Burns out 4 Weeks after Surgery.

This is not good news Brent Burns is the Wilds top defenseman. Lets hope brent is ready to go in the regular season.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Brent Burns out 4 weeks after elbow surgery
Pioneer Press — John Shipley
Wild defenseman Brent Burns had surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow on Thursday and will miss the first two weeks of training camp, the Wild announced.

The Wild called the surgery successful and preventative, and said in a statement Burns is "expected to return in about four weeks." Minnesota starts training camp Sept. 20 in Grand Forks, N.D.

Former Wild Forward Parrish not signed yet.

Former SCSU star Mark Parrish is still looking to sign with a team after the Wild cut him. I would imagine Parrish will get picked up by a team sooner or later. Parrish is valuable because Mark is one of the those players that isn't afraid to get dirty, he has made a living standing in front of the net to tip in goals while taking a pounding from opposition forwards.

Right wing Mark Parrish looking for work since his release by the Minnesota Wild
By John Shipley
Mark Parrish doesn't like being branded a buyout. That stigma, he said, is the worst part about having the final three years on his Minnesota Wild contract bought out.

"That's the hardest part for me to accept," he said.

Wild general manager Doug Risebrough made the decision to buy out Parrish on July 30. Since then, Parrish has garnered interest from other teams but has had no solid offers.

"I try to work my whole career to become a guy that has a reputation, as a person and what kind of player I am. I felt that I had gotten there, and when something like this happens, no matter what it is — whether it's just business, whether it's personal, we don't really know — once the label 'buyout' is on you, then the questions start coming," Parrish said.

"I worked my butt off for this, and now I have to put up with this crap. It's irritating, but that's the business."

With NHL training camps set to kick into gear in two weeks, Parrish, 31, is still looking for a job.
(read the rest of the story here)

2008-09 Stanley Cup odds

Sean Leahy from Going Five Hole has the Odds for the 2008-2009 Stanley cup Listed on his blog. I think if a guy had some extra money laying around and was smart he would go to Las Vegas and put $100.00 down on the Bruins. Just my HMO. Hum, we just got Allegiant Air in Grand Forks, ND maybe I will have to plan a trip?

VegasInsider.com released their 2008-09 Stanley Cup odds.

5/1 Red Wings

11/2 Penguins

10/1
San Jose
Montreal

12/1
Dallas
Anaheim

15/1
NY Rangers
Ottawa
Philadelphia

18/1
Washington

20/1
New Jersey

22/1
Carolina
Minnesota

25/1
Colorado

30/1
Boston
Buffalo
Calgary
Nashville
Vancouver

40/1
Chicago
Toronto

45/1
Tampa Bay

50/1
Edmonton
Florida

60/1
Atlanta
St. Louis

75/1
NY Islanders
Phoenix
Columbus

100/1
Los Angeles

Gabby noncommittal.

After reading this article I am beginning to think that Wild management has really done a poor job running this hockey team during the offseason. Now the Minnesota Wild are in grave danger of losing the face of their franchise, the best player to ever play for the Minnesota Wild.

It is time for the Wild fans to speak up and let the Wild Management know how we feel about the way things are being run, and this franchise is not being run well. In my opinion Gabby is worth 8-10 million dollars a year. Now it is time for the Wild Management to step up and offer a serious contract offer.

Gaborik remains noncommittal about signing with Wild
By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune
Skating with three dozen other players, Marian Gaborik danced in and out of traffic like he was in midseason form Wednesday at the Rec Center in St. Louis Park.

Wearing his green No. 10 helmet, green pants and striped red and green socks, Gaborik, feeling strong on his surgically repaired hip, sure looked like the Wild player who owns the franchise mark for nearly every offensive category.

But the events of the next month could determine how long Gaborik will remain in Wild colors.

The Wild is trying desperately to sign the right wing to a contract extension before the Oct. 11 opener, but Gaborik was noncommittal Wednesday when asked whether he's willing to forgo unrestricted free agency next summer to sign long-term in Minnesota.

"I like it here, I am willing to stay here, but I also know what my options are if we won't agree on the terms," Gaborik said during his first North American interview since the end of last season's playoffs.

"I have one year left on my contract. That's all I'm thinking about. I'm going to leave everything out there, work hard and enjoy it. And I'm going to try the best I can to help the team win this year like I've done always."

Told that sounds like he has decided to play out the final year of his contract and leave as a free agent, Gaborik said, "I'm not saying I'm leaving. I'm not saying I'm staying. I'm saying I have one year left on my contract. I'm leaving it up to the Wild and my agent to discuss it. But I want to be left out of it.

"I like it here. Of course, it's been great times and experiences here. But I still have one more year on my contract. I want to be respected that I still have one year left, and I want to just focus on this year and just try to play the best I can. That's how it is. I don't want to think about my contract right now, and I don't want to be put in a position where I have to talk about it."

But asked again if he's at least willing to sign long-term, Gaborik said, "I'm not saying either or. We'll play it by ear. The Wild and my agent are talking right now. I just want to play hockey and not worry about it."

Wild assistant GM Tom Lynn said the Wild is in the process of negotiating, "so we're having back and forth, which is good. I think Marian is rightly reluctant to try to characterize the process, one for his own position and two because he doesn't want it to be accidentally mischaracterized."

With training camp set to open Sept. 20 in Grand Forks, N.D., Gaborik, 26, who will make $7.5 million this season after coming off a career-best 42 goals and 83 points last season, is in the driver's seat.

If he hits the open market next summer, Gaborik, at his age and talent level, could become one of the highest-sought free agents in NHL history.

The Wild is offering Gaborik the richest, longest contract in franchise history, so Lynn said negotiations are "complicated" because the sides are trying to agree on salary, term and what the future market is for star players.

No player averages more than Alex Ovechkin's $9.538 million cap hit. The max for an individual player is $11.26 million, a number GM Doug Risebrough has said he's not willing to approach. Gaborik declined to identify how much money or how long a contract he's seeking.

"I'm willing to stay, but it depends on what kind of deal they're going to propose," Gaborik said. "I had a good discussion with Doug and Tom [last month in Slovakia]. They explained how they want to go forward. Of course, I want to win. If it's here, I would love that, but who knows what's going to happen."

If there's an impasse, Gaborik knows the Wild might be forced to trade him to avoid a season-long distraction and to ensure it receives assets in return for a talent such as Gaborik.

"I'm not thinking that far right now. I can't control that," Gaborik said. "I'm just here to play hockey." But asked again if he's at least willing to sign long-term, Gaborik said, "I'm not saying either or. We'll play it by ear. The Wild and my agent are talking right now. I just want to play hockey and not worry about it."

Wild assistant GM Tom Lynn said the Wild is in the process of negotiating, "so we're having back and forth, which is good. I think Marian is rightly reluctant to try to characterize the process, one for his own position and two because he doesn't want it to be accidentally mischaracterized."

With training camp set to open Sept. 20 in Grand Forks, N.D., Gaborik, 26, who will make $7.5 million this season after coming off a career-best 42 goals and 83 points last season, is in the driver's seat.
(Read the rest of the story here)

Lightning coach Melrose wants toughness to return

This article is a must read and one of the more thought provoking article I have seen in a long time, and this article addresses why there is a need for fighting in hockey. I am excited about Barry Melrose being back in the NHL because of all of the things that he says.

Lightning coach Melrose wants toughness to return
By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer

Imagine if the ice in front of an NHL net were a place where the rules of the game were different. Players could hack and whack like the old days, before the league decided a tug on a jersey was obstruction. Lightning coach Barry Melrose can only hope. "In today's game, anybody can go and stand there, and I don't think that's right," he said. "I don't want to see that leave the game, those areas of battles." Melrose, 52, is old school. He cheers the uptick in fighting the past few seasons, not for its own sake but because, "It's a tool. … It can change the mood of a game." Melrose, who had enforcer tendencies in his NHL career, does not want a return to the days of bench-clearing brawls. At the same time, he said, "I never want to get to the point in my life when cowards can play hockey."

How do you feel about the league's long-term crackdown on fighting?

I think toughness is leaving our game, and I hope that people realize it's wrong. I hate to mention this, but the fastest growing sport in the world is ultimate fighting. We've got that as part of our game. To act ashamed of that has been wrong of the NHL for a lot of years. You can say you don't like fighting or you love fighting, but it creates conversation. It creates energy and excitement. And, as you see it, perhaps a strategic advantage. It's a useful part of the game. It's a tool, and that's how coaches use fighting. It can change the mood of a game. It's like a big hit or a power-play goal or anything else.

It also can set boundaries between teams, correct?

If someone does something to (Steven) Stamkos, there have to be repercussions, and that's where fighting is still part of the game. Hockey is about bravery. I never want to get to the point in my life when cowards can play hockey. You're not advocating a return to the bad old days, are you? Of course not. I call that the dark ages. They were burning priests at the stake at the same time, I think. But hockey is a game of intimidation. If someone can walk into our building and intimidate us with hitting, with power plays, with fighting, then they're going a long way to winning the game, and it's part of the game.

How can you strike a balance between making the game more physical and the no-touch rules put in place to hike scoring?

I would love to see sort of a different set of rules in front of the net. You make like a key area in basketball where it becomes tougher to stand. In today's game, anybody can go and stand there, and I don't think that's right. I think that still should be very fought-over ice and an area with different rules. Such as … The hacking and the whacking and the cross-checking, so the guy has to have some grit to get in there, where you can't go in there with no pads the way you basically can do it now. That should be an area of highly fought-over ice.

What do you think of enforcers?

I love them. They're my favorite guys on the team. I love them like I do superstars. They do the dirtiest job in the world for less money than the other guys. They're always the most popular guy on the team, and they never get the thanks they should. I love them. I ask them to do a terrible thing, and a tough thing, every night. I reward them. I hate taking them out of a lineup. It is much easier for me to take a skill guy out of the lineup than it is to take a tough guy out of the lineup.

Describe their job.
He's got to walk into Philadelphia in the third game of five nights on the road, and if somebody is going nuts, he still has to go over the boards and do it. It's still a job of proving it. It's the old gunfighter mentality that every year there are young guys that want to prove they're tougher, and that still happens. Not to the extent of the (Bob) Probert era, but when you're a tough guy in the NHL, there's always a young guy coming every year who thinks they are tougher.

Given the salary cap and the instigator rule, no team can afford a goon who can't play and is being paid to sit in the penalty box.
In a perfect scenario, he would be able to play regular. That's why a guy like Probert worked and (Marty) McSorley. Those guys were so great because they could do both. But realistically, they have to be so they don't hurt you. What I mean by that is a team's eyes don't light up when they step on the ice. Ideally, you want a kid who's tough enough to play regular and do the job.

Boston Bruins Sign Stephane Yell

It had been rumored that the Minnestoa Wild were interested in signing defensive forward and face off specialist Stephane Yelle but it appears that the Wild have lost out in another bid for a free agent.

Boston, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has signed center Stephane Yelle to a contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

A 12-year veteran of 844 regular season games and 154 postseason contests, Yelle comes to the Bruins having won two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996 and 2001. Yelle made his NHL debut during the 1995-1996 season with Colorado and played in all 22 of the Avalanche’s playoff games during their Stanley Cup title run. During his rookie year in 95-96, Yelle tallied a career best 13 goals and 14 assists in the regular season and added one goal and four assists in the playoffs. When the Avs captured the Cup a second time in 2000-2001, Yelle again appeared in every playoff game (23) and registered a goal and two assists in the postseason to go along with 4-10-14 totals in the regular season.

He played a total of seven seasons in Colorado, appearing in 505 games with 54 goals and 89 assists.

Yelle spent the last five seasons with the Calgary Flames. On October 1, 2002, he and Chris Drury were traded by Colorado to the Flames in exchange for Dean McAmmond, Derek Morris and Jeff Shantz. During those five years, Yelle contributed 31 goals and 65 assists. Last season, Yelle tallied three goals and nine assists in 74 regular season games and added two goals in seven postseason contests.

The 34-year-old Ottawa, Ontario native was originally drafted in the 8th round (186th overall) of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils, Yelle was dealt to Quebec on June 1, 1994 and then relocated with the franchise to Colorado on June 21, 1995.

His team has missed the playoffs only once in his 12-year NHL career (02-03 with Calgary).

Pictures of Zach Parise's 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe

 
When I saw the pictures of Zach's Tahoe on line I knew I had to run over to Rydell Chevy get a picture of it before it was sold. Here is the link to the page from eBay, there are some really cool pictures of Zach's 2007 Chevy Tahoe on the eBay page.
 



 

 

Zach Parise's car for sale at Rydell's

Here is an interesting story that I haven't seen posted any where but on Puck Daddy. I am going to have to go to Rydell's and check it out... I wonder how long it will be before it is sold? I wounder if there will be any discussion on whether Thomas Vanek has a better car or not?

You could be the proud owner of New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise's 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
By Greg Wyshynski
OK, so it doesn't have the gravitas of Jon Voight's '89 LeBaron, but New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise's 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe is being auctioned off on eBay until Sept. 12 -- or you can buy it now for $36,000.

Rydell Automotive Center in Grand Forks, ND (also serving Fargo!) is selling what it calls an "NHL Star Zach Parise Ed. Tahoe"; which is just your typical suburban assault vehicle that keeps the U.S. suckling on the foreign oil teat, only with several Zach Parise autographs on the leather interior. From Rydell, via eBay:
(read the rst of the story)

Linkorama:

Chris Dilks from Western College Hockey is reporting that Mike Guentzel has been hired as the assistant coach at Colorado College it will be interesting to see how Mike fits in at C.C.

Guentzel To Join CC Coaching Staff
September 2nd, 2008 -- posted by kcrandall

Mike Guentzel, who resigned from Minnesota coach Don Lucia’s staff in April, will be named an assistant coach Wednesday, a source close to the program said Tuesday.

Guentzel spent the last 14 seasons coaching Gopher defensemen, but will be on the bench as his son, Gabe, starts his career as a Tiger defenseman this fall.

Guentzel replaces Norm Bazin, who left in August to become head coach at Division III Hamilton College and was responsible for recruiting some of CC’s top talent. Though his particular duties have yet to be spelled out, Guentzel adds his knowledge of Minnesota talent to CC’s staff.

His hiring is marks the first major change to coach Scott Owens‘ staff since Owens hired Bazin and Joe Bonnett after his first season at CC.

Over at the Blog that Yost Built Packer487 covers the subject of No Yost Regional in 2010 or 2011 and there are some really good points in the comments section of this blog post. I don't think people are buying the reasons Minnesota is getting two regionals in their own back yard two years in a row. You want to talk about an unfair home field advantage, I give you the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Minnesota. The NCAA has probably just given Minnesota a ticket to the Frozen Four. It will be interesting to see the teams the NCAA stuffs in the two regionals in Minnesota. You will probably have some farce like last years Madison regional.

I believe this is a conflict of interest because the athletic director for the University of Minnesota Joel Maturi is the chairman Ice Hockey Committee and he is looking out for his schools own best interests first. On top of that Maturi is trying to sell is notion that the Xcel Energy Center is neutral site. I say bullshit I mean bravo sierra. The Xcel Energy Center is not a neutral site it is 7 miles from the University of Minnesota campus.

Packer487 said...
It wouldn't shock me a bit if the "We can't host a regional because of the cya chant" thing was slightly embellished to try to get the students to cut it out.

Even the NCAA official being quoted indicated it wasn't a major factor and simply pointed to Michigan having a competitive advantage at Yost.

Plenty of other schools have hosted, but it seems Michigan is being penalized for actually taking advantage of our opportunity when we did host.

I have no sympathy for DU missing the tournament when they hosted in Denver, or when CC missed it a year or two back when they hosted. It ain't our fault that Wisconsin didn't come out of their regional this year, they still got the home crowd.

If you're getting away from campus sites, so be it. But don't shove a line of bull like "We're going for neutral sites" and then throw a regional in St. Paul.

If you're not allowing teams to have a "competitive advantage" then go to all neutral sites or take out the rule that automatically lets the host play in that regional.

If you're ok with teams having a competitive advantage (with Minnesota at XCel) then let's have some campus sites instead of the horrible selections of St. Louis and Ft. Wayne.

I don't have a problem with it either way, but let's be consistent.

I do like the idea of only playing on NHL sized rinks though.

East Coast Bias.

Here was an interesting blog by Kat Kealy, so more her post really hits home. As a college hockey fan of a western college hockey team I can agree with her, how many times have we had to watch yet another game between two east coast teams, or better yet; last season CSTV should have been called the CCHA network because they loved showing the CCHA games on a weekly basis.

As for CBC why do they call it hockey night in Canada? They should call it hockey night in Toronto, every Saturday you get to see the mediocre Maple Leafs lose yet another game in prime time on CBC.

US National Television Extending the East Coast Bias
Kat Kealy
Since I grew up in the northeast, I must admit that I never cared about the sports world being so biased towards the east coast… until I moved to California. Then, I realized that although some sports definitely alter their schedules a bit for the east coast (Monday Night Football would clearly not be as late if they only cared about the east coast viewers), most things in sports are centered on the east coast. Whenever I see a game time, I automatically subtract 3 hours. It’s just the way things go out here.

Clearly, when the national broadcast schedules were released for hockey, I knew there would be more games with east coast teams than west coast teams, but the bottom 10 for US nationally televised games (all with zero or one game) has only two teams from the eastern conference and the top 10 for US nationally televised games (with 5-9 games) has only 3 western conference teams.

Calgary, Edmonton, and Los Angeles have no games that are nationally televised in the US. Clearly, Calgary and Edmonton have a lot of games that will be on CBC and TSN. The Kings have three games that will be nationally televised in Canada and none in the US. I certainly wouldn’t argue that the Kings deserve more air time than they’re getting. They were just barely the 29th team in the league last season. However, using that same argument, why is Tampa Bay going to be on national television in the US 4 times?

I understand that the big hockey markets (like New York, Boston, Minnesota, Detroit, etc.) come first. However, how can the NHL grow the sport in other markets if they only show teams from the cities where they already have good ratings?

Patrice Bergeron to rejoin the Bruins

Last season the Bruins lost one of their star offensive players Patrice Bergeron due to a very questionable hit from behind from Randy Jones in late October, Jones was given what I would consider a very light two game suspension. Bergeron's season was over in October and the Bruins played on without Patrice Bergeron. Even without Bergeron the Bruins still made the playoffs and took the Montreal Canadians to seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs before bowing out. I can't imagine that Bergeron could have made the differnce. This season the Bruins have a healthy Patrice Bergeron ready to rejoin the team.

Will Patrice Bergeron be...Patrice Bergeron?
Allan Muir INSIDE THE NHL
The image of Bergeron lying motionless against the boards, victimized by an illegal hit from behind, haunted Boston fans throughout a season that saw the team take significant steps toward legitimacy even without its best forward. And while there had to be a temptation to bring him back for the playoff push and the first round -- a loss to the Canadiens --the Bruins brass wisely held Bergeron out, keeping the bigger picture in mind.

Now we'll see if their patience pays off.

Outside of Marian Hossa in Detroit, the return of a healthy Bergeron could be the most impactful addition any team makes to its lineup this season. Slotted as the No. 2 center behind Marc Savard, he has the offensive chops to chip in 80 points, and the defensive skills to asset himself as one of the best two-way forwards in the conference.

But the ability to play the body is a critical component part of Bergeron's game. Even if the flesh is willing, there's no way of knowing if the spirit is weak without seeing if Bergeron will hesitate, even slightly, before going into the corners or initiating contact.

But even at 75 percent, Bergeron makes Boston a better team. He needs to be 100 percent, both physically and mentally, for the Bruins to move forward.

Proof that summer is almost over...

First off my thoughts and prayers go out to the people in the gulf that are going through another hurricane. One of my buddies that I worked with at the TSA from the moblie screening force (during the federalization of our nations airports in 2002) is hunkered down at MSY airport in New Orleans until the storm is over. I wish him well. As they say in the military keep your powder dry.

I was just perusing my schedule and it appears that another summer is almost officially in the books as today is September 1st.

Significant fall dates

Sep 13, 2008: North Dakota small game opener Sharptail, Hun, Ruffed Grouse
Sep 27, 2008: Opening day waterfowl season for North Dakota residents
Sep 28, 2008 Final day of the 2008 regular season
Oct. 1, 2008: MLB Divisional playoffs begin
Oct. 4 - 5 2008: NHL Regular season opens in Sweden and Czech Republic
Oct. 5, 2008: Fighting Sioux hockey versus University of Manitoba Exhibition
Oct. 9, 2008: NHL Regular season opens in North America
Oct. 9, 2008: MLB League championship series begin
Oct 10, 2008: 7:30 ET Fighting Sioux hockey @Boston University Icebreaker (Boston, MA)
Oct 11, 2008 4:30 ET Fighting Sioux hockey @Massachusetts Icebreaker (Boston, MA)
*Oct 17, 2008 7:35 CT Fighting Sioux versus the Purple cows of MSU- Mankato
Oct 18, 2008 7:05 CT Fighting Sioux versus the Purple cows of MSU- Mankato
Oct 22, 2008 MLB World Series begins (in American League city)



*First WCHA series.

The latest Hot List...

Ohio State recruit Zac Dalpe is the only college hockey players to make the latest Hot List.

The Hot List: Patience is a virtue
6. Zac Dalpe, RW – Ohio State Buckeyes (CCHA): Many were speculating Dalpe would jump ship on his Buckeyes commitment and head to OHL Plymouth, but The Hot List knew better all along. That gentle sound you’re hearing is the collective exhalation of every OSU fan in central Ohio. Drafted 45th overall by Carolina in 2008.

check out this funny commercial...

UNDER REVIEW had this new Boston Bruins commercial posted on his blog from NESN and it is a very funny commerical. I have to say it is one of more creative ones.

Former Sioux Bob Joyce and Landon Wilson

I was bored and surfing the Internet when I found these interesting post of two former Sioux. The first one is from Boston Bruins Legends

Bob Joyce
A product of Saskatchewan's famous Notre Dame Hounds, Joyce joined the University of North Dakota in 1984 where he quickly established himself as on of the best hockey players in American college hockey. By 1986-87 he scored 52 goals in 48 games, earning a berth on the WCHA First All-Star Team, NCAA West First All-American Team, and NCAA All-Tournament Team.

Joyce dropped out of school a year earlier in order to play under Dave King with the Canadian National team. It was a great opportunity for Joyce to learn to play under one of the best coaches in hockey, and also gave him a chance to play for his country in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. Joyce learned the defensive aspects of the game under King and his skating improved on the big ice surface. He scored 12 goals and 10 assists in IIHF sanctioned events and appeared in 4 Olympic matches, scoring one goal.

Bob was Boston's 4th choice, 82nd overall in the 1984 Entry Draft. He joined the Bruins after the 1988 Olympics, scoring 7 goals and 5 assists in only 15 games. He added 8 more goals and 6 assists in 23 playoff contests helping the Bruins advance to the Stanley Cup finals against the mighty Edmonton Oilers. Along side Joyce was another Bruin prospect who also played in the Olympics. New Englander Craig Janney had a strong Olympic tournament for Team USA and chipped in 7 goals and 16 points in his 15 post-Olympic NHL games. He also added 16 points in the playoffs.
(Read the whole article here)

Here is another article on a former Fighting Sioux hockey player Landon Wilson. I had forgotten that Landon Wilson had been traded for some big time players. Wilson was traded for Wendel Clark, IIRC Landon was traded away from the Leafs before he ever left the Fighting Sioux. I am just hoping that Landon Wilson can make a contribution with the Dallas Stars.

What the heck happened to … Landon Wilson?
Landon Wilson came to the Boston Bruins from the Colorado Avalanche along with Anders Myrvold for B’s first-round choice (Robyn Regehr) in 1998 Entry Draft on November 22, 1996.

What a trade!

It wasn’t the first time that Wilson was dealt in a deal involving a big-name talent. On June 28, 1994, he was traded to Quebec by Toronto with Wendel Clark, Sylvain Lefebvre and Toronto’s first-round choice (Jeffrey Kealty) in 1994 Entry Draft for Mats Sundin, Garth Butcher, Todd Warriner and Philadelphia’s first-round choice (previously acquired, later traded to Washington - Washington selected Nolan Baumgartner) in 1994 Entry Draft.

In 130 games in a B’s uniform, Wilson totaled 12 goals and 21 assists.

Wilson missed the majority of 2002-03 season recovering from eye injury he suffered in game against the Washington Capitals on Dec. 13, 2002. He was partially-blinded in one eye when a flying puck collided with his face while he was not wearing a visor.

The former first-round pick of the Maple Leafs then went on to play for the Phoenix Coyotes and Pittsburgh Penguins before bringing his game over seas to Finland and Switzerland.

Last season, with Lugano of the Swiss-A league, Wilson potted 13 goals to go with seven assists in 30 games. In three seasons in the Swiss-A league, Wilson has 60 goals and 32 assists (92 points) in 101 games.

Tim Thomas' new mask...

I have always been a fan of goalie masks, they say a lot about the player that wears them. Here is the new mask that former Vermont Star Tim Thomas will wear for the Boston Bruins this season. Also, I found this new blog that covers the Boston Bruins hockey team called Hub Hockey it is a must see if you are a Boston Bruins fan.

Lucia is against the Shoot-out...

I suppose now that Don Lucia doesn't want or like the shootout, the WCHA won't adopt the shootout. God forbid, we would want pretty boy Lucia upset. Don what else do you want while we are at it? The Gophers have the next two regionals in his own back yard. I can't wait till the Sioux can bounce the Gophers in their own back yard to go to the Frozen Four.

I think with the WCHA women going with the shoot out I think one could infer that the WCHA is a experiments with how the shootout is going to work.

College Hockey Report / Shootout separates WCHA women, men
By Bruce Brothers

Don Lucia detests the idea.

Brad Frost likes it.

So go the opinions of the hockey coaches at the University of Minnesota concerning a shootout to decide ties in their sport, a practice Western Collegiate Hockey Association women's teams will begin using this season.

"Good for them," said Lucia, the men's coach. "I am adamantly opposed. And I think if you talk to the coaches in our league, they are uniformly opposed to the shootout."

True, WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod said.

"Right now, it's not on the radar screen," McLeod said, noting that the men's coaches simply "don't want to do it."

Frost, who coaches the Gophers women, believes the addition of a shootout to decide ties in WCHA women's games, which the league announced Friday, might be a predictor of the future in the sport.

As arguably the premier women's college hockey league in the country, the WCHA wants "to be leaders on the women's side of game, to do some things that will make it exciting for our fans," Frost said. "We don't know if shootouts are going to be the wave of future or not, but we thought at least we'd give it a try."

The WCHA women announced the league would install a shootout for league games only, joining Central Collegiate Hockey Association men's teams in a practice similar to that used by the NHL.

Sara Martin, commissioner of the WCHA women, said the league's coaches were unanimous in adopting the tiebreaking procedure, adding it "will add an extra element

of drama to our games."
The women will try it for one season, and then decide whether to continue it.

As in the NHL, teams tied after a five-minute overtime will alternate sending three skaters against the opposing goalie to sever the tie. They'll use additional skaters on a sudden-death basis if the score is still tied after three. The winner of the shootout will receive two points and the loser will still get one point for the overtime tie.

Shootout results will count only in league standings, however, according to a ruling by the NCAA Ice Hockey Committee. In national statistics and national won-lost records, the games will continue to be registered as ties.

"Let it count in the NCAA, if it's so great," Lucia said, adding he has "never been a fan" of shootouts. "It's not how the game is played," he explained, "and we only play 28 (league) games. If we played 80

games, maybe we'd look at it."

Two or three points could prove decisive in the conference standings, Lucia noted.

"I don't think a team should go on the road based on a gimmick; I don't think a team should win a championship based on a gimmick," he said. "To me, there's nothing wrong with a tie."

McLeod pointed out that the shootout, tried unsuccessfully by Hockey East men's teams in the mid-1990s, is more attractive to fans than coaches, adding, "The real value is entertainment."

Unlike the men's teams, the WCHA women almost never sell out their games, so making the games more fan-friendly is a goal.

"I've gone to a few NHL games myself," Frost said. "You're almost hoping no one scores in regulation so you can watch that shootout."

Lucia, whose team sold out every home game at the 10,000-seat Mariucci Arena last season, disagrees. "I don't think a fan is going to go to a game based on a shootout," he said.

John McCain picks hockey mom as VP candidate.

Normally I like to keep politics off this blog but this is a nice story. Dggoddard from Lets Go Du Hockey and Puck Daddy had posted this story over on their blogs about the Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin Hockey Mom turned GOP Vice Presidential candidate.

I have to admit as an unapologetic republican I am very excited about this Vice President selection. I also think that she is a very impressive speaker and I think she is going to do well in the VP debates, Joe Biden beware. I heard on the news today that there was a poll where she has a 80% approval rating, that folks is pretty impressive in my opinion.

America's most famous Hockey Mom

Senator John McCain astonished the political world on Friday by naming Sarah Palin, a little-known governor of Alaska and self-described “Hockey Mom” as his running mate on the Republican presidential ticket.

If the Clinton's rode the backs of Soccer Moms to the White House, what other differences are there between Hockey Moms and Soccer Moms?

LetsGoDU's Soccer Mom vs. Hockey Mom Comparison

Soccer Mom: Democrat
Hockey Mom: Republican

Soccer Mom: Drives mini-van
Hockey Mom: SUV with 250,000 miles on it driving to tournaments

Soccer Mom: Spends $200 per year on youth sports
Hockey Mom: Spends $10,000 per year on youth sports

Soccer Mom: Barely watches game while gabbing with the gals about tomorrow's Mahjong get-together
Hockey Mom: Yells at ref and intimidates opposing players

Soccer Mom: Fools around with tennis pro at country club
Hockey Mom: Sleeps with kid's hockey coach to get son on #1 Power Play unit

Soccer Mom: Has white collar career at Honeywell
Hockey Mom: Has second job to help pay for Power Skating Camp in Summer

Soccer Mom: Hosts bake sale to raise money for team
Hockey Mom: Billets three extra kids to help pay second mortgage

Soccer Mom: Reads Vanity Fair in spare time
Hockey Mom: Has Blog, MySpace Page & Hockey's Future Message Board Thread about her hockey playing kid to attract scouts attention

Here is what Puck Daddy had to say on this story. Again, I am giddy with this selection.

What we do know about Palin: She's a hockey mom. To the point where author Kaylene Johnson pimped that fact in her book "Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down." Palin's son Track (Middle name: Enfield) played for the Alaska Avalanche Junior A team and then a AAA midget team in Michigan before leaving to become an infantryman in the U.S. Army last September.

Let's face it: Soccer moms are sooooooooo 1996. Hockey moms are where it's at in 2008. They're more dedicated, they're more antagonistic (video not available, but you've seen it) and, in some cases, they're just plain hotter.

(Side note: Is the movie too obscure for news organizations to use "Mystery, Alaska" in headlines today about an obscure VP pick?)

Actually, McCain had two good choices to boost his hockey cred: Hockey mom Palin and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who not only plays the game but famously joked that his wife was more likely to watch a hockey game than have sex with him. Which might be one reason why he won't be at McCain's side today ...

Of course, if hockey cred meant anything when it comes to the White House, things might have turned out a bit differently for John Kerry.

FSSN hockey broadcast schedule.

Thanks to Sprig for posting this on Sioux Sports. It is nice that we get three away games carried as well. I am very excited that we get to see the Sioux take on Running with the Dogs favorite college hockey team the UMD bulldogs in the DECC.

FIGHTING SIOUX SPORTS NETWORK 2008-2009 Season
Sunday 10/5/08
Hockey – Manitoba 6:00pm

Saturday 10/18/08
Football – Western Washington 1:00pm

Friday 10/31/08
Hockey – Wisconsin 7:30pm (Z)

Saturday 11/1/08
Hockey – Wisconsin 7:00pm

Friday 11/14/08
Hockey – Alaska 7:30pm

Saturday 11/15/08
Hockey – Alaska 7:00pm

Friday 11/21/08
Hockey – UM-Duluth (away) 7:30pm (Z)

Saturday 11/22/08
Hockey – UM-Duluth (away) 7:00pm

Friday 11/28/08
Hockey – Cornell 7:30pm

Saturday 11/29/08
Hockey – Cornell 7:00pm

Friday 12/12/09
Hockey – St. Cloud State 7:30pm (Z)

Saturday 12/13/09
Hockey – St. Cloud State 7:00pm

Friday 12/19/09
Hockey – US Under-18 Team 7:30pm

Friday 1/2/09
Hockey – Bemidji State (away) 7:30pm

Saturday 1/3/09
Hockey – Bemidji State (home) 7:00pm

Friday 1/9/09
Hockey – Minnesota 7:30pm

Saturday 1/10/09
Hockey – Minnesota 7:00pm

Friday 1/23/09
Hockey – Denver 7:30pm (Z)

Saturday 1/24/09
Hockey – Denver 7:00pm

Friday 2/13/09
Hockey – MSU-Mankato 7:30pm

Saturday 2/14/09
Hockey – MSU-Mankato 7:00pm

Saturday 2/28/09
Hockey – Colorado College 3:30pm (Z)

Sunday 3/1/09
Hockey – Colorado College 3:30pm

Fr/Sa/Su 3/13 - 3/15/09
Hockey – WCHA Playoffs TBA

REA not getting a regional...

I was hoping that UND would get a regional in 2010 or 2011 but it would appear that NCAA is moving away from campus sites after all of the whining that has taken place by coaches, fans and college administrators the last few years.

So if we are going to neutral sites why does Minnesota get a regional in their back yard? Seriously, someone needs to tell Hockey Committee Chairman Joel Maturi, who I might add is from the University of Minnesota, that the Xcell energy center in St. Paul, Minnesota is not a neutral site. The Xcel energy center is 7 miles from the campus of the University of Minnesota. You are going to be hosting a game in your back yard. I can see fans unhappy with that one as well. Fort Wayne is a horrible selection for a NCAA hockey regional can we say empty building, so it will be a neutral site.

Midwest and West Regionals Awarded Through 2011.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Aug. 28) — The NCAA Ice Hockey Committee has set the sites for the NCAA Championships all the way through 2011 with the announcement of the West and Midwest Regionals for 2010 and 2011.

In 2010, Notre Dame will host the Midwest regional from March 27-28 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind. and the West regional will be hosted by Minnestoa at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. from March 26-27.

Michigan Tech will host the Midwest regional at the ReschCenter in Green Bay, Wis. from March 26-27, 2011 and the CCHA will host the West regional at Scottrade Center in St. Louis on March 25-26, 2011.

Of the four sites only the Resch Center has held a regional before, with Wisconsin coming out of this regional en route to the championship in 2006.

But both the Xcel Center and the Scottrade Center have hosted the Frozen Four. The Xcel Center hosted the Frozen Four in 2002 with Minnesota winning and will host it again in 2011. In 2006 Scottrade Center hosted the Frozen Four with Michigan State taking the title.

This will be the first time the NCAA Ice Hockey Championships will have a regional in the state of Indiana.

“We focused on selecting sites that have NHL size ice sheets and are in neutral buildings,” said Ice Hockey Committee Chairman Joel Maturi, the AD of Minnesota. “We really feel that each of these buildings will showcase college hockey, give our student-athletes a tremendous experience and help take our championship to another level.”

The announcements round of the sites for all of the regionals and Frozen Fours until 2011.

Previously the 2010 and 2011 East and Northeast regional sites were awarded. The 2010 East regional will be held at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. and will behosted by ECAC Hockey and Rensselaer from March 26-27 and the Northeast regional will be held at DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. and will be hosted by Holy Cross from March 27-28.

The 2011 East regional will be held at the Bridgeport Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn. and be hosted by Yale and Fairfield on March 25-26 and the Northeast regional will be held at the Verizon Wireless Center in Manchester, N.H.and be hosted by New Hampshire on March 26-27.

Next year the Frozen Four will be in Washington, D.C.’s Verizon Center, the 2010 Frozen Four will be at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., the 2011 Frozen Four at the Xcel Center in St. Paul, Minn. and the 2012 Frozen Four will be at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla.