Blais has out in his contract.

I found this to be interesting, but it makes sense. That being said I don't think Gophers or Mavericks fans need to worry just yet.

Dean Blais, who was recently named the new head hockey coach at Nebraska-Omaha, has an out in his contract that allows him to apply for the Gophers job if it becomes available. [Bayside Puck Chatter] [Husker Mike]

Dubay sentenced to workhouse.

It would appear that Jeff Dubay has hit rock bottom. Now, I hope Jeff can get his act together, beat this thing and move on with his life. I think one thing we all might want to consider is human beings make mistakes and have issues and I hope Jeff works his way through this mess and turns his life around.

Former KFAN-AM radio personality Jeffery Dubay was taken into custody this morning on a drug possession conviction from October after he failed to complete two substance abuse programs issued by the court.

Ramsey County District Judge Joanne Smith ordered Dubay, 41, of Plymouth, serve a sentence of 180 days in the county workhouse with credit for 18 days served and a stayed sentence of up to five years probation.

Dubay also must complete a chemical dependency program and recommended aftercare. He must abstain from mood-altering substances, submit to random drug and alcohol tests, and remain law abiding.

Dubay was taken into custody immediately after his sentencing.

"I think it's appropriate at this time that Mr. Dubay understand the consequences of his actions," Smith said.

The drug charge came from an Oct. 15 traffic stop in Maplewood. An officer saw Dubay throw what looked like a yellow napkin out the window, according to a criminal complaint. The officer retrieved the item and found a small plastic bag containing a substance that tested positive as cocaine. It weighed 0.45 grams, or about 0.016 ounces.

Dubay later said he was in Maplewood to pay a drug debt of $200, the complaint stated. [Pioneer Press]

Forney not coming back to UND.

We get news today that former Fighting Sioux forward Michael Forney will not be returning to UND but instead giving up his final two years of eligibility to play with the AHL team the Chicago Wolves. There was a chance that he might return to UND for his Junior season. While at UND Forney never really got going offensively and suffered a couple of injuries that held him out of the line up.

Michael Forney wrestled with the decision for three months.

Should he sign with the Atlanta Thrashers or return to UND, where he spent two injury-plagued years before rediscovering his game in the United States Hockey League?

The answer came on Monday morning.

Forney signed a multiyear, two-way contract with the Thrashers, giving up his final two years of college eligibility.

The Thief River Falls native is expected to start his pro career with the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves this fall, possibly alongside former UND teammates Rylan Kaip and Andrew Kozek. [Grand Forks Herald]

Smaby avoids arbitration.

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Matt Smaby has signed a two year contract and has also avoided his arbitration hearing. In looking at the arbitration list it appears that only one RFA has gone to their hearing.

The Tampa Bay Lightning avoided arbitration with defenseman Matt Smaby today, signing him to a two-year contract, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced.

"We are pleased to announce this agreement with Matt today," said Lawton upon making the announcement. "He is big, physical and really skates well for a man that stands 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds. He played well for us last season and I expect his personal development to continue in 2009-10."

Smaby, 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, has played in 57 career NHL games, all with Tampa Bay. He has recorded four assists and averaged 17:22 in ice time during his career. Smaby made his NHL debut last season after being recalled on March 17, 2008. He has played in 149 AHL games with the Norfolk Admirals and Springfield Falcons, recording five goals and 28 points with 139 penalty minutes.

A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Smaby played in a career-high 43 games with the Lightning last season, recording a career-best four assists and 50 penalty minutes. His 19:05 average ice time was also the highest of his career and was fourth among NHL rookie defensemen with 20 or more games played. Smaby ranked fourth on the Lightning in hits with 122 and blocked hots with 68. He was recalled to Tampa Bay on December 27 and finished the season with the Lightning despite suffering a broken bone in his foot. Smaby recorded his first NHL point with an assist December 27 against Florida. [NHL.COM]

Boston Bruins updated salary breakdown

With the signing of defenseman Derek Morris it would appear that the Bruins are going to have to move someone to make room for RFA Phil Kessel. My best bet would be Patrice Bergeron or more likely Chuck Kobasew.

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
Patrick Eaves, $258,333 (buyout)

* Phil Kessel is a restricted free agent.

Defensemen

Zdeno Chara, $7.5 million
Dennis Wideman, $3.875 million
Derek Morris, $3.3 million
Matt Hunwick, $1.45 million
Andrew Ference, $1.4 million
Mark Stuart, $1.3 million
Johnny Boychuk, $500,000

Goalies

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

Current cap hit: $55,495,833. [Boston Globe]

Pointer back and skating.

There is some really good news on the blue line for the Fighting Sioux. Junior defenseman Derrick Lapoint is making a speedy recovery after suffering a horrific leg injury last winter against the MSU-M Mavericks (video included). I have to wonder how Derrick can watch the video as well? This is good news and reason for Sioux fans to be excited about Derrik Lapoint's return to the line up for the 2009-2010 season. Lapoint brings veteran experience and poise. So we can rest asured that the young defensem an back running, skating and will be ready to go when the season starts.

Derrick LaPoint sat down with his teammates and watched the gruesome video.

Not the one you saw on the Internet that clearly shows his leg shattering upon impact with the end boards during a February game. This recording of the play was taken from the bench area.

“It looks way worse,” LaPoint says. “Too graphic for YouTube.”

Some UND players nearly lost their lunch. Others asked LaPoint how he could watch it.

“It hurt more the first time around,” he says. “Watching it isn’t all that bad.”

By all accounts, LaPoint is excelling in his comeback from the tibia-fibula fracture that silenced Ralph Engelstad Arena five months ago. He’s putting on some pounds in the weight room. He’s running a mile a day. And now, he’s back on skates, too.

LaPoint is on schedule to be 100 percent come the team’s opening exhibition game against the University of Manitoba on Oct. 4. [Grand Forks Herald]

36 times last season...

Time to get Phil Kessel signed to an NHL contract, the season is slowly approaching and goal scorers are not a dime a dozen. I have read a lot of comments from other Bruins fans that say, 'oh we don't need Kessel we will be fine, Sturm and Bergeron can pick up the slack.' Yeah, ok! It takes brute force and offensive imagination to win hockey games, we can not beat every opponent into submission. Not everyone can score goals at a 30-40 point clip and not everyone can check their opponent through the boards and drop the gloves. I would love to come home from my vaction and see that the Bruins have everyone signed up for the 2009-2010 season.

No one is above the Fray.

There are some that like to take joy in others school's troubles when their athletes run into trouble with the law. I just want to remind people that most schools that have division one programs will have their issues from time to time and that no school is squeaky clean, not even Denver.

For instance; the University of Minnesota has had issues with the football, Hockey and Basketballs teams, our neighbors to the south at North Dakota State University have had their share of incidents as well. Not even Denver University is above the fray and has had their troubles as well.

Longtime University of Denver men's lacrosse coach Jamie Munro resigned today, DU athletic director Peg Bradley-Doppes said.

Munro coached DU for 11 seasons, leading them four Great Western Lacrosse League championships and two NCAA tournament appearances. He leaves with a 91-70 career record. He was the Great Western coach of the year twice (2000 and '06).

"It's been a wonderful ride at DU," Munro said.

Murno's departure comes after a tumultuous season at DU. Three players were kicked off the team midseason. Ilija Gajic, a junior, was removed from the team last month after he was arrested for a fight at a bar in January. Gajic is the younger brother of Colorado Mammoth player Nenad Gajic and the older brother of DU freshman forward Alex Gajic.

Senior Brad Richardson and sophomore Jamie Lincoln were also removed from the team last month.

According to a report in the DU student newspaper, The Clarion, a woman was attacked Jan. 28 by a group of lacrosse players at a bar.

Another player, sophomore Brendan Deblois, was arraigned on charges from the same fight, the paper said. But he was not kicked off the team last month.

Only nine of 40 players on the DU roster last season played all 15 games.

A national search for Munro's replacement will start immediately, Bradley-Doppes said. Two of Munro's assistant coaches last season have other local lacrosse ties. Assistant coach Matt Brown also plays for the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse. And Jon Torpey is a former player with the Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League.

One might want to worry about their own school before they go sniffing around someone else's. Seems to me there are a lot more serious allegations here in the DU lacrosse player's incidents. The UND incident is about two guys getting drunk and throwing their stuff in the street not quite as serious as a bar fight. Just saying! In fact if you look that DG laid out you don’t seen any criminal charges for assault.

Zajac gets four year deal.

Former Fighting Sioux forward Travis Zajac got a nice raise and avoided arbitration.

The Devils have avoided Friday's arbitration hearing and re-signed restricted free agent center Travis Zajac to a four-year contract worth a total of $15.55 million

Zajac said it is a four-year deal, but would not divulge any other details of the contract.

Zajac, 24, is coming off a breakout season in which he posted career-highs with 20 goals, 42 assists, 62 points and a team-best plus-33 defensive rating.

"He's developed into a core player and getting him long-term I think is good for both him and his growth and for the organization," Lamoriello told me this morning.

Only Monday, Lamoriello said he it appeared as if the sides were headed to an arbitration hearing on Friday in Toronto, but these things have a way of working themselves out in the final days before the hearing and they reached adn agreement late Tuesday night. [Fire and Ice]

Here are some more details on Travis Zajac's new deal. I think the deal that Travis signed could be a gauge for other three year players looking for their first deal as a restricted free agent that scored 60 points the season before.

Zajac signed a four-year contract for a total of $15.55 million or an average -- and cap hit of -- $3,887,500. The new deal pays him $2.75 million in 2009-10, $3.5 million in 2010-11, $4.5 million in 2011-12 and $4.8 million in 2012-13. [Fire and Ice]

UND comes down on Frattin.

Per Grand Forks Herald Beat writer Brad Elliott Schlossman Fighting Sioux hockey coach Dave Hakstol has already announced his discipline for UND Junior Forward Matt Frattin. I want to applaud Coach Hakstol for dealing with this in a swift manner so it won't fester all summer long.

UND announced a minimum two-game suspension for Matt Frattin, along with an order to attend counseling, and it is reducing his scholarship money for the 2009-10 year following his arrest Tuesday night for disorderly conduct. [UND hockey Blog]

Finley, Frattin face disorderly conduct charges.

As most of you know by now Joe Finley and Matt Frattin had a run in with the law recently. It's in the newspapers around the region. I have already received numerous emails and phones calls from various people giving me their thoughts on the matter, before I even got out of bed this morning. Personally, I don't like commenting on conduct issues because a lot of times there is more to the story that what ends up in a police report/blotter or in the news paper.

Before you say, 'but, but Goon..." Yes! I know, this incident doesn't reflect well on Coach Hakstol, the University of North Dakota or the Fighting Sioux Hockey team. I am sure the Finley and Hakstol haters will have more ammunition to blast away now with this incident. I am sure there will be some in the media down in Fargo that will call for Frattin to be disciplined, suspended and or kicked off the UND hockey team. I’m also sure coach Hakstol will take care of this matter in a way that he sees fit. We may not hear what the actual punishment was, nor do we need to know the details. Again, this was a stupid incident and I am not defending it. I am also not going to spend all day condemning it as well.

Don’t get me wrong! I don't approve of this behavior, this is a silly incident that will be remembered long into next season, however, before you mean mouth these young men take this into account; did you ever get drunk and act stupid and have the cops called on you? When you were younger and alcohol was involved, did you ever do something like this? Did you ever get cited for underage drinking or a loud party or starting a fight? These guys make the same mistakes a lot of us have made but weren’t a member of the hockey team.

Julie Robenhymer on the Fighting Sioux name.

Julie Robenhymer from Hockey Buzz made her latest Hockey Buzz Tv show on saving the Fighting Sioux nickname. For having not attended UND or lived in North Dakota I will give her an "A". I might have hooked her up with a few things as well.

[click here to watch the video]

Phil Kessel on AM 640 Toronto.

Check out Phil Kessel on AM 640 in Toronto. I saw this story over on Puck Daddy and it doesn't sound like there is much going on. Also, Greg is right, "when he wasn't boring the will to live out of everyone within earshot." Phil is not the most prolific interview out there.

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.