Subban to the Flyers?

If Boston Bruins fans didn’t have enough reason to hate the Philadelphia Flyers already – I am sure that if the Flyers signed P.K. Subban to an offer sheet and they were able to land the Hab’s mouthy defenseman – this would give ample reasons to Bruins fans to hate them even more.

It seems that this story is taking on a life of its own – Hab’s defenseman P.K. Subban, was offered a contract by the Montreal Canadians last week for two years’ worth 5.5 million or 2.75 million a year, however, Subban has not yet agreed to the terms and or signed a new contract. Could the Flyers next offer sheet be going to P.K. Subban?

Chris Nichols, Sports Net --- According to French sports network RDS, Subban reportedly turned down a two-year $5.5 million offer last week.

Enter the Philadelphia Flyers who appear in need of a top defenseman and who have not shied away from extending offer sheets in the past.

Just last month Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren signed Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber to a 14-year $110 million offer sheet, only to have the Predators match less than a week later.

In 1997 the Flyers landed Chris Gratton with an offer sheet, while in 2006 the Flyers agreed on an offer sheet with Ryan Kesler which the Vancouver Canucks eventually matched.

So could the Flyers extend another offer sheet this summer, this time to either Carlson or Subban?

It will be interesting to see what the Flyers do – this week they lost another defenseman Andrej Meszaros for an unknown time after he had surgery to repair his torn Achilles tendon. The Flyers also don’t know if Chris Pronger will ever play hockey again – to top it all off the Flyers lost former Denver Pioneer Matt Carle to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Hump Day links… No Hockey = anxiety

As the summer winds down I like many hockey fans – am getting ready for some hockey (professional and College). The First exhibition for UND hockey on October 6th 2012, is two days shy of two months.

Last week we mentioned this story in pass... It still looks as if Cristobal Huet is still looking for a home in the NHL after playing two seasons in the Swiss League.

Jim Jamieson, The Province --- Huet, who won a Stanley Cup ring with the Blackhawks in 2010 (although on the bench, as Antti Niemi got the starts), was banished to Europe by Chicago the past two seasons primarily because of the size of his contract and its $5.625 million cap hit.

But Huet is looking to return after two seasons in the Swiss League and his agent, Stephen Bartlett, is shopping his 37-year-old client around the NHL.

So if we are to believe the reports - it sounds like the Stanley Cup Champions L.A. Kings and the Vancouver Canucks are expressing interest in Cristobal Huet

Everyone’s favorite diver Vancouver Canucks fraud Ryan Kessler, will be out until December after having shoulder and wrist surgeries. Originally, some had though that there was a possibility of Kessler being able to come back in October but that discussion has since been squashed. [The Providence]

According to TSN.CA, there are now plans being drawn up to have a second NHL ready arena in the Toronto Area. The new arena could be the host of the 2015 World Junior Hockey Championship.

The Toronto area should be closer to getting a big-league arena this week, as GTA Sports and Entertainment Chairman and CEO Graeme Roustan will submit the GTA Centre Site Plan Application to the City of Markham on Wednesday

Former Boston University Terrier Corey N. Trivino, has been sentenced to two year’s probation for his criminal activities last winter that led to his dismissal from the Boston University Hockey team. The former BU Terriers’ will two years from now in August 2014.

Corey N. Trivino, the former top scorer for Boston University’s hockey team, was sentenced to two years of probation after a teary-eyed former student at the school testified in court Tuesday that her life was turned upside down when he cornered and assaulted her in her dorm room last December. “Mr. Trivino’s actions have caused me more pain, suffering, and fear that I’ve ever experienced in my life,’’ said the woman, who identified herself in court, but whose name the Globe is withholding ­because she was the victim of a potential sex crime. [Boston Globe]

The BU Hockey Blog has his take on the matter as well. [BU Hockey Blog]

Jess Rubenstein from the Prospect Place asks the question, "Really if you are the New York Islanders do you dare bring Trivino into camp?" I have to agree with Jess and say that if I am the General Manager of the New York Islanders I would walk away from this kid in a heartbeat and spare the team the baggage and drama that comes with this troubled kid.

I really hope that this rumor is not true and doesn’t come to fruition. The last thing that I want to see is the NHL jerseys look like the ones the playes wear in Europe during the IIHF.

Jeremy Lynn, CSNChicago --- In order to increase revenue, the NBA announced last month that they had tentatively approved a plan to put advertising on players' game jerseys for the 2013-14 season.

If one major sports league is willing to do it, could others follow suit -- especially the NHL?

SI.com warns hockey fans not to be surprised if the idea of ad logos on NHL sweaters becomes a reality within the next few years.

There still is no word on whether Aaron Dell is returning to UND for his senior season or not. As soon as we hear either way we will let you know. I was told by a very good source back in April that Dell was going to sign a professional contract and not be returning to UND. Either way UND will be pretty solid in net this season.

Here is the latest news from the NHL CBA negotiations – it sounds like the NHLPA and the Owners are tying up some loose ends before they get down to the nuts and bolts of the discussion.

Corey Masisak, NHL.COM --- Fehr is expected to join the meetings in New York on Thursday, which is expected to begin the shift in the discussions toward the core economic issues in the CBA negotiations.

Schneider said Tuesday that the NHLPA is "definitely closer" to extending a counter-proposal on the economic issues in response to the League's initial proposal from last month, but did not offer a concrete timeline on when it will occur.

"We have a team of people who are working on it and getting through an awful lot of stuff, an awful lot of papers," Schneider said. "It is an ongoing process."

Daly said that work on the new CBA will continue while the League awaits a proposal from the Union.

Carolina Hurricane’s forward Jeff Skinner has signed a contract extension worth $34.35 million or $5.725 million a year for six years. If the NHL owners get their way there will no longer be deals that are longer than 5 years. Last season Skinner scored 20g-24a—44pts in 64 games. [NHL.COM]

Jutting Named New Hockey Assistant Coach at UNO

Congrats to former Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks head coach Troy Jutting for getting the assistant coaching position at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Last week were were alerted of the impending coaching move by SB Nation Blogger Chuck Schwartz and Bridget Brooks. The University of Nebraska Omaha came out with their "official" press release today.

OMAHA, Neb. – University of Nebraska Omaha head hockey coach Dean Blais announced today that Troy Jutting has been named the team's new assistant coach. Jutting takes over for Brian Renfrew who left Omaha after one year to take a position with the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League.

Jutting is well known to fans of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, having served as the head coach of Minnesota State for the last 12 years.

“We are fortunate that we have been able to add someone of Troy's experience to our staff,” said Blais. “After so many games coaching against us, he knows our program and our players. Just as important, he knows the WCHA and what it takes to be successful there. I think he can help us as we compete for league and national championships.” [Read the whole release here]

HOCKEY EAST HIRES DAN SCHACHTE AS COORDINATOR OF OFFICIALS

If my favorite team wasn’t leaving the WCHA I would say – I wish the WCHA was watching. There are now two leagues that have ex-NHL officials as head of their leagues officials (Paul Stewart, ECAC).

By hiring an ex-NHL official the Hockey East shows that they would rather have a competent professional leading their ranks – instead of the status quo and a bunch of good ole boys.

[Official Press Release]

Wakefield, Mass. - Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna announced the hiring of Dan Schachte on Tuesday afternoon, as the league's first Coordinator of Officials.

Schachte, who will handle all the day-to-day operations of the league's officiating program, just finished a 30-year career as an National Hockey League linesman. He worked 2,009 regular-season games in the NHL dating back to 1982, which ranks fifth all-time and first all-time among American-born NHL officials. He also worked 221 Stanley Cup playoff games, which ranks eighth all-time among NHL linesman. He worked five Stanley Cup Finals ('97, '98, '00, '01, '02) and worked Game 7 of the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals. He also served as a linesman in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, which included the Bronze Medal Game.

We are fortunate to have attracted someone with Dan's experience to this new position," said Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna. "Dana Hennigar, Brendan Sheehy and, more recently, Dick DeCaprio all contributed greatly in finding and mentoring top on-ice officials. I look forward to working with Dan as he puts his own stamp on our officiating program."

Schachte also served on the NHLOA Discipline Committee from 2002 to 2010, as well as the NHLOA Executive Board (1991-1992) and the NHL Injury Analysis Panel in 2002.

"My family and I are excited to take on this position with Hockey East, said Schachte. "The conference is arguably one of the top amateur hockey leagues in the world, and I am going put every ounce of my energy into making the league the best."

He has also served as an Officiating Supervisor for USA Hockey since 2011, mentoring many of the top young officials in the United States with instruction and training at camps around the country. Schachte, who was a former Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) and United States Hockey League (USHL) referee from for two years (1980-1982), co-founded of the Wisconsin Elite Hockey League (WEHL) back in 2006.

Schachte studied Mechanical Enginering at the University of Wisconsin. He resides in Verona, Wis. with his wife Kim and children, Danny, Ian, Lauren and Maddy.

FOR TRANSACTIONS: HOCKEY EAST: Hockey East Association announced the hiring of Dan Schachte, as Coordinator of Officials.

Fehr, 'still sufficient time to get NHL deal done'

I must say that I agree with the Head of the NHLPA – I also don’t see a reason to have a lock-out either. There is lots of time to get an agreement on a new CBA and in my opinion a lock-out does nothing for progressing the game of hockey after making much progress with exposure the last five seasons or so. Why not negotiate through at least the pre-season.

The NHL and the NHL Players' Association can agree there's still more than enough time to reach a new labor deal even though the union has yet to submit a counteroffer with less than six weeks left before the current collective bargaining agreement expires.

“I don't think time's running out yet,” Fehr said by phone Monday from Barcelona, where he met with about 40 NHL players. “I still think if the parties are dedicated to it, there's sufficient time to reach an agreement.”

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly concurred.

Daly declined to discuss the NHL's plans if an agreement is not reached by mid-September. [Associated Press]

Who is to blame? 

I am going to respond to a comment a fan made on a blog post that I wrote yesterday by someone named Bar Down, this is the comment that he posted, “Don't the players have something like a 57%-43% split??? What other sport is that uneven? I could be wrong...but if I'm right you must quit blaming the owners.” I do blame the owners – who else is culpable? The players were offered the current outrageous salaries by the owners. Do we blame Zach Parise, Ryan Suter and Shea Weber for their multiyear million dollars salaries? If the owners are willing to agree to these salaries I don’t blame the players for signing the contracts and taking the money.

Judge Throws Out Lawsuit Over Fighting Sioux Nickname

Last summer, Six (6) Native American students from the University of North Dakota filed a lawsuit in US Federal Court demanding that UND discontinue the use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo by August 15. Since UND has discontinued using the Fighting Sioux nickname this law suit is no longer relevant.

Associated Press (AP) --- A federal judge says it appears the political fight over the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname is over and has thrown out a lawsuit by six American Indian students at UND.

The suit was filed last year after the state Legislature passed a law requiring the school to keep the nickname. The law was later repealed, but retirement of the logo was put on hold when a group of nickname supporters put the issue to a statewide vote.

U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson says the overwhelming vote against the nickname and the state Board of Higher Education's clear intent to retire the moniker renders many points in the lawsuit meaningless.

Erickson says the lawsuit does not prove direct discrimination by the state or "deliberate indifference" to rights violations.

2012 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp Final Roster

The WJC Evaluation Camp Final Roster is out and UND hockey recruit Jordan Schmaltz is not on the roster for the USA.

GOALIES (4)

John Gibson, Kitchener Rangers (OHL) ANA (’11, 2nd rd., 39th overall)
Jon Gillies,. Indiana Ice (USHL) CGY (’12, 3rd rd., 75th overall)
Garret Sparks, Guelph Storm (OHL) TOR (’11, 7th rd., 190th overall)
Anthony Stolarz, Corpus Christi (NAHL) PHI (’12, 2nd rd., 45th overall)
the USA Hockey

DEFENSEMEN (11)

Shayne Gostisbehere, Union College (ECACH) PHI (’12, 3rd rd., 78th overall)
Matt Grzelcyk, U.S. National Under-18 Team BOS (’12, 3rd rd., 85th overall)
Garrett Haar, Western Michigan Univ. (CCHA) WSH (’11, 7th rd., 207th overall)
Seth Jones,. National Under-18 Team 2013 Draft Eligible
Jake McCabe, Univ. of Wisconsin (WCHA) BUF (’12, 2nd rd., 44th overall)
Connor Murphy, Sarnia Sting (OHL) PHX (’11, 1st rd., 20th overall)
Mike Reilly, Penticton Vees (BCHL) CBJ (’11, 4th rd., 98th overall)
Patrick Sieloff, U.S. National Under-18 Team CGY (’12, 2nd rd., 42nd overall)
Brady Skjei, U.S. National Under-18 Team NYR (’12, 1st rd., 28th overall)
Jacob Trouba, U.S. National Under-18 Team WPG (’12, 1st rd., 9th overall)
Andrew Welinski, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) ANA (’11, 3rd rd., 83rd overall)


FORWARDS (19)

Cole Bardreau, Cornell Univ. (ECACH) Free Agent
Tyler Biggs, Miami Univ. (CCHA) TOR (’11, 1st rd., 22nd overall)
Colin Blackwell, Harvard Univ. (ECACH) SJS (’11, 7th rd., 194th overall)
Reid Boucher, Sarnia Sting (OHL) NJD (’11, 4th rd., 99th overall)
Travis Boyd, Univ. of Minnesota (WCHA) WSH (’11, 7th rd., 177th overall)
Thomas Di Pauli, 5-U.S. National Under-18 Team WSH (’12, 4th rd., 100th overall)
Steve Fogarty, Penticton Vees (BCHL) NYR (’11. 3rd rd., 72nd overall)
Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia Sting (OHL) MTL (’12, 1st rd., 3rd overall)
John Gaudreau, Boston College (HEA) CGY (’11, 4th rd., 104th overall)
Ryan Hartman, U.S. National Under-18 Team 2013 Draft Eligible
Nicolas Kerdiles, U.S. National Under-18 Team ANA (’12, 2nd rd., 36th overall)
Sean Kuraly, Indiana Ice (USHL) SJS (’11, 5th rd., 133rd overall)
Mario Lucia, Penticton Vees (BCHL) MIN (’11, 2nd rd., 60th overall)
Stefan Matteau, U.S. National Under-18 Team NJD (’12, 1st rd., 29th overall)
J.T. Miller, Plymouth Whalers (OHL) NYR (’11, 1st rd., 15th overall)
Stefan Noesen, Plymouth Whalers (OHL) OTT (’11, 1st rd., 21st overall)
Blake Pietila, Michigan Tech Univ. (WCHA) NJD (’11, 5th rd., 129th overall)
Vince Trocheck, Saginaw Spirit (OHL) FLA (’11, 3rd rd., 64th overall)
Jim Vesey, South Shore Kings (EJHL) NSH (’12, 3rd rd., 66th overall)

Fehr ready to make counter proposal

Sounds like the head of the NHLPA is about ready to present the players counter proposal to the NHL owners. It will be interesting to see how the owners respond to the proposal.

Chris Johnston, The Canadian Press, Donald Fehr nearly has all his ducks in a row.

The globe-trotting head of the NHL Players' Association is just about ready to counter the league's initial proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement. He's likely to make at least part of his pitch during the scheduled talks in New York this week, Fehr told The Canadian Press on Monday.

"I think that there's certainly a possibility — a reasonable one — that we'll be in a position to make some further response," Fehr said in an interview. "Whether we'll be in a position to make an alternative proposal yet I don't know."

Not time to panic yet...

Every time I hear or see Gary Bettman speak – I see a pompous, smug and condescending jerk. While I believe that there is a lot of time left before we start having to worry about another lockout – I do believe that Bettman is taking us to another labor stoppage. I am with my buddy Redwing77 I think it's time for Bettman to go.

The first proposal from the NHL owners looked ridiculous at first but it appears that the owners aren’t going to move "very" far from their initial offer.

The owners have been talking for weeks now and not a lot has come out of it other than more talking. According to Kevin Paul Dupont, the Onwers need a new way to deal with themselves. In a way I agree, not everything is equal – some teams are hurting financially while other teams are rolling in bucket loads of money. See graph of NHL revenue sharing. [click to view]

The Associated Press (AP) --- Commissioner Gary Bettman's league faces the possibility of being the next sport to endure a labour dispute — what would be its third in less than two decades — and there is growing concern that talks over a new collective bargaining agreement are stagnating. The league and the players' union have been meeting for weeks and still — nothing.

"The last thing [we] need to do is have some kind of a work stoppage, because we've made great strides with the positive spin hockey's had," Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller said. "I think the years coming out of the [2004-05] lockout, we got a lot of the fan base back, a lot of positive energy. Mix that with the Olympics here in North America, a couple of good playoffs, and we have a fan base that's loyal and, honestly, the best sports fans out of any sport.

"We can't alienate them. This is up to the NHL and the NHLPA to just get it right."

Easier said than done. On Wednesday, the two sides polished off another set of talks at the league offices and not much progress was made.

"The owners did flesh out their proposal a bit further," NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said. "Gave us some of the numbers which is very helpful. It will take us some time to review that information, digest it, bottle it and figure out what the appropriate response is."

Yet with talks about to enter their seventh week, and with only six weeks remaining before the current CBA is set to expire, concern is mounting about a shortened season.

I think the fans need to tell the players and the owners to get into a room and start talking – we should also demand that they stay there until they have found a solution. The fans are the ones that are going to lose in this dispute and the league can’t survive without a fan base that is enthusiastic about NHL hockey.

So we slug on during the dog days of summer – not much more has happened on the lockout front – there still is time to get a deal done and the fans hope that the Players and Owners can find a solution before they start cutting into hockey fans favorite past time – watching NHL hockey.

Let's not trade Milan Lucic...

Checking my usual reading for the day when I came across this question in the daily mail bag to the Boston version of the ESPN Blog – it was a question that a fan posed to James Murphy.

Q. Murph, could you please explain to me why David Krejci and Milan Lucic are considered "untouchable" by the Bruins' front office? There's no doubt both show flashes of brilliance, and Lucic especially provides a rare skill set. But both are historically prone to long droughts, followed by a two-week explosion, followed by another drought -- hardly the kind of consistency Claude Julien preaches. I'm very fond of both, but explain to me why a Krejci for Bobby Ryan deal is a non-starter for GM Peter Chiarelli? People point to the fact that Tyler Seguin might not be ready to be a full-time center, and while I agree, that doesn't mean that we don't have tremendous depth down the middle. Krejci is a terrific playmaker, but somebody has to put the puck in the net. Bobby Ryan has four consecutive 30-goal seasons. Can we really expect Nathan Horton (a guy who's had his past two seasons end prematurely) to be that top-flight goal scorer? With the Rangers getting better and the Penguins getting Sidney Crosby back for 82 games, can we agree that we're going to need to score some goals this year? -- Joe O. (Los Angeles)

A. Joe, I agree with you that David Krejci and Milan Lucic shouldn't be considered "untouchable," and I'm not sure they have been put in that category by Peter Chiarelli and the Bruins' brass. What I do know is that both players were brought up in trade discussions with Columbus for Rick Nash and with Anaheim for Bobby Ryan, and that Chiarelli decided for whatever reason the package he was getting versus what he was receiving wasn't worth it. I think that with the exception of Tyler Seguin, Dougie Hamilton, Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron and Tuukka Rask, any Bruins player is fair game for the right price.

First off, I don’t know why anyone that covers the Boston Bruins or is a fan of the Boston Bruins would want the Bruins to trade Milan Lucic. The rest of the Eastern Division has played into the Boston Bruins hands and have added toughness/fighters in the off season. There is no reason to trade a player that is not only a feared fighter but also a legit top six forward can score 25-30 goals a year. Trading him away would be downright silly but also incoherent.

The other aforementioned player David Krecji – while probably not untouchable – players of his skill set do not come around every day. That being said, you just don’t trade him away like him without getting a player of his skill set back. I would also be very surprised if the Ducks offered a team like the Boston Bruins a Bobby Ryan type players without demanding draft picks, prospects and a player that is “at least” David Krecji’s skil set.

Lastly, I erg the Boston media and fans to have patience with the current roster of the Boston Bruins, I think there is a good core of players that could go very deep into the NHL playoffs. Also, players like Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin are still very early in their careers and could have break out season this year.

Who is going to sign P.K. Subban?

PK Subban (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here is an interesting story on The Hab's defenseman P.K. Subban,  apparently the Habs have offered a contract to the young defenseman for two years worth 5.5 million or 2.75 million a year, however, Subban has not yet agreed to the terms and or signed a new contract.

Some fans around the league have suggested that their favorite team sign the Hab's defenseman to an offer sheet.

Stu Hackel, Red Light Blog --- Among the most buzz-y stories this week has been the plight of Pernell Karl Subban, the Canadiens’ restricted free agent defenseman who remains unsigned. It’s worth questioning, however, if this story is worth all the buzz, although almost everything involving P.K. grabs the hockey world by the lapels and screams for attention, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

The way this story has been reported, or at least repeated, is that the Habs have offered P.K. a two-year deal for $5.5 million that he has rejected. Subban is supposedly “unhappy” and “negotiations have hit a roadblock” according to one content provider, and he’s “very far away” from reaching an agreement, according to another. More than one blogger (OK here’s one) has called for their favorite team to extend the 23-year-old an RFA offer sheet, certain that he’d be the answer to its blueline problems. This talk of Subban becoming an offer sheet target for general managers seeking defensemen spread to the XM Satellite Radio on Friday morning, with hosts and guests very curious as to why no team has gone after him.

Had the Flyers not extended an offer sheet to Shea Weber last month, the chatter about snaring another team’s RFA would hardly be as prevalent. The experience wouldn’t be that fresh in our collective minds. But the lessons of Weber and all RFA signings — which GMs understand well — haven’t resonated much for some reason.

Here’s the thing: Teams don’t sign RFAs to offer sheets very much because they tend not to achieve the desired result. The player’s original team invariably matches the offer and, as we saw with Weber’s situation, there are only hard feelings between the clubs and maybe even some between the player and his team. The only thing RFA offer sheets accomplish under the current CBA is that another team ends up negotiating a contract for a player it ultimately doesn’t sign.

Last season, Subban had seven goals and 29 assists in 81 games for the Montreal Canadians. Subban also is a restricted free agent  - so unless someone like the Philadelphia Flyers signs Subban to an offer sheet - the Habs defenseman isn't going anywhere so he is pretty much stuck with the current offer they Habs have on the table.

A light moment.

s/t to Michael Cichy who had this funny picture on his twitter feed. As a self professed Vancouver Canucks hater this picture is funny to me - probably not very funny to the people that cheer for the Canucks can take issue with this picture but it's true. It's your typical Ryan Kessler  - if you watched the Stanley Cup Playoffs the last two seasons you would've seen him diving all over the ice.

Summer Dreaming...

If you’ve read Goon’s World for any length of time (thanks for reading by the way), you will see that this is for the most part, a 24/7 365 days a year blog dedicated for hockey… When I am not watching hockey, I am actually thinking or dreaming about hockey (NCAA and NHL Hockey). Let’s just say,  hockey is my religion of choice for me.

While listening to a podcast of the Pipeline show last week while riding my bike, Fighting Sioux junior defenseman Dillon Simpson said something that got me thinking – it’s going to be hockey season very soon. While I am not very good at math – we’re roughly about 2 months away from the start of the college hockey season. "If" the NHL gets their stuff together with the CBA, we are about 9 weeks away from the drop of the puck in the NHL.

The summer is beginning to wind down and incidentally the fall semester at UND starts on 22 August – so like I mentioned above -– we're getting down to crunch time – hockey season is just around the corner... The college hockey season begins the 6th and 12th of October with exhibition games against the Manitoba Bison and the USNDT under 18 team.

In the final season of the WCHA as we know it – the University of North Dakota Hockey team will begin its defense of the Broadmoor Trophy – in case you were counting – UND is going for the 4-peat … That would be unprecedented if UND won the trophy for season in a row.

Yesterday was a big day for the University of North Dakota sports – Per Jayson Hajdu UND has officially gone Division I in all of their sports.

The University of North Dakota is proud to announce that it has been elected to full Division I active membership status from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), officially completing UND's transition from Division II status. UND President Dr. Robert Kelley received a letter from the NCAA today confirming the University's active membership in Division I athletics

If you’ve been paying attention this summer, you will have noticed that the NCAA has been very busy – yesterday, the NCAA levied a very heavy punishment against BGSU defenseman freshman defenseman Ralfs Freibergs, basically Freibergs is going to get to play 3 regular season games and possibly about 2-6 playoff games if BGSU doesn’t decided to have him file for a redshirt.

Kevin Gordon Sentinel Tribune --- Bowling Green freshman defenseman Ralfs Freibergs has been suspended for 33 games by the NCAA, the result of his junior hockey team in Latvia playing in a professional league, Falcon hockey coach Chris Bergeron said.

The Latvian born Freibergs has played junior hockey in the United States the last 2 1/2 seasons, but played in his home country before that.

He played with the Latvian national team in the World Junior Championships in 2009 and 2010 . To prepare the team for the WJC, Latvian officials had the team play in a Latvian professional league.

The NCAA penalized Freibergs one game for each game he played in the league. "Ultimately, anything professional, when it comes to the NCAA, is something that will have penalties with it," Bergeron said. "We knew, as a program, as a staff, this was a possibility. It's not something out of left field."

BG has 36 regular-season games this season, so Freibergs will be eligible to play the Saturday game of its next-to-last series of the regular season.

This is what former Princeton Tiger and current LA Kings’ Kevin Westgarth had to say about the prospects of the NHL having another lockout. I agree with Westgarth; I think we are going to see a lockout – actually – I would be very surprised if it didn’t happen. In my opinion, I think that the owners are trying to weaken the NHLPA.

Pat Leonard, Blue Shirts Blog --- Finally, the LA Kings’ Kevin Westgarth said it best on Wednesday when asked what he believes is the players’ No. 1 issue, considering the feedback he’s received from his peers:

"Generally, like the fans, we are concerned about – I think everyone has a little post-traumatic stress from last time,” Westgarth said, referring to the lockout and missed season of 2004-05, when the union lost the battle and eventually agreed to the salary cap in place today.

“It is something (where) they locked us out last time. It’s foreseeable for them to lock us out again. So guys obviously want to play, but obviously we need to get the right deals together, as well.” Read that one more time: “It’s foreseeable for them to lock us out again.”

Boston Bruins heir apparent Tuukka Rask is ready to take over the reigns as the starting goalie in Beantown this fall. According to Capgeek, the RFA Rask has a new one year deal worth $3,500,000.

Tuukka Rask was caught off guard - just a little - when he heard fellow Bruins goalie Tim Thomas decided not to play next season.

Surprised? Yes.

Shocked? Not so much.

''I wasn't expecting him to do that, obviously,'' Boston's new starting goalie said Thursday at a charity event. ''But I really appreciated what he's done and I appreciate his decision to want to be with the family and take some time off hockey.

''It really didn't shock me that much, but I'm more sad to see him leave because we had a really good connection and friendship going on. But I'm sure he's happy now where he is, and gets to spend time with his family.''

Here is some interesting news – former Edmonton Oiler, Vancouver Canucks and New York Ranger forward Mark Messier has been awarded a $6-million in a settlement with the Vancouver Canucks. [Vancouver Sun] Mark Messier played with the Vancover Canucks from 1997-2000 and returned to play for the Rangers from 2000-04.

Former Fighting Sioux forward Chris Vandevelde was on an Edmonton Oilers podcast recently and this is what he had to say about his recent success in the AHL playoffs. Also, the Edmonton Journal also has this story on Vandy as well. There is a chance that Vandevelde could make the Edmonton Oilers roster out of training camp.

Jonathan Willis, Edmonton Journal --- In 68 regular season games in the AHL, Chris VandeVelde scored just seven goals. In 14 post-season games, however, he tallied six times. What happened?

I’ve spent a lot of time looking at VandeVelde’s last couple of seasons over the last two weeks. Between evaluating the Oilers’ prospects for our prospect series here at the Cult of Hockey and the Top-25 Under-25 at the Copper and Blue, his name would have come up anyway, but combine those two series with the fact that VandeVelde turned down his qualifying offer, subsequently signed an identical deal, and now is in the conversation as a possible Oilers roster option in 2012-13 and he’s been top of mind.

VandeVelde was on Oilers Now a few days ago, and host Bob Stauffer asked him about that bump in goal-scoring during the post-season. VandeVelde had some difficulty answering the question but even so I found what he said interesting:

"I mean I just… I, you know, I was shooting more and I had confidence and that’s a huge thing. Any player with confidence is obviously better, and just making good plays, playing with good line-mates, that’s just how it went and we had a good run there."

Here is a break down for UND's conference Affiliations. UND’s 2012-13 Conference Affiliations – this is an exciting time in UND sports as now all of UND’s sports have a conference to play in.

America Sky Conference: Men’s golf

Big Sky Conference (BSC): Men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, football, women’s golf, soccer, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, volleyball

Great West Conference (GWC): Baseball

Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF): Men’s swimming and diving

Western Athletic Conference (WAC): Women’s swimming and diving (affiliate member)

Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA): Men’s and women’s hockey (2012-13 final season)

Friday Links --- Hockey dreaming.

More and more it's looking like there is going to be revenue sharing in the new CBA.

Every article you see has the words revenue sharing and haves and have nots included in it.

I can't imagine the haves of the NHL are going to be that crazy about the prospects of having to share the wealth with the lesser fortunate teams.

Tim Panaccio, CSNPHILLY.COM --- The two sides will meet again on Wednesday.

NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr would not take a stance on whether the union agreed entirely with the league on revenue sharing. Still, it’s widely known the players feel the expansion of such is not only necessary, but also the only way to resolve the vast revenue gaps between the “have” and “have nots,” while limiting the salary hit the players are expected to swallow in the next CBA.

What has not been discussed yet -- but figures to be -- is whether the owners will accept a luxury tax, similar to what Fehr negotiated with Major League Baseball.

There are no less than 10 teams in the NHL that annually spend to the salary cap limit or beyond. Those are the teams that support the underlings that can’t manage a profit.

There is some news from the UND Hockey front... Fighting Sioux senior forward Danny Kristo, is ranked 7th for the Montreal Canadiens.

7. Danny Kristo, RW: Kristo will be returning for his senior season with the Fighting Sioux of the University of North Dakota in 2012-13. The second-round pick in 2008 (No. 56) is coming off a junior season when he finished second on the team in scoring with 42 points in 45 games

Apparently Donald Fehr isn't all that worried about September 15th which is the day that the current CBA expires.

I also think the last thing the NHL owners want to do is have another lockout, especially if the there are teams that are suffering as bad as some claim. 

David Schoalts, The Globe and Mail ---- Bettman said he still thinks there is time to get a new agreement before the season starts in early October. Fehr once again pointed out the players are willing to work even after the current agreement expires.

"All I've said is Sept. 15 is not a magic date unless someone wants to make it so," Fehr said. "There's nothing that happens on Sept. 15 if we don't have an agreement, provided nobody says we're going to go on strike or says we're going to lock the doors."

I guess I am not expecting a counter proposal from the NHLPA anytime soon – the NHLPA just had 76,000 pages of financial information dumped in their laps from the NHL owners… No telling how long they will study the information to make their decision.

Jeff Z. Klein, Slap Shots --- Commissioner Gary Bettman emerged from a negotiating session with the N.H.L. Players’ Association on Tuesday and announced that the league had supplied 76,000 pages of audited financial documents that the union had requested.

 Its official former UNO Mavericks forward Jayson Megna has signed a professional contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL. [Official Press Release] Just like others I am perplexed by the move as well.

In case anyone is still wondering Matt Slovin nor the newspaper has not pulled the Jacob Trouba story from the Michigan Daily web page.

NCAA to allow Canadian Universities

I was wondering when this was going to happen – here is the latest from the Associated Press. I am all for teams like the University of British Columbia Thunder Birds joining Division I hockey. The Thunder Birds play DU this fall in the Pepsi Center in Denver.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The NCAA is on the verge of going international.

By supporting a change in constitutional language, the NCAA’s Executive Committee paved the way for Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, to become the first member from outside the U.S. to join America’s largest college sports governing body.

All it will take now is a vote from the Division II President’s Council next Thursday. If approved, Simon Fraser could be playing games as of Sept. 1 as an NCAA member.

It’s the first time since the NCAA adopted a 10-year pilot program for Canadian schools that a university has moved this close to full NCAA membership.

The move will expand membership, provide more dues money to the NCAA, pave the way for more international schools to join the organization and allows the NCAA to extend its reach beyond the American borders — as Major League Baseball, the NBA and NHL have already done.

The Executive Committee voted Wednesday to include Mexican schools for NCAA consideration, too. The expansion to Mexico could begin as early next year if the Division II presidents approve the proposal next week.

The holdup has been accreditation.

Current rules require all NCAA schools to be accredited by a U.S. agency.

Division II presidents want the language changed to also include schools in good standing in their own nation’s accreditation program and has applied to one of six American accreditation agencies for approval in the U.S. The Executive Committee voted to support the change.

Jutting to the Red Mavericks - it appears so

According to Shane Frederick beat writer for the Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks – the rumors are true – former Maverick’s head coach Troy Jutting is indeed heading to Nebraska Omaha to be an assistant coach with the UNO Mavericks under Dean Blais.

Shane Frederick (@puckato) After communicating with a couple of sources, it looks like Jutting to Omaha is indeed happening.

Apparently, UNO Mavericks fans are not a fan of the move and have voiced their displeasure with the personnel move by head coach Dean Blais.

I have always been on record as saying that I think that Dean Blais is a great hockey mind and if he wants to hire Troy Jutting to be his assistant hockey coach, I am personally not going to question it. I am sure that Troy knows a lot of about hockey and has been in the business a long time.

Granted, there are going to be college hockey fans that aren’t crazy with the idea. Also, I have always thought that Jutting was a good coach as well – I mean really – he didn’t have a lot to work with while he was the head coach in Mankato. It was easy for the fans to throw Jutting under the bus.

During his 12 seasons as head coach at MSU-M, Troy Jutting had a record of 184-224-55 (.463) coaching the Mavericks. Jutting was also an assistant coach for 10 seasons at Mankato as well.

Fighting Sioux nickname news

Here is the latest from the Fighting Sioux nickname. While the vote this summer during the primary allowed UND to retire the Fighting Sioux nickname – there is still a petition driving currently taking place - the Fighting Sioux nickname supporters have until the 8th of August to turn in their petitions. They need to have at least 26,904 signatures to get the measure on the November ballot.

University of North Dakota to keep its Fighting Sioux nickname. The deadline for turning in petitions to Secretary of State Al Jaeger's office is midnight Aug. 8.

--------(snip)----------------

The sixth proposed measure would change the North Dakota Constitution to require that the University of North Dakota's sports teams be known as the Fighting Sioux.

In June, 67 percent of North Dakota voters approved an initiative that allows UND to retire the nickname, which the NCAA considers demeaning to American Indians.

Sean Johnson, a nickname supporter, said the constitutional amendment would prevent UND from permanently severing the link to its nickname.

"This is a different ballot measure ... It doesn't require the sports teams at UND to do anything. They don't have to wear the logo, they don't have to use the name," Johnson said Wednesday.

No decision has been made about whether to submit the Fighting Sioux amendment in time for the November election, or target the June 2014 primary, which is the next scheduled statewide election. Amendment supporters have until Dec. 12 to turn in their petitions.

"We haven't decided which election we want to have the initiated measure to be a part of," Johnson said. "We're still weighing the options, and keeping those options open

Also - according to SAB- the Spirit lake Tribe has filed their Appeal in the Lawsuit against the NCAA...

Jutting to the UNO Mavericks?

Lets Go Mav's favorite ex-head coach is the topic of rumors on the internet tonight - it's rumored that former Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks head coach Troy Jutting might be headed to Nebraska Omaha to be an assistant coach with the UNO Mavericks under former Fighting Sioux head coach Dean Blais.  Apparently, this rumor isn't popular with the UNO Mavericks fans.

Thompson and Johnson make Prospects game roster.

UND Recruits Luke Johnson and Keation Thompson have made the roster fo the 2012 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects game. The game will take place on September 29^th at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. 

GOALTENDERS (4)

Hunter Miska, U.S. National Under-17 Team
Eamon McAdam, (USHL) Penn State University
Cal Petersen, Iowa Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
Jared Rutledge, National Under-18 Team University of Michigan

DEFENSEMEN (12)

Gage Ausmus, U.S. National Under-17 Team University of Denver
Will Butcher, U.S. National Under-17 Team University of Denver
Cody Corbettm, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Mike Downing, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) University of Michigan
Trevor Hamilton, U.S. National Under-17 Team Miami University
Seth Jones, U.S. National Under-18 Team
Clint Lewis, U.S. National Under-17 Team
Ian McCoshen, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
Dakota Mermis, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) University of Denver
Steve Santini, U.S. National Under-17 Team Boston College
Scott Savage, U.S. National Under-17 Team Boston College
Keaton Thompson, U.S. National Under-17 Team University of North Dakota

FORWARDS (24)

Evan Allen, U.S. National Under-17 Team University of Michigan
Justin Bailey, Indiana Ice (USHL)
Taylor Cammarata, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) University of Minnesota
Cole Cassels, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
J.T. Compher, U.S. National Under-17 Team University of Michigan
Dawson Cook, U.S. National Under-17 Team University of Notre Dame
Adam Erne, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Austin Farley, Fargo Force (USHL) University of Minnesota Duluth
Hudson Fasching, U.S. National Under-17 Team
Ryan Fitzgerald, Catholic High School Boston College
Ryan Hartman, U.S. National Under-18 Team Miami University
Luke Johnson, Lincoln Stars (USHL) University of North Dakota
Tyler Kelleher, U.S. National Under-17 Team University of New Hampshire
Matt Lane, U.S. National Under-18 Team Boston University
Jimmy Lodge, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Anthony Louis, U.S. National Under-17 Team Miami University
Sean Malone, Nichols School (N.Y.)
Mike McCarron, U.S. National Under-17 Team Michigan State University
Jacob Montgomery, Shattuck-St. Maryʼs (Minn.) University of Nebraska Omaha
Tyler Motte, U.S. National Under-17 Team University of Michigan
Ross Olsson, Williston Northampton School (Mass.) Northeastern University
Quentin Shore, U.S. National Under-18 Team University of Denver
Devin Tringale, Lawrence Academy (Mass.) Harvard University
Frank Vatrano, U.S. National Under-18 Team Boston Co

Canucks may have an interest in Gophers Bjugstad

Getty Images

Yesterday I included a link to this story in one of my blog posts.

This is one of the reasons that I think that the Gophers are lucky to have Nick Bjugstad back with them this season. There are many that believe that Bjugstad could play in the NHL this season and that he is NHL ready.

Ben Kuzma, The Province --- Nick Bjugstad is not Patrick White.

While the centres are first-round NHL draft picks and products of the heavily scrutinized University of Minnesota program, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound Bjugstad is coming off a 25-goal NCAA sophomore season and it’s not surprising that the Vancouver Canucks have rumoured interest in the 20-year-old as a possible return from the Florida Panthers in a Roberto Luongo trade package. The previous regime had that level of interest in the 2007 draft when White was a surprise 25th overall selection — one pick before the St. Louis Blues took David Perron — but he never played a game for the Canucks. White never had more than nine goals in his three college seasons, was traded to the San Jose Sharks in 2009 and spent last season in the third division of the German Oberliga. It was a clear draft-day miss.

However, as much as scouts will tell you that Bjugstad is a can’t-miss prospect whose career is on fast forward, he’s rightfully returning for another season with the Golden Gophers. He has yet to complete a full NCAA season, battled a pair of injuries last season and his production dropped in the second half after 16 goals in his first 20 games.

While Gopher and WCHA fans are lucky that we get to see the young Bjugstad play a final season in the WCHA… You can almost bet that Bjugstad will be signing an entry level deal as soon as the Gophers are eliminated from in the regional the NCAA tourney.