Parise to the EC Red Bull Salzburg

Former Fighting Sioux goalie Jordan Parise is taking his show over seas this winter to play for the EC Red Bull Salzburg. Goon's World would like to wish him good luck and will be following his season closely. Good thing this site also has English because my Deutsch is a little rusty. Also if you look at the roster of the team you will see that they had a couple of former ex-NHLers on their team last season. Josh Green who played on the Red Bulls just recently signed a contract to play for the Anaheim Ducks this season, so it is possible to move from the Austrian Hockey League to the NHL even though a few nay says have said it isn't possible. The Salzburg Red Bulls are also coached by former North Stars coach Pierre Page`

Red Bulls sign new goalie
EC Red Bull Salzburg has announced the signing of Jordan Parise. The 25-year-old goaltender from Faribault, Minnesota (USA), has dual US/Canadian nationality and will play in goal for the Red Bulls this season. Besides his Canadian father Jean-Paul Parise, who enjoyed several seasons in the NHL playing for, among others, the Minnesota North Stars and New York Islanders, his brother Zach Parise is also an NHL player, having spent the last three seasons with the New Jersey Devils.

Pierre Pagé is convinced that Jordan will be an important member of the Red Bulls' squad: "He has an impressive college and professional career to show for himself and after two successful years in the American Hockey League (AHL) he intends to use our programme as a springboard to a place in the NHL next year."

Jordan Parise will join the team in time for training at the beginning of August

Video to the Jonathan Toews being name captain of Blackhawks

Here is the link to the interview with Jonathan Toews.

Puck daddy on Jonathan Toews

Here is an interesting story on Jonathan Toews being selected captain for the Chicago Blackhawks. While I think the Blackhawks are going to be improved from last season I still think they are like 3rd or 4th in the western conference.

The Jonathan Toews Blackhawks’ captaincy backlash begins
By Greg Wyshynski
Is 64 regular season games a large enough sample to determine if Jonathan Toews, the 20-year-old center for the Chicago Blackhawks, has what it takes to be an NHL captain?

The Blackhawks obviously believe so, making Toews the third-youngest captain in League history last week. And I also believe so, because there's not exactly a Mark Messier on that roster and because his beyond-his-years leadership had been evident since last December, earning praise from a guy like Martin Lapointe -- who knows a thing or two about leaders wearing No. 19.

That there's a backlash against Toews's captaincy isn't so much about Toews as it is about hockey ageism. Do "infant captains" like Toews and Sidney Crosby actually have the ability to repel veteran free agents?
----Snip---------
Otherwise, it's a fair point: Giving Toews the captaincy makes him the Yzerman to Patrick Kane's more flashy Fedorov; the face of the franchise and its most dynamic offensive player. You can't beat establishing those franchise pillars this early in the team's maturation.

But even I'm not cynical enough to believe this is about selling jerseys. Toews was born with a 'C' on his chest, so there's no denying the inevitable.

As for other young superstars getting the captaincy, I think both teams and these players have been very careful about it. Sidney Crosby waited. Alexander Ovechkin said he laughed when a teenage Crosby was named an alternate captain for the Penguins, but both stars have carefully approached the captaincy. (In Ovechkin's case, the matter was complicated by the fact that the real captain of the Capitals was a goalie who couldn't wear the 'C'. He may still wear the 'C' one day soon, if he wants it.)

I don't think a veteran player would be dissuaded from playing with a team if its captain is a newbie. But the way a team handles its captaincy can speak volumes about its direction.

In Columbus, I think it's been handled poorly: It's a young franchise that desperately needed a captain symbolic of its slow maturation as a franchise, and the Blue Jackets had a parade of mercenary veterans until Rick Nash got the gig. What, exactly, does naming Luke Richardson captain say about your franchise in 2003?

In Chicago, it's been handled perfectly. The Blackhawks are ready to climb out of the doldrums and contend in the West with their young guns and new identity. Toews is a critical part of that; there's no reason why he shouldn't also be its public face.
<-Read the whole story here->

Rule Changes: The Equipment

Today I was looking a little further into the new NCAA rules and rightfully so the NCAA has banned the cheater pads I mean thigh guards. It is about time the NCAA gets on the same sheet of music as the NHL in the goaltender equipment. Look for more 5 holes goals to be scored this season.

Rule 3-3. Goalkeeper Equipment – Thigh Boards. In the goalkeeper equipment section, the following wording was voted: ―All inner knee/thigh protection, whether attached to the leg pad or not, must be tightly wrapped around the leg. Thigh boards are illegal.
Rationale: When the committee approved new goalkeeper equipment dimensions to coincide with the National Hockey League standards two years ago, thigh boards were not included. The NHL has since determined these attachments to be illegal and the committee believes this is appropriate. In all cases, there is a difference between protection of the student-athlete, which this rule maintains and an advantage in blocking pucks, which thigh boards allow. Additionally, this piece of equipment is an attachment and is easily removed from the leg pad.

Also on the bench all players including back up goaltenders have to wear helmets. I personally think that is a silly rule.

Rule 3-5, Helmet. The committee voted: ―All players, including backup goalkeepers, must properly wear a HECC-approved helmet and HECC-approved facemask to be in the bench area.
PENALTY—Warning and bench minor if not corrected.‖
Rationale: The committee believes all student-athletes in the bench area must wear a helmet and facemask for protection. Backup goalkeepers, in most cases, do not wear a helmet currently.

Nice story on Former Sioux hockey player Jason Blake

Here is a nice story I found on former Sioux hockey player Jason Blake. Jason Blake had what some might call a tough season; Blake was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a rare but treatable form of cancer but was still able to play all 82 games. For his efforts Blake was awarded the Masterton Memorial Trophy for this efforts this season. Blake was also the second consecutive former WCHA to win the Masteron Memorial Trophy.

With the supporting cast that Toronto has on it's roster going to be tough for Blake to get points, especially if Matts Sundin ends up in Vancouver like it has been suggested.

NHL Fantasy Focus: Jason Blake

Jason Blake is a player I have a lot of respect for and one that I enjoy watching. The dude plays like a border collie, bouncing around the ice with boundless energy. It's hard not to like a player that works so hard and seems to enjoy the game as much as he does.

Blake is also a very adept 2-way player, and is the type of guy a coach can feel comfortable about playing in any situation. Blake's hustle makes him a great penalty killer as well as a team picker-upper. Just look at the way he battled back from his cancer!

What Blake is NOT, however, is a big offensive producer. Yes, he once scored 40 goals for the lowly New York Islanders, but one need only look at his career history to see what an outlier that was

The people who got suckered in the most were, obviously, the Toronto Maple Leafs, who inked the diminutive winger to an expensive, long-term 5-year $20M contract.

Blake will be 35 years of age (yes, older than you thought!) when next season starts, and despite getting loads of shots on net, is only going to decline from here on out. Losing Mats Sundin will also be a blow to his offensive chances.

Prediction: 50 points. Age and a lack of support will make times tough for Blake, but he should be able to come close to his average numbers. Just don't take the bait thinking that Blake is going to get 40 goals again, or even 30. It's just not going to happen.

NHL Schedules are out.

The NHL released their schedules. Michael Russo has the Wild Schedule up on his blog. I am very happy to see that the Bruins open up the season against the Wild, the Bruins also travel to the T.D. North Garden on January 6th 2009. Looking at the schedule in October the Wild play 8 games and four of them are against eastern division foes.

Waiting for Sundin I mean Waiting for Stanley breaks down the new schedule.

-Each team will play every team in it's division 6 times (instead of 8 times).
-Each team will play teams from other divisions within their conference 4 times each.
-Each team will play non-Conference teams 18 times.

OCTOBER * REGULAR SEASON
SAT. 11 BOSTON 7:30 P.M.Tue. 14 @ Atlanta 6:00 p.m.
Thu. 16 @ Florida 6:30 p.m.
Sat. 18 @ Tampa Bay 6:30 p.m.
THU. 23 BUFFALO 7:00 P.M.
SAT. 25 COLUMBUS 7:00 P.M.
MON. 27 CHICAGO 7:00 P.M.
Wed. 29 @ Dallas 7:30 p.m.
THU. 30 MONTREAL 7:00 P.M.

NOVEMBER
Sat. 1 @ Phoenix 9:00 p.m.
Tue. 4 @ San Jose 9:30 p.m.
Thu. 6 @ Colorado 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 8 @ Vancouver 9:00 p.m.
THU. 13 PHOENIX 7:00 P.M.
SAT. 15 COLUMBUS 7:00 P.M.
Tue. 18 @ Pittsburgh 6:00 p.m.
THU. 20 VANCOUVER 7:00 P.M.
SAT. 22 ST. LOUIS 7:00 P.M.
MON. 24 WASHINGTON 7:00 P.M.
WED. 26 DALLAS 7:00 P.M.
FRI. 28 TAMPA BAY 1:00 P.M.
Sat. 29 @ Nashville 7:00 p.m.

DECEMBER
MON. 1 COLORADO 7:00 P.M.
WED. 3 ST. LOUIS 7:00 P.M.
FRI. 5 VANCOUVER 7:00 P.M.
Sat. 6 @ Nashville 7:00 p.m.
Thu. 11 @ Phoenix 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 13 @ Los Angeles 3:00 p.m.
Sun. 14 @ Anaheim 7:00 p.m.
WED. 17 CALGARY 7:00 P.M.
FRI. 19 N.Y. ISLANDERS 7:00 P.M.
Sat. 20 @ St. Louis 7:30 p.m.
TUE. 23 CAROLINA 7:00 P.M.
SUN. 28 CHICAGO 5:00 P.M.
Mon. 29 @ Calgary 8:00 p.m.
WED. 31 SAN JOSE 5:00 P.M.

JANUARY
SAT. 3 DETROIT 7:00 P.M.
Sun. 4 @ Colorado 7:00 p.m.
Tue. 6 @ Boston 6:00 p.m.
Thu. 8 @ Philadelphia 6:00 p.m.
Sat. 10 @ Columbus 6:00 p.m.
TUE. 13 PHOENIX 7:00 P.M.
THU. 15 EDMONTON 7:00 P.M.
SAT. 17 ANAHEIM 8:00 P.M.
Mon. 19 @ Chicago 7:00 p.m.
TUE. 20 LOS ANGELES 7:00 P.M.
Sun. 25 ALL-STAR GAME (Montreal) TBA

DAY DATE OPPONENT TIME (CDT)
JANUARY - CONTINUED
TUE. 27 TORONTO 7:00 P.M.
Fri. 30 @ Edmonton 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 31 @ Vancouver 9:00 p.m.

FEBRUARY
WED. 4 ANAHEIM 7:00 P.M.
FRI. 6 NASHVILLE 7:00 P.M.
SUN. 8 EDMONTON 2:00 P.M.
WED. 11 COLORADO 7:00 P.M.
Thu. 12 @ Detroit 6:30 p.m.
SAT. 14 OTTAWA 7:00 P.M.
THU. 19 CALGARY 7:00 P.M.
SAT. 21 DETROIT 7:00 P.M.
Sun. 22 @ Chicago 6:00 p.m.
TUE. 24 LOS ANGELES 7:00 P.M.
Fri. 27 @ Calgary 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 28 @ Edmonton 9:00 p.m.

MARCH
Tue. 3 @ Vancouver 9:00 p.m.
Thu. 5 @ San Jose 9:30 p.m.
Sat. 7 @ Los Angeles 3:00 p.m.
Sun. 8 @ Anaheim 7:00 p.m.
TUE. 10 SAN JOSE 7:00 P.M.
Thu. 12 @ Colorado 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 14 @ Dallas 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 15 @ St. Louis 5:00 p.m.
TUE. 17 COLORADO 7:00 P.M.
Fri. 20 @ New Jersey 6:00 p.m.
SUN. 22 EDMONTON 2:00 P.M.
Tue. 24 @ N.Y. Rangers 6:00 p.m.
Wed. 25 @ N.Y. Islanders 6:00 p.m.
Sat. 28 @ Calgary 9:00 p.m.
Sun. 29 @ Edmonton 7:00 p.m.
TUE. 31 VANCOUVER 7:00 P.M.

APRIL
FRI. 3 CALGARY 7:00 P.M.
Sun. 5 @ Detroit 4:00 p.m.
TUE. 7 DALLAS 7:00 P.M.
FRI. 10 NASHVILLE 7:00 P.M.
Sat. 11 @ Columbus 6:00 p.m.

A few loose ends.

Fomer Sioux defenseman/forward Kyle Radke has signed a professional contract to play with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL. Sounds like the Steelhead management wanted to add some toughness to their line up. It will be interesting to see what kind of penalty minutes Kyle can rack up.

“Kyle is a smooth skater and solid ‘d-man,’” said Idaho Steelheads Head Coach Derek Laxdal. He added, “He’s got a physical toughness that will bode well in our league and we’re excited to get him as Kyle was highly recruited amongst other ECHL teams.”

Yawn, boring, been there done that...

The Redwings and the Blackhawks are going to play in yet another outdoor game this winter. While I am sure that I will watch it, I hope this game does a better job at keeping my attention than the last one. The outdoor game in Buffalo was hard to watch because of the constant stops and starts. Apparently this will be the third outdoor game that former UNH star Ty Conklin who just signed a free agent contract with the Stanley Cup champions the Detroit Redwings could have the unique experience of taking part in all three recent outdoor NHL contests. He was a member of Edmonton and then Pittsburgh for the previous two games

The host Chicago Blackhawks will square off against the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Detroit Red Wings, in a 1 p.m. ET game that should not only capture the attention of the entire sports nation on arguably the greatest sports television day of the year, but could also be a key contest in what figures to be a tight Central Division race. It will be the 701st all-time meeting of the clubs. No NHL opponents have played more regular-season games against each other.

The game, the third in an outdoor venue put on by the NHL, will be televised live on NBC in the United States as well as CBC and RDS in Canada. NHL Radio will provide coverage across North America and NHL.com will provide extensive digital video coverage.

"The NHL is delighted to bring its most historic rivalry to one of the most historic venues in sports," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "We thank Rocky Wirtz and John McDonough for their vision. We thank Mike Ilitch and the Red Wings for their cooperation. And we thank Mayor Daley, in advance, for the warm welcome we know the City of Chicago

Former Fighting Sioux forward/star Jonathan Toews will wear the "C" for the Blackhawks this season. This is a huge honor for the young players as Jonathan Toews is (20 years, 79 days) that is barely 20 folks and will not be 21 until after his second season in the NHL. Thanks to the Rink Rat for bringing this too my attention as I had forgotten how old he really was.

Chicago Blackhawks announced Friday that centre Jonathan Toews will serve as the team's captain for the 2008-09 season, making him the third-youngest captain in NHL history.

Only Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby and Tampa Bay Lightning centre Vincent Lecavalier, both while 19, became captains at a younger age than the 20-year-old Toews, who will be heading into just his second season in the Windy City.

"Jonathan deserves this honour," said Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon. "He is a tremendous individual and a wonderful leader on and off the ice.

"He has experience in captaining teams from his world junior appearances and guys follow his lead in our locker room."

Toews led NHL rookies last season with 24 goals and seven power-play markers while ranking third with 54 points in 64 games.

The Winnipeg native was Chicago's first choice, third overall, in the 2006 NHL entry draft.

Pacioretty forgoes eligibility and Signs with Montreal Canadiens

Just in hot off the presses from MGOBlue and the blog that Yost Built Super frosh Max Pacioretty has signed a professional contract with Les Habs. This is a big time loss for the Michigan Wolverines. It will be interesting to see what other big signing will happen as the summer progresses to the fall...

MONTREAL -- Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced Thursday the signing of forward Max Pacioretty to a three-year contract (2008-09 to 2010-11). As per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Max Pacioretty is a young player with a lot of skills who has the potential to play in the NHL. We are very happy to have him under contract for years to come. We feel he is ready to make the jump to professional hockey, and we will make sure to provide him with all the resources which will benefit his long-term development as a player,’’ said Bob Gainey.

Pacioretty, a native of New Canaan, Connecticut, completed in 2007-08 his freshman season in the NCAA with the University of Michigan Wolverines of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). The 19-year-old ranked fourth in scoring with the Wolverines with 39 points in 37 games (15 goals, 24 assists), posting a plus-31 rating along with 59 penalty minutes.

Pacioretty (6’02’’, 199 lbs) finished second on the team in plus-minus (+31) and powerplay goals (9). He also scored three game-winning goals and registered 109 shots on goal. The left winger was named the CCHA Rookie of the Year, and was named to the College Hockey News All-Rookie team and the CCHA All-Rookie team. He finished fifth in U.S. college hockey among rookies in points (39) and points per game (1.05). He was also Recipient of the Mickey and Wally Grant Scholarship for Men's Ice Hockey.

Pacioretty was a member of the US National team which finished fourth at the 2008 World Junior Championship presented in Czech Republic.

At the junior level, Pacioretty played two seasons with the United States Hockey League's Sioux City Musketeers from 2004 to 2006. In his second season, he scored 21 goals and 42 assists for 63 points in 60 games, which awarded him the USHL Rookie of the Year honours and a selection to the USHL All-Rookie team.

Max Pacioretty was a Canadiens’ first-round selection, 22nd overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Canes give Hagemo second chance (Finally good news)

I saw this posted over on Sioux Sports. This could turn out to be a happy ending for a kid that has had a tough time as of late. Now it is time for Hagemo to make something out of it.

Canes give Hagemo second chance
Luke DeCock, Staff Writer
RALEIGH - Nate Hagemo didn't know how badly he needed the game of hockey until he tried to go without it.
This week, hockey is trying to give something back to Hagemo.

The one-time Carolina Hurricanes prospect has had a long string of run-ins with the law since a shoulder injury derailed his hockey career almost three years ago, including an arrest less than two weeks ago while on probation.

This week, he's participating in the Hurricanes' prospect conditioning camp, his first taste of competitive hockey since October 2005 and the first scene in what he hopes will be the second act of his life.

"I got off track when I got hurt," Hagemo said Thursday after an on-ice session at the RecZone. "It was a big shock to me. For a while there, it was looking like I wasn't going to be able to play again. What happened with the shoulder, it wasn't so much what was physically wrong.

"There were a bunch of things I had to change in my life even to have the chance the Hurricanes are giving me now. For them to be giving me this opportunity, I couldn't be more grateful. It's really generous of them. It's great that people would give me a second chance."

Hagemo, 21, once ranked among the Hurricanes' most promising defensive prospects, a second-round draft pick after his freshman year at Minnesota, before a shoulder injury derailed his career and his life.

His shoulder is better. His life still needs some healing. The Hurricanes, who retain his NHL rights until June 2009, agreed at the request of Hagemo's agent, Neil Sheehy, to invite Hagemo to this four-day camp in an attempt to help.

"We got a call from the agent just recently," Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said. "He's had some issues to deal with. ... We just felt we'd give him an opportunity if we can, help him out -- even just going forward with his life in the right direction, that would be good. Give him that last opportunity that he's missed over the last two years."

A humorous look at the Burke and Lowe Feud

Greg Wyshynski from Puck Daddy had this video linked on his site it is pretty funny.

If you haven't check out the Puck Daddy blog I highly recommend it, because it is a good read.

McCloud and Shepherd should take note.

Here is an interesting revelation from former Sioux Jonathan Toews on the difference between college and playing in the NHL. Seems that college is harder to score when you're being hooked and held up and down the ice. It is easier to make plays when you don't have people draped all over you.

Plenty of hype follows Oshie to St. Louis
Oshie admits he's nervous about coming to camp. It has nothing to do with his talent and everything to do with him not being familiar with the NHL game.

"I feel good, but I haven't skated with the big guns yet," Oshie said. "They told me to expect a faster game. The game is a lot different than it is in college. Once I adapt I should be OK. I think I'm just wondering if I will be able to keep up and be able to contribute."

It's not as if Oshie isn't clued in to the NHL game. One of his good friends is Chicago's Jonathan Toews, a former UND teammate. Oshie stayed in touch with Toews, the second runner-up for the Calder Trophy this past season, by picking his brain about the pro game.


"He's been one of the best college hockey players in the country. He has taken his team to the Frozen Four twice in a row as one of the best players on that team. Those are the things that build the expectation and I think he has those expectations for himself. We definitely have them, but it does come down to how he does in September."

Toews told Oshie that he found it to be easier for faster, skilled forwards to make plays in the NHL because of the restrictions on clutching and grabbing, which don't exist in the college game.

"At the college level, clutching and grabbing is a good play for a defenseman," Oshie said. "Johnny Toews was talking to me about how much easier it is to make plays (in the NHL) because you don't have guys all over you. In college, guys were all over him and that's why he didn't put up the big numbers."

Burke and Lowe ordered to play nice by the NHL

This is one of the more interesting stories to appear this summer, it is unfolding like a soap opera. This story also makes you ask is are we in second grade here or what? It is almost like Lowe took Bruke's Tonka truck and he is upset about it.

While I don't care for Brian Burke, mainly because the way he conducted himself after the Wild and Ducks playoff series in 2007, personally I think Brian Burke is a cry baby and does like to make outrageous statements. While this story just proves my point Burke might have a point; Kevin Lowe did over pay Dustin Penner and highly inflated the price of Thomas Vanek. Lets be honest with ourselves folks, there is no way Dustin Penner is worth 21 million dollars, Penner scored 23 goals in 82 games this season. That being said it is time to these two to move-on and stop with the purse fight.

Burke carefully responds to Lowe charges
Brian Burke says he will abide by the NHL's request to end his criticism of Kevin Lowe and the Edmonton Oilers, but the Anaheim Ducks general manager wanted the last word on Thursday.

In a careful, measured statement, Burke took aim at some of Lowe's recent stinging comments about three Ducks players and the Anaheim hockey market.

"There is no question in our mind or defiance about the league's authority here," Burke said in the statement first read to Ducks beat writers on a conference call and then posted on the NHL club's website. "We accept their authority to stop this and we intend to stop it.

"However, several things were said last Friday that I believe need to be addressed."

On Monday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman warned both men to quit taking shots at each other or face significant fines.

Oilers spokesman J.J. Hebert said Thursday that the team would comply.

"We will be respecting the league's request and will not be discussing this matter any further," he said.

The public year-long spat between Burke and Lowe was resurrected on July 3. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the Ducks GM claimed a pair of offer sheets doled out by Lowe last summer set the tone for the madness of this year's market.

Burke's comments referred to Lowe's inking of Buffalo restricted free agent Thomas Vanek to a seven-year, $50-million US offer sheet, which the Sabres matched. Later, the Oilers signed Ducks forward Dustin Penner to a five-year deal worth $21.25 million US offer sheet, which drew Burke's ire based on the potential inflationary ripple effects the offer could have across the NHL.

Former Fighting Sioux Dave Tippett signs extension with Dallas Stars

Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Dave Tippett will be rewarded for his great job behind the Dallas Stars bench as he was signed to a two year extenstion.

FRISCO, Texas - The Dallas Stars rewarded Dave Tippett for another solid season, signing the head coach to a two-year contract extension Monday.

Tippett led the Stars to a 45-30-7 record in 2007-08 and a berth in the Western Conference final, where they fell in five games to the eventual Stanley Cup-champion Detroit Red Wings.

"Dave Tippett has done an exceptional job as head coach of this hockey club," co-general manager Les Jackson said in a statement. "We are looking forward to getting back to work in preparation for the 2008-09 season."

Tippett has a record of 235-127-48 in six seasons with the Stars, amassing the best winning percentage of any active coach in the NHL. Dallas has reached the playoffs every year under Tippett, who was named 19th head coach in franchise history May 21, 2002.

Did Snow push Ted Nolan out in New York.

I have been following the antics of Garth Snow since he took over the reigns of the New York Islanders and it would appear that maybe Garth Snow is just a moron and intent on running the Islanders into the ground. Ted Nolan is a good coach and I have to agree with him that the Islanders didn't have the tools to be successful that falls on the shoulders of the GM. Maybe Don Lucia is a good gauge of character?

New York Islanders announce Ted Nolan out as their head coach
UNIONDALE, N.Y. - The New York Islanders fired head coach Ted Nolan on Monday, citing "philosophical differences."

Nolan, who led the Islanders to a 75-68-21 record in his two years behind the bench, had another year remaining on his contract.

"Ted has helped us achieve some success over the last two seasons, however it has become clear that we have philosophical differences and have decided together to part ways,"

general manager Garth Snow said in a release. "Since last season and continuing into the summer, I have realized we do not share the same philosophies."

There had been a growing rift between Nolan and Snow throughout last season when the Islanders failed to make the playoffs. Snow said he felt the team was underachieving while Nolan countered that he lacked adequate personnel.

The NCAA approves proposed changes.

The new rules that were proposed earlier this spring have now been approved by the NCAA ice hockey committee. Seriously, I will believe it when I see it because; it is just like any other rule or law. A governing body can make all the rules they want to, however, for the new rules to be affective, they need to be enforced or the new rules will be useless. I am thinking the latter is going to happen in the WCHA. While some people don't like it when people refer to the WCHA as being the Western Obstruction League (copy right PCM), or complain about the officiating in the WCHA is very poor and is not working anymore. The WCHA and the NCAA hockey have become less watchable. The brutal reality is that the obstruction in the WCHA is so bad that it has caused the WCHA to become the Neutral Trap Zone league or the no scoring league. I don’t go to a hockey game to watch teams obstruct, hack and slash the opposition’s star players up and down the ice I come to watch fast paced exciting action with a lot of hard hitting and an occasional scrap.

Ok, the rules are on the book but the 64,000.00 question is; will the WCHA leader ship be able to put the new rules into action. I believe it can not happen until the WCHA leadership gets out of this incorrect/incoherent mind set that the status quo in the WCHA is half the reason scoring is down last year? A player no matter how skilled he is can not score with a gorilla I mean an opposing player is draped all over him. The laws of physics won’t allow it. An offensive player must be allowed to move freely without being obstructed. Obstruction by the rules books is not allowed and needs to be called.

Lastly, I think the officials in the WCHA are the worst in division one hockey. Personally, I do not believe that the WCHA has enough qualified or quality officials to be able to have two competent officials to ref each game. So it is time for the WCHA to get on board or prepare to hear more complaining and complaints from the fans in the WCHA.

NCAA approves changes to rules
Brad Elliott Schlossman Grand Forks Herald
Published Friday, July 11, 2008

The rules changes in college hockey are now official. There will be two referees and two linesmen on the ice next season and they have been instructed to be stricter in protecting the puck carrier from obstruction, the NCAA announced Thursday.


Not allowing a team to change lines after icing the puck. If a defensive-zone team knocks the net off, it won’t be allowed to change, either.

- Icing will be waved off if the referee determines a pass is attainable by a player on the attacking side of the red line. “Attainable” is defined as a pass on the ice and within a stick-length of the player.

- The NCAA is recommending, but not requiring, all arenas to increase the size of the offensive zone. It is asking arenas to move the goal line 11 feet from the end boards. It is currently 15 feet away. The NCAA wants the offensive zone to be 64 feet.

“The committee believes game officials have held a strong standard of obstruction fouls away from the puck carrier in recent seasons,” the NCAA stated in a release. “In reviewing how the game is being called at other levels, it has become apparent that more emphasis needs to be placed on the puck carrier and allowing players to showcase offensive creativity and skill.”

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association set a scoring futility mark for the fourth consecutive season in 2007-08. But several changes have been made to try to change that trend. Others are:

Adding an “embellishment” penalty.

- Clarifying pucks that go in off of skates. They are to be allowed unless it is controlled, kicked or guided into the net with a skate. If the player is in the act of stopping, it is OK. When in doubt, a goal will be disallowed.

- Delaying an offsides whistle if the goalie plays the puck. In the past, the whistle was automatically blown right away.

- Forcing all players, including backup goaltenders, to wear helmets on the bench

No Sioux on the hot list.

Gandalf The Red from Sixty Minutes, No Alibis, No Regrets had a blog post that linked a story from the Hockey News on what college hockey players are on the hot list, sorry Sioux fans none of our recruits or current players made the list but that was to be expected. This list doesn't always guarantee future success either. Also this list is not to be confused with the hot or not list. :) Sorry Amy I couldn't help myself.

While it is no mystery or secret to anyone that the CHL produces a lot of NHL talent and players, college hockey has done pretty good for themselves as of late. This is an impressive list of players. How abou the Badgers on defense? It isn't going to matter who plays net for them, that is going to be an impressive group for a few years to come; Justin Schultz, Patrick Wiercioch, Cody Goloubef, Jamie McBain, Ryan McDonagh, Jake Gardiner and Patrick Wiercioch.

The pending $64000.00 question of this up coming season will be whether Colin Wilson plays with the BU terriers and if Zac Dalpe plays for tOSU Buckeyes. My money says that Wilson will be wearing that God awful Jersey of the Nashville Predators. Stay tuned folks.

1. Colin Wilson, C – Boston University Terriers (Hockey East): As the son of an NHLer, Wilson had a good model in preparing for a career in elite hockey.

“My dad told me you have to be physically ready at 14,” said Colin, channeling the advice he received from his father, Carey, who played for the Flames, Whalers and Rangers.

With that in mind, Colin hit the gym early and often as a teen and the results were reflected in his selection seventh overall by Nashville at the NHL draft this year.

“I can be a first- or second-line center,” Wilson noted. “But I can also work as a third- or fourth-liner, that’s why I think they took me.”

That and a heap of skill, of course. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Terrier notched 35 points in 37 games as a freshman at B.U. and will likely return to improve on that mark next season.

Joining Wilson is a murderer’s row of future NHL talent, including fellow 2008 draftees Corey Trivino, David Warsofsky and Grant Rollheiser. Wilson will also faceoff against workout buddy and Boston College Eagles recruit Jimmy Hayes. So is fraternizing with the enemy going to end?

“When I’m with my buddies, we’re really tight, so we can do things like that,” Wilson said. “But it’ll be fun playing against him – B.U. and B.C. for the Beanpot (tournament trophy).”

One thing is for sure, there won’t be many Eagles having fun when they face the tenacious Wilson.

Drafted seventh overall by Nashville in 2008.

2. James van Riemsdyk, LW – New Hampshire Wildcats (Hockey East): The players drafted around him – Patrick Kane and Kyle Turris – both saw NHL action this season, but that’s no reason to believe JVR won’t be joining them one day; his Flyers team just had a bit more depth to rely on. In the meantime, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound left winger will continue to hone his game in New Hampshire, where he put up 34 points in 31 games as a freshman. Drafted second overall by Philadelphia in 2007.

3. Richard Bachman, G – Colorado College Tigers (WCHA): So what exactly will this kid do for an encore? Bachman was lightning in net for the Tigers this season, posting the best record in the conference (.729 winning percentage) and the second-best goals-against average (1.85) and save percentage (.931). The next and only mission is a Frozen Four title. Drafted 120th overall by Dallas in 2006.

4. Max Pacioretty, LW – Michigan Wolverines (CCHA): With his former linemates Kevin Porter and Chad Kolarik off to Phoenix (well, more likely San Antonio) next year, Pacioretty will have to continue his good work in Ann Arbor if the Wolverines are to remain the cream of the CCHA crop. After earning 39 points in 37 games as a frosh, Pacioretty should be up to the task. Drafted 22nd overall by Montreal in 2007.

5. Patrick Wiercioch, D – Wisconsin Badgers (WCHA): Like Wilson, Wiercioch will be surrounded by talent next year, especially by his fellow blueliners. Along with Wiercioch, who had a breakout playoffs with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers this year, the Badgers will line up NHL picks Jamie McBain, Cody Goloubef, Ryan McDonagh and Jake Gardiner. Drafted 42nd overall by Ottawa in 2008.

6. Corey Trivino, C – Boston University Terriers (Hockey East): Trivino raised his profile at the Under-18s, where he was a point-a-game player for the gold-medal winning Canadians. He’ll once again get a shot to shine next year, moving his superior playmaking game to Boston. Drafted 36th overall by the New York Islanders in 2008.

7. Daultan Leveille, C – Michigan State Spartans (CCHA): Everyone’s favorite out-of-nowhere draft pick, Leveille rode his otherworldly speed to a first round selection this year and will showcase said skating wizardry in East Lansing next fall. Drafted 29th overall by Atlanta in 2008.

8. Joe Colborne, C – Denver Pioneers (WCHA): The potential for dominance is why Colborne will be well served by a couple of seasons with the Pios. The 6-foot-5 lad is growing into his power forward frame and learning under coach George Gwozdecky will be a boon to Colborne’s development. Drafted 16th overall by Boston in 2008.

9. Aaron Ness, D – Minnesota Golden Gophers (WCHA) : Slick blueliner Ness will take his game to the big stage in Minnesota next season, where his offensive gifts and hockey IQ will be a great asset to the always dangerous Gophers. Drafted 40th overall by the New York Islanders in 2008.

10. Zac Dalpe, RW – Ohio State Buckeyes (CCHA) : Though Dalpe seemed really amped about going to OSU, rumblings are still out there that he could bolt for Plymouth of the Ontario League. For the Buckeye’s sake, let’s hope it’s all bluster, because Dalpe has a boatload of skill. Drafted 45th overall by Carolina in 2008.

Sioux Women's golf team excels on the course and in the classroom

Kory Wallen, UND Athletics
Normally Goon's World is dedicated almost entirely to the NHL and Fighting Sioux hockey, however, this story is worth a look. The Sioux women's golf team coached coached by King's Walk assistant pro Dan Frei was as impressive on the course as they were in the classroom. Goon's World salutes you and offer it's congratulations.

No small feat

While some may over look these women's accomplishments or brush it aside and say what is the big deal? I personally know from being a former college athlete myself, that playing in sports and carrying a +3.50 grade point average is no easy feat. Heck my GPA never made it past 3.2 the two years that I was in college sports. I also didn't study occupational theraphy, I know that course work is hard.

GRAND FORKS, N.D.--The University of North Dakota’s Kelli Dahle, Amanda Kaler, Kristi Lucken and Natalie Ruppert have been named to the 2007-08 National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) Division II All-American Scholar Team.

UND’s four selections were the third-most of any school in Division II, trailing only the five selections from Rollins College and the University of Indianapolis.

In order to be nominated for the NGCA All-American Scholar Team, student-athletes must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50 and must have competed in at least 66% of her team’s regularly schedule competitive rounds during the year.

Dahle, a junior from Bemidji, Minn., was UND’s top finisher at the NCAA Division II Northwest Region championship and carries a 3.89 GPA in elementary education.

Kaler completed her junior season by earning a berth on the 2007-08 Academic All-North Central Conference At-Large team. The Fargo, N.D., native, who has a 3.71 GPA in political science, was an All-NCC first team selection last fall.

Lucken, a Fosston, Minn., native, was UND’s top finisher in three spring meets and carries a 3.93 GPA in occupational therapy.

Ruppert enjoyed a strong senior year during which she was named to the All-NCC first team and earned her third straight selection to the NCC Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. The Minot, N.D., native had a 3.60 GPA and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Tying up a few loose ends. (serious)

Sprig from Siouxsports.com is reporting that FSSN has reached a 1 year deal with WDAZ. That is good news for those that watch Sioux Hockey on the Satellite.

We have reached agreement on a one-year extension of the current contract, so it takes us only through the 2008-09 school year. All home men's hockey games will be televised, along with two road men's hockey games, and one home men's football game.

That is good news for the people that don't live in Grand Forks, ND or in North Dakota. If you don't have a satellight dish and you want to purchase one so you can watch all of the Sioux Hockey Home games go to this web site satellight system .

Sad News

Bob a Sioux fan from Wisconsin found out on June 20th 2008 that his 3 year old child Will has Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, this is a tough time and this story brings tears to my eyes because it could be anyone of our kids. Our kids are our future and our most precious gifts.

So in this trying time Bob needs our support in the form of prayers and donations to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Bochenski's quest to play for all 30 teams.

Running with the Dog's favorite blogger BES is reporting that former Sioux star Brandon Bochenski is moving to the Tampa Bay area after he signed a contract with the Tampa Bay lighting. I wonder how many cell phone numbers Brandon Bochenski has had?

This would be the sixth NHL team that Bo has played for, the past three season Bochenski has played for: 1.) Ottawa Senators, 2.) Chicago Blackhawks, 3.) Boston Bruins, 4.) Anaheim Ducks and 5.) Nashville Predators and now 6.) Tampa Bay...

The 64,000 dollar question is will be if Brandon Bochenski can stay with the same team for more than half a season. Bochenski has a great shot and tons of offensive talent, his play in the defensive zone is not a strong point of his game and he will have to get better if he wants to play in the NHL.

More on the NCAA rule changes.

Recently the NCAA released a statement from the Ice Hockey committee; in this press release there was a few of the proposed changes to the NCAA tourney selection criteria. This is to be voted on in the fall by the cabinet. As of right now nothing is set in stone or has become "the rules" as of yet? However, I can't remember the last time proposed changes like this were dismissed en mass? So I would suppose there is a good chance of these proposed changes will become part of the 2008-2009 rule book. Here is one of the proposed changes that has prompted a little discussion in the past weeks.

The committee also recommended to the cabinet that all six hockey conferences – College Hockey America, Atlantic Hockey, ECAC Hockey, Hockey East Association, Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association – receive automatic bids to the championship. College Hockey America does not meet standards for an automatic bid, since it falls below minimum sports-sponsorship requirements with four teams, but the committee decided that for the good of the sport and the championship, it would continue to provide automatic qualification to the winner of College Hockey America’s postseason tournament. The decision will be reviewed by the cabinet in the fall.

I think that is a good idea to let the CHA keep it's auto bid because until one of the established division one hockey conferences steps up and proposes a positive solution to this problem, at the current time no one has a clue what to do with the CHA teams. No one has come up with a viable idea as of yet. I think the NCAA should and will allow the CHA to continue to operate as a division one hockey conference until a solution is reached on what to do with the four teams left in this division. Millsy hits the main points of this topic in his post on USCHO.COM

But, without the auto bid, what other carrots do these teams have to dangle in front of a recruit? Recruiting in the CHA is already a challenge, and without the auto bid to dangle out there, it will get that much harder. Without the higher level recruits, it will be next to impossible to knock off teams in the "Big Four".

What is frustrating is that everyone knows what the problem is, but no one outside of the CHA wants to help with a solution. They all just bury their heads in the sand hoping someone else will take care of the problem. Eventually, this problem will go away, but it won't be a positive for college hockey.
Millsy

There are a few solutions to this problem, not all of them are positive. First off; the NCAA could come out and say hey if you don't help these teams out and find a home for them in existing conferences the NCAA could start pulling at large bids to the NCAA tourney, watch people move then. (not really positive)

The NCAA could also just out right deny the CHA from being allowed to keep its auto bid and the league would die a quick painful death. (not positive)

A league could stand up and find a way to accommodate these four teams or come up with a scheduling alliance, or just allow them to join their league. (best option)

I hope in the future we won't still be talking about this issue. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out. Anyone want to start the Bemidji to the WCHA argument again?