Goon's USA Olympic team.

Kyle from the Illegal Curve asked me to submit my USA Olympic team. Again this is just for fun, and not to be taken very seriously. This is just who "I" think will be selected to be on team USA. Also, if you read the post you I will see that I be writing a weekly college hockey post for the IC. I must say that I am honored to have been asked by Kyle.

Illegal Curve is pleased to announce that Goon of Goon’s World will be writing a weekly college hockey post on Illegal Curve starting this fall. In the mean time, he has agreed to post his version of Team USA for the upcoming 2010 Olympics. Enjoy!

Defense (Defence):
1. Brooks Orpik, San Francisco, CA, Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Rob Scuderi, Syosset, N.Y. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Ryan Suter, Madison, Wis. Nashville Predators
4. Paul Martin, Minneapolis, Minn. New Jersey Devils
5. Ryan Whitney, Boston, Mass. Anaheim Ducks
6. Brian Rafalski, Dearborn, Mich. Detroit Red Wings
7. Tom Gilbert, Minneapolis, Minn. Edmonton Oilers


Forward:
1. Phil Kessel, Madison, Wis. Boston Bruins
2. Zach Parise, Minneapolis, Minn. New Jersey Devils
3. T.J. Oshie, Warroad, Minn. St. Louis Blues
4. Patrick Kane, Buffalo, N.Y. Chicago Blackhawks
5. David Backes, Minneapolis, Minn. St. Louis Blues
6. Jamie Langenbrunner, Cloquet, Minn. New Jersey Devils
7. Kyle Okposo, Paul, Minn. New York Islanders
8. Dustin Brown, Ithaca, N.Y. Los Angeles Kings
9. David Booth, Detroit, Mich. Florida Panthers
10. Scott Gomez, Anchorage, Alaska New York Rangers
11. Joe Pavelski, Stevens Point, Wis. San Jose Sharks
12. Paul Stastny, Quebec City, Quebec Colorado Avalanche
13. Chris Drury, Trumbull, Conn. New York Rangers


Goalie:
1. Ryan Miller, East Lansing, Mich. Buffalo Sabres
2. Tim Thomas, Flint, Mich. Boston Bruins
3. Jonathan Quick, Milford, Conn. Los Angeles Kings

Bruins Salary break down.

Here is the current break down of the Bruins salary cap situation. It would appear that someone is going to have to be moved to make room for Phil Kessel. I would suggest getting rid of one of the following players; Marco Sturm, Chuck Kobasew or Patrice Bergeron to make room for Kessel.
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

* Kessel is a restricted free agent.

Defensemen

Zdeno Chara, $7.5 million
Dennis Wideman, $3.875 million
Aaron Ward, $2.5 million
Matt Hunwick, $1.45 million
Andrew Ference, $1.4 million
Mark Stuart, $1.3 million

Goalies

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

Current cap hit: $53,937,500.

ANALYSIS: The Bruins have $2,862,500 of cap space under the $56.8 million ceiling with Kessel yet to sign. If Kessel decides to lower his contract demands and re-sign, the Bruins would have to clear some salary under the ceiling. The Bruins can go 10 percent over the cap ($62,480,000) prior to the start of the regular season, but this route is considered risky. [Boston Globe]

Sheryl Crow in a Beaver jersey...

My buddy Scott went to the Moon Dance in Walker, Minnesota last Thursday and during the oncore rocker Sherly Crow wore a Bemidji State University Beaver jersey. Sign me up for a new jersey. Holy Cow!

props to [Sherly Crow] and [Brian Schultz]

B's Re-sign Defenseman Matt Hunwick

The Bruins re-signed their promising young defenseman Matt Hunwick (Michigan), the argument was made that if the Bruins had Hunwick during the Carolina series they might have won. It will be interesting to see what he signed for. Hunwick was the top scoring rookie defenseman this past season. Now the Bruins front office needs to focus their efforts on signing super forward Phil "the Thrill" Kessel (Minnesota).

BOSTON, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has signed defenseman Matt Hunwick to a multi-year contract extension. Per club policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

Hunwick registered six goals, 21 assists and a plus/minus rating of +15 in 53 games during his rookie season in 2008-09. His 27 points placed him third amongst Bruins defensemen and he scored his first NHL goal on November 17, 2008 against the Maple Leafs. Hunwick played forward in six games last year and posted 1-1-2 totals while skating up front.

He played in one postseason game for the Bruins before being sidelined with a spleen injury that forced him to miss the rest of the playoffs.

The 24-year-old native of Warren, Michigan was originally drafted by the Bruins in the seventh round (224th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Bruins on November 10, 2007 against the Buffalo Sabres and recorded his first career point on December 10, 2007 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played in 13 games for Boston during the 2007-08 campaign and registered one assist.

Hunwick spent most of the 2007-2008 season with the Providence Bruins notching two goals and 21 assists in 55 regular season games. Prior to joining the Bruins, Hunwick played four years of collegiate hockey for the University of Michigan with 24-73-97 totals and 256 penalty minutes in 163 career games.

Oshie Sports Celebrity Benefit and Golf Tournament

Time to sign up for the Oshie Sports Celebrity Golf Tourney. Just mailed my entry fee in today, I am psyched.

For Immediate Press Release
Monday, July 20, 2009

Oshie Sports Celebrity Benefit and Golf Tournament
July 29-30, 2009
Grand Forks, ND

Grand Forks, ND: On Wednesday, July 29th and Thursday, July 30th, 2009, we will be hosting the 2009 - 3rd Annual Oshie Sports Celebrity Benefit and Golf Tournament. Attached you'll find the 2009 Registration / Sponsorship Packet along with some pictures from the 2008 event here in Grand Forks. We invite you to look it over and contact me via e-mail or cell phone at (360) 722-1784.

If your respective media outlet is interested in features please contact me immediately at the credentials below. The final list of Celebrities will be announced on Tuesday, July 28, 2009.

Celebrity interviews will be conducted on Wednesday, July 29th at the King's Walk G.C. starting at 11:30 a.m. near the Club House .. and also at the Rydell - GM Auto Center after 8:30 p.m.

On Thursday, July 30th, the Celebrity Field will ensamble at 11:30 a.m. for interviews once again near the King's Walk Clubhouse. Post tournament interviews will take place at the conclusion of the event

The event will feature a "Celebrity Skins Match" on the afternoon of July 29th which will allow the business leaders to purchase a 4-some at $200.00 plus the cost of golf / carts for the group.

Later that night, "A Meet The Celebrities Autograph Session" will take place from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Rydell - GM Auto Center Cadillac Showroom in Grand Forks, ND. This special event is open to the general public and will give the fans a chance to meet the guys up front and personal in a very special setting inside the Rydell-GM Auto Center Cadillac Showroom in Grand Forks.

Each person will receive a commemorative 2009 Oshie Celebrity Golf placard for autograph purposes as our compliments. If the general public wants special items signed such as jerseys, pucks, pictures, or other memorablia, there is a $5.00 per item charged upon entry. This special event will directly benefit the EGF / GF Youth Hockey BlueLine Clubs under the Oshie Scholarship Fund.

The 3nd Annual Oshie Sports Celebrity Golf Tournament will be held on Thursday, July 30th, at the magnificent links-style King's Walk Golf Course. This Arnold Palmer designed golf course is one of the best courses in North Dakota.

The cost per foursome will remain $500.00 and your team will receive:

- One team of 4 golfers (plus celebrity) for golf / cart at King's Walk Golf Course on Thursday, July 30th, 2009.
- Complimentary gift for each golfer
- Company or players names recognized in program
- Complimentary hamburger upon registration
- A 12:15 P.M. Pre-Tourney Meeting With PGA Professional Dan Tannahill .. Then 12:30 P.M Shotgun Start
- Complimentary dinner / appetizers at completion of tournament
- Team prize packages
- Live Auction @ Post Awards Ceremony

If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Timothy Oshie at (360) 722-1784 or simply e-mail to oshiesports@gmail.com.

Here are the credentials snip-its of all 2009 - 3rd Annual Oshie Celebrity Golf Tournament Invitees **Subject To Change At Anytime**:

T.J. Oshie (St. Louis Blues / UND) HOST
Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks / UND)
Dave Hakstol (UND Fighting Sioux Head Coach)
Cary Eades (UND Fighting Sioux Associate Head Coach)
Dane Jackson (UND Fighting Sioux Assistant Coach)
Taylor Chorney (Edmonton Oilers / UND)
Marc Chorney (NHL / UND)
Scotty Hartnell (Philadelphia Flyers)
Kyle Okposo (New York Islanders)
David Backes (St. Louis Blues)
Matt Niskanen (Dallas Stars)
Colby Genoway (Manitoba Moose / UND)
Karl Goehring (Manitoba Moose / UND)
Dave Christian ('80 Olympic USA Miracle Team / NHL / UND)
Kyle Radke (Idaho Steelheads / UND)
Phil Lamoureux (Alaska Aces / UND)
Nick Fuher (UND)
Scotty Johnson (UMD / NHL Retired Goal Judge)
Ginny Christian ('56 Olympic USA Team / UND)
Billy Christian ('60 Olympic Gold Medal Team USA)
Andrew Kozek (UND Fighting Sioux / Atlanta Thrashers Draft Choice)
Landon Wilson (Dallas Stars / UND)
Brad Miller (UND / Austin ECHL)
Erik Fabian (Alaska Aces / UND)
Matt Smaby (Tampa Bay Lightning / UND)
David Hale (Phoenix Coyotes / UND)

+ More Names To Come

Teams / Individual registrations plus Hole Sponsorships are still being accepted for this years event. Hope you are having a great summer 2009 !!

Kindest Regards,



Timothy W. Oshie
c/o Oshie Sports & Media
420 N. 8th Street
Grand Forks, ND 58203
(360) 722-1784 Cell #
oshiesports@gmail.com

Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews more relaxed in captain role.

Here is a nice Jonathan Toews video that was on the Chicago Tribune web site.

Colborne: I'm a different player than last year

Joe Colborne is a poised young man, I have been impressed with his demeanor during the Boston Bruins prospects camp and I think he will make a good addition for the Boston Bruins in a year or two.

More Kessel rumors from Kevin Paul Dupont.

I sometimes wonder if Kevin Paul Dupont is trying to invent a story where there might not be one. It almost seems like KPD is trying to wish Kessel out of Boston. So if the Kessel and Chiarelli camps are not talking to KPD, who is he talking to in regards to Phil Kessel's contract status? It would be interesting to see who that anonymous NHL general manager is?

The Phil Kessel contract talks, if the sides are indeed still talking, have not progressed.

Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli slams down the Cone of Silence at the mere mention of No. 81, and agent Wade Arnott - not nearly as chatty as his boss, Don Meehan - has politely refused a handful of opportunities to comment on his client, a restricted free agent with no arbitration rights.

So, with about eight weeks to go before the start of training camp, here’s how it’s shaping up for the 21-year-old winger, who potted 36 goals last season. Kessel can:

►Cut a one-year deal, accepting only a slight bump over his 2008-09 wages, and use it as a bridge to arbitration as of next July 1. If he popped in another 36 goals or more in 2009-10, he could ring up the Causeway cash drawer for $5 million per year or more next summer. Remember, the players who scored more than Kessel last year will average $6.5 million in the coming season.

►Take something akin to David Krejci money (three years/$11.25 million), forget about finances for 36 months, and come to the table in the spring of 2012, ideally with a more mature and proven overall game.

►Force his way out of town, either by requesting a trade or refusing to sign, leading Chiarelli to deal away a non-performing asset (probably at the post-Olympic trading deadline).

►Wait for a Group 2 offer sheet, of which there have been none this summer, nearly three weeks into the free agency process.

“Kessel is an interesting, exciting player, and he had a very good year,’’ said another NHL GM, insisting on anonymity for fear of being slapped with tampering charges. “But from the outside, I wonder if he’ll get from the level of good player to great player. And great players are those who, by themselves, can lead the team when they are on the ice. In other words, just by being out there you alone can make the team have a better chance of winning. Kessel hasn’t proved that yet.

“Don’t get me wrong, he’s a brilliant offensive guy, but he still has to show more before he proves he’s an elite player worthy of elite money.’’

And why no offer sheets thus far around the league?

“People are running scared for a variety of reasons,’’ said the GM. “First of all, with [Dustin] Penner [whom the Oilers plucked off Anaheim’s roster in August 2007], the results aren’t there. And the cap [$56.8 million for the upcoming season] is expected to come down. I’m a little surprised that there haven’t been offer sheets to some lower-end players, but teams probably figure that the other team will match it, and then all you’ve done in the process is made an enemy . . . why create the monster?’’ [Boston Globe]

More on the Dany Heatley saga.

Here is another interesting article on disgruntled Ottawa Senators forward Dany Heatley. The more this plays out in the media, the more Dany doesn't look very good in this whole mess. If Heatly goes back to the Senators you got to think his team mates aren't going to be all that happy with him either.

That‘s been Dany Heatley‘s response to a few questions as of late. The obvious being Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray asking him to waive his no-trade clause to join the Edmonton Oilers in late June, a deal that would have landed the Senators a package of forwards Dustin Penner and Andrew Cogliano as well as defenceman Ladislav Smid in return.

Heatley, who requested a trade out of the nation‘s capital the previous week, had until midnight on July 1 to accept or refuse the trade, but instead let the deadline pass without comment. Fast forward a few weeks, and Heatley still isn‘t talking.
Not to teammates, at least not captain Daniel Alfredsson, and not to the media.
Not by phone and not in person. Several calls from media to the Senators sniper have gone unanswered, with messages not returned. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and, in this case, a Tuesday afternoon visit to Heatley‘s off-season home on Okanagan Lake in West Kelowna. A long and winding road to get there – not knowing whether he‘d be home or whether he‘d agree to an interview – it was certainly worth a shot.

Upon arriving, the back gate was open and seemingly welcoming. A portable basketball net was visible from the top of a downhill driveway, and a nice ski boat was docked just feet from the front yard. Fittingly, the 28-year-old former 50-goal scorer answered the door of his multi-million-dollar pad adorned in board shorts, a golf shirt and sunglasses. Then came the questions: Dany, I‘m so and so from The Daily Courier, was hoping I could shoot the breeze on some hockey stuff with you?
“Not right now, man. Sorry, I‘m just about to take off, actually,” said Heatley, pleasant but clearly surprised to see a reporter standing there. OK, fair enough, could we set something up for later on, maybe later in the week or next week?
“You know what, I‘ll take your card and I‘ll give you a call or have someone give you a call. We‘ll be in touch.” And so ended a rather anticlimactic encounter.
It didn‘t end with a flat out no, but by no means was it a guaranteed yes. More like a definite maybe, a response Steve Tambellini and the Oilers can relate to.
That proposed deal isn‘t dead, according to various reports, nor is this interview.
Or is it? Stay tuned. [Kelowna Daily Courier]

Big Joe Finley as a Forward.

On Frozen Blog has an interesting clip about big Joe Finley playing wing. It would be interesting to see if that experiment gets a bigger look during training camp.

- It was a brief experiment but it really intrigued me: Joe Finley at forward. He has good north-south speed for his size, and was willing/eager to go in deep on the forecheck. He also was immobile in one instance in front of the crease, taking a rebound and feeding it across the crease to set up a teammate for a scoring chance as a defender struggled in vain to move the big Minnesotan. It's just one and a half scrimmages in Rookie Camp, but it wouldn't bother me at all if Finley was tried on the wing a bit in Hershey. He's a good interview, as well, and gives at least as good as he gets with a microphone in front of him.

UND nickname proponents hope for Standing Rock referendum

I have been out of pocket for the day and a half and there wasn't an Internet hook up next to the campfire last night. All I can say to the Standing Rock members is keep fighting the good fight, KEEP putting pressure on the Ron His Horse is Thunder. Don't let a few talk for the whole tribe.

Standing Rock supporters of UND’s Fighting Sioux nickname continue to hope that they can get the issue on the ballot as a referendum within the next two months.

Archie Fool Bear, a nickname proponent, said his group is still gathering signatures to persuade the Tribal Council to give tribal members a say.

In May 2008, the council voted to ban any nickname referendum indefinitely. In May of this year, some members of the council tried to reverse that but were narrowly defeated, Fool Bear said.

That proves to him, he said, that not the entire council is intent on blocking a vote. If he can get enough signatures together, he could talk to some opposing council members and see if they’d change their mind, he said.

So, contrary to nickname supporters’ earlier expectations, the Tribal Council appears to be central to the nickname issue.

For UND to retain the nickname, which opponents say is racist and creates a hostile campus environment, the Tribal Councils of both the namesake tribes in the state must approve. The State Board of Higher Education in May added another requirement: a 30-year agreement to keep the nickname from both councils. The deadline, the board said, is Oct. 1.

Eunice Davidson, a nickname supporter in the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation, said the Tribal Council there hasn’t approved the nickname yet, though she expects it’ll happen soon. She and other supporters got the issue on the ballot in April, and 67.3 percent of voters approved. [Grand Forks Herald]

Pictures from the Galen Nagle.

I played in yesterday's Galen Nagle Memorial golf tourney and it was a lot of fun. My golf game was another thing, let’s just say that it was not very good, the way my driver worked yesterday I should have deposited into Lake Bemidji. Spoke briefly with the BSU coach Tom Serratore and told him that I was excited that the Beavers have been accepted to play in the WCHA.

Standing Rock Tribal Chairman Narrowly Advances to General Election

You do have to wonder if his narrow vitory has to do with his lack of flexibility on the Fighting Sioux nick name issue? Ron His Horse Is Thunder is stifling the democratic process by not letting the the members of the Standing Rock tribe vote on the Fighting Sioux nick name. What is he afraid of?

Unofficial Results: Cassie Walder, WDAZ, Published Thursday, July 16, 2009
Unofficial election results show current chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in Fort Yates, North Dakota, narrowly advancing to the tribe’s September general election. Current chairman Ron His Horse Is Thunder was not the top vote-getter in Wednesday night's primary election. Early morning unofficial result tallies show only two votes carried His Horse Is Thunder as one of the two candidates advancing. His top challenger, former tribal chairman Charles Murphy, topped His Horse Is Thunder with 567 votes from the tribes 8 precincts. But it was current tribal vice-chair Avis Little Eagle who was the most immediate threat to His Horse Is Thunder, receiving 221 votes. Just two less than His Horse Is Thunder's 223 vote total. Again, these results were unofficial at press time. If certified, both His Horse Is Thunder and Murphy will move forward to the tribe’s September general election.


His Horse Is Thunder has repeatedly held his opposition to the University of North Dakota’s use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo. Though Standing Rock supporters of the nickname have called for a tribe-wide vote, His Horse Is Thunder has maintained such a vote would not be binding. He said the Sioux nickname issue was not a driving force in the primary election run-off. Though several candidates running for the tribal chairman's spot were vocal in their support of UND's use of the nickname, top vote-getter Charles Murphy has not spoken about it.


Without approval from both the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes and a 30-year contract granting UND use of the nickname by October 1 of this year, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education will retire the nickname. The Spirit Lake tribe voted in support of the nickname this spring. However, the Spirit Lake tribal council has not granted a 30-year approval for nickname use. Tonight's Standing Rock election results will be certified tomorrow.

Grand Forks Native becomes Gophers assistant coach.

Former Grand Forks North Dakota Native and Grand Forks Red River High hockey player Grant Potulny is now the assistant coach for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. If you think about this; Grant was one of the first non-Minnesotans to play for the University of Minnesota since probably John Blue and then was a big reason the Gophers won the first of two back to back NCAA titles. So the University has come full circle.

Two recent University of Minnesota men’s hockey standouts have been added to the Gophers’ coaching staff for the 2009-10 season.

Grant Potulny, who was named a volunteer assistant coach in May, has been elevated to a full-time position following a national search process. In addition, Justin Johnson has been named the team’s volunteer goaltending coach. Both were members of Minnesota’s national championship teams in 2002 and 2003 with Potulny serving as a team captain each year.

“I’m excited to bring both Grant and Justin back into the program,” Minnesota coach Don Lucia said. “They were both part of our two national championship teams and have a great understanding of what it takes to win at that level. They are proud alums and committed and excited to be back as a part of Gopher hockey.”

“It was just six years ago that I was in the same spots as these guys,” Potulny said of the current Gophers’ team. “Don and John (Hill) do an amazing job and I think I bring some youthful energy as somebody who can bring a different element to what we’re doing already.”

Potulny, 29, has served as the interim assistant coach for the past month since the resignation of Mike Hastings. He has been playing professionally since his career with the Gophers that spanned from 2000-04. He was an assistant captain as a sophomore for Minnesota’s 2002 national championship team and then captained the team the following two years, including the Gophers’ 2003 national title squad.

“Those were the best four years of my life,” Potulny said of his days with the Gophers. “I truly believe that every kid who comes to Minnesota should have a chance to play in the Frozen Four and I’d love to help make that happen.”

“As a three-year captain, Grant was a tremendous leader and was well respected by his teammates,” Lucia said. “As an interim assistant coach over the past month, I’ve had the opportunity to watch him interact with players and coaches at our model camp and select-16 festival and coach at the select-17 festival in New York. I have had numerous people come up to me and tell me how impressed they were with Grant. He will bring instant credibility based on what he did as a player and captain here and bring new insights after playing professionally the past five years.”

Potulny recently retired from pro hockey after battling injuries throughout his career. He was injured most of this past season, which he spent with the Tampa Bay Lightning’s American Hockey League affiliate in Norfolk (Va.). He competed three full seasons with the Ottawa Senators’ AHL affiliate in Binghamton (N.Y.) from 2004-07 before spending one season each with the Washington Capitals’ affiliate in Hershey (Pa.) and the Edmonton Oilers’ affiliate in Springfield (Mass.).

Potulny played in 146 games for the Gophers, totaling 68 goals and 48 assists for 116 points. He is best-known for scoring the overtime game-winning goal in Minnesota’s 4-3 win over Maine in the 2002 national championship game at the Xcel Energy Center.

Johnson, 28, was a volunteer assistant coach at St. Cloud State the past three seasons. Johnson was a four-year letterwinner for the Gophers from 2002-05, posting a 2.88 goals against average and 22-8-3 career record. He was named to the all-tournament team at the 2003 Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Five after stopping 50 of 54 shots. Johnson was a three-time recipient of the team’s community service award.

“I felt it was extremely important that we have somebody who can work with the goaltenders and Justin has been working with goalies since he graduated,” Lucia said. “Also working with Mental Edge, he can bring added insights to players and coaches on the psychological aspects of the game. Justin has worked in the WCHA over the last three years and has an understanding of what it takes to compete as a player and coach at this level.”

“It’s almost like coming home for me,” Johnson said. “With the talent they have all around and in net it’s going to be an exciting season and I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’ve known Kent (Patterson) since he was a Pee Wee in camps and we have a great relationship,” he added. “Being at St. Cloud, we did a lot of film analysis on Alex (Kangas) and figuring out how to beat him. He’s an outstanding goalie and I’m very familiar with his game as well.”

In addition to his coaching duties, Johnson has instructed at former Gopher Robb Stauber’s Goalcrease and The Mental Edge, which mentors athletes of all ages and abilities by developing mental toughness skills. He has published an interactive and customized preparation manual for hockey goalies titled “GameDay.”
[Gopher Sports]

Joe Finley on Trevor Bruess.

Former Fighting Sioux hockey players Joe Finley on Trevor Trevor Bruess. I am sure Sioux fans will find this interesting. Yeah I was rolling my eyes as well, but I digress. I suppose we won't see another replay of the Paukovich and Green incident. [Click here to listen to big Joe]

Listening to Big Joe talk nice about Trevor Bruess almost makes me ill, I know, I know, big Joe probably can't say Trevor Bruess was a hack when we played against MSU-M. Trevor tried to take out the knees of one of our best defensive players.

Peter Chiarelli quiet on Phil Kessel rumors.

The waiting game continues, I wonder if there is a way that Krejci can convince Kessel to sign a contract. It would be interesting to see what kind of a qualifying offer Kessel was offered?

“I don’t comment on rumors,” B’s general manager Peter Chiarelli said.

The right winger’s name has been floated in potential trades for a second straight offseason. The most notable this year was a draft night deal with Toronto that would have sent defenseman Tomas Kaberle to the Bruins.

The 21-year-old Kessel became a restricted free agent July 1. He has stayed in Boston this summer after undergoing shoulder surgery following the B’s Game 7 second-round playoff loss to Carolina.

Center David Krejci, who is rehabbing from May hip surgery, has spent almost every day with Kessel this offseason and hopes the sides can reach a contract agreement.

“Obviously I would love to have him on the team again next year,” Krejci said. “We are best friends on the team, and you don’t want to see guys like that walk away. I hope he’ll get a deal done. I don’t know what’s going to happen. That’s out of my reach. I’ll hope for the best and hope he stays here and everything is going to work out.”

Krejci said Kessel wants to return but hasn’t gotten too involved with the contract situation.

“We’re together every day, and this is the one thing we don’t really talk about that much,” Krejci said. “Obviously we talk, but there is some stuff that is private. He’s one of my best friends on the team, and some stuff he would like to just keep between us, especially about a contract.” [Boston Herald]

Holy Cow! Check out this letter to the editor.

This was a letter to the editor in the Bemidji Pioneer. The only thing I can say is that you've got to be kidding me. The city of Bemidji held a city wide referendum, voted and approved the construction of the BREC, yet this guy thinks it taking to food of the tables of people that haven't even been born yet. Yeah! Also, how the hell does this guy know if the center is going to turn a profit or not? Apparently this economic theorist isn't aware of the financial impact the WCHA have on his community.

WCHA not biggest news

Arrogance, pompous, egotistical and self-serving were the first words that came to mind after reading Tom Serratore’s comments about BSU men’s hockey team being accepted into the WCHA. To say that “There’s not any news that has ever impacted this community and university like being inducted into this prestigious conference,” is lunacy. Throughout the history of this community and the university there have been numerous events that have made a huge impact on the lives of people living in this area and beyond. Perhaps the largest of these would be the actually founding of the university (Bemidji State Normal School.)

Followed by the school’s evolution from elementary teacher training to the multi-disciplined institute of higher learning that it is today. (If Cass Lake had gotten its way, there would be no college hockey in Bemidji.) Mr. Serratore seems to be suffering from extreme shortsightedness. He is correct in one statement. “There are people who aren’t born yet who will be impacted by the WCHA.” Since getting into the WCHA was contingent on BSU getting a new hockey rink, (event center) and by many accounts the new hockey rink/event center will never turn a profit, the yet unborn will be impacted by having to subsidize the center.

Matt Havumaki

Bemidji

WCHA Moves a Wash for College Hockey

This almost sounds like sour grapes by the CCHA. The WCHA stepped up to the plate and helped save BSU, now someone can step to the plate and take some leadership. This is what happens when your last to the party. The CCHA knew this was coming and sat by an let it happen.

It's almost seems like the CCHA is looking down their nose at UAH. The NCAA division one hockey CAN NOT allow any more teams to fall by the way side or division one hockey risks losing at large bids for the NCAA Hockey tourney, that is a lose, lose situation for everyone concerned. My question is; did you want to just sit by the way side and let two programs disband? No one else has come up with a suggestion or a solution. The fact remains that Danton Cole is a good coach with a solid hockey back ground that will do a good job getting UAH competitive in the CCHA. Seriously, he couldn't do any worse than some of the teams that were in the bottom half of that CCHA league standings last season. Plese tell me these teams aren't looking are looking down their noses at UAH. Now is not the time to be petty, it's the time for solutions and what is best for college hockey.

The WCHA has talked a lot about doing what is best for college hockey. But while adding Bemidji State -- after BSU had run out of options to keep its program viable -- was certainly a gracious and strong move by the WCHA to benefit Bemidji State, its effect on college hockey as a whole is more neutral if it negatively impacts the CCHA.

McLeod tried to sell it, saying that UNO's move can be an overall benefit to college hockey as a whole, because the chain reaction effect could result in saving Alabama-Huntsville as well.

"I have a long relationshp with Tom, and we openly discussed this, including three weeks ago in San Antonio at meetings of the (NCAA) championships committee," McLeod said. "Tom is first class all the way. As an individual, I have nothing but good things to say.

"Having said that, we went into this process above board, to do it the right way best we could. Part of that was keeping Tom informed. I hope he would say we followed through on that. It's clear he didn't want to lose Omaha. It speaks to their caliber. And actually, he made some other suggestions to me -- why not think about these things.

"I've proven in the past with involvement getting the WCHA going -- I work for the WCHA -- but I need to step back and look at what's best for college hockey in general. Hopefully if it (WCHA expansion) worked out with Omaha or someone else, that would open a slot (for Alabama-Huntsville). That may not have be the same caliber or attractiveness (as UNO), but that we could save another program. ... I hope that happens."

Still, there is no question that the CCHA takes a hit -- at least in the short term -- from this switch. No offense to Albama-Huntsville, but its program, and the commitment to the program, do not currently approach what Nebraska-Omaha is. [college hockey news]

Update: To quote the article: But CCHA people have been understandably irked by the WCHA's insistence that this is "best for college hockey." I still stand by my comments, “No one else has come up with a suggestion or a solution.” Tell me who else has taken the leadership? While everyone involved might not be happy with UNO moving to the WCHA it solve a problem no one else wanted to tackle.

New UNO Hockey Coach Selects Successor

[props] I had read where some Gopher fans were questioning why Mike Hastings would want to leave the University of Minnesota to go coach at the University of Nebraska Omaha. I this is probably the reason why. There are only 58 teams in Division one hockey and Hastings might have seen this as his best shot to be a head coach at the Division one level. When Blais left UND he strongly suggested Dave Hakstol be picked head coach, the rest is history. It is nice to see Blais back coaching in College hockey again.

OMAHA, Neb. -- The new University of Nebraska-Omaha hockey coach, on the job less than a week, has already picked his successor, thus ensuring the long-term future of the program's leadership.

Coach Dean Blais hired former Lancers coach Mike Hastings to be his associate head coach. Blais himself was just hired last month to succeed the program's first coach, Mike Kemp.

Blais said Hastings will be a good "go-between" for Blais and the players.

"He knows the guys better than I do," Blais said, acknowledging that he did not know if that was a good or bad thing. He does know that his successor will come from his staff.

"When I'm gone, he'll take over and we won't miss a beat," Blais said.

That is when the time comes, though. Blais is so new to the city that he said he still learning his way around.

"Only been lost a couple of times," Blais said.

His potential successor is not thinking about anything but the present.

"It's a thought that's down the road, but … we need to work on making sure we're as good as we can be when we play that first exhibition game in the season," Hastings said.

More on the Heatley saga.

You have to wonder how this is going to play out, once the Gennie is out of the bottle you have to think it would be very hard to put it back in. Even Heatley's line mate can't get a hold of him. As good of a player as Heatly is I can't say that I would like to see him in a Wild uniform.

OTTAWA — Reporters and others unable to reach Dany Heatley shouldn't feel bad.

The captain of the Ottawa Senators is in the same boat, failing to connect with a player who has been his linemate for the better part of four NHL seasons.

On Tuesday, for the first time since Heatley's controversial trade demand, Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson spoke to a handful of Ottawa media via conference call. Alfredsson was speaking from Paris, where he is attending NHL Players' Association meetings.

Alfredsson admitted he hasn't even spoken to Heatley during this firestorm, though he has "tried to reach him a few times." As the team leader, Alfredsson wants to talk with Heatley to see if there is something that can be worked out between the high-scoring winger and the hockey club, some issue beyond the publicized concern with head coach Cory Clouston.