Fargo Force roster for the 2009-2010 season.

This came in my messages from the Fargo Force Face Book Page. Nice to see a couple of North Dakota boys on the team.
GOALTENDERS
Cody Campbell, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Zane Gothberg, Thief River Falls, Minn. (North Dakota)

DEFENSEMEN
Dan Rychalet, Calgary, Alberta
Tom McCarthy, Maple Grove, Minn.
Grant Scott, Sewickley, Penn.
Eamonn McDermott, Shaker Heights, Ohio (Colorado College)
Nate Schmidt, St. Cloud, Minn. (Minnesota)
Blake Doerring, Plymouth, Minn. (Vermont)
Kodie Curran, Calgary, Alberta
Nick Romanick, Bismarck, N.D.

FORWARDS
Chris Stafne, Duluth, Minn (Minnesota-Duluth)
Mark Zengerle, Rochester, N.Y. (Wisconsin)
Garrett Allen, Delafield, Wis.
Duncan McKellar, Phoenix, Ariz. (Bemidji State)
Joey Benik, St. Francis, Minn (St. Cloud State)
Johnnie Searfoss, Colleyville, Texas (Maine)
Nick Oliver, Wannaska, Minn. (St. Cloud State)
Corey Leivermann, Mankato, Minn. (MSU-Mankato)
Gavin Hartzog, Pewaukee, Wis. (Wisconsin)
Chase Grant, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Nate Condon, Wausau, Wis. (Minnesota)
Chad Demers, Grafton, N.D.
Joey Rehkamp, Plymouth, Minn (Air Force)
Matt Leitner, Los Alamitos, Calif. (MSU-Mankato)
Colten St. Clair, Gilbert, Ariz. (Colorado College)

No Progress Between Kessel and Bruins

Sounds like more of the same, nothing new to report and the Bruins are no closer to a deal with their RFA Phil Kessel. I think the Bruins should move on the deal that sends Marco Sturm to the Islanders, that could probably land the Bruins a prospect or a draft choice, which could free up some cap space to get Kessel signed to a deal.

I spoke to Phil Kessel’s agent, Wade Arnott, on the ride up Thursday night and got the latest on Kessel and his contract negotiations with the Bruins.

“Nothing really new to update,” Arnott said. “I wish I had some new news for you, but there’s really nothing major to report.”

Arnott said that he and Kessel have had some discussions with Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli recently, but nothing serious. Both sides have made it clear that they would like to reach an agreement, but unfortunately, that has been about the only common ground found so far.

“We’ve had a few more discussions recently," Arnett added, "but are we any closer to an agreement? I’d have to say no at this point.”

Interestingly, unlike many, Arnott said that neither he nor Kessel believed the Aaron Ward trade was made as a precursor to re-signing Kessel.

“No not at all,” Arnott said.

So that is where the two parties stand. There were no reports of offer sheets, and while there have been recent rumors of the Islanders and Sharks inquiring about a Kessel trade and the Islanders possibly looking at Marco Sturm, follow-ups have turned up nothing substantial.

As of now, it appears both sides would like to make this work, but the chance is still very real that this might trickle into camp. With Kessel reportedly not due back from shoulder surgery until late November or December, a holdout is very possible. From the Bruins’ stance, Kessel is already out for almost two months into the season, so a holdout during that period would be rendered meaningless on the ice.

As for any moves by the Bruins, all is quiet. As Chiarelli promised last week, “I’m done for a while.” [NESN]

Thursday Morning Linkorama.

*Former Fighting Sioux goalie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux has a new contract with the Buffalo Sabres organization. "Last season, he set the ECHL’s record for shutouts in a season and also led the league in wins."

*Speaking of goalies; Minnesota Wild Goalie Josh Harding has a new deal with the Minnesota Wild. So one could say that the Wild's stable is full of goalies, the Wild have 1.) former DU Pioneer Wade Dubielewicz, 2.) Josh Harding and 3.) all world goalie Niklas Backstrom as their goalies, you would have to think that Harding is going to be traded for an offensive player. How do you keep all three happy, when Backstrom is going to be the man between the pipes.

*Per the Grand Forks Herald, The voice of Sioux hockey won’t change either, as Tim Hennessy again will call all UND games. Hennessy also is expected to be the host of the coaches show. This is good news for Sioux fans.

*Today is the Oshie Sports Celebrity Benefit and Golf Tournament hopefully the weather will co-operate and not rain on us. I have to say that the weather this summer has been less than stellar. Also, Brett Bergman from St Louis Simply Put is also playing in this tourney.

*The Fighting Sioux have picked up a nice goalie recruit in Zane Gothberg from Thief River Falls Minnesota. [Western College Hockey]

*The Phil Kessel Saga continues as he is still without a contract. [Puck Daddy]

*Per Quickfacts Lord Stanley's Cup is coming to Grand Rapids, MN in August. Pittsburgh Penguin Alex Goligoski who turned 24 today, will have the Stanley Cup in his hometown of Grand Rapids Minnesota on August 19th.

2009 "Meet the Celebrities" Event.

Here are a few pictures from the "Meet the Celebrities" for the Oshie Sports Celebrity Golf Tourney. Please keep in mind I am not a photographer which was confirmed by my wife this past weekend. Pictured at the table was Tim Oshie, Lamoureux, Nick Fuhrer, Brad Miller, Aaron Walski, Andrew Kowzek, Brad Miller, T.J. Oshie and Jean Philippe Lamoureux.

Rick Wilson named associate coach of the TB Lightning.

Former UND assistant coach Rick Wilson has a new job. You can bet that the Lightning will be better defensively.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with Rick Wilson, naming him associate coach today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced. He will be looked upon to coach and groom the team’s defensive corps.

Wilson, a native of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, has spent the previous 16 seasons with the Dallas Stars, winning the Stanley Cup in 1999 working along side head coach Ken Hitchcock. During his tenure with the Stars, Wilson helped lead the team to seven division titles, two Western Conference championships and two President’s Trophies. He had most recently served as associate coach for the previous six seasons, focusing on the team’s defense and penalty kill. Under Wilson’s guidance the Stars finished in the top three for fewest goals against in the NHL during the 2007-08, 2006-07, 2003-04 and 2002-03 seasons.
------------------snip------------------
Wilson began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, the University of North Dakota, where the Fighting Sioux won the 1980 NCAA Division I Championship and two WCHA crowns during his two years there. While he was a student he played hockey and football, earning his degree in education. [NHL.com]

UND gains another honor (sort of)

This came out when I was on my family vacation. I can just imagine the comments; 'what else is there to do in North Dakota.' I can give you a list of about 10 other things to do. Our WCHA buddies from Wisconsin also had higher honors they are in the top twenty.

The nation's top party schools, according to Princeton Review's 2009 survey of 122,000 students.
1. Penn State University, State College, Pa.
2. University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
3. University of Mississippi, Oxford, Miss.
4. University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.
5. Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
6. West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.Va.
7. University of Texas, Austin, Texas
8. University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.
9. Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla.
10. University of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, Calif.
11. University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo.
12. University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
13. Union College, Schenectady, N.Y.
14. Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.
15. DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind.
16. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.
17. Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn.
18. University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D.
19. Tulane University, New Orleans, La.
20. Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz. [Princeton Review]

Pictures of the BREC.

Here are the latest pictures of the Bemidji Regional Events Center. I was in Bemidji on vacation and finally got to see the site of the BREC, I was there the week before and forgot to get pictures. The BREC will be on the south end of Lake Bemidji just to the east of the Hampton INN. That will be an awesome place for an events center. My father is the one posing in the pictures.

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.