Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Time for Gary Bettman to go?

DETROIT - JUNE 12:  NHL commissioner Gary Bett...Image by Getty Images via @daylifeMy buddy Redwing77 would probably agree with some of the things written in Ken Gray’s Ottawa Citizen Newspaper article; Gary Bettman must go. Of course I am also in favor of the NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stepping aside; I have never been a fan of the man because I find him to be a very unlikable person, he is smug, arrogant, condescending and a very pompous person. Whenever I hear Bettman talk he reminds me of a Washington D.C. Politician that talks in circles, never answers direct questions and says very little in the way of substance. We can only dream that some day we will have an NHL without Gary Bettman.
Ken Gray; Ottawa Citizen --- Bettman has orchestrated a league that has absolutely glorified violence to the point where the players are being irreparably harmed. Concussions from head hits and fighting would have normal business owners concerned. Sutcliffe would do something about it in his workplace. The pads are too hard. Bettman should have acted.

Furthermore, the game is basically flawed. The players are so big, so fast and so well trained that even legal hits are causing brain damage. Something fundamentally needs to change in hockey or players will face brain disease later in life. Why Bettman could not protect the game’s biggest asset, Sidney Crosby. The NHL should be examining how the game can be basically changed to protect the players and provide a good life lesson on Saturday night instead of fighting.

Bettman has failed horribly in his southern U.S. franchise strategy and failed when Fox TV tried to make NHL hockey a national U.S. sport. He failed so badly that he had to bring Winnipeg back into the NHL and will probably do the same for Quebec City in the near future. There is room for new teams in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. In fact, you could probably put a NHL club in Dawson City and draw better than Atlanta.

The reason Bettman signed a big TV contract recently is because networks and cable companies are trying to secure programming as sports in the increasingly diverse broadcasting universe is one of the few places where people (and advertisers) continue to gather in one place. It had little to do with Bettman. At least he didn’t screw it up.

No it’s time for Bettman to go. Perhaps it has always been time for Bettman to go.
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Monday, August 01, 2011

Official Fighting Sioux Hockey Schedule

North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockeyImage via WikipediaThe "official" Fighting Sioux hockey schedule is finally out for the season. Looking at the schedule the Sioux will play the Wisconsin Badgers, Minnesota Golden Gopher, Saint Cloud State Huskies and the

Sat, Oct 01 Regina (Exh.)Grand Forks, N.D. 7:07 p.m.
Ice Breaker Tournament
Fri, Oct 07 Air Force - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:37 p.m.
Sat, Oct 08 B.C. Eagles or MSU Spartans - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:37 p.m.
Fri, Oct 14 Maine - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:37 p.m.
Sat, Oct 15 Maine - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Oct 21 Wisconsin * - at Madison, Wis. 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Oct 22 Wisconsin * - at Madison, Wis. 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Oct 28 St. Cloud State * - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:37 p.m.
Sat, Oct 29 St. Cloud State * - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Nov 04 Minnesota * - at Minneapolis, Minn. TBA
Sat, Nov 05 Minnesota * - at Minneapolis, Minn. TBA
Sat, Nov 19 Bemidji State * - at Bemidji, Minn. 7:07 p.m.
Sun, Nov 20 Bemidji State * - at Bemidji, Minn. 5:07 p.m.
Fri, Nov 25 Colorado College * - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:37 p.m.
Sat, Nov 26 Colorado College * - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Dec 02 Alaska Anchorage * - at Anchorage, Alaska 10:07 p.m.
Sat, Dec 03 Alaska Anchorage * - at Anchorage, Alaska 10:07 p.m.
Fri, Dec 09 Nebraska Omaha * - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:37 p.m.
Sat, Dec 10 Nebraska Omaha * - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Dec 17 Russian Red Stars (Exh.) Grand Forks, N.D. 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Dec 30 Harvard - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Dec 31 Harvard - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:37 p.m.
Sat, Jan 07 Clarkson - at Winnipeg, Manitoba 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Jan 13 Minnesota * - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:37 p.m.
Sat, Jan 14 Minnesota * - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Jan 20 St. Cloud State * - at St. Cloud, Minn. 7:37 p.m.
Sat, Jan 21 St. Cloud State * -  at St. Cloud, Minn. 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Jan 27 Wisconsin * - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:37 p.m.
Sat, Jan 28 Wisconsin * -Grand Forks, N.D. 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Feb 10 Minnesota Duluth * - at Duluth, Minn. 7:07 p.m.
Sat, Feb 11 Minnesota Duluth * - at Duluth, Minn. 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Feb 17 Michigan Tech * - Houghton, Mich. 7:37 p.m.
Sat, Feb 18 Michigan Tech * - Houghton, Mich. 7:07 p.m.
Fri, Feb 24 Denver * - at Denver, Colo. 8:37 p.m.
Sat, Feb 25 Denver * - at Denver, Colo. 8:07 p.m.
Fri, Mar 02 Minnesota State * - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:37 p.m.
Sat, Mar 03 Minnesota State * - Grand Forks, N.D. 7:37 p.m.
Fri, Mar 09 - Sun, Mar 11 WCHA Playoffs (First Round) at TBD TBA
Thu, Mar 15 - Sat, Mar 17 Red Baron WCHA Final Five at St. Paul, Minn. TBA
Fri, Mar 23 NCAA Regionals at TBD TBA
Thu, Apr 05 NCAA Frozen Four at Tampa, Fla. TBA

Official press release from the UND SID.

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Versus to become NBC Sports Network.


Here is an update about the Versus Television Deal and according to Ken Schotts NBC Sports Network would be interested in airing a weekly college hockey package starting in January, which is very good news for College Hockey and the promotion of the game of college hockey.
Ken Schott; Parting Schotts --- The NBC Sports Group officially announced today that it will re-brand the Versus cable channel as NBC Sports Network. Word leaked about that shortly after midnight this morning.

The change will take place Jan. 2. NBC Sports Chairman Mark Lazarus talked about the change.

"This effort is a major step towards a complete strategic alignment of all our platforms and businesses," Lazarus said in a statement. "This is more than just a name change for Versus. It's a complete repositioning of the brand to provide value for marketers, consumers as well as all our affiliates and distributors. We want anyone who comes into contact with any of our assets to immediately connect with the NBC Sports brand promise."

Comcast, the owner of Versus, took over the NBC Universal earlier this year. NBC Sports' production and programming have already been appearing on Versus.

Versus, which started as the Outdoor Life Network, televises the NHL, the Tour de France, The "Summer at Saratoga" horse racing series, college football and college basketball. It could also be interested in airing a weekly college hockey package starting in January.
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Sunday, July 31, 2011

What's up SCSU?

I have been on vacation this past week and I am catching up on some of my reading when I came across this interesting article in the Saint Cloud Times. I am not sure why St. Cloud State President Earl H. Potter III is continuously making some of these statements, on one hand he said, that SCSU isn't going to accept an invitation to the NCHC, a league that his school was never invited to join, and then he does a one 180 and said he would be willing to listen "if" the NCHC wanted to add SCSU. Now we have this. Now Potter is trying to talk down the NCHC, two years before they play their first game.
Mick Hatten; SCTIMES ---- St. Cloud State President Earl H. Potter III has said that the university has looked at the numbers and win-loss records for teams in the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference and for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association teams.

“The NCHC doesn’t look like such a sweet deal for all of these teams,” Potter said.

Here’s a look at some of the numbers that Potter is talking about.

The past six seasons, St. Cloud State has been coached by Bob Motzko. So we’ll use the records of teams from the past six seasons as the base.

The NCHC will, as it stands, have five teams from the WCHA in its inaugural season of 2013-14: Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota-Duluth, Nebraska-Omaha and North Dakota.

Here are the records and winning percentage of those five teams when they competed against each other last season: Colorado College (5-5-1, .500), Denver (5-7, .417), Minnesota-Duluth (3-5-1, .389), Nebraska-Omaha (5-5, .500) and North Dakota (9-5, .643).

Alaska-Anchorage, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State-Mankato and St. Cloud State will be the five teams left in the WCHA after those five leave for the NCHC.

Here are the records for the future NCHC teams against the teams that plan to remain in the WCHA from last season: Colorado College (9-6-1, .594), Denver (13-2-2, .824), Minnesota-Duluth (10-3-2, .733), Nebraska-Omaha (8-6-2, .563) and North Dakota (15-0-2, .889).
St. Cloud State President Earl H. Potter III is right there are going to be some winners and there are going to be the teams that finish at the bottom at the new NCHC. These 6-8 teams are going to be beating the hell out of each other and depending on who they play in their non-conference schedule they would be on the out side looking in when it comes to the NCAA Tourney. The same thing is going to happen to the B1G teams as well.

On the other side of this argument is that the PWR ranking of the WCHA is going to go down with the exit of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Denver, Colorado College and University of Nebraska Omaha. With these seven teams leaving the WCHA isn't going to be receiving 4-5 at large NCAA Hockey tourney bids anymore either, it's a mathematical fact. In the past season the WCHA had 10 teams in the top twenty of the PWR ranking, however, the WCHA will not be as strong in the PWR rankings and will have less teams in the NCAA tourney as well.
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University of Alaska Fairbanks to the WCHA?

Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockeyImage via WikipediaIt would appear from the outside that this is the beginning of the process of seeing if the UA Fairbanks would be a good fit for the WCHA. Logically speaking, I believe that UAF would be a good fit for the WCHA because they could play their in state rivals the UAA Seawolves four times in one season.
FAIRBANKS — Bruce McLeod, the commissioner of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, is planning a visit to the University of Alaska Fairbanks next month.

McLeod’s visit to Interior Alaska is no guarantee that the Alaska Nanooks are going to join the same conference as their intrastate rivals, the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. It is, though, an indication that UAF’s program, which is among 11 teams in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, is at least being considered for WCHA membership as NCAA Division I hockey is experiencing league changes that will take effect in the 2013-14 season.

The idea of the planned visit began Thursday morning during a conference call with McLeod and athletic directors from the five remaining WCHA programs — UAA, Michigan Tech and Minnesota schools St. Cloud State, Bemidji State and Minnesota State-Mankato.

“The group asked me to talk to UAF about an in-person visit by myself to get some additional information, such as regarding the budget for the program,” McLeod said Thursday night in a telephone interview.

According to information Thursday night from UAF athletic director Forrest Karr, the University of Alaska Fairbanks spent about $2.4 million last year on hockey operations. The total includes salaries, team travel, guarantees for incoming team travel, scholarships, equipment, facility rental and all other costs associated with the program.

“It was the second highest in the CCHA,” Karr said during a telephone interview Thursday night.

As of Thursday, McLeod had not set a specific date but he said was considering coming north during the second week of August.

“I just want to get some insight,” he said. “I’m curious to meet the chancellor and many other people there, and get a sense of the commitment to the program and hope they get sense of me. I want them to see that how we (WCHA) run our operation is different (from the CCHA).”

McLeod said that the conference call did not include any motions for a vote for WCHA membership for the Nanooks.

Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - WCHA leader set to visit Nanooks’ den
Some of the concerns that the other schools in the WCHA (starting 2013-2014) might have about adding the University of Alaska Fairbanks is increased travel expenses because they will have to add an extra flight yearly to Fairbanks, Alaska will inevitably raise those schools' travel budget.
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Thursday, July 28, 2011

Sioux Roster may be complete (RW77)

With the departure of JT Miller to Major Juniors (thanks to a 3 year entry level NHL contract by the NY Rangers), UND has recruited Connor Gaarder out of Edina, MN by way of Coulee Region of the NAHL. Brad Schlossman sums it up right here:

In the wake of J.T. Miller bolting to the OHL, UND has added another forward — former Edina High forward Connor Gaarder (pronounced “Gorder”). He will join the team this fall.

Gaarder, who helped the Hornets to the state tournament along with Sioux junior-to-be Joe Gleason, has spent the last two years in the North American Hockey League.

Gaarder had 26 points in 58 games for North Iowa two years ago. Last year, he tallied 61 points in 58 games for Coulee Region Chill.


All in all, this looks like a good depth signing. I don't know what to expect from Gaarder at all. He may just be practice forward. He may be another Lee Marvin. Or he could be another walk on turned everyday starter. We'll see.

Drop the puck!

Wings and Things (RW77)

First off, I'd like to congratulate Kris Draper on a fabulous career. The 40 year old center called it a career this week and I'm going to say that he'll be missed. Draper, or "Drapes" to fans and teammates, wasn't the flashiest player on the ice, but he was a rock solid leader in the lockerroom. Up and coming winger (and former MSU Spartan) Justin Abdelkader looks to him as a mentor type and Abdelkader's growth at the NHL level is at least partially attributed to Draper's influence on Justin.

Let's look at stats: First off, Draper was selected 62nd overall by Winnipeg in 1989. And that's where things got strange. First off, Draper went to the AHL (appearing in 7 games), then played a little in the NHL (3 games). THEN was sent to the OHL. So he played pros before he played Major Juniors. That's not the strangest thing. In 1993, Winnipeg traded Kris Draper to Detroit for... ONE DOLLAR. Yup. $1. I'm not sure a GM could keep his job in today's world if all he got for a player was $1. I can't believe that there wasn't something, even a conditional 9th round pick, that Winnipeg couldn't have gotten for Draper.

In the end, Kris Draper retires with his name etched FOUR times on the Stanley Cup and a Selke Trophy (for NHL's best defensive forward) in 2004. He retires as only the 5th player in Detroit history to play 1,000 games with Detroit. He is also 9th all time in NHL Post season appearances (2nd on Detroit if you don't count Chris Chelios).

He's not going to get into the NHL Hall of Fame, but he certainly is one of the all time great Red Wings.

Best of luck Drapes.

==========================

Mike Commodore will NOT be wearing #64.

According to insider sources (Bill Roose's twitter feed and Winging It in Motown - Detroit Red Wings' blog), Mike Commodore will wear #22 for Detroit this season. However, Mike has indicated that he may still participate in the $64 charity promotion that was suggested along with the jersey number.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Is it time to stand and fight or give up the Fighting Sioux nickname.

North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockeyImage via WikipediaSomeone posted this article on Twitter and I don't think the meeting with the NCAA is going to do a thing. I can't see the NCAA changing their mind. There is no way that UND can sue the NCAA in court and I don't want UND to lose it's conference membership in the Big Sky Conference.  I want to be able to watch UND and Montana State University or the University of Montana in FCS football.  I am not going spend $25.00 dollars to watch a football game with UND against some crappy Division II team that they will blow out 55-0.  
GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- North Dakota political leaders are asking the NCAA to back off and let the state's flagship university keep its Fighting Sioux name and logo, even at the risk of potential blacklisting and scorn by other universities and its own conference.

Lawmaker involvement is a strategy even some University of North Dakota boosters question, and is unique among schools forced to decide whether to drop American Indian nicknames deemed hostile and abusive or accept penalties for keeping them.

Fighting Sioux logo Some legislators have said they resent the nickname being characterized as hostile and abusive because the name and logo are treated with respect. Others have said the change is being rammed down their throats by the NCAA.

North Dakota's debate appeared to be resolved when the state Board of Higher Education agreed in 2009 to drop the Fighting Sioux logo and nickname and UND agreed to phase them out by this Aug. 15.
When I read this I have to wonder what Al Carlson thinks the NCAA is going to say? I can't see the NCAA telling the North Dakota delegation on August 12th, ah go ahead and keep the Fighting Sioux nickname, That is not going to happen and most of us know this. 
The meeting was rescheduled for Aug. 12, just three days before the NCAA intends to impose sanctions on UND for the continued use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and a logo.

"We're looking for a final kind of clarity," school spokesman Peter Johnson said.

UND has not yet formed a committee to recommend a new logo. Rep. Al Carlson, the Fargo Republican who pushed for the new state law, said he's holding out hope the NCAA will reconsider.

"I think we have to explain to them why we passed the law," Carlson said.

History is not on UND's side.
I agree that History is not on our side. I am one of the biggest fans of the Fighting Sioux nickname there will ever be, I don’t want to change the Fighting Sioux nickname because the handing wringing p.c. liberal’s will have won the war without any fight from our elected leaders. I am also not happy that political correctness has stuck it’s nose in the University of North Dakota’s business and told us that our logo is “hostile and abusive” it’s not right and political correctness is ruining this once great nation.  We have become a nation of whining ninny’s that think we have a God given right to not be offended. If a small group of people is offended by something we have to change it to appease these groups.
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So it's UND's fault?

Ontario Hockey LeagueImage via WikipediaSo if you believe Chris from Western College Hockey the problems facing college hockey right now is all UND's fault. I would have to say, not hardly...I just hope there aren't any black helicopters landing in Chris' back yard.
A big part of the problem is that college hockey is too busy fighting and scheming against itself these days to even worry about fighting against the CHL. Why should JT Miller or Connor Murphy think playing in the WCHA or CCHA for the next two years is worth their time when their own schools made it pretty clear that those conferences aren't good enough? Even College Hockey Inc., which was designed to help present a unified message for college hockey, has been neutralized this summer, since they work directly under college hockey's conference commissioners, and thus have had to keep fairly quiet on the current reorganization. It's another instance of North Dakota thinking they could do things better on their own, and, at least initially, being wrong, and another consequence to the sport that was apparently overlooked in the 20 minutes of planning that went into the Secondary Six.

This summer has been a strange and sad juxtaposition of two competing leagues that both wanted to get more serious about their image and their brand. In college hockey, that meant a group of teams conspiring and holding a self-congratulatory press conference to say that they were better than the rest of college hockey, and ultimately, did more to sell the virtues of some old hotel in Colorado than it did to sell the game of college hockey, while in the OHL, particularly in their western division, it meant doubling their efforts to acquire the best players available. One of those strategies seems to have really worked well. The other, not so much.
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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Sioux 3rd in INCH 10 for 12: The Teams

North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockeyImage via WikipediaHere is the way the INCH 10 for 12 shakes out and I think that INCH has the Sioux way too high in this pre-season top 10. The Sioux lost a ton of offense from last season and the Fighting Sioux are 12 in the WCHA in returning points output.
1.Miami, 2010-11 record: 23-10-6, 16-7-5 CCHA
2. Notre Dame, 2010-11 record: 25-14-5, 18-7-3 CCHA
3. North Dakota, 2010-11 record: 32-9-3, 21-6-1 WCHA ...
Key returnees: Corban Knight, F, Jr. (14-30–44); Danny Kristo, F, Jr. (8-20–28); Brock Nelson, F, So. (8-13–21); Aaron Dell, G, Jr. (30-7-2, 1.79, .924) Key losses: Matt Frattin, F (36-24–60); Jason Gregoire, F (25-18–43); Brad Malone, F (16-24–40)
Not many teams can lose six of its seven top scorers from the previous season and still be considered a national title contender. But the Fighting Sioux reload, not rebuild. Plugging incoming freshman Rocco Grimaldi into a lineup that includes Knight, Kristo (who we expect to return to his rookie-year form), talented sophs Nelson and Derek Forbort, and INCH Goalie of the Year Dell should keep folks in Grand Forks buzzing about a spring trip to Tampa.
4. Yale, 2010-11 record: 28-7-1, 17-4-1 ECAC Hockey
5. Denver, 2010-11 record: 25-12-5, 17-8-3-2 WCHA
6. Union, 2010-11 record: 26-10-4, 17-3-2 ECAC Hockey
7. Boston University, 2010-11 record: 19-12-8, 15-6-6 Hockey East
8. Colorado College, 2010-11 record: 23-19-3, 13-13-2 WCHA
9. Minnesota, Duluth 2010-11 record: 26-10-6, 15-8-5 WCHA
10. Michigan, 2010-11 record: 29-11-4, 20-7-1-0 CCHA


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WMU hockey scores critical style points with hiring of Andy Murray

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - OCTOBER 03:  Head Coach An...Image by Getty Images via @daylifeHere is an other interesting article on the hiring of Andy Murray. I do think by hiring a former NHL coach Andy Murray proves that Western Michigan is committed to their college hockey program. I think it also proves that WMU is  ready to make the next step to be a big time player on the national college hockey scene.

Former head coach Jeff Blashill got the WMU on the right track before leaving WMU after one season to join the Detroit Red Wings.

I have heard some say that Murray has never coached college hockey and that's true but he did serve as the head coach for Shattuck-St. Mary's School during the 1998–99 season.
KALAMAZOOWestern Michigan University did everything right last year in resurrecting its hockey program.

It added oomph to its commitment to the sport, struck gold in hiring its coach and then rewarded him handsomely when he delivered a season beyond anyone's dreams.

WMU, in the college hockey world, had arrived as a player. It was perfect timing, too, considering this summer of flux that's upsetting stomachs in a suddenly fragile sport.

Then the National Hockey League, the beloved Detroit Red Wings of all teams, robbed the Broncos of everything, tearing Jeff Blashill away earlier this month. It was a harsh reminder to a university that it has its limits.

Monday, WMU showed hockey — the NHL included — its growing teeth, flying in former St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings coach Andy Murray to replace Blashill.

A news conference is scheduled for noon Tuesday.

This wasn't eye-for-an-eye retribution toward the NHL. But, perhaps for WMU, it feels a little like it — as satisfying as it is important. The Broncos' new currency — major program-like dollars (expected to be about $275,000 per year) — has lured a coach who would have been an unfathomable hire a year ago.
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Monday, July 25, 2011

WMU stepping up to the big time.

Andy Murray was the head coach of the Blues fr...Image via WikipediaWe kept hearing comments from the people associated with the NCHC that they wanted to form a college hockey conference with others that have the same level of commitment to college hockey. I think that Western Michigan University by hiring a big name coach like Andy Murray is making that commitment to  move their college hockey program to the next tier in the college hockey world.

Earlier this month at the NCHC's first press conference UND head hockey coach Dave Hakstol said, 'there is not a final number, it's a matter of being able to add the right programs, programs that fit the mentality and the mind set of the current six institutions.' I think that by hiring Andy Murray WMU is saying we are committed to college hockey and could become an attractive option for the NCHC.
KALAMAZOO — If Western Michigan University was looking for a big name hockey coach to fill the giant shoes left by Jeff Blashill, it's done so, hiring a coach it never could have lured a year ago.

WMU has hired longtime NHL head coach Andy Murray to lead its hockey program, according to multiple sources.

It's expected that Blashill assistants Pat Ferschweiler and Rob Facca will remain in their posts. Both are already under contract for next season.

WMU has scheduled a press conference for noon Tuesday at the Seelye Center to announce Murray's hiring as head coach.

The university has elected not to comment on the coaching situation until Tuesday.
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Sunday, July 24, 2011

From the yeah right department...

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logoImage via WikipediaFirst Potter was against the accepting an invitation to the NCHC even though his school was never offered an invitation.  Now Potter sounds like he is ready to listen if that invitation is extended, this is the problem with university presidents like St. Cloud State University President Earl H. Potter III they lack the leadership skills to lead...
Mick Hatten and David Unze; SC Times --- On July 13, the six-team National Collegiate Hockey Conference was introduced at a news conference in Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado College, Denver College, University of Minnesota-Duluth, University of Nebraska-Omaha and University of North Dakota are the WCHA members headed for the NCHC, along with Miami University in Ohio out of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

“This has not been a surprise, but it has offered very difficult questions for us to deal with,” Potter said. “The WCHA as a league never sat down together and talked about its future. The five who left never said to the rest of us that they were thinking about it.”

St. Cloud State never asked to join the NCHC and was not invited, Potter said. He changed his tone a bit last week after previously saying St. Cloud State wouldn’t accept an invitation to the NCHC if one were extended. He’s committed to be the best partner in the WCHA that he can be, he said, but the uncertainty that permeates college hockey has him keeping his options open.

“I have to stay in a position where I’m working very hard for success with the WCHA but never get stubborn about our position and always be open to looking at our options as things change,” he said.
 Anyone troubled by this statement? “This has not been a surprise, but it has offered very difficult questions for us to deal with,” Potter said. “The WCHA as a league never sat down together and talked about its future. The five who left never said to the rest of us that they were thinking about it.” If I was a fan of the teams staying in the WCHA I would be. 
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Friday, July 22, 2011

Jets new logo unveiled.

Winnipeg Jets Hockey Team NHL.COM

The Winnipeg Jets have released their new logo and I must say that I am disappointed. I like the old Winnipeg Jets logo they had back in 1996 before the team moved to Phoenix and became the Coyotes.
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Fighting Sioux nickname meeting with NCAA rescheduled for Aug. 12

University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux athl...Image via Wikipedia
Here is the latest from the meeting between the NCAA and the UND delegation.

BISMARCK — A meeting between North Dakota and NCAA officials to discuss the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname has been rescheduled for Aug. 12.

It's being held in the association's headquarters in Indianapolis. It is set three days before the NCAA intends to sanction the university for continuing to use its Fighting Sioux nickname and an American Indian head logo.

The NCAA considers the name and logo offensive, but a new state law says UND has to use them.

The meeting had been set for Monday, but it was postponed because of the death of the North Dakota Senate's Republican majority leader, Bob Stenehjem (STEN'-jum).

State Board of Higher Education president Grant Shaft says the meeting is likely to be in the afternoon.

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Versus may be interested in college hockey TV package

When the news about the new college hockey conference the National Collegiate Hockey Conference first broke; there was a story written by Duluth News Tribune writer Kevin Pates that mentioned the possibility of the television channel Versus being in the mix. Many hockey fans and self professed experts were skeptical about this development; it appears that just maybe the rest of this story is emerging… Now Ken Schott has this story in his blog today. Stay tuned.
Ken Schott; Parting Schotts --- There could be a national college hockey package coming to Versus this season.

Numerous sources have indicated that Versus is discussing the possibility of televising regular-season college hockey games, beginning in January. What conferences would be involved, or what night the games would be shown (either Friday or Saturday) is unclear right now. Versus, part of the NBC Sports Group, is the cable home of the NHL. A few months ago, the NBC Sports Group signed a 10-year deal to keep the NHL on NBC and Versus.

A Versus spokesman declined comment.

New Jets Logo?


Stick tap Hockey Mode. Rumor has it that this is the new Jets logo. Honestly, I have have to admit that I sure hope not.

Things that make you go huh?

This is the latest shot across the bow... Not sure what the motivation is? Really!!! McLeod is kidding right, he isn’t sure what the motivation is? How confident are you in WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod if your school is one of the teams left behind in the WCHA when the B1G and NCHC kicks off?
Mick Hatten; SC Times --- “I just never thought we’d get here and I never thought we’d be like (Division I) football and basketball,” said Bruce McLeod, who has been WCHA commissioner since 1994. “You understand with those cases that there’s millions and millions of dollars involved.

“I’m not sure what the motivation is,” he said of hockey. “It’s turned into much more of a business — I need to take care of me. I’m just surprised we got here.”

There will be 59 schools that will compete in Division I hockey for the 2013-14 season. That’s minute compared to Division I men’s college basketball (335) and less than half of the number of teams in the Football Bowl Series (120).
That is part of why the shock may seem greater in hockey. It’s a pretty tight-knit sport and why people who have been around it a long time are having a tough time wrapping their heads around all the movement, including why five WCHA teams left to form the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.
“No one can really explain why all this really happened,” said Craig Dahl, St. Cloud State’s Division I coach from 1988-2005. “I don’t think the coaches were all that fired up about it.

“For whatever reason, a couple schools decided the league wasn’t going to be big time enough for them and decided to move in a different direction, look sideways at the tradition of the league. They could care less about the smaller schools in the league. They’re only worried about their situation.”

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Will the Gophers want to duck the Sioux?

A faceoff between the University of North Dako...Image via WikipediaHere is my Thursday afternoon discussion; I have been thinking about this subject and I am throwing out there for discussion purposes. I decided to expound on the subject after seeing the story linked below from yesterday's St. Cloud Times.

I do believe that the Minnesota Golden Gophers hockey team is going to want to play the UND Fighting Sioux on a regular basis for financial reasons, it's advantageous to both programs to continue the storied rivalry, next to the Badgers, the UND Fighting Sioux are one of the top rivals of the Minnesota Golden Gopher's, it's a fact. Before you throw the Fighting Sioux nickname out there, the nick name issue will be resolved before the NCHC conference plays it's first game (just a prediction, UND is not going to give up a chance to pay in the Big Sky Conference). I don't care what the so called self described experts say, (I am sure we know who these people are), UMN needs UND too. Let's not kid ourselves, UND is going to sell more tickets than a match up against OSU, MSU-M and or SCSU.
Mick Hatton; Saint Cloud Times --- The University of Minnesota men’s hockey team is in preliminary discussions with St. Cloud State, Bemidji State and Minnesota State-Mankato about playing nonconference games and a tournament both on an annual basis, according to Gophers coach Don Lucia.

Lucia said he has talked with Huskies coach Bob Motzko, Beavers coach Tom Serratore and Mavericks coach Troy Jutting about the Gophers playing games against their programs beginning in 2013-14, which is the first season that the Gophers and Wisconsin leave the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for the Big Ten Conference.

Lucia also said that he plans to talk with Minnesota-Duluth coach Scott Sandelin about the same arrangement with the Bulldogs, who also leave the WCHA after the 2012-13 season and will join the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

“We have 14 nonleague games to work with and our goal is to play those (four) teams every year,” Lucia said. “It would be good for our program, all the other programs and for the state of Minnesota.

“I think it’s a win-win for everyone, for our fans and the proximity of playing each other. We should continue playing each other.”
So when the nickname issue is worked out do you think the Gophers and Sioux will play on a "semi-regular" basis? I do, because it's beneficial to both parties.
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Gophers want to play state teams

Stomper, Minnesota State University - mascotImage via WikipediaIt will be interesting to see what kind of arrangements these various teams will come up with as we get closer to the 2013-2014 season. I would imagine that other teams will have simular tourneys and arrangements. It will also be a good way to schedule nonconference games and spread the wealth around.
Mick Hatten; St Cloud Times --- The University of Minnesota men’s hockey team is in preliminary discussions with St. Cloud State, Bemidji State and Minnesota State-Mankato about playing nonconference games and a tournament both on an annual basis, according to Gophers coach Don Lucia.

Lucia said he has talked with Huskies coach Bob Motzko, Beavers coach Tom Serratore and Mavericks coach Troy Jutting about the Gophers playing games against their programs beginning in 2013-14, which is the first season that the Gophers and Wisconsin leave the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for the Big Ten Conference.

Lucia also said that he plans to talk with Minnesota-Duluth coach Scott Sandelin about the same arrangement with the Bulldogs, who also leave the WCHA after the 2012-13 season and will join the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

“We have 14 nonleague games to work with and our goal is to play those (four) teams every year,” Lucia said. “It would be good for our program, all the other programs and for the state of Minnesota.
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