Expansion talk.

Brad Elliott Schlossman has nice a blog article today about some of the things facing CHA member Alabama-Huntsville and their quest to get into the CCHA.
[University of North Dakota Hockey]

If Omaha departs the CCHA for the WCHA -- a move that is looking probable -- it would drop the CCHA to an odd number of 11 teams.

Alabama-Huntsville applied for membership in January and received a site visit from the CCHA a couple of weeks ago. The CCHA will vote on Huntsville's application in August. By then, it will know whether Omaha is on its way out.

Huntsville coach Danton Cole said today that he felt that the site visit went well. The CCHA had a few concerns and Cole said UAH is working to address those concerns "quickly."

"There is no guarantee on our future," Cole said, "regardless of what transpires with the other institutions over the summer. That being said, the university and our community are very proud of what we presented and what we have to offer the CCHA and college hockey."

Geographically, UAH isn't much different than Omaha is to the CCHA, and transportation wouldn't be all that bad. Bowling Green is a quick, three-hour drive to UAH. The Huntsville airport also has direct flights to Chicago, Detroit and Cincinnati -- which basically covers the CCHA.

The Anchorage Dail News has an article today saying that there is going to be an informal vote on expansion on next week. So WCHA fans are going to have the answer sooner rather than later. Interesting point is if league office gets expansion done before August we would have a new 12 team WCHA in 2010.
[WCHA likely to expand to 12]

UAA's hockey team is likely to get two new conference rivals in a year or two, and whether one of them is the Nanooks from up north will depend largely on a straw vote league members will take next week.

The 10-team Western Collegiate Hockey Association has all but decided to expand to 12 teams, either for the 2010-11 season or the 2011-12 season, commissioner Bruce McLeod said.

UAA athletic director Steve Cobb, one of four members of the WCHA's structure committee, thinks league members next week will vote informally on a proposal to admit both Bemidji and Omaha.

If that vote fails to show widespread support for both teams, or if Omaha decides it doesn't want to join the league, Fairbanks is expected to become a bigger part of the equation.

"Depending on how things go with Omaha, we'll consider Fairbanks," McLeod said.

The team everyone expects to gain admission is Bemidji State of Minnesota, the only school so far to formally apply for membership. Bemidji was an NCAA Frozen Four team this year, but its conference -- College Hockey America -- has disbanded.

But the WCHA wants an even number of teams, McLeod said. And so it has been talking with the University of Nebraska-Omaha, a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association that is a geographical fit for the WCHA.

The league has had several conversations with Omaha, McLeod said. The Mavericks recently hired head coach Dean Blais, a long-time WCHA coach who guided North Dakota to national championships in 1997 and 2000.

If Omaha decides it doesn't want to leave the CCHA, or if WCHA members decide Omaha isn't the best choice for its 12th team, Fairbanks will become a bigger part of the expansion conversation

"Bruce McLeod has asked us to sit back and wait to see what happens with Nebraska-Omaha," UAF athletic director Forrest Karr told the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner last week.

Two other schools that McLeod wouldn't name are also potential applicants for membership. But Cobb predicts the new members will come from two of three schools -- Bemidji, Omaha or Fairbanks.

Just when you think that MSU-Moorhead has little or no chance of starting up a division one hockey program the CCHA commissioner throws them a life line. Also, star2city posted the MSU-M business plan for expansion. It's mind numbing that college hockey cost that much.

Moorhead, Minn. (WDAY Sports) - MSU Moorhead has likely seen the door closed on it's WCHA hopes, but the Commissioner of the CCHA says his league may be willing to consider a startup program.

It's all speculation right now, but the dragons say if they can raise enough money they'll launch a program next year.

Nebraska Omaha is about to move to the WCHA, but that would open up a spot in the CCHA.

If the Dragons have hopes of getting in, they could boost their appeal by offering a travel subsidy

.

Tim Thomas wins the Vezina Trophy.

Former Vermont Catamounts and current Bruins goalie Tim Thomas was officially announced as the winner of the Vezina trophy tonight. It's a nice finish to a great season for Thomas. In my opinion I believe that Tim Thomas is the best American goalie in the NHL and will be one of the goalies for team USA in the 2010 olympics.

LAS VEGAS -- Tim Thomas has truly received his due.

The Boston Bruins goaltender was awarded the Vezina Trophy on Thursday, beating out Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Niklas Backstrom of the Minnesota Wild in voting by the NHL's 30 general managers.

The honour is especially meaningful to Thomas because it was only a few years ago that he figured his dream of playing in the NHL was dead. He never minds hearing about his rags-to-riches journey.

"It doesn't bother me that other people talk about it," said Thomas. "I'm 35 (years old). At 31, I was thinking to myself that I'm going to be playing in Finland for the rest of my career. This is a long way from where I was. ...

"This is a totally different level that I've been able to reach."

Thomas and partner Manny Fernandez also shared the Jennings Trophy after helping the Bruins post the lowest goals-against average in the NHL.

It was a good season in Beantown.

Dean Blais on with Dan Hammer.

Dan Hammer was on the Fan 740 talking with Dean Blais. From listening to Dean Blais during the interview it would appear he leaves little mystery where the Mavericks want to play and he isn't hiding the fact that there is a very good chance the Mavericka are heading to the WCHA, why would Blais say this if it isn't true? The man sounds kind of confident in the Mavericks conference of choice.

This is a quote from Blais, "I think they are going to be in the CCHA next year and the WCHA with Bemidji State the following year to make it a tweleve team league."

[Click here to listen]

Beavers Hockey Schedule

Here is the Bemidji State University Beavers 2009-2010 Hockey schedule.
They have a pretty impressive non-conference schedule, AFA (X2), NMU (x2), Minnesota (x2), OSU (x1), Miami (x1), MSUM (x2), WMU (x2), UMD (x2).
Oct. 9 Air Force 7:35
Oct. 10 Air Force 7:05
Oct. 23 at Northern Mich. 6:35
Oct. 24 at Northern Mich. 6:35
Oct. 30 at Ala.-Huntsville 7:35
Oct. 31 at Ala.-Huntsville 7:05
Nov. 6 Robert Morris 7:35
Nov. 7 Robert Morris 7:05
Nov. 14 at Minnesota 7:37
Nov. 15 at Minnesota 6:07
Nov. 20 Ala.-Huntsville 7:35
Nov. 21 Ala.-Huntsville 7:05
Nov. 27 Miami (Ohio)* 4:07
Nov. 28 Ohio State* 4:07
Dec. 4 Niagara 7:35
Dec. 5 Niagara 7:05
Dec. 11 MSU, Mankato 7:35
Dec. 12 MSU, Mankato 7:05
Jan. 2 at Western Mich. 7:30
Jan. 3 at Western Mich 4:00
Jan. 15 at Niagara 6:05
Jan. 16 at Niagara 6:05
Jan. 22 Minn.-Duluth 7:35
Jan. 23 at Minn.-Duluth 7:07
Jan. 29 Robert Morris 7:35
Jan. 30 Robert Morris 7:05
Feb. 12 at Robert Morris 7:35
Feb. 13 at Robert Morris 7:05
Feb. 19 Niagara 7:35
Feb. 20 Niagara 7:05
Feb. 26 at Neb.-Omaha 7:05
Feb. 27 at Neb.-Omaha 7:05
March 5 at Ala.-Huntsville 7:05
March 6 at Ala.-Huntsville 7:05
March 12-14 CHA Tournament TBA

* Subway Holiday Classic, Grand Forks N.D.

Humpday linkorama.

Here is an interesting story on Trev Alberts and him making noise for UNO. [Husker Extra]

Former Gopher Alex Goligoski just signed a contract with the Penguins. The Former Gopher Defenseman was the third-leading scorer amongst all NHL rookie defenseman last season with six goals and 14 assists in 45 games. [TSN]

Leafs General Manager Brian Burke is NOT interested in former Badger Dany Heatly. [TSN]

The Senator's general manager will deal his disgruntled forward Dany Heatly on his terms. [Slam Sports]
This season it's going to be hard to move the big ticket hockey players. [Spector]

If you want to listen to a really good hockey radio show, listen to the illegal Curves radio broadcast from 7:00 PM till 9:00 PM click here or here.

Apparently the Jim Balsillie group has plenty of fight left in them and they aren't going to give up yet. [Tornoto Sun]

Paul Allen talks hockey.

P.A. interviewed new Wild general manager Chuck Flethcer. Paul Allen also interviewed Gopher hockey player Jordan Schroeder, interesting stuff in the interview. Sounds like Schroeder isn't against moving on if it was the right situation.

During the second part of the hour P.A. asks Fletcher about the Gaborik situation and basically the GM says that we are going to want to see where they are at sooner rather than later. It doesn't sound like Fletcher is going to monkey around with Gabby very long. It also sounds like Fletcher plans on not having Gaborik back.

[click to listen to the podcast] [Paul Allen Show podcasts]

The Pens with the Cup

One of the greatest sport trophies in all of professional sports, Lord Stanley's Cup. Notice when a few of them pick the cup up they say ________ yeah... Twenty nine teams didn't win it. The Penguins made all the right moves at the trade dead line.

Check out this picture.

The new UNO marketing campaign is under way. Notice a familiar face to Sioux fans.
[props]

12 teams means more $.

One of my buddies who will go un-named emailed me this retort. It makes sense. Just for the record the Super Six idea gives one more team a chance to advance to Saint Paul in March, but it also means more money for all teams involved.

A 12 team WCHA league is NOT a money loser that deprives each team of $20,000.........Let us not forget if there were 12 teams in the WCHA there will be an additional first playoff series.............which means..........

In 2009 SCSU would have hosted a first round play off series and they would have sold 12K to 18K tickets at $30 a pop for $360,000 to $540,000 for the WCHA to be split 12 ways = meaning each team would have received an additional $25,000 to $40,000 after expenses

In 2008 WISCONSIN would have hosted a first round play off series and they would have sold 20K to 30K tickets at $30 a pop for $600,000 to $900,000 for the WCHA to be split 12 ways = meaning each team would have received an additional $40,000 to $70,000 after expenses

In 2007 WISCONSIN would have hosted a first round play off series and they would have sold 20K to 30K tickets at $30 a pop for $600,000 to $900,000 for the WCHA to be split 12 ways = meaning each team would have received an additional $40,000 to $70,000 after expenses

In 2006 SCSU would have hosted a first round play off series and they would have sold 12K to 18K tickets at $30 a pop for $360,000 to $540,000 for the WCHA to be split 12 ways = meaning each team would have received an additional $25,000 to $40,000 after expenses

SO, going to 12 teams is profitable, and does NOT come at a loss of revenue

12 team WCHA ALSO gives the WCHA another Super SIX playoff game, which is one more than a FINAL Five format for even more money to distribute......WCHA can charge more for XCEL playoff package Because there's another playoff game included.....two on Thursday instead of one Thursday night play-in game

Finally, as a rebuttal to the UAF proposal.........any team can already go to UAF every year and get the exemption NOW if they wish, and can then have two more home games for doing so......teams do not need UAF in their own conference to travel to UAF for an exemption........they can already do that NOW IF THEY WISH

12 team WCHA increases revenue, and even more with UNO because of potential for huge home playoff draws as well

Radio personality Jeff Dubay faces a year in jail

Jeff Dubay has apparently suffered a set back. Goon's World is pulling for Jeff Dubay and hopes he can get his act together and fight this thing. I actually ran into him at the Final Five in St. Paul and he looked like he was doing better.

Jeff Dubay, a former sports-talk radio personality, is facing jail time after failing to complete two substance abuse programs and repeatedly testing positive for cocaine use.

Dubay, 41, of Plymouth, was fired as a morning-show host at KFAN-AM after he was charged in mid-October with fifth-degree drug possession. He was placed in a yearlong diversion program, which could have resulted in the charge being dismissed. That program required him to perform 100 hours of community service, remain law abiding and comply with other conditions.

Dubay flunked out of that program but caught another break when he was accepted into Substance Abuse Court in March, according to Ramsey County District Court records.

According to the records, Dubay tested positive for cocaine on 12 occasions, the most recent June 6. He also failed to report for 11 urine tests since January. Those violations disqualified him from the Substance Abuse Court.

Dubay was arrested on June 10 and released on bail two days later. He will be sentenced July 21 by District Judge Joanne Smith. Sentencing guidelines call for him to spend a year in jail. [StarTribune]

Links to the Story

Fallen KFAN radio star Jeff Dubay flunks out of second drug diversion program. [Grand Forks, Herald]

Former radio host Jeff Dubay faces year in jail. [KSTP]

Dubay out of latest drug diversion program, faces prison sentence [Pioneer Press]

Sloppy Seconds on Late Night.

Props to Sean Leahy of Puck Daddy, for having the video of Sean "Sloppy Seconds" Avery, all I can say is wow, he is definitely marching to the beat of a different drum. Avery just kind of reminds you some of the Hollyweird crowd and he fits right in with them.

UAF discussion

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.

[UNO to WCHA Quicker Than Expected?] and [ANCHORAGE FAN REALLY WANTS UAF IN WCHA]

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.

Moose

First post of the rest of the summer. (Linkorama)

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.

That nullifies the proposed June 22 auction for the team and other related deadlines. Other links to the story. [The Globe and Mail] [illegal curve] [Puck Daddy] [AZcentral.com] [Five For Howling]

Apparently some of the Red Wings are upset with Sidney Crosby for not getting to the hand shake line in a prompt fashion. [StarTribune.com] [Detroit AP] [Fan House] [Detroit Free Press]

Dean Blais on the radio in Omaha.

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.

Gatorade What's G?

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.

UNO Maverick players impressed with new coach.

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.”

Blais’ style works for other Mavs, too.

[Omaha.com]

Saku Koivu to the Wild?

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]

The NHL Season is over.

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 lastest Hockey Show.

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.

UNO to the WCHA?

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."

"We never broached that topic," Alberts said.

Blais said there are pros and cons to switching. [College Hockey New]