Aaron Ward smokes Tuomo Ruutu

Former Michigan Wolverine Aaron Ward absolutely smokes Tuomo Ruutu. This is one of the best hits that I have seen so far in the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. Unfortunately, it was about all there was to cheer about in game "7".

How about this one?

Big A HG had this uniform idea/concept posted over on Siouxsports.com and if UND decides to go with the no-logo/nick name in the interim while they pick a new one I think this is also a really good option. Contrary to the people that think you can just change the nick name, it may take a while to find an acceptable replacement nick name and logo that will even come close to the Fighting Sioux name and in my opinion that could be debatable as well. On my personal short list of name is no name, Wild Nokotas, Norse and Areos (flight School), Predators (UAV's), SOO and Flyers.

Simply North Dakota

This was linked to by Brad Schlossman and it's posted over on the Lets Go Sioux woman's hockey blog and frankly I could conceive a hockey Jersey with no logo like the jersey on the and just simply be the University of North Dakota. I would rather have no logo and mascot at all than something stupid. My biggest fear is the University would change the name witout consulting with the Students and Alumni. I really like the We ARE 1 WE ARE North Dakota slogan.

Logos what can stay and what can go.

I have seen the question posed on what can stay and what would have to go to be compliant with the NCAA settlement. I have also seen a lot of stuff that is incorrect, this should clear things up.

If UND had to drop the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo and the privately-owned Ralph Engelstad Arena wanted to host NCAA post-season games, it would have to remove many of the 2,400 logos it now contains.

What would stay and what would have to go?

The legal settlement between the state and the NCAA, which opposes Indian nicknames, says “images commonly associated with Native American culture” are not allowed, except these:

- Images of historical significance: These include championship banners, photos, trophies and statues, such as the Sitting Bull statue in front.

- Images that would be cost prohibitive to remove, namely the logos in the granite floor.

- Images the arena may replace over time: These include carpeting, turf, wood flooring, medallions on the seats and railings, lighted logos outside and etched glass door. Each item has a timetable for replacement from the end of 2011 to the end of 2015. (read the article here)

Also, if there logos were going to be changed don't expect Ralph Engelstad Arena or the Engelstad family to play for the changes it isn't going to happen. Nor should they be expected to pay for it. Maybe the people that wanted the Fighting Sioux name changed should poney up the money. Maybe team North Dakota can get a grant from the Federal government to pay for the changes.

On Friday we asked for a reaction from Jody Hodgson, the arena’s general manager and a representative of the Engelstad Family Foundation.

He said, among other things, that the arena’s preference, no matter the outcome, is to avoid any changes, such as removal of the logos. If changes were needed, he said, the arena won’t pay the more than $1 million cost.

The legal settlement between the state and the NCAA, which opposes Indian nicknames and imagery, requires the removal of many Sioux logos in the arena before UND can host a post-season game there. The settlement origi-nally set a Nov. 30, 2010 deadline to get tribal approval to use the name.
(read the article here)

Lastly, I have heard people say that the arena is going to blow up or be destroyed if the Fighting Sioux name is changed. Let's get serious, that's is not going to happen, folks. It is an urban legend that was started after the construction of the REA was almost stopped back in 2000 because of political correctness run amok. No one can find any documentation that says this because it is not true.

Engelstad family 'deeply disappointed' by 'lack of conviction'

The Englestad family is upset with UND president President Kelley and his lack of conviction. This is why I have said all along that I think UND needs to have a person with strong ties to UND serving as our university president, not some transient. The name means nothing to a bureaucrat like Kelly. So basically the university and the State Board of Higher Education pissed off one of their major donors there could be more to follow. Then try funding the university.

Statement from the Engelstad Family Foundation – May 15, 2009

In response to the resolution passed by the State Board of Higher Education the following statement is being released by the Engelstad Family Foundation.

"My father was immensely proud as a student-athlete to be identified with the Fighting Sioux and its proud and honored heritage," commented Kris Engelstad McGarry, daughter of Ralph Engelstad. "We stand with the 67% of tribal members at Spirit Lake who believe the identification with a fine university is a relationship which would have continued to bring benefit and opportunities to the Sioux citizens.

"I am deeply disappointed that the State Board and President Kelly are not committed to retaining the Fighting Sioux name and logo, however I can't say that I'm surprised by their lack of conviction. This is a sad day for North Dakota.

"We remain steadfast in our dedication to the students, the alumni, and the traditions established at UND.

"I feel it necessary to once again answer the question of why this issue is so important to us. As my father has stated, "Tradition is that gentle fabric woven through time and experience which generates meaning, character and identity to one and all. The Fighting Sioux logo, the Fighting Sioux tradition and the spirit of being a Fighting Sioux are of lasting value and immeasurable significance to our past, present and future."

Fighting Sioux nickname resolution.

In case you haven't read it here is the text of the from yesterday's nick name resolution.

Fighting Sioux nickname resolution adopted by North Dakota State Board of Higher Education on May 14, 2009
Consistent with the terms and conditions of the October 26, 2007, Settlement Agreement entered into with the NCAA, the Board directs UND officials to retire the “Sioux” nickname and logo, effective October 1, 2009. Full retirement of the nickname and logo shall be completed no later than August 1, 2010. In the event a new nickname and logo are adopted by UND, they shall not violate the NCAA policy regarding Native American nicknames, mascots and imagery.

UND is further directed to undertake actions consistent with the Settlement Agreement to protect its intellectual property rights in the “Fighting Sioux” nickname and mark.

UND is further directed to address the imagery at Ralph Engelstad Arena and other venues pursuant to the terms, conditions and timelines set forth in the Settlement Agreement.

This directive shall be suspended, if, prior to October 1, 2009, the following should happen:

1. The Standing Rock Sioux tribe and the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe give namesake approval consistent with the terms of the Settlement Agreement; and

2. The namesake approval be binding upon the tribes for a period not less than thirty (30) years.

Interesting day in College Hockey.

Yesterday turned out to be an interesting day in college hockey. First, Mike Kemp stepped down as hockey coach and is now the assistant athletic director of UNO. According to UNO Athletic Director Trev Alberts , Mike Kemp as not pushed out.

Former Red River star and Minnesota Gopher Grant Potulny will return to the Minnesota as an assistant coach.

Gopher assistant coach Mike Hastings is probably going to be a favorite for replacing Kemp at UNO. It would be interesting to see if Blais would consider coaching at UNO.

Neither Quinn nor Hastings returned phone calls Thursday night.

Kemp will serve on the committee to find the new coach, along with Alberts, Assistant Athletic Director Don Leahy, women's basketball coach Patty Patton Shearer, faculty athletic representative Bill Wakefield, hockey captain Mark Bernier and a member of the community.

Other names generating a buzz in coaching circles are former Lancers coach Mike Guentzel, an assistant at Colorado College who was a finalist at UNO when Kemp was hired; former North Dakota coach Dean Blais, who won two national championships with the Fighting Sioux and is now coaching Fargo of the USHL; New Hampshire assistant David Lassonde; and Miami (Ohio) assistant Chris Bergeron, who helped put together a Frozen Four team. (read the whole story here)

Interesting tid bits from Fiona Quick's twitter.

I was reading/perusing the Fiona Quick's twitter and there is some really good stuff there today. Looks like some are getting antsy in Gopher land, I hope Blaiser doesn't coach at the UofMN. I think the biggest development is that the UNO coach Mike Kemp was pushed out as the head coach. I think if Mike Hastings becomes the head coach it could bode well for the Mavericks and the WCHA expansion.

*Word on the street is there are several people pushing for Dean Blais as the next head coach of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers

*Former Gopher assistant coach Mike Guentzel will compete with current assistant Mike Hastings but Hastings is favorite for job at UNO.

*QuickFacts expects Golden Gopher freshman phenom Jordan Schroeder to sign an NHL professional contract following NHL Entry Draft in June.

*UNO Hockey called press conference for "Major announcement" at 4pm. Mike Hastings is favorite to take over as head coach of Mavericks.

Taps for the Fighting Sioux name?!?

I urge the University of North Dakota do not just pick a replacement name without having a discussion with the Students and alumni. If you do this hastily you will do more damage than good. As many fans have suggested in the past, if anything UND shoiuld not pick a new name and or logo immediately but in the interim just simply be the University of North Dakota.

Dickenson, ND --- The North Dakota State Higher Board of Education voted unanimously to retire the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname effective Oct. 1, 2009. The decision was made at its regular meeting held Thursday at Dickinson State University.

The retirement takes effect except in the event that stipulations in the original agreement with the NCAA to retain the nickname are met by both the Spirit Lake and Standing Rock Sioux tribes to approve the nickname.

The NCAA previously required approval of the nickname by both tribes for the university to retain use the nickname.

This kind of sums it up.

Props to the Stanley Cup of Chowder. George Paros didn't waste that Ivy League education. Also, it's a very profound and true statement, this years Stanley Cup playoffs have been nothing short of amazing to me. The regular season is just a prelude of what is to come.

"The playoffs are to the regular season what cream filling is to the Twinkie. It's a smaller portion of the whole, but it's the tastiest part."

Anaheim Ducks Enforcer and Princeton graduate George Parros on the NHL playoffs in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated

Fighting Sioux > Summit League

I was wondering when this was going to happen? You had to know that this was coming: earlier this year the athletic director of UND was whining about not having this issue solved and needing to find a conference. They should have thought about that before they went Division One, or UND should have moved when SDSU and NDSU did. Next, let the Sioux tribe at Standing Rock weigh in on the issue, especially after the Spirit Lake Reservation voted overwhelmingly to support the Fighting Sioux name. There is no reason at all to rush this issue, the Summit league will still be there.

My next question is why does the state have to tackle this issue right now? They still have till 2010. What is the hurry? Funny how they decide now just as the summer is starting and all of the students are going home at the end of the semester. Does this remind you of the summer when president Baker took old logo off the UND hockey uniforms? I can only imagine the stupid name the university would come up with to replace the Fighting Sioux name with. You cannot just change the name to make the Summit League happy. There has to be a process. You can't change the name in the dark or during the summer. The students and alumni need to give input in the selection process.

There is no reason to hurry. The Summit isn't going anywhere and UND can't play for anything for three more years. The Summit League is a second rate conference filled with a bunch of unimpressive teams outside of NDSU, SDSU and South Dakota. Does the university really want to give up it's storied name just for a chance to be in a mediocre mid major? There is no guarantee that they will accept UND even if they drop the Fighting Sioux name. If you think I am wrong, take a look at the impressive schools in this conference; I bet Oakland, Oral Roberts, Southern Utah, Western Illinois, Centenary, IPFW, is really going to fill up the Betty. Sign me up for season tickets right now.

Summit League 'intervening issue'
Tu-Uyen Tran and Wayne Nelson ------- Grand Forks, ND
UND’s chances of entering the Summit League athletic conference may require the state to resolve the controversy over the university’s Fighting Sioux nickname sooner than expected, according to the chairman of a state committee working on the issue.

“I look at the Summit League as an intervening issue,” said Grant Shaft, who will report to the State Board of Higher Education today. “It might lead the board to move our timeline up.”

Under a timeline established earlier this year, the committee has until the end of the year to gather information about the nickname and how it affects the Spirit Lake and Standing Rock Sioux reservations and the UND community.

The state board will need the approval of both the state’s Sioux tribes for UND to keep the nickname under an agreement with the NCAA. The board has until the end of November 2010 to get that approval, although to make time for a transition period, approval has to be in place by February.

After speaking with Summit League and UND officials, Shaft said the board may not have the luxury of time.

Last month, Spirit Lake tribal members voted 764-371 to keep the nickname, although formal approval by the Tribal Council is needed to satisfy the NCAA agreement.

Some Standing Rock tribal members are gathering signatures to put the nickname on the ballot there either in July or September. The Standing Rock Tribal Council also has to give formal approval.

However, the time frame of the tribal approval process may conflict with the Summit League’s plans for expansion, according to Shaft. He said he’ll ask the state board to weigh both in its decision, which he does not expect today.

Rather, Shaft said, he’ll ask board members to mull it over until possibly the next monthly board meeting June 18.

Why is timing important for entry into the Summit League or any conference for that matter?

UND views the Summit as an attractive home for the majority of its Division I athletic programs.

The 10-team league is viewed as a good fit geographically for UND. In addition, a number of Summit schools — including North Dakota State and South Dakota State — have similar academic missions.

The Summit recently accepted South Dakota as a new member. Like UND, South Dakota also completed its first season as a Division I athletic program.

UPDATE: I will stand by my earlier statement; 'If you think I am wrong, take a look at the impressive schools in this conference; I bet Oakland, Oral Roberts, Southern Utah, Western Illinois, Centenary, IPFW, is really going to fill up the Betty. Sign me up for season tickets right now.'

I ask Sioux fans; out side of NDSU, SDSU and South Dakota what team on that list above really makes you want to say, hey I want to attend a basketball or baseball game featuring one of those teams? Not that many of us are drooling at the prospects. Is this really all we are left with? It's almost like were are bickering over scraps. That being said I do think the Missouri Valley Football Conference is a nice football conference and has some attractive teams in it.

Over at Bisonville they are discussing this issue, good for them, it will just end up being another food fight between Sioux and Bison fans.

Ducks and Redwings line brawl.

Wow, what an ending to a boring game, a good ole fashion donnybrook at the buzzer. I guess it wouldn't be an understatement to say that the Redwings and Ducks don't like each other. I also would expect the former Badger Brian Rafalski to do a better job defending himself.

Lastly, I have to give props to Pavel Datsyuk for not hiding behind the ref and turtling. You can bet the Scott Niedermayer elbow on Pavel Datsyuk will be under review by the NHL but don't expect anything from Colin Campbell. You have to wonder if it is going to be considered sending a mess or not?

Bruins force game 7.

The Bruins were never behind and they countered everything the Canes threw at them. They did get a scare when "Marc Savard was kneed by Chad LaRose but I wouldn't classify it as a dirty hit. Coach Julian said Savard will play in game 7. Patrice Bergeron (0-2-2) Mark Recci (1-1-2)and Chuck Kobasew (1-1-2) had a big game for the Bruins.

Ward's side of the Walker sucker punch.

Very interesting look at the other side of the ugly game five incident from the person that was on the receiving end of the sucker punch by Scott Walker. So you have to wonder if Walker is lying, if Walker thought he was getting into a fight with Ward; why isn't his opponent ready to fight? If you watch the video you will see that Walker just grabbed Ward and punched him. You would think Ward would have thrown off his gloves and been ready to fight. If I am going to get into a fight I am sure as heck aren’t just going to stand there and get punched in the head.

Oh by the way; I like how Keith Jones from Versus didn't mention this last night when he was defending the non-league suspension for Walker's thuggery. If you’re a player that has had concussion issues in the past maybe he should think twice about hacking away at someone one else, what does he expect Ward to do? Kiss him? If I have learned one thing the Carolina fans and their media has done a lot of whining about the Boston Bruins that they didn't do during the 2006 Stanley Cup playoff run.

Ward: 'It's a joke' --- Aaron Ward, who is sporting a purple bruise under his left eye, spoke this morning for the first time since taking a punch from Scott Walker in the third period of Game 5.

"It's a joke. It's honestly a joke," Ward said of the situation.

Ward, who will play tonight, said he was tussling with Matt Cullen prior to Walker's punch. According to Ward, Cullen had slashed him across the legs. Ward was telling Cullen he didn't like the slash when Walker came in with a punch. Ward said he didn't see Walker and never exchanged any words with him.

"I don't remember a single word being said," Ward said of the exchange between he and Walker. "I was looking at Matt Cullen. The moment I saw his right hand was when it was about a foot away from my face."

Ward said a team doctor saw "something" on an X-ray and advised him to wear a shield.

"I haven't worn one in 16 years," Ward said. "I'm not going to start now."

Ward said he never spoke with Colin Campbell about the incident.

Aaron Ward to play in game 6.

According to a few Boston Bruins hockey blogs and news sources Boston Bruin's defenseman Aaron Ward will play in game six against the Carolina Hurricanes. Colin Campbell must have went to the same school as Greg Shepherd and Bruce McLeod because they never seem to rule with an consistency in any of their rulings. If this had been Milan Lucic and he had sucker punched Eric Staal or Cindy Crosby there would have been a long suspension.

Report: Ward will play in Game 6
James Murphy --- May 11, 2009

Thankfully for the Boston Bruins, defenseman Aaron Ward is OK and will play in game 6.

TSN and NBC analyst Pierre McGuire reported on “Melnick In the Afternoon” on the Team 990 in Montreal on Monday that Ward’s injury is not “as serious as they thought” and that he will be ready to go for Game 6.
It is unknown if the Bruins will still call up another defenseman from Providence as insurance.

The NHL rescinded the automatic suspension that Scott Walker received as a result of the instigator penalty assessed to him with 2:47 remaining in the third period of Sunday’s game.

“We respectfully disagree with the NHL’s ruling to rescind the automatic suspension to Scott Walker, but we will abide by the league’s ruling,” Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said in a statement.

While the Bruins took the high road in regard to the NHL’s decision, they surely aren’t happy about what transpired.

“I don’t care what people say [that] Ward should’ve protected himself,” Bruins coach Claude Julien said. “He had no intention of getting involved. We asked our guys to stay composed and not fall into that trap, and he just did that. A guy with Walker’s experience should know better than to sucker punch a guy, and again, this is an area that I don’t deal with. I deal with my team and let other people deal with the situation.”

NHL head disciplinarian Colin Campbell deemed Walker’s actions did not warrant the mandatory one-game suspension, and Walker and the Hurricanes agreed with Campbell.

Anyone confused with the leagues ruling?

Let me get this right; saying sloppy seconds gets you suspended for 6 games, ok. So which is worse a crude statement or punching an un-expecting opponent? You would think the sucker punch right? Apparently it is ok to sucker punch your opponent possibly breaking his face and causing him to miss a game and possibly the rest of the series. Mind you this thug hit his opponent while his hands were down, a violation of the code. That gets you nothing from the league office, Nada.

So are you confused yet? Let’s go further; you can sucker punch your opponent but don’t you dare cross check an opposing player that will get you a one game suspension. The NHL league office has no credibility and it is time for the NHL to replace Colin Campbell with someone that is going to make consistent and fair decision there are two or three sets of rules in the NHL if you’re a goon or fourth line player you get suspended but if you‘re a star player you can get away with murder. Just ask Ovechkin and Crosby.

Lastly, Scott Walker is a knuckle head of course he accepts his fine, it is a drop in the bucket for him. What is he going to say? I don't my light punishment. What a joke! I listened to the Hurricanes homer announcers the first two games and all they did was whine about the Boston Bruins. Well they are really going to be unhappy now because they Canes woke up the slumbering bears. Do you think Lucic is going to let Walker get away with his gutless act? NOPE...

BOSTON --- Scott Walker has been fined $2,500 for his incident with Aaron Ward at 17:13 of last night's third period. Walker will not be suspended for Game 6.

"We are satisfied with the league's ruling," said president and GM Jim Rutherford in a statement. "After our team received several punches throughout the series leading up to Game 5, it was a matter of time before one was going to be thrown back."

According to Claude Julien, the Bruins are awaiting results on Ward's left eye.

"I accept the league's decision," Walker said in a statement. "Based on what was said on the ice as I was dropping my gloves, it was my understanding that I was engaged in an altercation."

Scott probably has sore knuckles.

I think I have lost all respect for Canes coach Paul Maurice (not that I had that much before this game) when the coach was asked by the media what are the ramifications of the Scott Walker situation/sucker punch. The smart assed Maurice replied, "Scott probably has sore knuckles," he said. Asked if the NHL might fine his winger, Maurice quipped: "I may have to sell my truck." Wow! That is all class right there. Your goon sucker punched an un-expecting defenseless player and all you can do is make jokes about it. The league has to suspend Scott Walker and fine Maurice the 10,000 bucks for having a major inside of five minutes left in the game.

Tim Conboy vs Mark Stuart

Former C.C. Tiger Mark Stuart is one tough hockey player and Former SCSU Husky Tim Conboy proves he isn't a very good fighter nor is he a very good hockey player either. It was kind of ronic, former Fighting Sioux Ryan Bayda was out with the flu so he was replaced by Tim Conboy who looked like a punching bag tonight. In case anyone is keeping track Conboy got worked twice in the same night. Conboy's first fight was against Bruins tough guy Sean Thornton who laid a smack down on Conboy as well. So the Hurricanes basically woke up the sleeping bear from their slumber and now the Bruins got their game back and should be angry and on the prowl in Raleigh Tuesday night.

Aaron Ward may have a broken Orbital bone.

According to the Boston Bruin's Beat writer Ward might have a broken orbitial bone.

According to Claude Julien, Aaron Ward might have suffered a broken orbital bone when he was sucker-punched by Scott Walker at 17:13 of the third period.

Ward will be re-evaluated tomorrow.

Scott Walker cheaps Aaron Ward.

Props to Paul from KuklasKorner for getting the video up this quickly. The league has to review this play, this is suspension worthy. I would say about 4-5 games at least. I don’t care what some homer writer from Carolina has to say, this was a cheap sucker punch. Back in 1995 when Rangers goon Tie Domi sucker punched the gutless puke Ulf Samuelsson and he got 8 games.

In my opinion Scott Walker broke the code by punching a guy that wasn't ready to fight, watch the tape Ward had no intention of fighting he still had his gloves on. That is a sucker punch. There is no sense to Scott Walker's act of thuggery and Walker is very lucky that Bruins tough guy Lucic wasn't able to get a hold of him.