Kyle Keslo on Ryan Hill.

Here is what Kyle Kosior from the IllegalCurve had to say about the new Sioux defenseman Ryan Hill. That is the kind of defenseman I like to see playing for UND.

The Fighting Sioux have picked up USHL journeyman Ryan Hill, who skated last winter with Waterloo and Sioux Falls. An actual defensive defensive that will help the Sioux. Nothing flashy, but not very fun to play against.

College hockey: NCAA wants crackdown on late contact, facewashing, obstruction

This is really good news for college hockey fans. I guess I should read my home town newspaper that comes to my house more often. I have to admit that most of my reading is of Brad Schlossman’s blog and or his hockey articles and that's it, the other stuff in the Grand Forks Herald is basically page filler and worthy of bird cage lining. Today, As I was checking out the Grand Forks Herald website for information on UND's newest defensive recruit Ryan Hill, I found this information of the impending changes that is music to my ears. The NCAA wants to eliminate the bush league face wash. I applaud this action and I think it's a very good rule for college hockey; I am sick and tired of seeing players give each other face washes especially after the whistle. I would like to see the NHL do this as well.

Brad Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald: The NCAA wants referees to clean up the after-the-whistle shenanigans in college hockey.

The Rules Committee announced its points of emphasis for the 2009-10 season on Thursday, and at the top of the list was eliminating both contact after the whistle and facewashing, the act of sticking a glove in an opponent’s face.

Facewashing is a common form of retaliation that doesn’t draw penalties.

Hockey gloves, covered in perspiration, tend to smell awful. So players will skate up to an opponent, stick their palm in his face and let him take a whiff of the stench.

The Rules Committee, however, views this as a violation of the “grasping the facemask” rule. Planting an open hand in an opponents face should result in a minor penalty, it says.

Pushing the facemask or moving the hand back-and-forth on it should result in a major penalty, and twisting or pulling on the mask should be a game disqualification under the excessive roughness category.

“The committee believes altercations after the whistle are a growing and disturbing trend,” the NCAA said in a release. “Any contact to the head tends to escalate altercations. After reviewing numerous situations, the committee expressed its concern about student-athlete safety as well as the negative effect on the game’s image.”

I was wondering how long it would take to get to this discussion came up? The subject of obstruction on the puck carrier has come up again this summer and the NCAA rules committee has said that it would like to have the puck carrier protected, “the expectation of overall enforcement is higher.” Yeah, I hope that the WCHA officials can figure it out this year and call the game the way it is supposed to be called. If you take your hand off of your stick to hold up the person with the puck it’s a penalty. If you slash, hook, hold interfere with the opposition moving the puck up ice it’s a penalty.

Protecting the puck carrier

Last year, the NCAA’s big mandate was to do a better job protecting the puck carrier.

This was an effort to increase scoring chances and the excitement of the game by letting skilled players proceed without being hooked or held.

Midway through the year, however, multiple Western Collegiate Hockey Association coaches said they felt that the referees had backed off on making those calls.

The NCAA again addressed that rule this summer.

“As all levels of NCAA ice hockey enter the second season with the two-referee system,” it writes, “the expectation of overall enforcement is higher.”

Boston Bruins salary break down.

The Boston Bruins Hockey Boston Globe beat writer Fluto Shinzawa has this over on his blog today. It would appear that the Bruins are going to have a tough time signing both former Michigan star Matt Hunwick former Gopher Phil Kessel. I suppose someone could be traded to make room for them. Personally if I was the general manager I would trade Marco Sturm and 3.5 million dollar salary for a draft pick or for a less expensive forward so the B's could free up some salary cap room. Sturm has never scored thirty goals in a season and Kessel had 36 this past season.

I also don't see a lot of teams offering Kessel more than the 3.75 that Krejci is making. I think the five million a year is a little unrealistic. Heck! Zach Parise is set to make 3 million dollars next season and he scored (45g-49a-94 points)last season. I just don't see the current market letting Kessel getting paid more than Zach Parise.

With Steve Begin, Mark Recchi, and Byron Bitz in the fold, the 2009-10 roster is rounding into form. Here's where the Bruins stand:

Forwards

Marc Savard, $5 million
Patrice Bergeron, $4.75 million
Michael Ryder, $4 million
David Krejci, $3.75 million
Marco Sturm, $3.5 million
Chuck Kobasew, $2,333,333 million
Glen Murray, $1,383,333 million (buyout)
Mark Recchi, $1 million
Blake Wheeler, $875,000
Milan Lucic, $850,000
Steve Begin, $850,000
Byron Bitz, $687,500
Peter Schaefer, $566,667 (buyout)
Shawn Thornton, $516,667

* Phil Kessel is a restricted free agent.

Defensemen

Zdeno Chara, $7.5 million
Dennis Wideman, $3.875 million
Aaron Ward, $2.5 million
Andrew Ference, $1.4 million
Mark Stuart, $1.3 million

* Matt Hunwick is a restricted free agent.

* Because Johnny Boychuk is considered a bubble player (similar to Vladimir Sobotka), he is not included in this model.

Goalies

Tim Thomas, $5 million
Tuukka Rask, $850,000

Current cap hit: $52,487,500.

ANALYSIS: The Bruins have $4,312,500 of cap space under the $56.8 million ceiling with Kessel and Hunwick yet to sign. Just about impossible to sign both unless movement of existing salaries takes place

Wild Sign Shane Hnidy.

From Wild Blogger Michael Russo's Twitter "Wild signs tough defenseman Shane Hnidy.

I think it is a good move, also, it would appear that he isn't going to cost the Wild very much. This is a pick up that I like and will help the Minnesota Wild, Hnidy is tough defenseman and he will stick up for team mates as Matt Niskanen found out.

The Wild has signed gritty defenseman Shane Hnidy to a one-year, $750,000 contract. He spent the last two years in Boston. In 477 NHL games, he has 14 goals, 57 points, is a plus-22 and 565 penalty minutes. [Russo's Rants]

Toews makes the team Canada Orientation Camp Roster.

Here is the roster for the team Canada orientation camp roster. Former Badger forward Danny Heatley and Former Sioux forward Jonathan Toews have made the roster.

Goaltenders

Martin Brodeur L/G 6'2" 210 05/06/72 Montreal, Que./QC New Jersey Devils (NHL)
Marc-André Fleury L/G 6'2" 180 11/28/84 Sorel, Que./QC Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Roberto Luongo L/G 6'3" 205 04/04/79 Montreal, Que./QC Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Steve Mason R/D 6'4" 212 05/29/88 Oakville, Ont. Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Cam Ward L/G 6'1" 200 02/29/84 Sherwood Park, Alta./Alb. Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)

Defense

François Beauchemin L/G 6'0" 213 06/04/80 Sorel, Que./QC Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Jay Bouwmeester L/G 6'4" 218 09/27/83 Edmonton, Alta./Alb. Calgary Flames (NHL)
Dan Boyle R/D 5'11" 190 07/12/76 Ottawa, Ont. San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Brent Burns R/D 6'5" 219 03/09/85 Ajax, Ont. Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Drew Doughty R/D 6'1" 203 08/12/89 London, Ont. Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Mike Green R/D 6'2" 208 10/12/85 Calgary, Alta./Alb. Washington Capitals (NHL)
Dan Hamhuis L/G 6'1" 203 12/13/82 Smithers, B.C./C.-B. Nashville Predators (NHL)
Duncan Keith L/G 6'1" 194 07/16/83 Penticton, B.C./C.-B. Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Scott Niedermayer L/G 6'1" 200 08/31/73 Cranbrook, B.C./C.-B. Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Dion Phaneuf L/G 6'3" 214 04/10/85 Edmonton, Alta./Alb. Calgary Flames (NHL)
Chris Pronger L/G 6'6" 213 10/10/74 Dryden, Ont. Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Robyn Regehr L/G 6'3" 225 04/19/80 Rosthern, Sask. Calgary Flames (NHL)
Stéphane Robidas R/D 5'11" 190 03/03/77 Sherbrooke, Que./QC Dallas Stars (NHL)
Brent Seabrook R/D 6'3" 220 04/20/85 Tsawwassen, B.C./C.-B. Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Marc Staal L/G 6'4" 202 01/13/87 Thunder Bay, Ont. New York Rangers (NHL)
Shea Weber R/D 6'4" 230 08/14/85 Sicamous, B.C./C.-B. Nashville Predators (NHL)

Forwards

Jeff Carter R/D 6'3" 200 01/01/85 London, Ont. Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Dan Cleary L/G 6'0" 210 12/18/78 Carbonear, Nfld/ T.-N.-L. Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Sidney Crosby L/G 5'11" 200 08/07/87 Cole Harbour, N.S./N.-É. Pittsburgh (NHL)
Shane Doan R/D 6'1" 216 10/10/76 Halkirk, Alta./Alb. Phoenix Coyotes (NHL)
Simon Gagné L/G 6'0" 195 02/29/80 Ste-Foy, Que./QC Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Ryan Getzlaf R/D 6'4" 221 05/10/85 Regina, Sask. Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Dany Heatley L/G 6'3" 216 01/21/81 Calgary, Alta./Alb. Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Jarome Iginla R/D 6'1" 203 07/01/77 St. Albert, Alta./Alb. Calgary Flames (NHL)
Vincent Lecavalier L/G 6'4" 215 04/21/80 Ile-Bizard, Que./QC Tampa Bay (NHL)
Milan Lucic L/G 6'3" 228 06/07/88 Vancouver, B.C./C.-B. Boston Bruins (NHL)
Patrick Marleau L/G 6'2" 220 09//15/79 Aneroid, Sask. San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Andy McDonald L/G 5'11" 183 08/25/77 Strathroy, Ont. St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Brenden Morrow L/G 5'11" 205 01/16/79 Carlyle, Sask. Dallas Stars (NHL)
Rick Nash L/G 6'4" 218 06/16/84 Brampton, Ont. Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Corey Perry R/D 6'3" 209 03/16/85 Peterborough, Ont. Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
Michael Richards L/G 5'11" 195 02/11/85 Kenora, Ont. Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Derek Roy L/G 5'9" 188 05/04/83 Rockland, Ont. Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Joe Sakic L/G 5'11" 195 07/07/69 Burnaby, B.C./C.-B. Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Patrick Sharp R/D 6'1" 197 12/27/81 Thunder Bay, Ont. Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Ryan Smyth L/G 6'1" 190 02/21/76 Banff, Alta./Alb. Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Martin St. Louis L/G 5'9" 177 06/18/75 Laval, Que./QC Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
Eric Staal L/G 6'4" 205 10/29/84 Thunder Bay, Ont. Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Jordan Staal L/G 6'4" 215 09/10/88 Thunder Bay, Ont. Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Joe Thornton L/G 6'4" 235 07/02/79 St. Thomas, Ont. San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Jonathan Toews L/G 6'2" 209 04/29/88 Winnipeg, Man. Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)

The Wild sign injury prone Czech

My head just about exploded when I saw this. Here is Martin Havlat's injury list.
So basically the the Wild traded an injury prone and soft Slovak for an injury prone Czech. Yikes.

13-Mar-09 Missed 1 game (lower body injury).
11-Mar-09 Lower body injury, day-to-day.
06-Apr-08 Missed the last 19 games of the regular season (left shoulder injury).
28-Feb-08 Left shoulder injury, day-to-day.
06-Jan-08 Missed 6 games (groin).
23-Dec-07 Groin, sidelined indefinitely.
28-Nov-07 Missed 22 games (shoulder injury).
17-Nov-07 Shoulder injury, day-to-day.
17-Oct-07 Shoulder injury, mid-November.
05-Oct-07 Shoulder injury, sidelined indefinitely.
09-Apr-07 Missed the last 3 games of the regular season (shoulder injury).
05-Apr-07 Shoulder injury, remainder of the regular season.
01-Mar-07 Missed 1 game (flu).
27-Feb-07 Flu, day-to-day.
13-Jan-07 Missed 3 games (groin).
05-Jan-07 Groin, day-to-day.
09-Dec-06 Missed 19 games (right ankle injury).
06-Dec-06 Right ankle injury, day-to-day.
21-Oct-06 Right ankle injury, early December.
20-Oct-06 Leg injury, left Friday's game.
15-Apr-06 Missed 58 games (shoulder surgery).
07-Dec-05 Shoulder surgery, mid-April.
29-Nov-05 Dislocated right shoulder, left Tuesday's game.
26-Nov-05 Missed 1 game (hamstring).
23-Nov-05 Hamstring, day-to-day.
22-Nov-05 Hamstring, left Tuesday's game.
03-Feb-04 Missed 2 games (groin).
29-Jan-04 Groin, day-to-day.
27-Nov-03 Missed 3 games (hamstring).
22-Nov-03 Hamstring, day-to-day.
11-Mar-03 Missed 2 games (groin).
05-Mar-03 Groin, day-to-day.
04-Mar-03 Groin, left Tuesday's game.
01-Mar-03 Missed 4 games (groin).
20-Feb-03 Groin, day-to-day.
27-Jan-03 Missed 2 games (elbow injury).
23-Jan-03 Elbow injury, day-to-day.
22-Jan-03 Missed 0 game (right arm injury).
21-Jan-03 Right arm injury, day-to-day.
20-Jan-03 Leg injury, left Monday's game.
14-Nov-02 Missed 6 games (groin).
08-Nov-02 Groin, mid-November.
29-Oct-02 Groin, day-to-day.
17-Apr-02 Missed the last 7 games of the regular season (groin).
30-Mar-02 Groin, day-to-day.
23-Mar-02 Missed 2 games (groin).
19-Mar-02 Groin, day-to-day.
06-Feb-02 Missed 1 game (groin).
01-Feb-02 Groin, day-to-day.
13-Apr-01 Missed the last game of the regular season (groin).
07-Apr-01 Groin, day-to-day.
01-Apr-01 Named NHL Rookie of the Month for March.
14-Dec-00 Missed 8 games (right shoulder injury).
25-Nov-00 Right shoulder injury, mid-December.

Gabby done in Minnesota. (Good Riddance)

The Maryann Gaborik era is over in Minnesota. The prima donna is on his way to New York to play for the New York Rangers. As a Wild fan I say, "good riddance, don't let the door hit you in the ass." Now the Rangers can put up with the glass groin and the multiple games missed due to various injuries.

As of this moment forward Wild fans also no longer have to put up with your antics and side shows. You will be booed when you return to Minnesota, hope one of your ex-team mates puts a shoulder into you as well. Now hopefully the Wild can make a play for some one that can actually sore goals, because with their current roster the Wild would be hard pressed to beat an AHL team let alone a NHL franchise. True to form the Wild have picked up a defenseman that isn't impressive as far as numbers go.

Former Minnesota Wild winger Marian Gaborik has agreed to a five-year contract with the New York Rangers.

The Slovakian forward will earn $7.5 million per year.

Gaborik played his entire seven-year career with the Wild, scoring 219 goals and 437 points in 502 games. Injuries limited Gaborik to just 13 goals and 23 points in 17 games this season. Gaborik set career highs in goals (42), assists (41) and points (83) in 77 games during the 2007-2008 campaign.

The 27-year-old was Minnesota's first pick (third overall) at the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. [TSN]

Heatly to the Oilers. (Not so fast)

TSN is reporting this deal if Heatley will waive his no-trade clause. If this is true the Edmonton Oilers will have gotten a lot better or at least added some fire power they didn't have last year. The Senators give up an unhappy star in Heatley for three decent role players.

Sources say Dany Heatley has been asked to waive his no-trade clause to go to Edmonton in exchange for Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner and Ladislav Smid.

If Heatley agrees to waive, it would appear the Sens and Oilers will have a deal, pending the official trade call with NHL central registry, but that is generally a formality.

Heatley informed the Senators in early June that despite having five-years remaining on a six-year contract extension that he recently signed that he wished to be moved. The contract calls for Heatley to make $7.5 million per season against the cap. [TSN]

UPDATE: Here is the latest from [Puck Daddy] .

Dany Heatley(notes) was this close to becoming a member of the Edmonton Oilers. As was reported last night on TSN and Sportsnet, the Oilers and Ottawa Senators had a deal in place that would have sent Andrew Cogliano(notes), Dustin Penner(notes) and Ladislav Smid(notes) to Ottawa in exchange for Heatley, as long as he approved the deal. Just after midnight Eastern time, TSN's Bob McKenzie put the kibosh on the trade reporting that Heatley had rejected the deal saying, "For now, and quite possibly forever, the deal is dead."

2009 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Orientation Camp Roster

Here is the Team USA roster for the U.S. Olympic Hockey Teams Ice Hockey orientation camp. There is a nice mix of ex NCAA and CHL players.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey today announced that 34 players, representing 22National Hockey League teams, have been invited to the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Orientation Camp from Aug. 17-19, at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, Ill.


2009 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Orientation Camp Roster

Goaltenders: Ryan Miller (MSU), Jonathan Quick (UMASS), Tim Thomas (UVM)
Defensemen: Tom Gilbert (UW), Tim Gleason (OHL), Ron Hainsey (UML), Erik Johnson(UMN), Jack Johnson (UM), Mike Komisarek (UM), Paul Martin (UMN), Brooks Orpik (B.C.), Brian Rafalski (UW), Rob Scuderi (B.C.), Ryan Suter (UW), Ryan Whitney (BU).

Forwards: David Backes (MSU-M), David Booth (MSU), Dustin Brown (OHL), Dustin Byfuglien (WHL), Ryan Callahan (OHL), Chris Drury (BU), Scott Gomez (WHL), Patrick Kane (OHL), Ryan Kesler (OSU), Phil Kessel (UMN), Jamie Langenbrunner (OHL), Ryan Malone (SCSU), Mike Modano (WHL), Kyle Okposo (UMN), T.J. Oshie (UND), Zach Parise (UND), Joe Pavelski (UW), Bobby Ryan (OHL), Paul Stastny (DU).

From Brad Elliott Schlossman's Blog.

Six of the 10 WCHA teams have a representative at the camp.

Wisconsin has four (Tom Gilbert, Brian Rafalski, Ryan Suter and Joe Pavelski), Minnesota has four (Paul Martin, Erik Johnson, Phil Kessel and Kyle Okposo), St. Cloud State has Ryan Malone, MSU-Mankato has David Backes and Denver has Paul Stastny.

Key

(UM) = Michigan
(UMN) = Minnesota
(UML) = U Mass Lowell

Expansion linkorama

There have been a few interesting articles to come out since the WCHA went from 10 teams to 12 teams.

~BSU, Bemidji celebrate WCHA membership [Pioneer]

~McRae column: Our little town is never going to be the same with BSU in the WCHA [Pioneer]

~Nebraska-Omaha pulls out of CCHA [Newsminer.com]

~Bemidji State hockey travels the country in news of WCHA expansion [Pioneer]

Todd Milewski, a writer for United States College Hockey Online tweeted: “But seriously, the WCHA got this one right. Wouldn’t have been right to turn the other way while Bemidji faded away.”

But not everyone was happy. WCHA officials characterized BSU’s and UNO’s move to the WCHA as good for college hockey.

A sportswriter on the conference call challenged that generalization and asked: “The CCHA lost a team … the WCHA’s gain is the CCHA’s loss and how is that supposed to be good for college hockey?”

The writer also cited a statement issued by CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos.

“We are disappointed to hear of UNO’s decision to leave the CCHA as they have been a very good member of our league. We have an excellent league, with a very strong membership, and we will continue to focus all of our attention on being a great conference and a leader in helping to shape the future of college hockey,” Anastos said in a statement.

McLeod did not waver.

“Sometimes I have to look out for what’s best in college hockey in general,” he said. “We did not want to look at losing another program.”

~BG to hold 'hockey personnel' press conference [Sentinal Tribune]

~CCHA Issues Statement Regarding Nebraska-Omaha [CCHA]

June 26, 2009 ---- Farmington Hills, Mich. CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos today issued the following statement, on behalf of the CCHA Executive Committee and CCHA Council, in response to Nebraska-Omaha's announcement that it will be leaving the CCHA to join the WCHA in the 2010-11 season.

"We are disappointed to hear of UNO's decision to leave the CCHA as they have been a very good member of our league, and we wish them well. We have an excellent league, with a very strong membership, and we will continue to focus all of our attention on being a great conference and a leader in helping to shape the future of college hockey.

"At this time, it serves no purpose to speculate on how this latest decision will impact the future makeup of CCHA membership. There is a process being followed with respect to admittance of any new member and we are committed to following that process through to completion."

~UAH path clears for league entry. [The Huntsville Times]

Free agents offered contracts from the Wild.

These are the free agents from the Minnesota Wild hockey team that have received offers from the Wild. Former Gopher Danny Irmen and Robbie Earl were given offers from the Minnesota Wild, it will be interesting to see if Irmen or Earl get to play with the big team if they accept their offers. I would imagine they will get two way deals. Interesting that Dan Fritsche was not offered a qualifying offer sheet.

Here’s the breakdown of the players who received qualifying offers from the Wild:

C Kyle Brodziak
LW Robbie Earl
G Josh Harding
RW Danny Irmen
LW Benoit Pouliot
D Clayton Stoner

And here’s the list of those who didn’t get offers and now become unrestricted free agents who can shop for a team starting July 1:

D Paul Albers
LW Riley Emmerson
LW Dan Fritsche
LW Peter Olvecky

How will he be recieved?

I wounder how well Phillip Sameulesson will be recieved in Boston? I know there are more than a few fans in Boston (and other locations) that don't like his father's or his on ice antics and we will never forget what he did to Cam Neely. It's also ironic that the Pen's drafted him. That being said Phillip is a pretty solid player and I got to see him play in Fago, ND during the U-18 tourney.

MONTREAL - Philip Samuelsson is headed to Boston College this fall to play hockey, and his father figures that alone is proof of the kid’s mental toughness.

“If he can handle that,’’ said his father, ex-NHL villain Ulf Samuelsson, still reviled in Boston for his nasty hit on Cam Neely that accelerated the power forward’s departure from the game, “then he can handle Pittsburgh.’’

The younger Samuelsson was chosen by the Penguins yesterday as the 61st pick (last in the second round) of the 2009 draft at the Bell Centre. Like his dad, Samuelsson is a defenseman, nearly 6 feet 3 inches and 200 pounds. With Chris Kreider also headed to The Heights in September, the Eagles should be a force in Hockey East.

“I saw my dad win two Cups there,’’ said Samuelsson, reflecting on the family’s time in Steel City, “so I know how passionate they are about their sports.’’

The senior Samuelsson said he hopes his son can develop quickly and “get to play with those superstars’’ in Pittsburgh, where youngsters Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby recently led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup.

Lemaire scoffs at Wild's plans for more offense

I know this is a little late and got lost late in the shuffle while I was focusing on the WCHA expanding to 12 teams; however this article is worth taking a look at because it’s kind of hilarious. None the less, I think Lemaire is right to a certain degree; all teams’ play the trap from time to time, and the Wild will too, however, I don't see them falling back into the same boring defense first team they were under Lemaire. If they do they could bore the fans enough that they might stay home. I think the Wild are going to step it up and try to push the puck up the ice, if they get a few offensive players. Hint: Let's make a push for the Sedin twins.

MONTREAL — The Wild vows to be an up-tempo, attacking, let-defensemen-roam-free team next season.

Jacques Lemaire, who ran a structured, disciplined system during his eight seasons as the Wild's coach, doesn't buy it. Not for one second.

"You know what? You know what? They'll play the same way. They will play the same way," Lemaire said after being announced as one of Mike Babcock's assistants on Canada's 2010 men's Olympic hockey team. "You know why? Everybody plays this way. Detroit's a little different. But look at all the other teams.

"It's 95 percent defense. It's the details that are different, but that's about it. So what do you want to change?"

Lemaire, a two-time Jack Adams Award winner as coach of the year, gives new coach Todd Richards one week, maybe a month, next season before he pulls back the reins.

Lemaire used Atlanta, Florida and Tampa Bay, all three of which had new coaches last season, as examples. The Wild swept the three during an October trip, including a 6-2 pummeling of the Panthers.

"It's normal that the new guy would come in and say, 'Wait, we're going offense,'" Lemaire said. "Talk to the new coach in Florida [Peter DeBoer]. He came in and said it and won [four] games in the first 12. [Former Tampa Bay coach Barry] Melrose said that, too.

WCHA: prestige, passion, power...

I found this article in the Omaha newspaper, I think this newspaper article gives a pretty good illustration of the WCHA and how tough the league truely is. You can not take a night off, that is so true. The tenth place team can beat the top ranked team.

“I look through different glasses at the University of Minnesota than I did at the University of Denver, but when it comes to hockey there is a lot of similarity.”

That kind of commitment shines through on the ice. WCHA teams won six national championships from 2000 through 2006, and the league has 27 national runner-up finishes to go with its three dozen titles. The CCHA, formed in 1971, has nine national championships and seven runner-up finishes — Michigan and Michigan State combined to win eight titles when those schools belonged to the WCHA.

“Week in and week out, you can't take a night off,” said Jeff Sauer, the former Wisconsin coach who now works for the WCHA as an assistant to Commissioner Bruce McLeod. “That's why we think we've had so much success in the national tournament. When you win a MacNaughton Cup (regular-season championship), our coaches will tell you to a man that winning that championship is tougher than winning an NCAA championship — when you consider everything that goes into it.”

UNO Associate Athletic Director Mike Kemp, who was the only coach in the program's history before Dean Blais was hired to replace him earlier this month, grew up on WCHA hockey. He served as Sauer's long-time assistant at Wisconsin before coming to UNO. When, in the 1990s, the WCHA started taking steps to recognize the legends that had passed through, it crystallized for Kemp all the special things he had thought about the league.

“The conference isn't just what it is today,” Kemp said. “It's what it has been since 1951. It's one for the ages.”

Last year a WCHA team didn't reach the Frozen Four for just the fourth time ever, but one year earlier the final top 10 poll included seven WCHA teams.

The league boasts the top three teams (Wisconsin, North Dakota and Minnesota) in attendance nationally, and the addition of UNO now gives the WCHA six of last year's top seven. All but Alaska-Anchorage, Michigan Tech and newcomer Bemidji State ranked in the top 25 in attendance. [Omaha.com]

Mavs Make the Jump to the WCHA

I found this neat blog and Husker Mike has done a really good job analyzing the Omaha end of the recently completed WCHA realignment. I have to say that I agree with Mike that in the end this is going to be a money maker for the WCHA, six first round playoff series instead of five. Also, the chance for six teams to go to St Paul and play for a auto bid to the NCAA hockey tourney as we saw this spring with Duluth you can play on Thursday and win the whole thing.

More teams will equal more money for the league as a whole. I also believe in the end UAH will be able to find a home in the CCHA so we don't bleed anymore NCAA division one hockey teams. I do think UAH coach Danton Cole will be able to put a competitive team on the ice in the CCHA. Personally, I don't want to see the NCAA go down the road of pulling bids due to a dwindling number of college hockey teams.

The only surprise about UNO leaving the CCHA for the WCHA is that the entire deal was completed today. Before today, it seemed that it was going to be a process that would take a few weeks, but once the parameters of an agreement between UNO and the WCHA were complete, there probably was little reason to drag the process out. In fact, perhaps Trev Alberts pushed to get the whole deal completed immediately so that there were no opportunities for "surprises" down the line.

The winners in this deal are obvious: college hockey gains by keeping Bemidji State's program alive. The WCHA gets bigger, and probably will earn more revenue with more rounds of playoff hockey. UNO reduces their travel costs and gets to share in the larger pool of revenue that the WCHA affords.

The loser? The CCHA loses UNO and the playoff revenue that is generated in Omaha. The CCHA will likely get the consolation prize of Alabama-Huntsville, but the unhappiness of the CCHA is clear from their terse news release.

UNO and BSU to the WCHA for the 2010-2011 season.

The BSU Beavers and the UNO Mavericks will be joining the WCHA for the 2010-2011 season. This is a good day for college hockey and it will help save the BSU Beavers that needed a conference to survive, they now are a member of the WCHA. Now it would seem logical if the UAH Chargers were admitted to the CCHA. I think it is in the best interest of college hockey for UAH to be admitted to the CCHA.

MADISON, Wis. – In what will rank among the most significant days in the storied, 58-year history of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, the membership today voted to admit both Bemidji State University and the University of Nebraska Omaha into the Association family beginning with the 2010-11 season. This marks the first expansion of the WCHA since Minnesota State University, Mankato was admitted as a 10th member for the 1999-2000 season and eighth time overall the league has expanded since it’s founding in 1951.

The admission of Bemidji State and Nebraska Omaha will bring the league membership to 12 teams. The current 10-team membership of the men’s WCHA is comprised of University of Alaska Anchorage, Colorado College, University of Denver, Michigan Technological University, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State University, Mankato, University of North Dakota, St. Cloud State University and University of Wisconsin.

“I am extremely pleased to announce that the Western Collegiate Hockey Association is expanding to twelve teams,” said WCHA Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod. “With the addition of Bemidji State University and the University of Nebraska Omaha the WCHA solidifies and positions itself to maintain and expand upon the excellence that is the WCHA.

“This is certainly a defining moment for the WCHA and we are proud to add Bemidji State and Nebraska Omaha to our already strong organization.

“This is a happy and proud day for me,” continued McLeod. “I’m happy because I think this is such a win-win circumstance for the WCHA, our new members and collegiate hockey in general. I could not be more proud of the way our WCHA members have handled this very complex circumstance and have been able to look beyond their own backyard and do what is best for college hockey and the WCHA.

“The WCHA is proud of what they’ve put together in 58 years (2009-10 will be the league’s 58th season) and I think this day will go down as a watershed day. I fully anticipate what we’ve done today will make us even better. I’m excited about the future and can’t wait to get going.”

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is home to a collegiate record 36 national championship teams since it’s founding in 1951, a record 13 Hobey Baker Memorial Award Winners, some 400 players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League and some 725 NHL Draftees, more than 150 alums who have played on various Olympic hockey teams, and more than 40 players and coaches who have been part of Stanley Cup (NHL) winning clubs. In addition, the WCHA has drawn in excess of 1,500,000 fans in each of the past seven seasons and in excess of 1,000,00 for 16 consecutive years and annually conducts one of college hockey’s premier post-season tournaments – the Red Baron™ WCHA Final Five held annually at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. The Final Five drew 82,065 fans this past March.

“The pieces are all falling into place for Bemidji State hockey,” stated BSU Director of Athletics Dr. Rick Goeb. “Beginning with the efforts to elevate our hockey programs to the NCAA Division I level and having the women’s program join the WCHA over 10 years ago, to our partnership with the city to see a world-class venue like the Bemidji Regional Event Center come to fruition, and now the men’s hockey program being approved for membership into the elite conference in all of college hockey.
“We want to thank the city of Bemidji, our dedicated fans and the student body who have supported Bemidji State hockey. These outstanding hockey fans and partnerships have made membership into the WCHA a reality.”

Said Bemidji State men’s hockey coach Tom Serratore, who took his team to the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four in April of this year, “This is a great day for the Beavers.“

“First, I want to thank the WCHA for this opportunity. It is truly an honor to be a part of the greatest hockey conference at the Division I level and we feel privileged to come along side the other Division I hockey programs in the state of Minnesota as members of the WCHA.

“Beaver Hockey reaches far beyond this campus so that makes today’s announcement a dream come true for our alumni, many in the community and many in the region. This is a proud day for all involved with Bemidji State.”

[NORTH DAKOTA HOCKEY BLOG] , [Rink and Run], [Puckato], [Omaha.com]

Updated Kessel Rumor.

Here is the latest Phil Kessel Rumor, I can't wait till the draft at 18:00 hours on Versus, then we wil find out how this plays out.

MONTREAL -- The respected Canadian sports website, tsn.ca, just now amended what it believes to be Boston's offer to Toronto to acquire veteran blueliner Tomas Kaberle.

According to tsn's report early this morning, the Bruins offered Phil Kessel to the Leafs for Kaberle and Toronto's top pick, No. 7 overall, in tonight's amateur draft.

Now, according to tsn, the Bruins have offered Kessel and a draft pick of their own (not a first-rounder) for the 31-year-old Czech-born blueliner.

About two hours prior to tsn reporting the change, one rumor making the rounds here had the Stars offering thrid-year blueliner Matt Niskanen and thier top pick tonight (No. 8 overall) for Kaberle.

This isn't a very good move.

TSN is reporting this little rumor, and I have seen it numerous times on twitter as well. I just hope my head doesn't blow up before the draft and July 1st free agent signing date come and go. Let's see you have a player that scores 36 goals the type of player your team has been craving probably since the days of Cam Neely and you reward him by trying to trade him for a defenseman that has been in the league for 10years and a first round draft pick that may or may not be able to play for your team this season. Did Doug Risebrough become the general manager of the Boston Bruins?

The Boston Bruins are in pursuit of Tomas Kaberle and a top 10 pick in today's draft.

Sources tell TSN the Bruins have offered restricted free agent forward Phil Kessel to Toronto in exchange for the Leaf defenceman and Toronto's No. 7 pick in the draft.

The Leafs are apparently canvassing the league to see if there are any better offers out there.

Kessel, taken fifth overall by the Bruins in 2006, scored 36 goals and 60 points last season, his third campaign in the NHL. With restricted free agent David Krejci signed to a long-term deal and the team pushed up against next year's salary cap, general manager Peter Chiarelli was rumoured to be shopping the young scorer.

UNO and BSU to the WCHA. (breaking news)

I step out of the house for 25 minutes to go get a Starbucks and pick up my dog at Ruffin It Doggie Day Car and I come back to find that Adam Wodon put this on my facebook page, 'conference call set for 5 CT ... looks like league will announce addition of BSU and UNO for 2010-11.' All I can say is Welcome aboard BSU and UNO you will make fine additions to the Best league in college hockey the WCHA.

Bemidji State and Nebraska-Omaha will be officially admitted to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association on Friday afternoon and begin play in the league in 2010-11, sources have confirmed to the News Tribune. A WCHA teleconference call is scheduled for 5 p.m.

The decision to expand from 10 to 12 teams came Thursday night following two days of talks within the league, and with Omaha school officials. It's believed that WCHA athletic directors agreed in principle with terms negotiated between commissioner Bruce McLeod and the incoming schools, and an official vote on admission will be taken today by school faculty representatives. Eight of 10 votes is required for admission.

McLeod told the News Tribune on Thursday afternoon that there had been new developments in the situation and that an announcement was due as early as today. [Rink and Run] [University of North Dakota Hockey]

UNO Hockey: WCHA may open its doors to Alberts, Mavericks after all

I saw this on Husker_Mike's Twitter. Looks like the ball is rolling forward. Also College Hockey News is reporting that a WCHA expansion vote forthcoming today.

UNO Athletic Director Trev Alberts said late Thursday that interest from the Western Collegiate Hockey Association has rekindled following a conference call of league athletic directors.

“There has been a reassertment from the WCHA, and the WCHA is participating in conversations — the results of which I am not aware,” Alberts said.

Just last week, Alberts said that the WCHA's interest in UNO seemed to have waned. The WCHA has been exploring expanding from 10 teams to 12 since Bemidji State applied for admission in April. UNO, a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, has been the league's top priority.

Meanwhile Thursday, one report indicated that discussion between UNO and the WCHA will continue as a result of the league athletic directors' discussion, while another indicates an announcement of some kind could come as early as today.

The Duluth News-Tribune is reporting on a blog that WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod said Thursday that “developments had changed” since the Wednesday night conference call and that an announcement could be made today. The blog didn't quote McLeod directly, nor did it specify what the announcement might be.
[Omaha.com]