Team USA captains.

Here are the captains for team USA's. [USA Hockey Press Release]

• CAPTAINS OF THE SHIP -- On Christmas Eve, Team
USA’s players selected their captains for the 2010 IIHF
World Junior Championship:
Derek Stepan Captain
Jordan Schroeder Alternate
David Warsofsky Alternate
John Carlson Alternate

Adams hit on Alfredson

There has been a lot of discussion head shot the past season and if the NHL decides to change the rules on head shots it, "would prohibit contact with the head - even with a shoulder." I think it would mean that this hit would be ruled to be an illegal. [NHL.COM]

In my opinion this is a legal check and doesn’t appear to be a head shot. The thing that makes it look bad is Daniel Alfredson loses his helmet because it appears that it's not on tight enough. I can see where the ref would probably assume that he Daniel was hit in the head. Hockey is a physical sport and if they enact this rule it's going to cause hockey hitting to decline.

Merry Christmas...

Rex Howell from the Deer Camp Blog has a yearly Christmas card on his outdoor blog and I made it again this season. See if you can pick me out in the picture. I hope everyone is safe and sound at home and not trying to travel through the blizzard that is currently raising havoc on the Midwest. This morning while leaving my house for work I had to wade through 6-8 inches of new snow. It’s definitely hockey weather now. I am sure the sub zero weather will be up soon. 

ISS Top 30 2010 prospects, December

Fighting Sioux hockey recruit Brock Nelson is ranked 28th in the most recent ISS top 30 recruits. Edit: Thanks to RWD for pointing out that Fighting Sioux recruit Derek Forbort is also on the list... 


1 Hall, Taylor LW 14-Nov-91 L *6.00.75 186 Windsor
2 Seguin, Tyler C 31-Jan-92 R *6.00.75 180 Plymouth
3 Fowler, Cam D 5-Dec-91 L *6.02 195 Windsor
4 Kabanov, Kirill LW 16-Jul-92 R *6.01.75 176 Moncton
5 Gormley, Brandon D 18-Feb-92 L *6.02 187 Moncton
6 Tarasenko, Vladimir RW 13-Dec-91 L 5.11 202 Novosibirsk
7 Connolly, Brett LW 2-May-92 R 6.02 181 Prince George
8 Granlund, Mikael C 26-Feb-92 L 5.10 180 HIFK Helsinki
9 Gudbranson, Erik D 7-Jan-92 R *6.03.75 195 Kingston
10 Burmistrov, Alexander C 21-Oct-91 L *5.11.5 162 Barrie
11 Pysyk, Mark D 11-Jan-92 R *6.01 179 Edmonton
12 McFarland, John C 2-Apr-92 R *6.00 200 Sudbury
13 Forbort, Derek D 4-Mar-92 L *6.04.5 198 Under 18
14 Petrovic, Alexander D 3-Mar-92 R *6.03.5 192 Red Deer
15 Bjugstad, Nick C 17-Jul-92 R *6.03.75 188 Blaine
16 Sheahan, Riley C 7-Dec-91 L 6.01.5 202 Notre Dame
17 Watson, Austin RW 13-Jan-92 R *6.03 180 Windsor
18 Hishon, Joey C 20-Oct-91 L *5.09.25 172 Owen Sound
19 Skinner, Jeffrey C 16-May-92 L *5.10 197 Kitchener
20 Kitsyn, Maxim LW 24-Dec-91 L 6.02 194 Novokuznetsk
21 Niederreiter, Nino LW 8-Sep-92 L *6.01 205 Portland
22 Johansen, Ryan C 31-Jul-92 R *6.02.25 194 Portland
23 Tinordi, Jarred D 20-Feb-92 L *6.05.5 205 Under 18
24 Howden, Quinton LW 12-Jan-92 L *6.00.75 183 Moose Jaw
25 Schwartz, Jaden C 25-Jun-92 L *5.10 180 Tri-City USHL
26 Kuznetsov, Evgeny C 19-May-92 L 6.00 174 Chelyabinsk KHL
27 Faulk, Justin D 20-Mar-92 R *5.11.75 196 Under 18 USHL
28 Nelson, Brock C 15-Oct-91 L *6.02.5 205 Warroad MN
29 Merrill, Jonathan D 3-Feb-92 L *6.03.25 198 Under 18 USHL
30 Pulkkinen, Teemu RW 2-Jan-92 R 5.11 183 Jokerit FinE
[Hockey Futures] [Props]

Kristo one of the leaders on Team USA.

Here is an article that was written on Team USA. As a Sioux fan it will be fun to watch Kristo at the WJC and see how he performs as one of the top guys. This will be Danny’s second WJC. As a WCHA fan It will also be interesting to see how  Jordan Schroeder performs on the ice for Team USA.

There was a lot of disappointment within USA Hockey after the team sent to the 2009 World Junior Championship finished fifth.

One year later, three members from that squad will get a chance to avenge the team's worst finish since placing fifth in 2002. Forwards Jordan Schroeder, Danny Kristo and Tyler Johnson will be counted on to provide some of their less-experienced teammates with the knowledge they gained last year in Ottawa.

"Whether they (returning players) are captains or not, we'll let players vote on captains, and then we'll decide on how they vote," U.S. coach Dean Blais told NHL.com. "It certainly helps Jordan Schroeder especially, who's had success scoring, knows what it takes to be in the medal round and playing for a medal. Whether we have that ability or not we'll see real quick. Before we even start thinking about medals, we have to take care of getting there."

That road starts Dec. 26 against Slovakia (8 p.m., NHLN-US) at the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon, Sask.

"If we have any chance at all, we have to play with a lot of enthusiasm and energy and create turnovers," Blais said.

Schroeder will be at the front of the line leading the team. Playing in his third WJC, the Vancouver Canucks' 2009 first-round pick is just six points shy of Jeremy Roenick's all-time U.S. Under-20 scoring mark. At the 2009 tournament, he led the team with 8 assists and 11 points. This season, the University of Minnesota sophomore is second on the team with 12 points in 18 games.

"He's got to be the energy guy," said Blais. "He's got to be the guy killing penalties, the difference-maker on the power play. He's going to have to play above the checking line of whoever he's out here against. That's what he's going to get, especially when we don't get the last change. We're going to have to make sure he plays with a lot of energy and second-effort in his game. He's going to need it because he's going to be our marked guy."

Kristo had just 1 goal in six games last year, but he'll play a far more prominent role this season. He was impressive at a summer camp in Lake Placid, and the Montreal Canadiens' 2008 second-round pick has kept that pace up in his first season at the University of North Dakota, where he leads the team in scoring with 16 points in 18 games.
[nhl.com]

Merry Christmas from Goon's World.

The Goon’s World team would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Here is the Goon’s Christmas list for 2010.

1.)Return of Chay Genoway to the Fighting Sioux line up. The Sioux are 7-1-1 with him and 2-5-2 with him on the shelf.
2.)I like other Wild fans have become bored with James Sheppard and I would like to see the Wild first round bust sent packing. Honestly the kid is a waste of a uniform and has been held scoreless in the last five games that he has played in. Sheppard was an healthy scratch in last night’s game as well. Sheppard has been horrible this season in 32 games (2g-3a-5pts,-5).
3.)I would like to see the Boston Bruins make a run at getting a serviceable super star to replace Phil Kessel and play with Marc Savard.
4.)I would like to see a Healthy Milan Lucic in a B’s uniform again.
5.)I would like to see the Fighting Sioux win a few more series during the second half of the season and play more consistent hockey. No stupid penalties.
6.)Team USA WJC championship.
7.)A Stanley Cup run by the Wild or Bruins or both.
8.)An 8th NCAA title for the Fighting Sioux.
9.)See the Penguins lose in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
10.)Everyone have a safe and happy holiday season.


Lumps of Coal to the following organizations and people.

1.) To WCHA officials who’s performance during the first half of the season have been brutal at best. It’s time for a change at the top.
2.) Individual lumps of coal to the following WCHA officials: Don Adam, Bill Mason, Brian Thul, Scott Bokal your performance on the ice has been unacceptable and brutal during the first half of the season.
3.) To the CCHA for turning down UAH’s membership application.
4.) To Direct TV and not settling with VERSUS.
5.) The Commissioner of the NHL Gary Bettman, just cause.
6.) NHL Center Ice for not showing every that I want to see. Recently they didn’t pick up a Wild game that I wanted to see.
7.) Outdoor hockey games. Yawn, boring!
8.) To the people that disrespect the BSU Beavers for not being a legit team. How many times do they have to prove you wrong? Is beating Cornell, Notre Dame and Miami not enough for you? While their not a top 5 team they are worthy of being in the top 15.
9.) Aaron Marvin for [this dirty hit]
10.) Greg Shepherd for only giving said dirty hit a one game suspension.
11.) WCHA official Tim Walsh who overruled a Sioux goal against SCSU because he didn't/could blow the whistle, but he intended to.(props to Whistler). [Link to article]

Is this the end for Lucia?

Here is an interesting article in today's Minneapolis Star and Tribune. Personally if I was the beat writer for the Star Tribune I might wait till the season is over before I start the fire Lucia story line. You might not get much access after this zinger.

Seriously, things must be miserable behind the scenes if this article is making its way into circulation before the season is over. If I was Coach Lucia I would think twice before it let this beat writer into my team’s locker room again. I also think its funny how so many people assume that Lucia is going to automatically be replaced by Blais. We will see. Just because Blais has an out in his contract doesn’t mean he is a shoe in either.

Personally I think Donny Lucia is doing a great job in Minnesota. All season long I have read on the internet and twitter about how Minnesota fans are ready to be done with Lucia, this is the same coach that won a Spencer Penrose and Back to Back Titles and numerous league titles. I am surprised they would throw him under the bus so fast.

Athletic director Joel Maturi has heard the rumblings of discontent. Even diehard fans of the Gophers men's hockey program are disappointed with its struggles.

"Gophers hockey is expected to compete at the highest level each and every year," Maturi said, "and the belief is that's not where we are at."

Coach Don Lucia, who led the Gophers to back-to-back national titles earlier this decade, is having another trying season. The Gophers are seventh in the WCHA, and barring a strong second half, headed for their third consecutive middle-of-the-pack finish.
------------------
Last season, the Gophers started 7-0-4 before a second-half tumble. They were fifth in the conference, lost in the Final Five play-in game to Minnesota Duluth 2-1 and did not get a spot in the NCAA field. Exacerbating the sting was that the West Regional was at Mariucci Arena.

"Growing up watching Gophers hockey, we saw them win national titles a couple years in a row and, year in and year out, be in the NCAAs," Carman said. "A lot of us thought it was a given."
------------------

Recruiting roulette

"Minnesota has missed on players like [Zach] Parise, [T.J.] Oshie, [David] Backes and [Ryan] McDonagh; we've missed some the last five, six years," said Reed Larson, a former Gophers defenseman who played in the NHL for 14 seasons. "There are some pretty good state players at North Dakota and Wisconsin. I am concerned with the school and the team; something's wrong."

Lucia said the Gophers will always primarily recruit Minnesotans, but he has to make offers earlier and earlier -- to compete with other colleges -- and it's harder to predict how good a 16- or 17-year-old player will be. Many WCHA teams stock their teams with Canadian talent. Lucia has brought in only a couple of Canadians; none have been impact players.

McDonagh committed to Wisconsin out of Cretin-Derham Hall as a junior days before Minnesota planned to make him an offer, Lucia said. McDonagh is a Badgers co-captain as a junior defenseman.

------------------

If Minnesota keeps floundering, though, the criticism of Lucia will undoubtedly increase. He has two more years left on his contract, which will pay him a base salary of $250,751 for the 2011-12 season.

"Most Gophers fans already got a guy picked out to replace him," Sonmor said.

That would be Dean Blais, who won two NCAA titles in his 10 years as head coach at North Dakota. Blais, 58, played for the Gophers in the early 1970s and was known for his no-nonsense style and tireless recruiting before he left the Sioux to become an NHL assistant. He is in his first season at Nebraska-Omaha, which joins the WCHA next season.

A couple of years ago, replacing Lucia would have been unthinkable. But with the storied history of the Gophers program, it only takes a couple of mediocre seasons for discontent to boil to the surface.

And it has.
[Star Tribune]

Final USA WJC roster released.

Here is the final USA roster for this years WJC. Here is the link to the press release. Here is the schedule fo the Team USA's games.

GOALTENDERS (2)

1 Jack Campbell, Port Huron, Mich. U.S. National Under-18 Team (USNTDP)
30 Mike Lee, Roseau, Minn. St. Cloud State University (WCHA)

DEFENSEMEN (7)

11 John Carlson, Colonia, N.J. Hershey Bears (AHL)
4 Matt Donovan, Edmond, Okla. University of Denver (WCHA)
24 Cam Fowler, Farmington Hills, Mich. Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
28 Jake Gardiner, Minnetonka, Minn. University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
18 Brian Lashoff, Albany, N.Y. Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
2 John Ramage, St. Louis, Mo. University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
5 David Warsofsky, Marshfield, Mass. Boston University (HEA)

FORWARDS (13)

17 Ryan Bourque, Boxford, Mass. Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
29 Jerry D’Amigo, Binghamton, N.Y. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (ECACH)
22 AJ Jenks, Wolverine Lake, Mich. Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
10 Tyler Johnson, Spokane, Wash. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
20 Chris Kreider, Boxford, Mass. Boston College (HEA) New York Rangers
8 Danny Kristo, Eden Prairie, Minn. University of North Dakota (WCHA)
9 Philip McRae, Chesterfield, Mo. London Knights (OHL)
26 Jeremy Morin, Auburn, N.Y. Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
23 Kyle Palmieri, Montvale, N.J. University of Notre Dame (CCHA)
19 Jordan Schroeder, Prior Lake, Minn. University of Minnesota (WCHA)
21 Derek Stepan, Hastings, Minn. University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
14 Luke Walker, Portland, Ore. Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
16 Jason Zucker, Las Vegas, Nev. U.S. National Under-18 Team (USNTDP)

Nickname issue likely won’t be discussed at next board meeting

It would appear that the board has given the Standing Rock Tribe a little breathing room and some time to decide if they really want to have a referendum on the Fighting Sioux name. I can bet there isn’t a lot of time to waste here; the State Board of Higher Education will probably start transitioning the Fighting Sioux nickname if there isn’t some movement. The other athletic teams need a conference to play in. I would say that the nickname is on life support right now unless there is some movement at Standing Rock.

The State Board of Higher Education will meet in January but likely won’t take any action on the UND Fighting Sioux nickname, a board member said Tuesday.

Grant Shaft said the Jan. 21 meeting at UND would be the next opportunity to bring up the issue, but he didn’t think the board would be able to take any new action — even though a lawsuit from the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation that attempted to block the board from changing the name was dismissed Dec. 18.

“I suspect that the matter will be under appeal at that time,” he said. “So, it will be very similar to what we’ve been doing up to this point.”

Options

Shaft said the nickname could come up for discussion at the January meeting “in reference to what action we’ve taken previously.”

He said he thinks the board would be prohibited from taking any new action on the issue if the appeal is still under way at the time, but members could possibly take action if it was subject to the appeal’s outcome.

Also possible would be going into executive session, which would allow board members to discuss the appeal with Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. Still, he said there’s nothing about the nickname on the meeting’s agenda so far.

“From my standpoint right now, I think during the appeal process the matter is essentially on hold until that process is finished,” he said. “And the official position of the board is the action that we took back in October that just remains suspended right now until the legal process is concluded.”
[Grand Forks Herald]

Martin Havlat on a roll.

At the beginning of the season Martin Havlat wasn't producing much in the way of goals and or points, then all of a sudden it clicked for Havlat. Rencently Havlat has been red hot much like the equipment truck that burned up in Ottawa. Then over the last 6 games where Havlat has 9 points. If we break it down futher Havlat has 11 points in 9 games. Now Havlat is starting to earn that 5 million dollars a year contract.

Remember this guy?

This why the beat writers are talking about Chay Genoway when he has missed 10 games due to injury from this dirty hit.

I think if UND doesn't lose Genoway to that bush league hit you can probably add 2-3 wins to their total at the halfway point. Chay Genoway is an elite player who presence is missed in the Fighting Sioux line up. We can only hope that he makes his return to the Fighting Sioux line up soon.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR (so far): With all due respect to Denver goaltender Marc Cheverie and Wisconsin defenseman Brendan Smith, it's North Dakota defenseman Chay Genoway. With the All-American in the lineup, the Fighting Sioux were 7-1-1. Since he suffered a concussion vs. St. Cloud State Nov. 13, they are 2-5-2 with all five losses by one goal.

At last check, Genoway was so debilitated by the injury that he had to watch practice from a distance lest the moving forms on the ice cause dizziness and studying was an issue because he couldn't focus on a computer screen.

Regardless if Genoway is back in the lineup for the series at St. Cloud Feb. 12 and 13, it's reasonable to assume that some payback will be coming for Huskies center Aaron Marvin, whose illegal check injured Genoway.
[Madison.com]

Well that didn't take long.

I was wondering how long it would take before the Leafs fans would sour and get on former Bruin Phil Kessel. Now that Phil Kessel has zero points in his last three games, the questions are starting already. Where’s Kessel? Why isn't Kessel the man? Kessel is getting paid a lot of money for what?

Let's face facts Leafs fans, you should've known by now that Kessel doesn’t play defense, he never has. Kessel plays hockey one way, he is a one dimensional. Kessel isn’t going to check anyone either, that’s not his game. Phil’s game is shoot the puck on net a bunch of times and play on the first or second line. It is what it is. Don’t expect him to play defensively. It’s not like Kessel is an utter hack either he has 21 points in 25 games (13g-8a-21pts). Kessel now knows how Jason Blake feels after he came to Toronto with a nice new contract and the fans got on him he didn’t live up the fans hype.

The Leafs are in need of someone special to help get them over the hump, someone Phil Kessel was acquired to be. Never mind his goals per, it's really about goals when... for Kessel. He did nothing against Boston, nothing against Buffalo, so when??? When will his brilliance be effective? It's games like Monday's against the Sabres the Leafs need most, for morale and to keep up with the divisional Jones'... and really it's on "the star" like Kessel for not contributing. The rest of the team kept itself in the game long enough for that "special someone" to help it rise beyond. But again they, we are left without. Yeah yeah, 3 of 4 points is nice... but this team has to be better, something it won't be unless Kessel ultimately shakes Hansel and comes to terms with being the effin' guy. You ain't in Boston anymore, Phil. You're in Toronto. You're paid like it. Play like it. [Norman James Sports]

Here is a pretty good fan blog article that I found on the Boston Bruins. I have to agree with the writer that the Bruins went from being one of the best teams in the East to barely being able to score goals. I think the Bruins have to make a move to get more offense or they will be a one and done team in the NHL playoffs, if they make it that far. There is no way you can win hockey games when your team if offensively starved or a playoff series if your team is unable to score goals. You can't expect your team to win 2-1, 1-0 hockey games all of the time.

Compare and contrast: I think its funny how one of my favorite teams has gone from being one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NHL to as boring to watch as last season’s Minnesota Wild team. On the flip side of things; last night’s Wild game was amazing and are now more exciting to watch play hockey. I didn’t think it was possible but Martin Havlat has finally found his scoring tough and has been on a tear.

The Bruins need to find Marc Savard someone to play with fast or this season could go south in a hurry. Sturm and Wheeler are not getting it done; I think the Bruins should try to move one or both of these players along with a prospect. Also the Defense is pretty stacked at defense I think Dennis Wideman is now expendable as well.

It wasn’t that long ago that the Bruins were irrelevant in this town. Last year’s miracle season went a long way towards “making Boston a hockey town again” as Marc Savard recently put it. They were an entertaining team to watch last year, with the second best offense in the NHL, and several bangers and brawlers to put exclamation points on their wins and to give fans something to cheer about in their losses. Fans came back in droves. Attendance went up. TV ratings went up. Season ticket sales spiked. And the revival was underway.

But then things started to go wrong…

The Bruins had a very public, very messy divorce with one of their most popular players in Phil Kessel. Which reminded many of these casual Bruin fans of the days when the Bruins constantly put profit ahead of winning. It didn’t matter that this wasn’t one of those times. And the Bruins rushed right out and signed Lucic and Savard to long term deals, as if to send a message to these fans that they really weren’t being cheap- they just didn’t like Kessel’s game. But the damage was done.

The Bruins also failed to capitalize on all of their pre-season hype and excitement by flopping on opening night, and getting off to a miserable start. The fans that came back, eager to watch a winner, were suddenly getting turned off by a team that wasn’t winning.

To make matters worse- the Bruins were not very entertaining either. Their offense had gone from best in the conference last year to 2nd worst in the NHL by Thanksgiving. Their most entertaining non-scorer, Milan Lucic, was put on long-term-injury-reserve, only to come back for 4 games, get re-injured, and go right back on the LTIR. So even when they finally started winning games consistently, they were boring, low scoring affairs. And while hardcore hockey fans take plenty of gratification out of a hard fought, defensive win, the casual fans that the Bruins need to become relevant again- want to see goals, hits and fights.
[Lunatic Fringe]

Zdeno Chara on being booed in Ottawa

I have always wondered why Senators fans boo Zdeno Chara every time he touches the puck in Ottawa. Personally I can see why Phil Kessel is booed in Boston but “Big Z”?

"I don't know. I can't really control what the fans are doing, if they're booing me or not. I played hard when I played for Ottawa, I always did my best and the organization, at that time, chose Wade Redden and I was fine with that and I had to move on. So when they decided to sign Wade instead of me, I had to move on and obviously management back then — John Muckler and company — they made it look like I went for the money, but that wasn't the case. Basically I liked my chances and options that I had in Boston and that's why I chose Boston and I still believe in that and it's just too bad that they made it look, to the fans and to the public, like I went for the money." [Hockey Capital]

USA Roster Updated.

This is your updated USA WJC Roster. [Click for Roster]
Here is the video of coach Dean Blais discussing the roster cuts.

GOALTENDERS (2)

1 Jack Campbell, Port Huron, Mich. U.S. National Under-18 Team (USNTDP)
30 Mike Lee, Roseau, Minn. St. Cloud State University (WCHA)

DEFENSEMEN (8)

11 John Carlson, Colonia, N.J. Hershey Bears (AHL)
4 Matt Donovan , Edmond, Okla. University of Denver (WCHA)
24 Cam Fowler, Farmington Hills, Mich. Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
28 Jake Gardiner, Minnetonka, Minn. University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
18 Brian Lashoff, Albany, N.Y. Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
3 Max Nicastro, Thousand Oaks, Calif. Boston University (HEA)
2 John Ramage, St. Louis, Mo. University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
5 David Warsofsky, Marshfield, Mass. Boston University (HEA)

FORWARDS (14)

17 Ryan Bourque, Boxford, Mass. Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
12 Chris Brown, Flower Mound, Texas University of Michigan (CCHA)
29 Jerry D’Amigo, Binghamton, N.Y. RPI (ECAC)
22 AJ Jenks, Wolverine Lake, Mich. Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
10 Tyler Johnson, Spokane, Wash. Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
20 Chris Kreider, Boxford, Mass. Boston College (HEA)
8 Danny Kristo, Eden Prairie, Minn. University of North Dakota (WCHA)
9 Philip McRae, Chesterfield, Mo. London Knights (OHL)
26 Jeremy Morin, Auburn, N.Y. Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
23 Kyle Palmieri, Montvale, N.J. University of Notre Dame (CCHA)
19 Jordan Schroeder, Prior Lake, Minn. University of Minnesota (WCHA)
21 Derek Stepan, Hastings, Minn. University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
14 Luke Walker, Portland, Ore. Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
16 Jason Zucker, Las Vegas, Nev. U.S. National Under-18 Team (USNTDP)

WJC TV schedule

The TV schedule for the World Junior Championship was posted over on Sioux Sports. All the USA games will be on the NHL Network which is channel 307 on MIDCO in Grand Forks, ND and channel 215 on Direct TV in the Fargo Area. I am excited that Dave Starman is going to be doing the games again this season. Starman does a really good job breaking down a game and you might recongnize him from the CSTV days when he used call the CSTV games and do a weekly podcast with Elliot Olshansky.

A holiday-season tradition will return to the NHL Network-U.S. for the third-straight season, as once again the network will broadcast all of Team USA's games at the 2010 World Junior Championship.

Gary Thorne, Dave Starman and Fred Pletsch will be the broadcast team for the tournament, which runs Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Saskatoon and Regina, Sask.

The network also will televise six other preliminary-round games, as well as all medal round games. For non-U.S. games, the network will utilize the TSN broadcast.

All 16 games will be aired in high-definition.

Thorne, who will handle play-by-play duties, boasts over 30 years of sports broadcasting experience. He served a 12-year stint (1992-2004) as the voice of ESPN's NHL telecasts and was also the lead hockey play-by-play voice of NBC's 2002 Olympic Winter Games. He currently serves as a play-by-play commentator for college football on ESPN and ABC, and for MLB on ESPN Radio.

Starman, who will serve as the color analyst, currently is the lead analyst for CBS College Sports' hockey coverage (AKA CSTV). He served as the analyst for the NHL Network's coverage of Team USA's games at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship, as well.

Pletsch, who will serve as the rinkside reporter, is a college hockey analyst on Fox Sports Detroit and has worked as a sideline reporter for ESPN and for NHL Network for the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship. He is the associate commissioner of the CCHA.

All times Eastern

Saturday, December 26
Latvia vs. Canada 4:00 pm
Czech Republic vs. Sweden 6:00 pm
Slovakia vs. USA 8:00 pm


Sunday, December 27
USA vs. Switzerland 4:00 pm
Czech Republic vs. Finland 6:00 pm


Monday, December 28
Canada vs. Switzerland 4:00 pm


Tuesday, December 29
Latvia vs. USA 4:00 pm
Sweden vs. Russia 6:00 pm
Canada vs. Slovakia 8:00 pm


Thursday, December 31
USA vs. Canada
8:00 pm

Saturday, January 2
Quarterfinal #1
5:00 pm
Quarterfinal #2
9:00 pm

Sunday, January 3
Semifinal #1 5:00 pm
Semifinal #2 9:00 pm

Tuesday, January 5
Bronze Medal Game 4:00 pm
Gold Medal Game 8:00 pm
[NHL.com]

A few things.

I really liked that picture that I stole off of the internet. Moving forward this is the best time of year, Christmas is so much fun and I have so many gifts that I am thankful for, health, my family and Fighting Sioux hockey. As the hockey season evolves and the year changes to 2010, the college hockey season is approaching the home stretch. I always say that championships are won in February, March and April. The NHL season is almost at the halfway point already, as this year’s season is more compressed due to the Olympic Games in Vancouver

As the calendar year changes to 2010 we will again see if UND has another run to the NCAA championship or a conference championship in them. I don’t know? This Fighting Sioux have many questions to answer. Most of the things the Sioux have to work on and or fix aren't all that difficult to fix. It's just a matter of playing more disciplined hockey including being more responsible in the defensive zone, stop taking mind numbing stupid, knuckleheaded bad undisciplined penalties. It will be fun watching the Sioux go forward into February, March and hopefully April.

Goon’s World would also like to welcome LGM of the now defunct blog Let’s-Go- Mavs. I kept asking her when she is going to return to blogsphere, so here she is. I am hoping for a spirited Archie and LGM debate soon.

Editing note: While I Welcome debate and discussion on my blog if you post insulting comments or demeaning comments directed at me, my team members, my family members or dead family members these comments will be deleted without apology. I don’t have to tolerate comments like that and it's my blog.

Claude Julien on College Hockey.

I found this quote very interesting; here is what the Boston Bruins head coach had to say about college hockey players. Personally I like College Hockey and I have watched college hockey for a very long time, but I don't have a problem with the CHL either. I had the privilege of attending a WHL game between Seattle and Portland in the late 1980’s and it was lot fun. They are more CHL players in the NHL. I personally would like to be able to see more of their games on television.

After further study . . .
Bruins coach Claude Julien, who turns 50 in April, as a player took the Canadian junior route in hopes of making it to the big time, putting in tours with both the Oshawa Generals and Windsor Spitfires over four seasons. During Boston’s rookie camp, held at the start of September in Kitchener, Ontario, he confided that his choice today, some 30 years later, likely would be to play for a top US college program - no doubt music to the ears of the newly formed College Hockey, Inc., based in Newton. Prior to Boston’s game last Saturday on Long Island, Julien said he felt today’s college players typically enter the NHL with better conditioning levels than most of the top junior players, simply because the college players have fewer games and more time for off-ice training. As a trade-off, he noted candidates from the junior leagues arrive with more game experience and are perhaps better prepared for the day-to-day grind of professional hockey.

John Boychuk Hit On Matt Stajan

I don't think that Boychuck will get suspended by the NHL for his hit on Stajan. It's a legal legit body check, when I first saw the hit I thought Boychuck had left his feet but I don't think so. Second, I am a big time Boston Bruins fans and while some might think this hit probably is in the questionable range, it is a perfect example of why you don't skate with your head down. From the video you can see that Matt Stajan skated across the blue line with his head down.

The Leafs head coach Wilson was upset with the hit and if you read his lips you will see him say it was a head shot. Of course who knows what will happened because there does seem to be a lack of logic to the NHL disciplinary system. We will have to see where the Wheel of Justice takes us.

Here is what the Stanley Cup of Chowder had to say on the hit:

- I thought Johnny Boychuk's hit was clean. He only left his feet after the initial contact . Stajan got caught with his head down in the neutral zone and unfortunately in the path of a big kid who is trying to make an impression at the NHL level.

USA 4 UND 2

Here is the way I look at it. The Fighting Sioux just played the best American players aged 18-20 in Hockey and played pretty well against them for three periods of hockey. Remember every one of these kids have been drafted or will be drafted and you have first and second round draft choices playing on third and fourth lines. Let’s also not forget that the Fighting Sioux had three of their better players out of the line up as well. I think for Fighting Sioux fans you have a lot to be positive about. I also included video evidence of Brad Eidsness stoning Jordan Schroeder. The Fighting Sioux goalies played well tonight in my opinion.

[Box Score]
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1st Period (20:00)
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NDK-1 Mario Lamoureux (2-Boarding) U20 0x1 5:03
U20-1 Brian Lashoff (2-Holding) NDK 0x1 10:04
NDK-2 BENCH (2-Too Many Players) (Served by Michael Cichy) U20 0x2 15:07
U20-2 Jerry D'Amigo (2-Roughing) 16:17
NDK-3 Brett Hextall (2-Roughing) 16:17

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2nd Period (20:00)
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NDK-4 Ben Blood (2-Tripping) U20 1x3 6:04
U20 1 - 0 6x5 PP Chris Kreider (Cam Fowler, Derek Stepan) 6:51
U20: 20,24,21,19,4,G30 NDK: 19,25,22,3,G31
U20-3 John Ramage (2-HITTING AFTER WHISTLE) 7:03
NDK-5 Corban Knight (2-HITTING AFTER WHISTLE) 7:03
U20-4 Chris Brown (2-Interference) NDK 0x2 12:59
U20-5 Jeremy Morin (2-Holding) NDK 1x3 17:06
NDK 1 - 1 6x5 PP Evan Trupp (Brad Malone, Jake Marto) 17:37
NDK: 19,22,25,20,26,G32 U20: 2,21,28,8,G1
U20-6 Tyler Johnson (2-Boarding) NDK 1x4 18:46
U20-7 David Warsofsky (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 19:16
NDK-6 Brett Hextall (2-Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 19:16

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3rd Period (20:00)
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NDK-7 Ben Blood (2-CONTACT TO THE HEAD) U20 1x4 1:35
U20 2 - 1 6x6 LL Chris Kreider (Matt Donovan, Cam Fowler) 3:36
U20 (+): 20,4,24,21,19,G1
U20-8 Chris Brown (2-Hooking) NDK 1x5 5:40
U20 3 - 1 6x6 GW Jason Zucker (Philip McRae) 8:57
U20 (+): 16,9,4,7,22,G1 NDK (-): 9,28,18,4,8,G32
U20-9 Chris Kreider (2-Slashing) NDK 1x6 10:58
NDK 2 - 3 6x6 EA Evan Trupp (Jake Marto) 19:11
NDK (+): 19,20,18,22,25,10 U20 (-): 25,19,26,24,18,G1
Timeout - North Dakota 19:11
U20 4 - 2 6x6 EN Danny Kristo (Derek Stepan, Jerry D'Amigo) 19:43
U20 (+): 8,21,29,5,4,G1 NDK (-): 10,25,17,22,19,26

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End of Game
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