Mike and Mike: A boon for UNO's Blais

Here is a nice story on former Fighting Sioux hockey head hockey coach Dean Blais. All the coaches on the UNO staff have some kind of a connection to the Minnesota Golden Gophers hockey team. Dean is going to yell Mike and two people are going to answer, Mike and Mike…

World-Herald Staff Writer --- During his more than 30 years in hockey, Dean Blais has put together his share of talented coaching staffs.

But never before, Blais said, has he been surrounded by a pair of assistants with such an impressive combination of talent and experience.

It was big news last year when Blais brought in Mike Hastings to be UNO's associate head coach. Now, by adding assistant Mike Guentzel to the Mavs' bench this summer, Blais appears to have assembled the college hockey equivalent of a rock ‘n' roll supergroup.

“It's almost like we have three head coaches,” said Blais, who's gearing up for his second season leading the University of Nebraska at Omaha hockey program. “I think that will really help us. If I have to be gone recruiting, it's not going to bother me at all to miss practice. Because I'll know either one of them (Hastings or Guentzel) can run practice as good, if not better, than I can.”

When you add up the career numbers and accomplishments on the résumés of Blais, Hastings and Guentzel, the results are eye-popping.

Together, they boast 60 years of experience coaching at the NCAA, USHL and international levels. They've spent a combined 32 seasons employed as a head coach, compiling 1,015 victories.

Between the three, they've had a hand in six NCAA titles and five USHL Clark Cup championships. Blais was USHL coach of the year once and a two-time winner of the NCAA national coach of the year award. Hastings and Guentzel, both former head coaches with the Omaha Lancers, each was named USHL coach of the year twice.

And consider this nugget: Hastings never experienced a losing season as a head coach, while Blais and Guentzel only endured one apiece.

Pirri leaving RPI for shot at AHL

The mass exodus of players at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute continues, as they have now lost two great underclassmen hockey players. Seems a little late to me and almost borderline unethical for professional teams to be signing college players this close to the beginning of the school year. Like another hockey blogger mentioned, there is probably no way that RPI can adequately replace this player without pulling a recruit that may or may not be ready to play this season in college.

Yahoo Sports - Less than two weeks after losing forward Jerry D’Amigo, another crack in the foundation is looming for the RPI Engineers.

Sources tell Yahoo! Sports that star centre Brandon Pirri is set to play with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL this season and that he has already agreed in principal to a three-year entry level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. Like D’Amigo, the signing would end his NCAA eligibility after one season with the Eastern College Athletic Conference school located in Troy, New York.

The news comes less than two weeks after RPI lost ECAC rookie of the year D’Amigo—who left the school after signing a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Right-winger Jordan Watts also left the program recently over ice time and transferred to Division III Adrian College.

According to sources, Pirri has already told RPI head coach Seth Appert of his intention to leave school and sign with the Blackhawks.

Appert did not reply to an email request for an interview.

Meet Mr. Timely (T.J. Oshie Story)

I found this on line and thought I would pass it along to Fighting Sioux Hockey fans. Also, for the people that always wondered what T.J. stands for, now you know.

Hockey Independent --- Born Timothy Oshie Jr., TJ Oshie is developing into a big time playmaker for the Saint Louis Blues.

Drafted 24th overall by the Blues in 2005, Oshie played his high school hockey in Warroad, Minnesota. During his senior season at Warroad High School, the 23-year-old forward lead his team to an undefeated season and a Class A state title. That season Oshie put up 37 goals and 62 assists, en route to earning the title of state scoring champion and a spot on the AP All-State first team.

After high school, Oshie spent a short time in the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampede before enrolling in the University of North Dakota.

In his first season with the Fighting Sioux, Oshie scored 24 goals, the most of any first year player in the entire NCAA. That same year he was also selected to Team USA for the World Junior Championships (that team lost to Finland in the Bronze medal game).


After a prolific first year in the Western Collegiate Hockey League, Oshie was selected in the 1st round, 24th overall in the 2005 NHL Draft by the Blues. That ’05 draft was loaded with big name NHL players including Sidney Crosby, Bobby Ryan, Jack Johnson, and Jonathan Quick.

Oshie went on to play two more seasons at North Dakota putting up 52 points his second season and a team-high 45 points in his third and final season. During his final year with the Fighting Sioux, Oshie was a Top 10 Hobey Baker Award finalist and earned all-tournament honors at the WCHA Final Five and NCAA Midwest Region Championship. He was also selected to the American Hockey Coaches Association first team West All-American and the All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association first team


Oshie played a pivotal role in the Blues’ 2008-09 playoff run putting up 39 points (14 goals, 25 assists). His goal against the Vancouver Canucks on March 25 earned him the NHL’s 2008-09 Goal of the Year honors and his hits against Rick Nash late in the season energized both his teammates and fans and earned him a spot in Urban Dictionary.

Last season, the young Blues forward showed improvement from his rookie year putting up more goals, assists, and points.

While he may not become a big-time scorer, Oshie does posses the ability to create plays and score goals in the clutch.

“Is he ever going to be a 35 goal scorer? He hasn’t shown any signs to make you think that he will be, but it’s going to be real interesting,” said HockeyBuzz writer Andy Strickland. “He’s a hard player to figure out. There’s so much value to his game outside of his offensive production. He kills penalties, relentless worker, responsible in all 3 zones, creative offensively, he can score, he’s an all-around player.”

New way to make comments on Goon's World.

I have gotten a few messages from folks that said, 'Hey you killed the comments section of your blog.' I said, "what you can still comment on Goon's World." Actually; I have made a few changes to the blog and I have changed the system for making comments on Goon's World. Starting last week, we are no longer accepting comments under blogger. For now; I have decided to use the Intense Debate system; which in my opinion is a better system for accepting comments on my blog. You can get an account by logging on to this web link.

Intense Debate is a commenting system which is designed to inspire conversation. Including such features as threaded comments (allowing readers to reply to each other in comment threads), avatars and a voting system, many Blogger users are now choosing this as an alternative to the default Blogger commenting system.

From time to time I have had a few internet trolls post questionable and disgusting comments on this blog, they were deleted. Now I have the ability of blocking said IP addresses of the people that act like moron/trolls. While you can post anonymous messages, I still have the option of deleting them and or blocking the IP address of the person making the comment.

Report: Huet to Switzerland

Redwing_77's favorite NHL sieve might be headed to Europe this season. That would be a good move for the Chicago Blackhawks because they wouldn't have to pay the dead weight his huge salary.

According to a report on the Swiss site 20 Minutes Online, Cristobal Huet will be loaned to Fribourg-Gotteron for the 2010-11 season by the Chicago Blackhawks. Loaning Huet will save the Blackhawks over $5 million.

Huet's agent, Stephen Bartlett, told ESPN the signing was not official.

"We've talked, but it's not definitive at this point," Bartlett said. "We'll know if it will happen probably in the next couple of days."

With Marty Turco signed to replace Antti Niemi and Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman a backer of Corey Crawford, a move of Huet to Europe or the minor leagues had been expected.

Huet appeared in 48 games for the Blackhawks last season, starting the season as the No. 1 goalie. He was 26-14-4 with a 2.50 goals-against average and .895 save percentage. He appeared in just one game, in the Stanley Cup Playoffs playing 20 minutes in relief of Niemi.

Midcontinent launching new sports network

This is good news.

Midco Sports Network (MidcoSN), a new all-local sports TV network, will be delivering college, university and high school sporting events in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Midcontinent Communications is launching the sports network because Midcontinent’s customers are asking for more local and regional sports coverage, as well as sporting events in the three-state region not being broadcast on televisions.

The new network will focus on the region’s college, high school, and youth sporting events, as well as sports-lifestyle programming in standard and high-definition. Most events will also be available on Video On Demand.

A complete schedule of game coverage and more information is available at Midco sports net. [Link to the Story]

SCSU's Eddy Ineligible To Compete This Fall

When I saw this the first question out of my mouth was, "how in the hell can you become ineligible taking freshman classes?" Come on! SCSU isn't Harvard or Cornell. As a College athlete you have one job; go to school, workout, study a couple of hours a night and play hockey. Not that tough people. They should put Eddy's picture in the front window of the SCSU athletic department with the title moron of the semester.

KVSC Radio 88.1 FM has learned that sophomore forward David Eddy is ineligible to compete in athletic competition this fall. This was confirmed by St. Cloud State Athletic Media Relations.

Eddy scored 12 goals and added 13 assists in 35 games last season. The Woodbury native found a home playing on a line with Garrett Roe and Tony Mosey, and had one of his biggest games when he scored two goals for St. Cloud State in the WCHA Final Five Championship game on March 20th.

No further information on Eddy’s status is available at this time. St. Cloud State’s official team roster is expected to be released sometime in the next week and KVSC will follow this story as it continue to progress.

I mean Seriously folks, it's hard to become ineligible in college sports, unless you're going to an Ivy League school or taking rocket science. You can get a "C" by reading the assignments from the professors, attending lectures and taking the tests. WOW!

Voiding Roberto Luongo contract would be ‘in complete violation’ of CBA: prominent agent

If you haven't seen this article it's worth taking a look at. I don't see how the NHL could void the contracts of players that have already played a season under their current deals.

VANCOUVER — Prominent player agent Kurt Overhardt doesn’t figure the National Hockey League will void the registered, front-end loaded contracts of Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo and three other players.

Overhardt, who possesses 20 years experience in contract law, employment law and intellectual property law, noted that arbitrator Richard Bloch’s decision on the Ilya Kovalchuk deal was “subjective” and that the 17-year contract should have been upheld.

As a consequence, Overhardt cannot see the NHL throwing out the Luongo, Marian Hossa, Chris Pronger and Marc Savard contracts. On Monday, Bloch ruled in favour of the league’s decision to void Kovalchuk’s $102-million deal with New Jersey, agreeing with the NHL that the contract “has the effect of defeating” the league’s salary cap.

“What basis did [Bloch] give?” Overhardt said in an interview from his Denver office. “What did he hang his hat on? The decision was completely subjective. There was no bad faith found between the parties, There was nothing within the collective bargaining agreement that he found was actually in violation of the document. So, therefore, logic and law and the facts dictate the contract should have been upheld.”

This, of course, leads to the already registered contracts for Luongo, Hossa, Pronger and Savard. Hossa has played one year on his contract while the other three will see their deals kick in for the 2010-11 season.

“Any and all speculation that the league is going to claw back these other contracts ... would be in complete violation of the collective bargaining agreement and it would be a complete infringement of the players’ rights under the CBA,” Overhardt continued. “Any attempt to do so would be absolutely predatory behaviour by the league, would be in bad faith and not in the spirit of the CBA.”

Source: NHL to change tiebreaker

This is good news for the hockey purists that don't like shootouts deciding tie breakers. I also think it his is the first step in the NHL backing away from the shootout.

ESPN - The NHL plans to finalize a change to its regular-season tiebreaking system for 2010-11 at a Sept. 14 Board of Governors' meeting, a league source said.

Under the new plan, the first tiebreaker will be a combination of regulation time and overtime victories, with shootout wins excluded. In the past, the first tiebreaker had been total wins of any kind.

Bad Boy Josh Birkholz makes his CHL debute.

Good for him. This article was over on Goal Gophers, one thing that stuck out was if the CHL is such a superior development league to the NCAA, how is Josh Birkholz a top 6 forward? That makes a person go hum. Seriously; what line was Birkholz projected to be on with the Golden Gophers this season? If I am not mistaken; wasn't Birkholz a top 9-12 forward last season with the Gophers (third or fourth line player). With the talent they have coming in this season I would imagine he would have been about the same this season.

Shortly after the Silvertips signed Birkholz, Doug Soetaert, the team's vice president and general manager talked about him. "Obviously we look for Josh to come in and be a top six forward for us during the coming year," Soetaert said.

"We develop these players. They all have aspirations to move on to the NHL as fast as they can. If they are here one year, that's great. If two, so be it. But that's our sole purpose, to develop players as fast as we can."

Birkholz will be on a team with only two other Americans. Eighteen of his teammates on the major junior hockey team are Canadians, two are Finns.

"With Josh, he wants to continue his education online at the University of Minnesota and we respect all that," Soetaert said. "But he will have the opportunity to play a lot and develop to a high level."

Birkholz was taken in the third round of the 2009 NHL draft by the Florida Panthers.

The Silvertip Vice President Doug Soetaert's statement sounds like a recruitment advertisement for the CHL...

CHL wants to discuss feud with NCAA

Yawn! Does anyone ever get tired of the never ending debate, feud, pissing contest between the CHL and the NCAA? Bruce Ciskie has a good blog post on the discussion at his blog. Over at Western College Hockey Chris also has a pretty good post on this subject as well. I am not sure what the two sides are going to talk about unless they are going to call a truce and not act like warring parties.

It may not be on the official docket, but the recruiting war between the NCAA and the Canadian Hockey League is still expected to produce some lively discussion at the World Hockey Summit in Toronto.

"It's not on the agenda, but we've certainly indicated to Hockey Canada and USA Hockey that we think there is an opportunity to sit down," said Ron Robison, a CHL vice-president and commissioner of the Western Hockey League.

"We're committed to continuing to try to improve relationships with USA Hockey, NCAA Hockey and so forth. We have a responsibility in North America to the development system to do that in the best interest of the players. Our goal is to attempt to sit down (with them). Whether we can do that at the summit or soon thereafter, that will be our objective."

The feud between the CHL and NCAA has turned bitter since the hiring of former NHL Players' Association boss Paul Kelly as executive director of College Hockey Inc. Working on behalf of the NCAA, Kelly has attempted to discredit the CHL, along with elements of its programs, practices and policies.

Based on some of the fireworks to date, Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson wouldn't be surprised if there's more discussion during the summit.

"I'm sure through it all there are going to be comments on it," he said. "I think we should be real clear from (the perspective of Hockey) Canada: We want to improve our system, we want to make sure that what we control in our country is the best it can be. It doesn't mean players don't have the option to go NCAA. We certainly aren't saying negative things about NCAA. We're just trying to make the Canadian system better because that's under our umbrella.

"I think the key thing is, everyone should promote the things they're doing well. We're seeing bashing coming from NCAA and I don't like that. I think NCAA has some very positive things and that's what they should stick to, as the CHL does. The CHL has done a good job in their scholarship program. I would love to see the CIS jump more to the forefront and look at development using their universities and even the Canadian colleges to help players that want to go to school in Canada and play hockey."
[Windsorstar.com]

Like I have said before, “I think both leagues have a lot to offer and have their strong points as well as their not so good points.” NCAA and the CHL are both proven paths to the NHL and professional hockey. I do like the idea by Chris Dilks of having a gentleman’s agreement with the CHL like the WCHA does amongst its coaches.

NHL shootouts being killed off?

Here is an article that I found interesting over on Yahoo.com, it’s also a flash point issue with many college and NHL hockey fans. Many of these hockey fans are also passionate about the shootouts, both for and against. Personally, I think the shootout is exciting part of the post lockout NHL and I think it’s a very good way to end a game during the regular season, however, I would never endorse it for ending/deciding a game in a league champion.

TORONTO – Two-on-two? Not gonna happen. But three-on-three? Now that’s something we could see in NHL overtime someday.

Of all the ideas being tested this week at the league’s Research, Development and Orientation Camp, the most realistic ones with the biggest potential to impact the game involve overtime. The league is looking at two-on-two and three-on-three concepts, as well as four-on-four with teams switching ends to create long line changes.

Most everyone agrees the shootout has become too common. The debate is over what to do about it.

”I’d like to look at anything that reduces the number of games that are decided by a shootout,” Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke said. ”I mean, basically we’re deciding an astonishing percentage of games with a shootout. We never envisioned that when we approved that rule.”

When the NHL introduced the shootout in 2005-06, the thought was that teams would go all-out in the five-minute, four-on-four overtime period, trying to earn two points in the standings.

It will be interesting to see where the NHL goes with this. While some hockey fans like ties in hockey, personally I can't stand a hockey game that ends in a tie, I call them sister kissings. A tie feels like a loss to me in some instances.

NHL gives Hybrid icing rule second look

It's a good first step in the right direction. I would actually like to see the NHL go to the no touch icing rules like the Olympics and college hockey. Everytime I see two players reach for the puck I think back to the Kurtis Foster incident during the 200

TORONTO — A hybrid icing rule aimed at reducing dangerous collisions received some extra attention at the NHL's research and development camp.

Organizers decided to extend the rule to Wednesday's second session because they felt they hadn't seen enough of it in the first one. The proposed change gives linesmen the ability to make a ruling on whether a play will be called an icing based on which player reaches the faceoff dot first.

It's designed to eliminate violent crashes into the end boards that have resulted from players chasing the puck. A number of NHLers have been injured in that manner — including former Minnesota Wild defenceman Kurtis Foster, who missed most of the 2008-09 season after breaking his leg while racing back to touch the puck for an icing.

Ken Hitchcock, who is coaching one of the teams at the development camp, liked what he saw from the hybrid icing rule.

“It's a competitive and safe way of playing,” said Hitchcock. “You would almost completely eliminate those big injuries that come and yet you're still creating the competition for (the puck). ... For me, it's a real good idea.

Wilson will help the defense.

I found this blog post over on MVN.COM ; first off I wouldn't call it a rift but a smart hockey move by the Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher. Hiring Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Rick Wilson who is a proven assistant coach in the NHL was an awesome move and his defensive philosophy can help a team that was horrible defensively last season. I don’t think it it’s a stretch to say that last season the Wild defense looked like a bunch of orange pylons or road cones and it was almost like they had forgot everything that the previous coach had taught them.

Is the hiring of defense-guru Wilson a sign the team has lost a little faith in Richards' and his system to win games? Mike Ramsey, who was the outgoing defensive guru noted philosophical differences as part of the reason for deciding to step away as part of the Wild's trio of coaches. So far nothing public has been stated that really points to a rift but Fletcher clearly is willing to place who he wants above the desires of the head coach. I know that many Wild fans steadily began to question Richards' decision-making especially after holding an optional practice after a particularly paltry effort the night before. So could upper management be wanting Richards to be on the hot seat unless the team shows some real improvement? Maybe, because the franchise is finally feeling a bit more pressure from hockey-mad fans as demonstrated by the struggles to sell season tickets, especially in the lower bowl where you can now purchase 10, 20 and 30 game season ticket packages for the first time in the history of the team. The best cure for those sorts of woes is winning and I think Richards would be foolish to think he would not catch some flak from the ownership if the team again finds itself mired in a mediocre season. The fact of the matter is the team is spending near the cap ceiling, and Wild owner Craig Leipold is going to want to see some return on that investment. I think many Wild fans are wanting the same thing, and they're hoping to avoid a complete rebuild even if that really may be the best solution in order to achieve long-term success.
[State of Hockey]

I think we need to give Chuck Fletcher the benefit of the doubt here and I also think Wild fans need to be a little patient when it comes to the Wild Coach Todd Richards, the former general manager Doug Riesbrough left the Wild hockey in shambles and it’s going to take a long time to correct the mess that was left behind.

CCHA to Continue Shootouts in League Play

It would be interesting to see what the breakdown of the vote for the shootout was. Personally, I am a fan of the shootout and find them entertaining in the NHL games that I watch. I know there are a lot of college hockey fans and hockey purists that DON’T like the shootout and to many fans it’s a person preference whether they like it or not.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. - The Central Collegiate Hockey Association will continue to use shootouts and a three-point system in league play, as determined by a vote at the CCHA Council Meeting in Dearborn, Mich., Aug. 16-17.

In addition, the council voted for the CCHA to begin using standardized media timeouts in all league games and non-conference games hosted by CCHA teams. In 2008 the CCHA became the first Division I men’s ice hockey conference to institute the shootout in league play. For the 2009-10 season, the CCHA adopted a standings format for league play where a team that wins in regulation or overtime receives three points, a team that wins a shootout is awarded two points, a team that loses a shootout gets one point, and a team that loses in regulation or overtime earns no points. This past season 25 CCHA games went to a shootout, with Alaska being the most frequent participant at eight shootouts.

Why is everyone bonkers about Kaberle?

When I heard that the rumors last summer that the Boston Bruins might have been interested in Tomas Kaberle the first question out of my mouth was why? I am just hoping that Boston Bruins aren't one of the 10 teams in the mix for Tomas Kaberle this summer. While I know Kaberle is highly regarded by some, I have never been a big fan of him and he doesn't really stand out as being the type of defenseman that I would want to build my team around. Sure he had 7 goals - 42 assists - 49 points in 82 games last season but he was also a -16. Basically another offensive only defenseman that lacks grit and get caught up ice too much. No thank you, he isn't worth 4.25 million in my opinion.

“I think it’s 50-50. If I get the phone call that says he’s been moved to X team, I wouldn’t be surprised. But, having said that, I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if the clock ticks midnight (Sunday) night and he’s still a Toronto Maple Leaf,” said Curran, who spoke with Burke Saturday morning.

While Burke has said all along that he’ll happily keep Kaberle if he doesn’t get an offer he deems worthy of an all-star calibre defender carrying a $4.25 million (U.S.) price tag — albeit with just one season remaining on his deal — it is thought that the GM is assessing somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 different trade scenarios.

But Curran believes, no matter what the level of interest, nothing can be assumed.

“It’s an anxious time for Tomas as it is for the Leafs,” said the agent. “I think at this point, it’s probably better for everyone who is on the outside looking in, to just sit back with interest and wait to see what happens. I wouldn’t be surprised either way.”

Curran, as has been reported, said the Leafs have asked him if Kaberle would consider a contract extension if a trade isn’t made. The answer, of course, is yes. The 32-year-old defender has stated all along what he wants to remain a Leaf.

“There’s no sense getting into any of that right now. Let’s just wait and see if he is a Leaf by midnight (Sunday) or not,” said Curran. [Toronto Star]

How far are they going to go back...

Ilya Kovalchuk contract caused a fire storm with contracts that some claim circumvent the CBA. My question is how far are they going to go back and look? I also wonder if I am the only one that doesn't really like the current CBA? I think teams should be able to adjust their cap numbers when they get into injury problems.

Arbitrator Richard Bloch's ruling on the Ilya Kovalchuk grievance yesterday could affect the registration of Marc Savard's seven-year, $28.05 million contract.

In Bloch's decision, acquired by Team 1200 legal analyst Eric Macramalla, the arbitrator upheld the NHL's rejection of Kovalchuk's 17-year, $102 million contract. In the decision, a footnote includes Savard's contract (others include those of Chris Pronger, Roberto Luongo, and Marian Hossa) as featuring a similar structure to Kovalchuk's rejected deal. Savard will be paid $7 million in 2010-11 and 2011-12; $6.5 million in 2012-13; $5 million in 2013-14; $1.5 million in 2014-15; then backdives to $525,000 in 2015-16 and 2016-17.

According to the footnote, Savard's contract has been registered but is being investigated once more by the league. According to the collective bargaining agreement, the NHL can conduct an investigation to determine whether circumvention took place even after a contract has been approved and registered.

"[W]hile the contracts have, in fact, been registered, their structure has not escaped League notice: those [Standard Player Contracts] are being investigated currently with at least the possibility of a subsequent withdrawal of the registration," the footnote reads. "It is also the case that the figures in Kovalchuk's case are demonstrably more dramatic, including a 17-year term length, a $102,000,000 salary total, and precipitous drop that lasts for the final six years of this contract." [Boston Globe]

I did smell B.S. - UAH stiffed by CCHA...

Last week the CCHA opened major can of worms when the CCHA league commissioner said that they were targeting PSU as their potential 12th team, Tom Anastos said, "They are a very attractive choice -- very attractive."

When Central Collegiate Hockey Association officials gather next week in Dearborn for annual meetings, they are expected to discuss the possibility of adding a 12th team to the league.

The target: Penn State.

"They are a very attractive choice -- very attractive," CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos told The Detroit News on Tuesday. "They're in a different market than we're in, more and more U.S. players are on college rosters, and there's tremendous growth of the sport in Pennsylvania."

[The Detroit News]

Wow! I am speechless. Last year I said this, “I have to say that I smell bullshit here. Something doesn't add up and I am not buying it. So are we to believe that UAH isn't good enough to play in the CCHA? This is a league that includes FSU 12-19-7, LSSU 11-20-8, and BGSU 11-24-3. The bottom half of the league is stuffed with mediocre - crappy teams that would have a very tough time beating UAH. UAH also has a nicer arena and draws better crowd than the teams deemed worthy of being in the CCHA.” [Click - for distances and attendance]

I made those comments after the CCHA turned down UAH’s application for admission, I was right I do smell bravo sierra. Let me get this right; Penn State University, a school that doesn’t even have a hockey program or an ice hockey arena, is more attractive than UAH. Seriously, all Penn State University has is a rumor and a few articles in various papers that say PSU has a big time Alum with deep pockets that wants to add hockey. Please tell me that isn’t the definition of elitism? You're welcome to attempt to refute this if you would like.

Elitism Definition: - is the belief or attitude that some individuals, who supposedly form an elite — a select group of people with, intellect, wealth, specialized training or experience, or other distinctive attributes — are those whose views on a matter are to be taken the most seriously or carry the most weight or those who view their own views as so; whose views and/or actions are most likely to be constructive to society as a whole; or whose extraordinary skills, abilities or wisdom render them especially fit to govern...

There has to be another angle that isn’t being discussed here. It doesn’t take an economics major to note that the majority of the CCHA teams are in the state of Michigan. Unless you don’t read the news or watch it on TV you will know that the state of Michigan is in dire states and suffering from 13.2% unemployment. Whole blocks of houses in Detroit Michigan are gone.

The only other thing that I can think of is that the CCHA is hurting for money and is trying to tap into the Big Ten money by adding another Big Ten School. With PSU in the CCHA they would have 4 of the 6 Big Ten schools that have hockey. If you add the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to the equation the CCHA would have 5 of the bigger schools in division one hockey.

One can only speculate that the CCHA is hoping to siphon off money from the Big Ten network. Another thought that comes to mind is; maybe CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos is trying to offer PSU a place in their league to fight off the BTHC plundering the CCHA?

On the other side the problem is the other schools in the CCHA are small schools either division I mid majors (Western Michigan – MAC, Bowling Green – MAC, Miami – MAC) or division II schools (Northern Michigan – GLIAC, Ferris State – GLIAC, LSSU – GLIAC, Alaska Fairbanks – GNAC ) in every other sport but hockey. A lot of the member schools in the CCHA are teams that have smaller older buildings. It does seem like the CCHA is trying to keep up with the WCHA and maybe trying to kick start some life into their financially strapped league.

UA – Carlson Building, 6443, 1990
Bowling Green University – BGSU Ice Arena, 5000, 1967
Ferris State University – Robert L. Ewigleben Ice Arena, 2493, 1976
Lake Superior State University – Taffy Abel Arena, 4000, 1976
University of Michigan – Yost Ice Arena, 6637, 1923
Michigan State University – Munn Ice Arena, 6470, 1974
Northern Michigan University – Berry Events Center, 3902, 1999
Miami University – Goggin Ice Center, 3200, 2006
Notre Dame University – Joyce Center, 2857, 1968 – Notre Dame will get a new ice arena in October of 2011, Charles W. "Lefty" Smith Jr. Rink, 5000.
Ohio State University - Value City Arena at The Jerome Schottenstein Center, 17,2000, 1998
Western Michigan University – Lawson Ice Arena, 3667, 1974

In comparision: University of Alabama Huntsville - Von Braun Center, 6602, 1975

The Big Ten Argument

I have been a college hockey fan since the late 1980’s and since the 1990’s we have heard about the possibility of the Big Ten Hockey Conference and how there is eventually going to be this super hockey conference that will include Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio State University and a team to be named later _____________. To this date we still do not have a sixth team needed to form this super league. Sarcasm meter should be on.

I am hockey fan first and consider it my religion but lets be realistic here. Hockey is a niche sport and it’s never going to be very popular in markets that cater to the college basketball and football crowd. I am also cool with the fact that some people just don’t get hockey. I am appreciative of that and do not want them following hockey either.

I also don’t buy the argument that Pennsylvania is a growing hockey market. In comparison to what? College hockey is in Pennsylvania already with the RMU Colonials,what makes anyone think that PSU is going to over shadow RMU? Personally, I just don’t see the sport of college hockey growing in Pennsylvania to the level of enthusiasm that a school like Minnesota, Michigan or North Dakota has. College hockey is about traditions and history and PSU has none of it. Fellow Big Ten school OSU also lacks a rich hockey history.

I keep hearing this argument that if the big time BCS football schools got into college hockey they would dominate and take over the college hockey world. Really! I just don’t’ see it happening. Where are these new power house teams going to get their recruits from? Do these people think they are going to just step into college hockey and compete with the likes of North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, B.C., and Wisconsin? The college hockey recruiting landscape is already crowded and in competition for players with the CHL.

Finally, while the Big Ten Hockey Conference seems like a good idea to some I think it could be bad and disastrous for other college hockey programs mostly the small mid major schools (the majority of CCHA teams not in the Big Ten or named Notre Dame) and it could set into motion a collapse of college hockey as we know it today. If the BTHC formed it would basically cause the CCHA to become league that resembles the AHA.

The WCHA would remain competitive and strong with teams like UND, C.C., UMD, DU, UNO, BSU, SCSU, UAA, MSU Mankato and MTU and would come out almost as strong even with losing their top money makers in UMN and UW. Our league would feel a crunch but would come out of it stronger than most teams in the CCHA. One could also make the argument that Hockey East survived whether the CCHA or WCHA existed at all and this move would have little affect on them.

Also, the Big Ten Hockey Conference would have little effect on the ECAC, AHA as well. Their niche has already been determined and is successful. The addition of the Big Ten Hockey Conference could have a devastating affects on the CCHA, that league could crumble like a house of cards.

The loss of teams would mean the loss of at large bids for the NCAA tourney; this would further affect the other schools in college hockey. Here is what I could see happening with the CCHA and WCHA being pilfered by the BTHC, that could cause a realignment of college hockey and or a emergence of a super conference combined of CCHA and WCHA powers that were left over. We just don't know but maybe the the powers that be in the Big Ten should think twice before you meddle with college hockey. College hockey is doing fine without you already. If you want to bank on college hockey try showing a few more games on the BTN. Hockey exists outside of the schools that are part of the Big Ten. Frankly what is so special about the Big Ten Conference? The league isn't all that strong in comparison to the SEC in football. In basketball outside of a couple of schools the Big Ten gets murdered in the NCAA basketball tourney. It seems to me that some in the Big Ten conference is also displaying a bit of elitism of their own. College hockey also needs to find a solution for UAH Chargers so they don't twist in the wind for ever.

What leverage do NCAA teams have?

Bruce Ciskie from the FANHOUSE blog has a really good article on how the NCAA and the NHL need to come to an agreement on deadline to which they will no longer pursue signing their draft choices that are on college teams. I think it's a great idea but I don't think division I college hockey teams have much to bargin with when it comes to NHL hockey teams. Where and what is the leverage?

After a ton of speculation, Chicago signed former Minnesota defenseman Nick Leddy to an entry-level deal July 27. Yes, Chicago has suffered through a salary cap crunch, and they need bodies. But there is no reason to allow these late signings to continue.

The NHL and NCAA need a defined partnership. No, that wouldn't stop CHL teams from poaching, but it would allow for a better working relationship between the NHL and college hockey, a growing entity in the United States that continues to produce more and more professional talent.

More specifically, there needs to be a deadline after which NHL teams can no longer pursue NCAA talent. It might encourage more NHL franchises to send their draft picks to the major junior ranks, but it also gives both sides a defined date to work with. However, any partnership needs a compromise. In this case, the NCAA must get rid of the rule that prevents kids from taking part in training camps.

Any drafted player should have the right to participate in NHL training camp -- at least on weekends, when they don't have to worry about attending classes. Giving NHL teams the ability to invite college players to camp would at least give them another vehicle to evaluate these players, even if they aren't going to be allowed to sign them.

I like what Bruce is saying here and I agree that NCAA hockey players should have the ability to go to their training camps and if they are not signed they should be able to return to their college hockey team without penalty as long as they haven't signed a contract and recieved a signing bonus.

I also have another question that I thinks needs to be asked; do certain NCAA division I hockey teams have a credibility problems with some of the NHL teams and their general managers?

Friday Links

I forgot to add this story the other day but former UND defenseman Rick Wilson will be an assistant coach with the Minnesota Wild. You can expect the Minnesota Wild to be better defensively with Rick Wilson on board.

A former University of North Dakota defenseman, Wilson brings a ton of experience to the Wild's relatively-inexperienced bench. He has spent the past 20 years as an assistant or associate coach with the New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Wilson began coaching hockey 24 years before Todd Richards’ playing career even ended. In fact, when Wilson began coaching his alma mater, the University of North Dakota, in 1978 as an assistant, Richards was just 12 years old.

He turns 60 today and summers in Bemidji. As I've mentioned on here and Twitter, the delay had to do with working out the contract because Tampa Bay and Dallas each have to pick up a portion of his two-year deal.

After spending one season with the North Stars in 1992-93, Wilson moved to Dallas with the franchise’s relocation and spent the next 15 seasons with Dallas. Over that time, Wilson helped guide the team to seven division titles, two conference championships, two President’s Trophies and a 1999 Stanley Cup. [Russo's Rants]

There has been an on going debate this summer about the state of college hockey and how College Hockey has been losing top blue chip recruits to the OHL. While I don’t like seeing players leave early and sign with their professional teams, I would rather see that player play with their college team for one or two seasons than not have them play in college at all.

Julie Robenhymer from hockey buzz has a really good story on this subject.

I was then asked why I thought NCAA players were leaving school for the CHL or AHL. We could talk about the difference in educational opportunities and the number of games they can play or not play and the time available for them to spend in the weight room or not, but that's rather pointless because it's really all about having options.

What's the difference between what Cam Flower did in signing a pro contract and Nick Leddy signing a pro contract?? Fowler has the option of going back to his junior team if he doesn't make the cut in Anahiem where as Leddy had to cut ties with the University of Minnesota because of NCAA eligibility rules. He doesn't have the same options that Fowler does and in my opinion, is making more of a commitment.

Some guys think they're ready. Some guys just want a change of scenery. Maybe there was a coaching change and the new coach wants to make changes that don't allow a particular player to develop into the best player he can be... The real problem is that we only see college players leaving for juniors because they can, but we NEVER see junior players leaving for the NCAA because they CAN'T and it really skews the perception that one is better than the other when really they're just different paths with different options available to them.

I think the NCAA could improve if they gave a kids more options like major junior hockey does. Personally, I like the option where if a kid tries out with his professional team and doesn’t make his NHL team, that player has the option of going back to his junior team and continuing his development. While I know it’s never going to be an option with NCAA division I hockey, I can see why some players might choose the CHL over the NCAA. Like others have said there is no one size fits all route to the NHL and college is still getting great players into NHL. I am not going to bash one or the other.

Another thing that I don’t like is the fact that once a kid signs with a CHL team he is considered a professional and is no longer eligible for division one hockey, I think it is a dumb rule and I would like to see college hockey change that rule.

Fetch from the college hockey blog takes a stab at this issues in a blog post titled Two Early Departures, Very Different Circumstances [Click to read]

I do think that Sid Hartman should stick to writing about things that he knows about like football, basketball and finally baseball. I should think twice about quoting this Sid Hartman post on anything that relates to hockey but it does make for some interesting reading.

The Big Ten commissioner didn't see the 18-game conference basketball schedule being extended. But he did say that on the table is a possible Big Ten hockey championship, once another school adds hockey as a sport. Five conference schools now play the sport: Minnesota and Wisconsin in the WCHA, and Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

Sid are you sure they aren't talking about maybe a possible Big Ten Hockey Championship and maybe not a Big Ten Hockey Conference?

Maybe just maybe there is more to this than Jarred Tinordi backing out of his commitment to Notre Dame Fighting. I mean things aren’t always as they seem. However you look at it, it’s a big loss to the Fighting Irish. Also, I guess we can mark Dale Hunter down as not being a fan of Jeff Jackson or a fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Ouch! I was always told if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all.

The London Knights have run against an old foe in the battle to sign Montreal Canadiens first-rounder Jarred Tinordi.

The coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is Jeff Jackson, a former Guelph Storm coach who once accused the Hunters' Knights of playing "prehistoric hockey."

Tinordi has committed to suit up for Jackson in South Bend, Ind., this fall. The Knights, who own the big defenceman's OHL rights, aren't giving up hope.

"We think he's a very good player," London coach Dale Hunter said, "and it's not like they're (Notre Dame) the best team in their league.

"They're not Boston (University) or anyone like that."

The Knights aren't the same club Jackson remembers, either. After his Storm departure in 2003, the Hunters transformed London into a team dominated by skilled forwards with puck possession and power-play success.

Jackson is regarded as one of the top coaches in U.S. college history. He guided Lake Superior State to two national titles in the 1990s, helped build the foundation of the United States national development program (where Tinordi played and captained the under-18 team to gold this year) and turned the Irish program around.

But Notre Dame finished a combined 13-17-8 last season. The Knights won 49 games and Hunter was named OHL coach of the year for a third time.
[London Free Press]