, their captain scores from the slot on a hard fought goal and Duncan ties it up from a ridiculous drop pass from Oshie a minute later. The highlight reel move completely sucked the energy out of the building and silenced the sea of red 18,000 strong who stood for most of the game in anxious anticipation. The Badgers nearly pulled off the upset, but Andrew Kozek scored as he was knocked off his skates less than two minutes into the extra session to send the Fighting Sioux to the Frozen Four for the fourth straight year.
Rink rats!
Sources tell me talks between ESPN and the NHL are progressing. The head executives at ESPN have a strong desire to bring the NHL back to Bristol, Connecticut. The NHLPA is also showing strong support.
The NHL has already extended their current deal with the VS network. Word is ESPN could potentially replace NBC as early as next season. This would allow ESPN to carry the playoffs and the Stanley Cup finals. A Friday night package is also being discussed.
The two sides will continue to negotiate with a possible announcement coming sometime during the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs.
After Shea Guthrie’s spectacular goal against St. Cloud State to give the Clarkson Golden Knights their first NCAA win in 12 years, New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow decided to sign Guthrie in the middle of the NCAA tournament. Guthrie was a third-round pick of the Islanders in 2005. Snow decided to leave Clarkson defenseman Tyrell Mason in school, pending his team’s performance in Saturday’s regional final. “If we want to bring him out today, we’ll bring him out today. If we don’t, we won’t,” Snow said. “George Roll will live with it. He’s no Shawn Walsh anyway.”
UND's "Pact Brothers" Pack it in for the NHL
Grand Forks, ND
Fighting Sioux Juniors TJ Oshie, Ryan Duncan, Taylor Chorney and Joe Finley made a pact to come back to UND to tend to some unfinished business. Things were all going according to plan after a 18 game unbeaten streak vaulted them to a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Last weekend the Sioux rode goalie JP Lamerioux and reigning Hobey Baker award winner Ryan Duncan to the Midwest Regional Championship in Madison, WI. On Monday afternoon rumors began swirling on the internet site Siouxsports.com that the dynamic quartet of future NHL stars had said "screw you to the NCAA" and hello big money to the NHL.
At an impromptu news conference held at the Red Pepper all four Juniors were available for questions. First, on why only 10 days before the Frozen Four are the four breaking their so called pact. This year's Hobey Baker Finalist was the first to answer. "It's a "expletive deleted" 10 day break, who is going to be able to carry their momentum into the Frozen Four with a 10 day break. "I mean if the NCAA gave a "expletive deleted" about men's hockey they'd schedule us for prime time this Friday and the Finals on Sunday. "Plus everyone one know that our team plays best in front of an energized full house and you know damn well that the NCAA was banking on Denver or CC making the Frozen Four. Without them your looking a 12,000 people max. "Look at this past weekend, the Kohl Center was only 2/3 full and we got out played by Princeton and the Badgers. "Come on seriously, Princeton out shot us like 75 to 6 and we still won 5-1. Just think if we would have had the energy of a sold out house we would have won by like 20-1."
When asked if this was meant to make a statement to the NCAA the always mercurial 2nd round pick and 2007 All American defenseman Taylor Chorney, grabbed the mic and passionately explained what transpired last night. "We got back to Grand Forks and needed to blow off a little steam, so we headed over to TJ's house and had a little 'gathering'. "Nothing special, just 200 or so of our hottest, I mean, best friends. "Right in the middle of Big Joe's keg stand, my dad comes in and he is pissed. "As I'm sure most of you know my dad was really supportive of our decision to stay at UND this year. "Well I asked him what the problem was and he says that all the die-hard hockey fans are stuck in the 300 sections this year. "Way to go NCAA, put the people who care in the nosebleeds, while all the corpies get the sweet seats. "So we kind of decided to make a statement to the NCAA and basically show up with our JV squad. "We've actually been texting some of the guys from Michigan and BC and it looks like most of their NHL prospects are with us. "If the NCAA is not going to give college hockey and it's fans the respect it deserves than good luck with their tournament."
When asked if they had a chance to speak with any players from Notre Dame, Chorney chuckled and said, "uh, we're really looking for high profile guys to make the statement, and, no disrespect to Notre Dame and their program, but they really don't have any high end guys like us."
Brad Schlossman from the GF Herald had a question for the Washington Capitals prospect Joe Finley. "Joe being 6'7" and 250 pounds, how were you able to pull off that keg stand?" Joe answered candidly "Well Washington is really impressed with my flexibility and strength, but to be honest TJ had a hidden door installed into the ceiling after his little incident in January. "It's not only a great place to hide from the cops, but it's also great for my 12 foot keg stands."
As the press conference was winding down one reports asked where forward Ryan Duncan was. Immediately at hand sprang up from behind the podium. "Sorry the Grand Forks phone book wasn't really big enough for me," Duncan answered. When asked him being involved in this "statement" was a good representation of the Hobey Baker Award? Duncan smirked and said, "what are they going to do, take it away from me? The NCAA may be able to take away our nickname, but they sure as hell aren't going to get the Hobey from me. "Plus, its locked away with the Nickel trophy and nobody getting that anytime soon."
Two press conferences have been scheduled at Michigan and Boston College on Tuesday April 1st.
We are very excited to sign Kyle and have him join the Coyotes organization," said Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney in a statement. "He is a very talented player and is a big part of our future. By adding him to the roster, we hope to give him valuable experience that will help him heading into next season and beyond."
