There has been an interesting discussion on who the 12th team is going to be. There are a few people out there that want the UAF team to be the 12th team to be admitted to the WCHA. There have been a few great discussions on the blogsphere about this subject. I don't care which team is admitted, I prefer UNO because of their old affiliation in the now defunct NCC. That being said this discussion is all but over. There is a 95% - 5 % chance that UNO is going to be the 12th team. UAF is a fall back plan if UNO falls through.
The Key is right here as Moose Richards points out over on Chris Dilk's blog. You can listen to the Commish Bruce McLeod tell us that. Check it out the blog the "Hockey Show" Moose and Scott have had the WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod on their show numerous times through out the process.
Note how he says they are “targeting one institution” (read UNO), and that when I asked about all the other schools (NMU, UAF, MSU- Moorhead) he only talked in casual terms about them (saying that they haven’t gone “too far down the road” on UAF). I don’t think that Bruce would be negotiation with that one school if he thought they wouldn’t be voted in, seeing as the WCHA is committed to expanding to 12 schools.
Wild beat writer and blogger Mike Russo is reporting that former Gopher Todd Richards is going to be the next coach of the Wild. Also, in the same article Tom Lynn assistant general manager is out in Minnesota. This might be a signal to Marian Gaborik that the Wild are serious about getting him back. Apparently Gabby isnt' a fan of Lynn.
According to multiple NHL sources, San Jose Sharks assistant coach Todd Richards will become the second Wild coach in history. A news conference to “introduce the Wild’s new head coach” will be made by new GM Chuck Fletcher on Tuesday at noon at Gate 1 of Xcel Energy Center. [Russo's Rants]
Jim Balsille was rejected today by a Arizona bankruptcy today. Balsille will not be allowed to buy the Phoenix Coyotes and move them to Hamilton. I am sure Buffalo Sabres fans are breathing a sigh of relief.
PHOENIX -- Jim Balsillie's attempt to bring the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton has been rejected by an Arizona bankruptcy judge.
Redfield T. Baum's much anticipated ruling came down Monday night, nearly a week after a dramatic hearing in his Phoenix court.
In the 21-page document he said the court didn't believe there was enough time to resolve all the various issues before the sale of the insolvent team to Balsillie for US$212.5 million that was due to close June 29.
Check out Dean Blais on Omaha's KOZN Unsportsmanlike Conduct with Kevin and Damon. I miss listening to Blais break down hockey like he did when he was here with UND. Some interesting comments on the differene between the NHL, College and Junior.
Sean Leahy of Puck Daddy had this posted on his Twitter. It's a pretty sweet Gatorade commercial. Wow, what a run this has been a very exciting Stanley Cup playoffs the first two rounds were unbelievable and then after a so so third round the Finals were awesome. As I was playing some very bad golf today I was comtemplating what I was going to do with the rest of the summer now that hockey is over. I feel a void already.
Sounds like the UNO players were impressed with their new coach. They should be impressed they're are getting a legend and big time coach to lead their hockey team. There are still many in Grand Forks, North Dakota and Minneapolis, Minnesota that would love to have Blais coach their favorite hockey team. Also, the media that covers him will have a good time covering Blais and there will be some interesting quotes in the paper to read as well. I enjoyed reading some of them this past season in the Fargo Forum. As for run and gun, aka Race Horse Hockey, as a Sioux fan we saw a few of the 6-5, 8-7 games and I also as a fan don't mind it either.
Growing up a Minnesota Golden Gophers fan, UNO forward Dan Swanson saw plenty of Dean Blais in WCHA games with North Dakota.
“I respected him,” Swanson said. “I can’t say I wasn’t cheering against him a few nights, but that’s changed now. It’s just exciting to think about what the possibilities are here for UNO.”
Swanson was one of many University of Nebraska at Omaha hockey players who dropped in to see their new coach at Friday’s introductory press conference. What they saw on the podium, and later when meeting him in person, is one of the most prominent figures in college hockey.
Goalie Jeremie Dupont, who grew up in Ontario, isn’t quite as familiar with United States college hockey history, but it didn’t take long to get up to speed.
Advertising“We all know he has a very extensive background and that’s exciting for us,” he said. “First impression is that he seems really confident, really self-assured and just has an air of success about him. As a player you can’t help but respect that and want to play for him.”
Defenseman Mark Bernier, the team captain, said Blais will spark conversation among more than just his teammates.
“It’s a big-time name,” he said. “And if you look at his record and history, it’s great for us. It’s going to get a lot of attention from our fan base, and it’s going to get a lot of attention from our competitors. They’ll say, ‘Wow, these guys are serious.’”
Nick Fohr, a UNO assistant coach, has plenty to remember of Blais. He grew up in Grand Forks, N.D., where his dad runs the visitors’ penalty box at Engelstad Arena.
“Dean is a legend up there,” Fohr said. “I grew up watching games — I never missed one. I know what Dean is about, how he runs the game and what he expects. I just hope I get a chance to work for him.”
Blais has a reputation for having teams play a fast-paced, offensive-minded style.
“I don’t mind winning 8-7 games,” Blais said. “I know the goaltenders hate it.”
Dupont said he had no problem with Blais’ style.
“I still think he expects a lot out of his players,” he said. “Just because you’re scoring a lot of goals doesn’t mean you give up hope on defense. All I want to do is win games anyway. It doesn’t matter if it’s 5-4 or 1-0. We want to win games, and that’s why they brought him in.”
I hope this isn't the big splash the Wild Ownership is talking about. I would expect them to land a big time free agent to replace their out going self centered forward Marian Gaborik. This move would be one of the needed pieces of the puzzle but I hope not the only big deal the Wild make.
It would appear C Saku Koivu's days with the Canadiens are finished. The Habs' captain will likely test the UFA market, although talk has resurfaced that he's going to pack his bags for Minnesota to play with brother Mikko. The Habs, meanwhile, are trying to sign D Mike Komisarek and RW Alexei Kovalev. Komisarek is expected to test the market, while Kovalev is expected to stay in Montreal ... The Stars' hiring of coach Marc Crawford has left hockey types mystified. Crawford coached Team Canada at the 1988 Olympics, when he selected the likes of Joe Nieuwendyk (now his boss in Dallas) ahead of Wayne Gretzky in the shootout during the semi-final loss to the Czech Republic. [CANOE]
Paul from Kuklas Korner had this video posted on his blog and this season was one of the most exciting Stanley Cup Finals I have ever watched. This video is definitely a perfect exclamation point to a great season. No my team didn't win the Stanley Cup but twenty nine teams didn't win the Stanley Cup so I am not alone, none the less, at least someone other than the Redwings did win the Cup this season.
The NHL is the greatest game on the planet is now the season is over for the summer. The NHL and NCAA division one hockey will return in October. The big question is; what the hell are we going to do for 3 1/2 months? I guess I can perfect my really bad golf game and train my dog for the up coming duck season. I bought a Trek 4500 and that has gotten a lot of use. I plan to play in a couple of golf tourney's and plan to play the Galen Nagle Friday, July 17 at the Bemidji Town and Country Club.
I predicted that the Penguins would win the series in six games so I was off by one. Marc-Andre Fleury was amazing and stopped the Redwings in the closing seconds from tying the game. For the Redwings the finger pointing will begin.
I also think it is funny that Marian Hossa didn't get his cup, if he had only stayed in Pittsburgh he might be drinking champagne right now. Marian Hossa turned down a big contract with the Penguins and signed in the off season with the Detroit Red Wings, because the prima donna believed, the Wings gave him the best chance to win the Stanley Cup. Maybe Marian should talk to his Buddy and fellow Slovak Marian Gaborik and let him know the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Gaborik another selfish, self centered, prima donna Slovak will test the free agency market July 1st. Maybe they can package the two spoiled brats together on a team that can fit them under the cap. Hello LA Kings?
Evgeni Malkin was the best playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs and deserving of the Conn Smythe trophy. Malkin is the first Russian to ever win the Conn Smythe.
Check out the latest addition of the Hockey Show. At the current time there is no iTunes link and Moose said he would get it back up next season.
Moose interviews Doug McLeod and they talk about adding a twelfth team and the possibility that they could have this deal done even by July 1st. This interview was completed before Dean Blais was hired in Omaha. There is lots of good stuff that was discussed in this podcast.
Lets Play Hockey is reporting that Mavericks will accept the WCHA's offer to switch conferences from the CCHA. This would be good news for Bemidji State University.
UPDATE: Here is a response to the rumor that membership was tied into Blais coming to UNO.
Both Blais and Alberts unequivocally denied a Internet-blog-driven rumor that assurances of moving to the WCHA was part of Blais' contract negotiations.
"I'm not that powerful, come on," Blais said, chuckling. "No, I feel lucky to have a job sometimes. I didn't put any demands on that."
I hope the fans in Omaha love run and gun hockey because Dean Blais will be named the coach of the UNO Mavericks. With the selection of Blais as head coach UNO signals they are serious about hanging a banner from the rafters of their rink. I also think this will play well with UNO moving to the WCHA. IMHO, I would rather see Blais coaching UNO than Minnesota.
Dean Blais, one of the biggest names in college hockey coaching, will be introduced as UNO’s new coach in a 2 p.m. press conference Friday, according to sources with knowledge of the hire.
Blais led North Dakota to two national championships and a runner-up finish in a five-year stretch between 1997 and 2001. He took the Fighting Sioux to seven NCAA tournaments in 10 seasons, compiled a 262-115-33 record, won five regular-season Western Collegiate Hockey Association championships and two WCHA tournament titles.
He left North Dakota for the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, for whom he worked in player development and as associate head coach. He then returned to North Dakota and spent last year as the head coach and general manager of the Fargo Force, the United States Hockey League expansion team that beat the Omaha Lancers in the playoffs and reached the Clark Cup finals.
The UNO position came open last month, when Athletic Director Trev Alberts promoted Mike Kemp to associate athletic director. Kemp, the only coach in the program’s 12-year history was 194-223-57 in his career, including 15-17-8 last season. UNO has made one trip to the NCAA tournament. [Omaha.com]
You have to wonder who the new coach of the Mavericks are going to be? It will be interesting to see who will become the second head coach in the Mavericks division one hockey history.
The University of Nebraska at Omaha will announce the selection of its new hockey coach at a press conference Friday at 2 p.m. at the Scott Conference Center, said Dave Ahlers, sports information director.
Mike Kemp stepped down as coach on May 14 to become an associate athletic director at UNO. Kemp was on the committee that picked the new coach [Omaha.com]
When Wisconsin Badger Dany Heatley asked to be traded from the Senators started a shit fire storm. I found some interesting articles about this heat subject on line and it's not pretty folks. Personally, I have no idea what kind of guy Dany Heatly in my opinion he is one of the better hockey players to come out of division one college hockey. Mike Chen has this zinger on Dany Heatly. Check it out there are some interesting accusations from an unnamed source.
That little bit of snark made me recall a story an old acquaintance told me. In the summer of 2000, I took a little precursor from joining the corporate world by being a bartender at The Phoenix in London’s business district. The pub was part of a program where new and graduating students could work abroad with a temporary visa, so my coworkers were a motley crew of international 20somethings. One of the guys had just graduated from University of Wisconsin, the same school as Dany Heatley.
As Heatley had just been drafted second overall, I asked my coworker if he knew him. The fellow, who shall remain safely anonymous, laughed and shook his head. “That guy’s an idiot.”
A few further questions and I got a pretty good picture of what Heatley’s “education” was like: play hockey, smoke pot, copy homework from people my coworker knew, and repeat. A lot. Apparently, hearing the phrase, “Hey, bro, can I copy your homework?” wasn’t exactly out of the ordinary, nor was the stench of certain smoked herb from his clothes. I can’t totally remember if Heatley was bumming all his homework off my coworker’s roommate or his friend, but apparently my coworker saw quite a bit of him and he never really deviated from this caveman mentality.
This is all hearsay, of course, based on someone that I knew for only a few weeks. And of course, it’s not like pro athletes have a history of being extremely studious or brilliant in the fields of science, business, or engineering. But whenever people talk about Heatley’s supposed leadership skills or I hear him mumble through a post-game interview, all I can think of is, “Hey, bro, can I copy your homework?”
Don Brennan from Sun Media refers to Heatly as self centered, spoiled and spineless
Damien Cox from the Star pulls no punches with this article.
Mr. Me First ---- Talk to Dany Heatley once and you understand you're not talking to a MENSA candidate.
That's okay. As probably more a few coaches have told Heatley along the way: don't think, it just hurts the team.
But where Heatley really kept his synapses in reserve this time was his timing concerning a request to have his hockey contract traded to another NHL club.
I get the part where he doesn't want to live in Ottawa. Neither would I. I get the part where after being allowed to freelance continuously during his years as a heroic Senator he might chafe at the notion of being asked to play a larger team game.
Geez, if he'd known he'd have to play in three zones he'd have asked for more money.
No, the part where I don't get Heatley's timing is when it comes to the fact that just about every Canadian hockey player is trying to be on their best behaviour these days in hopes that Steve Yzerman might find them worthy of being part of the Olympic effort next winter.
Instead, Heatley is painting himself as a me-first individual to Yzerman, a guy who played through all the hard years in Detroit and never played for any other club even when it meant taking less money at the end of his career.
Looks like Phil Kessel wants to remain a Boston Bruin. I also think the Bruins need to try very hard to find a way to get him signed. Again to the people that suggest that the Bruins don't need Kessel and that Marco Sturm is coming back is flawed logic. Sturm has never scored more than 56 points (27-29-56 in 80 games during 2007-2008) in any season during his NHL career and Kessel scored (36-24-60 points) in 70 games this season while missing tweleve games due to injury and illness. Kessel is a RFA so the Bruins will have a chance to match any offers Kessel might receive after July 1st. General Manager Peter Chiarelli is on records as saying the Bruins will match any offer sheets
Reports have been swirling over the last few days that Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli and the agent for 21-year-old B’s sniper Phil Kessel are pretty far apart in negotiations, and that a trade of Kessel this summer could be a certainty if that contractual chasm isn’t bridged.
Kessel’s agent Wade Arnott checked in with the Big Bad Blog on Tuesday afternoon, refuted the notion that the sides are at an impasse, and in fact stated that he and Chiarelli have just recently opened up contract discussions. The negotiations began in earnest this week following Kessel’s surgery to repair a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
Kessel, a restricted free agent able to receive offer sheets from other teams if he’s still unsigned on July 1, has made it clear to Arnott that he wants to remain with the team that drafted him fifth overall in the first round back in the 2006 draft.
“We’re in the early, early stages,” said Arnott of the negotiations. “We’re just beginning to chat now. Everything in our industry is still deadline-oriented and Phil is a restricted free agent, so it doesn’t surprise me (that discussions have only just begun). In addition to that, the priority was the surgery on his shoulder. Now that he’s recovering nicely from that I guess Peter has decided that now is the time to turn his attention to Phil.” -----snip----- My instructions from Phil are that my first priority is to try and get a deal done with Boston,” said Arnott, who also indicated that Kessel’s recovery from shoulder surgery is going well, but that the young winger is likely to miss a month next season. “His interests lie in remaining in Boston, and we’re going to see if we can get that done first.”
Chiarelli recently indicated that he views Kessel an important part of the Bruins hockey club, but that he wouldn’t feel “rushed” or “hurried” by a July 1 date that allows the speedy young winger to begin courting offers from other teams. The danger is that an opposing team will see an opportunity to strike the Bruins with a blow by inking Kessel to an expensive offer sheet — as the Edmonton Oilers did to the tune of seven years and $50 million with Buffalo Sabres RFA Tomas Vanek prior to the 2007-08 season. The salary cap-strapped B’s would be forced to match the offer — and begin trading off other assets in a position of desperation – or watch Kessel sign with somebody else and potentially blossom into a 40-50 goal scorer. [Big Bad Blog](props)
Here is what WCH had to say about Sioux recruit Danny Mattson. This is one kid that I can't wait to see play for UND.
Name: Danny Mattson Team: Academy of Holy Angels(Minnesota HS) Height: 5'10" Weight: 174 lbs. 2008-2009 stats: 25 games, 22 goals, 49 assists, 71 points Prospect Info: Danny Mattson first made a name for himself when he made the then number one ranked Academy of Holy Angels hockey team as a 9th grader. Throughout his high school career, the talent that surrounded Mattson graduated, and the quality of Holy Angels' team dipped a bit, but that never stopped Mattson from being one of the most talented players in the state of Minnesota.
Mattson isn't the biggest player, but makes up for his lack of size with good speed and an incredible offensive awareness and playmaking ability that makes other players around him better. During the 2007 USA Hockey National Select 17 Festival, Mattson was paired on a line with Calgary draft pick Mitch Wahl, and the two combined to dominate the camp. As a senior, Mattson was able to dole out assists at a rate of nearly two per game. This passing ability is the key to his success at the next level, as he likely won't be able to blow shots past goaltenders, but as long as he keeps making those around better players, he should be a valuable asset.
Mattson has committed to play hockey at the University of North Dakota, but it was recently announced that first, he will spend a year with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL to hone his craft and gain another year of maturity before heading the Grand Forks.
Former Fighting Sioux hockey player and Dallas Star head coach Dave Tippet has been fired by the Dallas Stars. Tippet was a member of the 1982 Fighting Sioux NCAA championship team. Recently Joe Nieuwendyk (Cornell) took over for Brent Hull (UMD) and Les Jackson who have been reassigned in the Dallas Star organization.
After six seasons behind the bench in Dallas, the Stars have fired head coach Dave Tippett.
The move comes on the heels of the team naming former Stars' player Joe Nieuwendyk general manager earlier in the month.
While no successor has been named, sources say that the Stars have asked for permission to talk to former Los Angeles Kings coach Marc Crawford, who remains under contract to the Kings. It's not clear at this point whether Crawford has been hired to take Tippet's place or is merely a candidate.
Picked to be a potential Stanley Cup contender this past off-season, the Stars struggled mightily this year, having their season de-railed by the controversy caused by Sean Avery's comments and his subsequent banishment from the team.
The Stars finished the season in 12th spot in the Western Conference and missed the playoffs for the first time during Tippett tenure in the Lone Star state. [TSN]
I found this story while reading the Mavpuck.com message board. Blais said that he wouldn't comment whether he had an interest in the Maverick coaching job and that was as far as he is going to go. With the possibility of Blais being in the mix, one has to wonder if he is their front runner for the coaching vacancy? Blais is a high profile coach that could take UNO to the next level. If Dean Blais became the coach of UNO that would make Maverick Hockey race horse hockey.
Trev Alberts and Mike Kemp have been busy.
The University of Nebraska at Omaha's athletic director and associate athletic director were expected back in Omaha late Tuesday after meeting with six potential hockey coaches in interviews in two separate locations on a three-day trip, Alberts said.
“We had a chance to sit down with some candidates and it was very, very productive,” Alberts said. “We've sat down with some extremely competent, dynamic candidates.”
Alberts declined to reveal any of the candidates who have been interviewed to replace Kemp as the Mavericks' second-ever head coach.
Among those UNO is believed to be interested in are former North Dakota coach Dean Blais, Colorado College assistant Mike Guentzel, Minnesota assistant Mike Hastings, Minnesota-Duluth assistant Steve Rohlik and Boston University assistant David Quinn. Guentzel and Hastings are former Omaha Lancers coaches, while Rohlik and Quinn are former UNO assistants.
Blais, reached by telephone Tuesday, deflected questions about the vacancy and whether he has had an interest in it.
“I think you're better off talking to Trev Alberts,” Blais said. “I'm not going to get myself into a ‘he said, they said.'” [omaha.com]
This is a rumor that is starting to make it's way onto the internet. Looks like UNO could have some competition for the final spot in the WCHA. While it does seem logical, I think UNO is the better fit. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Of course UAA would be for it, because they are their heated in state rival.
QUESTION --- Rumors have circulated around the Internet, as well as the UAF community, that the Alaska Nanooks hockey team may be moving from the CCHA to the WCHA. Is this true?
RESPONSE --- From Forrest Karr, UAF Athletics and Recreation director
We are working with both conferences to explore affiliation with the WCHA for a number of reasons including the potential to increase revenue, reduce team travel costs, reduce team travel subsidies and the opportunity to play four league games each year against our natural in-state rival.
Chancellor Rogers will be briefed on May 27. If he decides to move forward, students, faculty, staff and the greater Fairbanks community will all be invited to open forums for discussion and input.
I was afraid this was going to happen. First to the Bruins fans that are suggesting that Marco Sturm can take up Kessel slack are delirious. I have seen that post a few times in various places on internet fan pages and blogs and it defies logic. Sturm has never scored 30 goals in a season for Boston or anyone. Also, Sturm is 30 years old and Kessel is only 21. Just for the Record Zach Parise who was the third highest goal score this season is currently making 2,500,000.00 a season (45 GOALS - 49 ASSISTS - 94 POINTS) so $5 million a year might be a little high because I don't think Kessel is in Parie's league.
According to the Ottawa Sun, Bruins leading goal scorer and current restricted free agent Phil Kessel is seeking a $5 million a year contract. The Bruins, however, aren’t willing to dish out such loot for Kessel, who underwent successful shoulder surgery earlier this offseason following a career year in which he scored 36 goals and 24 assists in 70 games.
Bruce Garrioch of ottawasun.com writes: “The Bruins and F Phil Kessel appear to be far apart on a contract. Coming off an entry-level salary of $850,000, Kessel wants a huge raise to $5 million per season. It appears GM Peter Chiarelli wants Kessel to accept a similar deal C David Krejci inked earlier this week — $11.25 million over three years. If Kessel won’t budge, he could be moved.”
Boston is already paying forwards Marc Savard $5 million, Patrice Bergeron $4.75 million, and Marco Sturm $3.5 million as well as Krejci, who will make $3.75 per year [NESN]
Brent Sutter has resigned his duties as head coach of the New Jersey Devils. Let the speculation begin. It's concievable that Jacques Lemaire could be the next coach of the New Jersey Devils. First thing that comes to mind is that god awful neutral zone trap that the Devils won a Stanley Cup with Lemaire as the coach. Lou Nannie has also speculated about this subject on KFAN's Bumper to Bumper as well, by saying he wouldn't be surprised if Sutter resigned, quite coaching the Devils Lou Lamoriello might hire Lemaire as coach since they get along so well and both have a lot of respect for each other.
The worst kept secret in hockey — or worst kept speculation in hockey — literally since last winter appears to be coming into fruition. According to CTV in Calgary, Brent Sutter will step down as the coach of the Devils today.
Sutter’s tenure there ended in devastating fashion. In Game 7 back in April, the Carolina Hurricanes went from being 1:20 away from their season ending to ending the season of the Devils with 32 seconds left.
I’d expect that Jacques Lemaire will at least get a phone call to see if he’s interested in returning to Jersey.
Lemaire, who has yet to sign on as a consultant in Tampa for some reason, made it crystal clear after he left Minnesota that he does want to coach again. But he also made it crystal clear that if he ever were to coach again, it has to be for a general manager he has a relationship with. And he said it has to be on the East coast.
Well, there aren’t a lot of options with so many limitations.
Lemaire coached the Devils from 1993-98, winning a Cup there in the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season. He and GM Lou Lamoriello still have great mutual respect for each other, proof by the hour they spent in the stands chatting each other up when the Wild was there in March.
Only time will tell, but this has been my gut feeling from the moment Lemaire said he wanted to coach again after the season finale in Columbus. Just to make clear, this is pure conjecture though. [Russo's Rants]
I wonder if the new general manager of the Minnesota Wild Chuck Fletcher is paying attention? This is the type of player Minnesota needs high end talent to replace the departing Marin Gaborik. I know there are a few in the state of hockey that might cringe a bit at the prospects of a former Badger playing for the State of Hockey but I would definitely welcome it.
Dany Heatley wants out of Ottawa: Is there a fit here?According to ESPN's E. J. Hradek: "Ottawa GM Bryan Murray, who, according to those sources, has been notified of Heatley's desire for a change of scenery, is mulling his options. Murray could retool the Senators' roster by moving Heatley. Of course, any trading partner would have to have the budget room necessary to accommodate the remaining five years of Heatley's deal, which counts for $7.5 million against the cap. Heatley is thought to be interested in a move to the Western Conference."
If he can be lured out of Canada to the East, could the Rangers cobble a package anchored with Scott Gomez? Is Ottawa on Gomer's no-trade list? Assume Rangers would have to sweeten with prospect and a pick, right? [Newsday.com]
