63 College hockey players drafted during 2013 NHL Draft

There were 63 players connected to college hockey that were selected during the 2013 NHL Entry Level Draft.

Rd. 5 Overall Team First Name Last Name 2012-13 Team College

1. 25 MTL Michael McCarron, US NTDP, Western Michigan

2. 31 FLA: Ian McCoshen, Waterloo (USHL), Boston College

2. 35 BUF J.T. Compher, US NTDP, Michigan

2. 38 BUF Connor Hurley, Edina HS, Notre Dame

2. 42 NJ Steven Santini, US NTDP, Boston College

2. 46 MIN Gustav Olofsson, Green Bay (USHL), Colorado College

2. 47 STL Thomas Vannelli, Minnetonka HS, Minnesota

2. 61 WSH Sanford Zach, Islanders (EJHL), Boston College

3. 65 NYR Adam Tambellini, Surrey (BCHL), North Dakota

3. 66 CAR Brett Pesce, New Hampshire, New Hampshire

3. 70 NYI Eamon McAdam, Waterloo (USHL), Penn State

3. 74 CHI John Hayden, US NTDP, Yale

3. 76 NYI Taylor Cammarata, Waterloo (USHL), Minnesota

3. 77 PIT Jake Guentzel, Sioux City (USHL), Nebraska-Omaha

3. 87 ANA Keaton Thompson, US NTDP, North Dakota

4. 92 FLA Evan Cowley, Wichita Falls, (NAHL) Denver

4. 97 FLA, Michael Downing, Dubuque, (USHL), Michigan

4. 98 FLA Matt Buckles, St. Michael's (OJHL), Cornell

4. 100 NJ Miles Wood, Noble's (PREP), Brown

4. 104 WPG Andrew Copp, Michigan, Michigan

4. 106 NYI Stephon Williams, Minnesota State, Minnesota State

4. 109 DET David Pope, West Kelowna (BCHL), Nebraska-Omaha

4. 113 EDM Aidan Muir, Victory Honda (MWEHL), Western Michigan

4. 118 LA Hudson Fasching, US NTDP, Minnesota

4. 119 PIT Ryan Segalla, Salisbury, Connecticut

4. 120 BOS Ryan Fitzgerald, Valley (EJHL), Boston College

4. 121 CHI Tyler Motte, US NTDP, Michigan

5. 123 COL Will Butcher, US NTDP, Denver

5. 127 WPG Tucker Poolman, Omaha (USHL), North Dakota

5. 128 EDM Evan Campbell, Langley (BCHL), UMass Lowell

5. 129 BUF Cal Petersen Waterloo, (USHL), Notre Dame

5. 132 PHI Terrance Amorosa, Holderness (PREP), Undecided

5. 133 PHX Connor Clifton US NTDP Quinnipiac

5. 134 CHI Luke Johnson, Lincoln (USHL), North Dakota

5. 137 MIN Carson Soucy, Spruce Grove (AJHL), Minnesota Duluth

5. 140 NSH Teemu Kivihalme, Burnsville HS, Colorado College

5. 141 SJ Michael Brodzinski, Muskegon (USHL), Minnesota

5. 143 BUF Anthony Florentino, South Kent (PREP), Providence

5. 144 WSH Blake Heinrich, Sioux City (USHL), Minnesota Duluth

5. 147 ANA Grant Besse, Benilde-St. Margaret's HS, Wisconsin

5. 148 LA Jonny Brodzinski, St. Cloud State St., Cloud State

5. 150 BOS Wiley Sherman, Hotchkiss (PREP), Harvard

5. 151 SJ Gage Ausmus, US NTDP, North Dakota

6. 153 COL Ben Storm, Muskegon (USHL), St. Cloud State

6. 157 CGY Tim Harrison, Dexter (PREP), Colgate

6. 159 BUF Sean Malone, US NTDP, Harvard

6. 161 OTT Chris Leblanc, South Shore (EJHL), Merrimack

6. 162 PHI Merrick Madsen, Proctor (PREP), Harvard

6. 164 PIT Dane Birks, Merritt (BCHL), Michigan Tech

6. 167 MIN Avery Peterson, Grand Rapids, HS Undecided

6. 168 OTT Quentin Shore, Denver, Denver

6. 174 WSH Brian Pinho, St. John's (PREP), Providence

6. 175 VAN Mike Williamson, Spruce Grove (AJHL), Penn State

6. 179 PIT Blaine Byron, Smiths Falls (CCHL), Maine

6. 181 CHI Anthony Louis, US NTDP, Miami

7. 185 NSH Wade Murphy, Penticton (BCHL), North Dakota

7. 192 PHI David Drake, Des Moines (USHL), Undecided

7. 193 PHX Jedd Soleway, Penticton (BCHL), Wisconsin

7. 195 CBJ Peter Quenneville, Dubuque (USHL), Quinnipiac

7. 197 MIN Nolan De Jong, Victoria (BCHL), Michigan

7. 198 CGY John Gilmour, Providence, Providence

7. 201 SJ Jacob Jackson, Tartan HS, Michigan Tech

7. 209 PIT Troy Josephs, St. Michael's (OJHL), Clarkson

s/t USCHO.COM and College Hockey Inc.

UND Hockey: 2013 NHL draftee tweets

@KThomps48 @AnaheimDucks welcome to the organization man.
— Bobby Ryan (@b_ryan9) July 1, 2013

Here are some of today's tweets from the future UND hockey players that were drafted in the 2013 NHL entry draft....

@wmurphy93 congrats man!
— Tucker Poolman (@PuckerToolman) July 1, 2013

Today, was a good day for the UND hockey program as future forwards Adam Tambellini, Luke Johnson and Wade Murphy, in addition, defensemen Keaton Thompson, Tucker Poolman and Gage Ausmus, were all drafted in today’s 2013 NHL entry draft that held in Newark, New Jersey

Honoured to be picked by the @PredsNHL thanks to everyone who has helped me in life and especially my dad whos always been there for me
— Wade Murphy (@wmurphy93) July 1, 2013

. @wmurphy93 needs some Smashville followers!
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) July 1, 2013

Very humbled to be apart of the cup champs @NHLBlackhawks thanks to everyone who has supported me over the years. The work starts now..
— Luke Johnson (@LJohns7) July 1, 2013

With the 151st pick, #SharksDraft defenseman Gage Ausmus from USA U-18 (USHL)
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) July 1, 2013

Proud to be apart of the @SanJoseSharks organizations #greatoppurtunities
— Gage Ausmus (@Gausmus47) July 1, 2013

The #NYR select forward Adam Tambellini from Surrey of BCHL with 65th overall pick
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 30, 2013

Good Day for UND at the Draft (RW77)

North Dakota was well represented today at the draft with all highlighted players drafted and one off the board being drafted.

Here's the breakdown:

Adam Tambellini was drafted in the 3rd round (65th overall) to the NY Rangers.
Keaton Thompson was drafted in the 3rd round (87th overall) to the Anaheim Ducks.
Tucker Poolman was drafted in the 5th round (127th overall) to the Winnipeg Jets.
Luke Johnson was drafted in the 5th round (134th overall) to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Gage Ausmus was drafted in the 5th round (151st overall) to the San Jose Sharks.
Wade Murphy was drafted in the 7th round (185th overall) to the Nashville Predators.

Undrafted UND Draft eligible players were:  Drake Caggiula, Cam Johnson (incoming 2014), Trevor Olson, Troy Stetcher, Colton St. Clair, Luke Voltin, Charlie Pelnik, and Jack Rowe.

Surprises

In my opinion, I have no surprises to say because I'm terrible at predicting who will and will not get drafted.  I still have memories of thinking Kyle Radke would be a end 4th to mid 5th draft pick and watching him fall straight off the board.

So UND has 6 drafted players from various rounds incoming.

I think this is pretty good considering that this was, according to several "experts" a "down" year for NCAA and NCAA-inbound players in terms of high end talent.  Only one player (current WMU recruit Michael McCarron went in the first round.  His MJ rights are owned by London of the OHL, btw, so it will be interesting to see if he actually goes to WMU in the fall (my bet is that he won't).

There weren't as many trades as they expected but here are a few interesting ones:

NJ Devils trade the 9th pick overall to Vancouver for Cory Schneider - This pick makes a lot of sense for NJ and absolutely NO sense for Vancouver.  Luongo wanted out.  Vancouver front office wanted Luongo out.  So they trade Schneider.  Definitely a head scratcher.

-->

Wild trade Cal Clutterbuck to the Isles for Nino Neitereider and a pick.  This is an interesting trade because you have a tried and true gritty forward being traded for a former first rounder whose offense has been suspect.  In other words, it's Risebrough-esque.  I've seen Nino play and he's pretty good if you give him space.  If you crowd him, he disappears.  At best, Nino is another Pierre Marc Bouchard.  At worst, he's a nobody.

But probably the worst trade by the Wild had to be Justin Falk for the rights to Benn Ferriero and a 2014 6th rounder.  Sorry Wild fans, but Ferriero is another Veillieux in terms of offensive talent.  22 points in 92 NHL games.  The Wild do not need defensive forwards... well maybe they do now that Clutterbuck is gone?  So they ship away a decent young defenseman for the RFA rights to Ferriero?  Yuck.  If that pick was a 2013 mid rounder (say 4th-6th round) then I'd say "Ok."  But blech.

In wrapping up:  Boston College and UND had 6 players drafted last count.  That tops them out for NCAA schools.  Not too shabby.

Luke Voltin (Lincoln), F Jack Rowe (Cedar Rapids), D Charlie Pelnik (Fargo) - See more at: http://undhockey.areavoices.com/#sthash.dIBFIQKe.dpuf

Luke Voltin (Lincoln), F Jack Rowe (Cedar Rapids), D Charlie Pelnik (Fargo) - See more at: http://undhockey.areavoices.com/#sthash.dIBFIQKe.dpuf

Luke Voltin (Lincoln), F Jack Rowe (Cedar Rapids), D Charlie Pelnik (Fargo) - See more at: http://undhockey.areavoices.com/#sthash.dIBFIQKe.dpuf

Luke Voltin (Lincoln), F Jack Rowe (Cedar Rapids), D Charlie Pelnik (Fargo) - See more at: http://undhockey.areavoices.com/#sthash.dIBFIQKe.dpuf

Luke Voltin (Lincoln), F Jack Rowe (Cedar Rapids), D Charlie Pelnik (Fargo) - See more at: http://undhockey.areavoices.com/#sthash.dIBFIQKe.dpuf

Luke Voltin (Lincoln), F Jack Rowe (Cedar Rapids), D Charlie Pelnik (Fargo) - See more at: http://undhockey.areavoices.com/#sthash.dIBFIQKe.dpuf

Luke Voltin (Lincoln), F Jack Rowe (Cedar Rapids), D Charlie Pelnik (Fargo) - See more at: http://undhockey.areavoices.com/#sthash.dIBFIQKe.dpuf

Luke Voltin (Lincoln), F Jack Rowe (Cedar Rapids), D Charlie Pelnik (Fargo) - See more at: http://undhockey.areavoices.com/#sthash.dIBFIQKe.dpuf

Luke Voltin (Lincoln), F Jack Rowe (Cedar Rapids), D Charlie Pelnik (Fargo) - See more at: http://undhockey.areavoices.com/#sthash.dIBFIQKe.dpuf

Luke Voltin (Lincoln), F Jack Rowe (Cedar Rapids), D Charlie Pelnik (Fargo) - See more at: http://undhockey.areavoices.com/#sthash.dIBFIQKe.dpuf

Luke Voltin (Lincoln), F Jack Rowe (Cedar Rapids), D Charlie Pelnik (Fargo) - See more at: http://undhockey.areavoices.com/#sthash.dIBFIQKe.dpuf

Chicago Blackhawks class, check it out

Wow! The Chicago Blackhawks organization is a first class organization. Very touching gesture.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks have taken out a full-page advertisement in The Boston Globe thanking the city and its fans.

The Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins on Monday to win the Stanley Cup championship. On Friday, Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz and team chairman John McDonough ran an open letter to the Bruins and the city of Boston. In the letter the Blackhawks extended their ‘‘heartfelt appreciation’’ to the Bruins and the citizens of Boston.

The Blackhawks say Boston ‘‘demonstrated respect, good sportsmanship and a genuine love for the great game of hockey.’’ The letter remarks on Boston’s ‘‘big heart and gracious spirit.’’

Brad Schaack Named Coach of the Year by NDAPSSA

Congrats to my friend Brad "Shacker" Schaack for being selected as coach of the year by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportswriters and Sportscasters. I would also like to wish him well as he starts a new chapter of his life.

JAMESTOWN (NewsDakota.com)- There was a three-way tie for female high school coach of the year, but that doesn’t make it any less special for Brad Schaack who was among those chosen by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportswriters and Sportscasters.

“I am very humbled,” Schaack said Tuesday. “Usually coaches that get this award win state champs or conference champs. But in my mind, these girls I coached for the last four years, are champions.”

Schaack lead the Jamestown Blue Jay girls hockey team from the depths of North Dakota hockey over his four years at the helm. Taking the Jays to four state tournaments including a fifth place finish in 2012 and a fourth place finish in 2013.

Jamestown also beat the Bismarck Blizzard during the regular, the Blizzard beat heavy favorite West Fargo in the state championship game.

His daughter, Amber, was named North Dakota’s Miss Hockey after a stellar senior season that saw her finish third in the state with 41 goals. Goalie Carissa Finck was also named to the all-state team and is headed to Lake Forest (Ill).

Schaack has stepped down as the girls hockey coach so he can watch his daughter at Concordia-Moorhead and his son Nick, who will be a sophomore on the boy’s team.

Dan Bylsma to coach team USA for the 2014 Sochi Olympic

USA Flag (Photo credit: freefotouk)

According to Kevin Allen of the USA today, Dan Bylsma head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has been selected to lead team USA in the 2014 Sochi games.  Bylsma is a good head coach and a great selection for to be the next head coach to USA Olympic team.  I would imagine many of us have a preliminary line up in our minds that would make the team. 

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports -- USA Hockey is putting the band back together for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia, although the members will have a different place on the stage.

According to two people with knowledge of the decision, the Nashville Predators' David Poile will be the team's general manager, while Pittsburgh Penguins Ray Shero will be his associate general manager and Anaheim Ducks consultant Brian Burke will be the director of player development.

Penguins coach Dan Bylsma has been selected to be the USA's coach in Sochi.

The two people asked not to be identified because the official announcement will come Saturday in New York, the day before the NHL draft in Newark.

Related articles

• Deal to send NHL players to 2014 Sochi Olympics could be finalized by Monday (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)

Catching up and moving forward

Well the NHL playoffs are over. Finally, we can move forward, the College Hockey season is roughly three months away.  The Stanley Cup Playoffs were exciting and a grind as well.

Moving forward, I close one chapter and open another one. Last September, I was invited to write for the Hockey Writers Combine by the former editor Andrew Eide.  The Hockey Writers Editor Bruce Hollingdrake decided that he no longer wanted to have a number of 'off shoot' sites connected to THW.  I was invited to write for the Hockey Writers and I can now be found here as a lead college hockey writer.  Below are two of my latest submissions. 

Should Puck Over Glass be an Automatic Penalty?

Calgary Flames Acquire Smilin’ Corban Knight

I was also invited to write for the Hockey Wilderness by Bryan Reynolds on his way out the door as editor of the Hockey Wilderness …. So, now I will write a weekly college hockey column or two during the regular season as some Wild related stuff.  Currently, during the summer months, every Saturday afternoon have been writing a weekly column that’s published at 2:00 p.m..

This was one of the latest. Stupid Penalties: Two minutes for taking your helmet off during a fight

I have also continued to write for the new hockey blog Get Real Hockey which is owned by Former NHL great Bernie Nicholls. Click to view 

Related articles

• NCAA Hockey: Tweaking the Pairwise and other college hockey issues (thehockeywriters.com)

Entire UND Sports Radio Network, on-air talent return for 2013-14

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Fans of North Dakota Athletics will once again be served by a strong UND Sports Radio Network in 2013-14. UND Athletics Director Brian Faison announced today that all 12 of UND’s radio affiliates will return from the 2012-13 season, including North Dakota affiliates in Beulah, Bismarck, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Langdon, Minot, Williston and Wimbledon, as well as Minnesota affiliates in Mahnomen and Warroad.

 “We are excited that Clear Channel Grand Forks will continue to serve as our flagship stations for North Dakota Athletics,” said Faison. “We continue to enjoy exceptional local coverage throughout the state and the region for UND Athletics thanks to a great group of affiliates.”

 Clear Channel Grand Forks will once again serve as the flagship stations for UND Athletics. KQHT-FM (96.1 “The Fox”) continues as the home for UND men’s hockey and football, while KSNR-FM (100.3 “Cat Country”) will be the home for men’s and women’s basketball. Women’s hockey will once again air on KKXL-AM (1440 “The Fan”). The new four-year contract includes UND baseball and volleyball for the first time, both of which will also air on KKXL-AM. Additionally, the UND Coaches Show will be carried live on Wednesday nights on KKXL-AM.

“There will also be daily two-minute "UND Sports Today" updates, which will air across most of the UND Sports Radio Network.

“Clear Channel is thrilled to have the opportunity to continue our partnership with the University of North Dakota,” said Clear Channel Grand Forks Market Manager Pat McLean. “UND Athletics has been a big part of the growth of our radio stations over the past decade-plus. Thank you to Mr. Faison and his staff for the faith they have in our people.”

 “WDAY-AM 970 in Fargo returns with double the signal strength and will carry UND football, men’s hockey and the UND Coaches Show, as well as other mutually agreed upon events under a new contract that calls for up to 100 events. In addition, both KFYR 550 AM and ESPN 710 AM in Bismarck will carry football and men’s hockey games, with ESPN 710 AM also carrying the UND Coaches Show.

 The on-air talent for UND Athletics also remains intact for the 2013-14 season. Tim Hennessy returns for his 35^th year as the voice of UND men’s hockey, while Jack Michaels returns for his third year as the voice of UND football. Paul Ralston (ninth year) and Mitch Wigness (second year) return to call men’s and women’s basketball, respectively, and Darrin Looker returns for his eight season as the voice of women’s hockey.

 Hennessy and Ralston will team to host the UND Coaches Show every Wednesday night from the final week of August through the end of the men’s hockey season. The UND Coaches Show broadcasts live from the Ground Round Grill & Bar in Grand Forks at 6:30 p.m. Central. Fans are encouraged to attend the live show to interact with UND coaches and broadcasters while enjoying food and drink specials.

 The first broadcast of the UND Coaches Show in 2013-14 season is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 28.

2013-14 UND SPORTS RADIO NETWORK
City                              Station                               Content
Grand Forks                   96.1 FM The Fox                   Football (flagship), Men’s Hockey (flagship)

                                    100.30 FM Cat Country           Men’s & Women’s Basketball (flagship)

                                    1440 AM The Fan                  Women’s Hockey (flagship), UND Coaches Show (flagship)

Fargo                            WDAY 970 AM                       Football, Men’s Hockey, UND Coaches Show, WDAY Game of the Week

Bismarck                        KFYR 550 AM                        Football, Men’s Hockey

                                    ESPN 710 AM                        Football, Men’s Hockey, UND Coaches Show

Minot                             Oldies 1390 AM                    Football, Men’s Hockey

Williston                        101.1 Jack FM                      Football, Men’s Hockey, UND Coaches Show

Dickinson                       1460 AM                              Men’s Hockey

Valley City / Jamestown   103.1 FM The Raven              Football, Men’s Hockey

Devils Lake                    Cruiser 102.5 FM                   Football, Men’s Hockey

Beulah                           FOX Sports Radio 1410 AM     Football, Men’s Hockey

Mahnomen                     Gold 101.5 FM                      Football, Men’s Hockey

Warroad                        Classic Rock 1410 AM            Men’s Hockey

Langdon                        Classic Rock 95.7 FM             Football, Men’s Hockey

Fandom: blurring the lines

Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews during a game against the Vancouver Canucks at GM Place on November 22, 2009. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

At the Beginning of the Stanley Cup Finals, after the Blackhawks qualified for the Stanley Cup Finals, I told my wife that no one in this house hold wears a Jonathan Toews t-shirt or a Chicago Blackhawks t-shirt during entirety of the Stanley Cup Finals.  My wife looked at me and said, “you can’t be serious.” I told her, “I was dead serious.”  I continued on with my rant, I don’t care if he went to UND or not, I am Boston Bruins fan, blah, blah, blah…. Nonetheless, that wish was honored. The fact that no one ever wore one of the t-shirts in question was probably a pure accident, or a divine intervention, because my wife takes orders from no one.

I even considered deleting the song Chelsea Dagger from my iPod. Before I did anything rash, I regained my senses, when I realized that I was in fact allowed to keep that song on my iPod.

I had an epiphany, and it dawned on me. Of course, I can keep Chelsea Dagger on my iPod, because whenever the UND hockey team scores a goal, the song Chelsea Dagger is played over the Ralph Engelstad Arena’s loud speakers. Disaster was avoided, for at least that moment.

Just for the record, last season, Chelsea Dagger was played 71 times at Ralph Engelstad Arena, s/t to Jayson Hajdu.  So, I had a reprieve.  My daughter is also a big fan of the song as well. Somehow, my five year old daughter also knows who Jonathan Toews is as well and she seemed to be talking about him a lot during the Stanley Cup Finals, I am sure she had some coaching, from someone. I am not sure who is to blame.

Last night, before I went out for a bike ride, before I left, I was looking for a t-shirt to put on and I just couldn’t bring myself to slip any of the aforementioned shirts on at the present time. Not now, maybe later.  I just wasn’t up to it right now. The wounds are still fresh. I know, I know, as a UND alumnus, I am supposed to be happy for Toews winning his second Stanley Cup, but his team just beat my favorite NHL team. I am still in a state of mourning.

Yay, good for him, but he was part of the enemy for two weeks.

While riding my bike last night, I began to percolate for the subject of this blog post, I thought of an article that also inspired me as well that is worth reading.  It’s a good article written by Ian Cameron McLaren, one of my colleagues from the Hockey Writers.

Ian Cameron McLaren, ScoreNation – First, let’s talk about why things are the way they are.

This past week, Jeff Marek made an interesting point on the MvsW podcast that speaks to the divisive nature of sports fandom. His basic premise was that sports marketing and culture is set up to create and “us vs them” mentality, and that this is expressed most clearly in the use of “(Blank) Nation” or “(Blank) Army” to describe a fan base. What this does is establish a mobilization of the fans wherein we feel as though we are actually part of the battle, so to speak. We follow and support the cause of our favorite teams, and feel intimately linked to the outcomes that befall them. If they win, we take to the streets to celebrate; if they lose, we feel like our home and native land has been invaded and pillaged, leaving us wander aimlessly until the battle picks up again.

The fallacy here, of course, is that what will be, will be, regardless of how we personally feel about the team in question. Our attachments to our teams are mostly peripheral, in the sense that we likely have no personal knowledge of or attachment to the actual people who are playing the game. We pay money for tickets, jerseys and cable packages, investing in war bonds if you will, but we don’t affect the outcomes of the games, Bartman notwithstanding. 

Again, regardless of what happens, it’s not a reflection of who we are personally; if they win, we cheer but the accolades are not ours, and if we lose, it stinks but the failure is also not really ours.

Think about this, we have no “affect” on the outcomes of favorite team’s games. No matter what jersey we wear to the games or what we eat meal we eat in our pre-game meals, we have no “affect” on the outcomes of favorite teams games. None! Zero!

Although, looking back, former UND hockey players from the past will talk about how the amazing the fan following was, while they were in Grand Forks playing for UND. So, that could be up for some debate.

But I digress.

While we might be unhappy that our favorite team lost a game, division, or championship, those losses are not ours. These losses belong to our favorite teams, they own them. We’re just along for the ride, but sometimes that ride can be pretty awesome.

On November 19, 2011, while covering the UND hockey team for Inside Hockey, UND was playing the Bemidji State Beavers at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota. While finding my assigned seat in the press box, I came across a beat up practice puck that was sitting where my laptop was going to sit in the BSU press box. There it was, just sitting there in the press box, so I put the puck in my bag.

Coming into the series against the Beavers, UND was mired in a 3-6-1 slump. UND would leave the series and the Sanford Center with a series split and a 4-7-1 season record.

That beat up hockey puck would travel with me in my backpack, to and from the arena for the rest of the season. From that weekend forward, the UND hockey team would go 22-6-2. With puck in toe, UND would win its third Final Five championship in a row, before losing in the NCAA West Regional championship at the Xcel Energy Center the week later.

After the season was over, I contemplated keeping the good luck puck in my bag for the 2012-13 season.  The puck has since been retired; it sits in my dresser at home.  I know the puck played no part in the UND’s success that season, but I didn’t want to upset the apple cart and I am very superstitious. I don’t like to even golf without the correct number of balls and tees in my pocket.

Think a lot of us even though we might just be fans or bloggers, we still get wrapped up in our favorite team’s success and failures and feel it, when they lose their last game of the season.

Since 2000, I have only had one of my favorite team’s win its final game of the year that resulted in a championship once, and that team was the Boston Bruins, who won the 2011 Stanley Cup in seven games over the Vancouver Canucks.

So, since 2000, I have only had one favorite team of mine win it all, and more times than not, these favorite teams of mine (UND hockey, Vikings, Boston Bruins) have had their seasons  ended in defeat, many times in the early rounds of the playoffs, when they were the heavy favorites.

In conclusion, while we might just be fans, our favorite teams play a very big part of our lives, even if the games are only an escape from the reality of our boring lives.  It is what it is. 

AMSOIL Arena Will Bid for 2015, 2016 NCAAs

If I am reading this article right, then the Ralph Engelstad Arena should be able to apply for a regional Championship. Right? I don't see a difference.

Zach Schneider, Northland's Newscenter --- The rink previously submitted a bid in 2010 to host a 2013 regional, but officials said that was eventually rejected because of the NCAA's preference to use neutral sites.

Now, AMOSIL Arena officials say they were told the NCAA has dropped that preference and will exert no bias against arenas that are home to an NCAA Division I men's hockey team.

AMSOIL Arena has played host to the NCAA Division I Frozen Four and Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Final Face Off on the women's side, but it has never been selected to host a major men's tournament.

The arena will prepare its bid over the next couple of months, officials said, before submitting it to the NCAA for review.

Related articles

• NCAA Hockey: Coaches want to keep the status quo (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Kansas City wants to become an NCAA championship destination (kansascity.com)

Final Finals Numbers: Former NCAA Hockey Players

Throughout the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, I compiled a list of NHL hockey players that participated in at least one season of division I college hockey, which competed in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The players were listed by their NHL team. These were players that played in at least “one” Stanley Cup Playoff game during in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. I have also listed their point totals as well.

Points lead after the completion of the final round

The Finals are officially over. The top three spots are owned by Chicago Blackhawks. Former Vermont Catamount Patrick Sharp (10g-6a—16pts) is the leader in the club house.  His teammate former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathon Toews (3g-11a—14pts) is in second place.

Third place, is former Michigan State Spartan and current Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2g-11a—13pts).

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current San Jose Sharks forward Joe Pavelski(4g-8a—12pts) was able to hang on to fourth place, even though his team was eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the defending Stanley Cup Champions the L.A. Kings in the Semi-Finals.

Fifth place, goes to former Golden Gopher and current Penguins Defenseman Paul Martin (2g-9a—11pts), whose team was eliminate by the Boston Bruins 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Leader Board (National Hockey League rank in parentheses)

1. (6) Patrick Sharp, F, Vermont, 23GP, (10g-6a—16pts)

2. (13) Jonathon Toews, F, North Dakota, 23GP, (3g-11a—14pts)

3. (14) Duncan Keith, D, Michigan State, 22GP, (2g-11a—13pts)

4. (18) Joe Pavelski, F, Wisconsin, 11GP, (4g-8a—12pts)

5. (23) Paul Martin, D, Minnesota, 15GP, (2g-9a—11pts)

Boston Bruins (3)

Torey Krug, D, Michigan State, 15GP, (4g-2a—6pts)

Matt Bartkowski, D, Ohio State, 7GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Richard Peverley, F, St. Lawrence University, 21GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Chicago Blackhawks (7)

Patrick Sharp, F, Vermont, 23GP, (10g-6a—16pts)

Jonathon Toews, F, North Dakota, 23GP, (3g-11a—14pts)

Duncan Keith, D, Michigan State, 22GP, (2g-11a—13pts)

Nick Leddy, D, Minnesota, 23GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Victor Stalberg, F, Vermont, 19GP, (0g-3a—3pts)

Brandon Bollig, F, St. Lawrence, 5GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Ben Smith, F, Boston College, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts) 

 

 

Odds for the 2014 Stanley Cup

Puck Daddy has the odds posted from the gambling site Bovada and the Pittsburgh Penguins are the favorites or win next season’s Stanley Cup. I would bet good money that they will choke or underperform yet again.  Also, I would be willing to bet that the Blackhawks and Bruins don’t go as deep in the playoffs this season after how long they played into the summer and how beat up both teams are. I would have to say that my early favorite for the Stanley Cup next season is the Detroit Red Wings. Yep, I have a bad feeling we’re going to be watching paint dry next summer.

Odds to win the 2014 Stanley Cup

Pittsburgh Penguins 13/2
Chicago Blackhawks 15/2
Boston Bruins 9/1
St. Louis Blues 12/1
Los Angeles Kings 14/1
Vancouver Canucks 14/1
Detroit Red Wings 16/1
New York Rangers 16/1
San Jose Sharks 16/1
Anaheim Ducks 20/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 25/1
Washington Capitals 25/1
Montreal Canadiens 28/1
Carolina Hurricanes 33/1
Edmonton Oilers 33/1
Minnesota Wild 33/1
New York Islanders 33/1
Ottawa Senators 33/1
Philadelphia Flyers 33/1
Colorado Avalanche 40/1
Columbus Blue Jackets 40/1
Nashville Predators 40/1
New Jersey Devils 40/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 40/1
Winnipeg Jets 40/1
Buffalo Sabres 50/1
Calgary Flames 50/1
Dallas Stars 50/1
Phoenix Coyotes 50/1
Florida Panthers 100/1

(Video) CBC HNIC Stanley cup Playoffs Tribute 2013

Just like that, the 2013 season is over. This is a pretty good video and I am sad that I don't get CBC anymore, since I switched over to DirecTV. None the less, this is a very good video by CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.

(Video) edit: Boston Meltdown: Chicago scores two goals in 17 seconds

So, the season ends on this unfortunate sequence of plays. The Boston Bruins were 77 second way from forcing a game seven. With the score 2-1 in Boston’s favor, many Boston fans were already looking forward to a game seven in Chicago and then the roof fell in on the TD North Garden.

The Boston meltdown started at the 18:44 mark of the third period when Chicago forward Bryan Bickell scored the game tying goal. The game winner was scored by Chicago forward Dave Bolland 17.7 seconds later. Turnaround is fair play right? Chicago had done to the Boston Bruins, what the Bruins had done to the Toronto Maple Leafs three rounds earlier. Such is life...

UND’s Connection to the Stanley Cup

Most, UND hockey fans will be happy for former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews as he wins his second Stanley Cup. Actually, that's two Stanley Cups in four seasons for the Chicago Blackhawks captain (2010, 2013). Toews joins the Great One in winning two Stanley Cups, as a captain, before his 26th birthday. Toews was big on the score sheet as well tonight, as he scored a goal and an a assist tonight

Bergeron had a broken rib, torn cartilage, and a separated shoulder, the last of which happened tonight.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) June 25, 2013

Stanley Cup Final game six: Lucic goal

This was the goal by Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic scored at the 12:11 mark of the third period. Of course the Blackhawks weren't done as they scored two goals, 17 seconds apart to win the 3-2 and the Stanley Cup Series 4-2.

Wild resign Backstrom

According to Michael Russo, beat writer for the Star and Tribune,  the Minnesota Wild have resigned their starting goalie Niklas Backstrom to a new three-year deal worth 10.25 million. For the people that aren’t good at math, that’s 3.42 per year for Nik.  

With the signing of Backstrom, the Wild now have $3,321,132.00 in cap space left and still have to sign forward Cal Clutterbuck, defensemen (x2) Jared Spurgeon and Justin Falk. All three players are restricted free agents. Some have suggested that Falk is a defensive liability and the Wild should let him walk.

Now we have to wonder who that Amnesty buyout is going to be? I have a suggestion, from the blue line, former Badger Tom Gilbert.