UND hockey to play UBC in January 2014

UND to play in British Columbia on Jan. 2-3; Canucks home on Jan. 1. Jets home on Dec. 31. Sounds like a good trip.
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) July 19, 2013

The University of North Dakota is scheduled to play two exhibition games against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds on January 2-3, 2014 and of course some fans that aren't happy with the decision, but I think it's a great idea. In fact, the idea is a stroke of genius. Think about the exposure that this exhibition series will give the UND hockey team. This series could be a great recruiting event for the UND hockey team. It's also a great way to expose the Western Canadians to the NCHC. I know in the past, there has been some talk about letting the Canadian teams join the NCAA hockey and there is a team, Simon Fraser Clan of Burnaby, B.C. that already plays in Division II sports. I look at this as an opportunity.

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Mike Babcock is head coach of team Canada Olympic team

With Olympic deal done, Hockey Canada will now move into overdrive to put team together.Will make coaching staff official tomorrow.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) July 21, 2013

Mike Babcock is head coach, Hitchcock,Ruff,Julien will assist...and Ralph Kruger will also have a role with staff.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) July 21, 2013

A very good selection for team Canada, Mike Babcock is a very good head coach. Team Canada is in good hands for the Olympics.

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NHL schedule includes “6” Outdoor Games

Chew on this for a minute, there are six outdoor games this season. They’re listed below in chronological order, and they’re scheduled as follows. One game is actually in L.A.

2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic

* Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings - Michigan Stadium

Wednesday, Jan. 1, 12:30 p.m. ET -- NBC, CBC, RDS

Coors Light NHL Stadium Series

* Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings - Dodger Stadium

Saturday, Jan. 25, 9:30 p.m. ET -- NBC Sports Network, CBC

* New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils - Yankee Stadium

Sunday, Jan. 26, 12:30 p.m. ET -- NBC, CBC

* New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders - Yankee Stadium

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m. ET -- NBC Sports Network

* Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks - Soldier Field

Saturday, March 1, 8 p.m. ET

2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic

* Ottawa Senators vs. Vancouver Canucks – BC Place

Sunday, March 2, 4 p.m. ET -- CBC, RDS, NBC Sports Network

Johnny Toews with the Cup

Toews kissing The Cup pic.twitter.com/CfYHe89ZRe
— JRoads ™ (@JRoadsreal) July 19, 2013

s/t @JRoadsreal awesome picture. Too bad it wasn't in Grand Forks, ND. This is the second cup that Toews has won with the Chicago Blackhawks.

We have a deal, NHL to Sochi in 2014

Agreement is reached and is official for NHL player participation in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. http://t.co/o5B7dm3Ggm
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) July 19, 2013

Yay! Awesome news, the NHL players are going to play in the 2014 Winter Olympic games in Sochi , Russian. That means taht this year's NHL season will take two weeks off.

The NHL will break the 2013-14 schedule on Feb. 9 for the Olympics and return to play on Feb. 26.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) July 19, 2013

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Predicting who wins the Inaugural 2014 B1G Title: Good Question

@THNRyanKennedy How dare you suggest that anyone other than the Minnesota Gophers win the inaugural B1G 2014 title. #sarcasm.
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) July 19, 2013

That is a very good question. It does bring up an interesting conversation, who is the favorite to win the 2014 Big Ten Hockey Conference Title. I would have to say that Wisconsin, based on who they return, would be one of the favorites. I think that Minnesota lost way too much high-end talent to make much of a impact next season.

. @THNRyanKennedy says Wisconsin looks like a safe bet to win B1G title right now. I’ll take Minnesota as a safer bet at this point.
— Andrew Weiss (@WeissFC) July 19, 2013

Patrice Bergeron humor compared to soccer

.@SoccerrProblems Patrice Bergeron. pic.twitter.com/zaszIXBh5o
— The Hockey Gods (@HockeyGods) July 19, 2013

This tweet was very funny. Although, it's very true when describing hockey players.

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Coaching by Gothberg

Boston Bruins draftee and current UND goalie Zane Gothberg coaches a group of youth hockey players during a clinic in Burlington. Gothberg is currently attending the Boston Bruins prospect camp.

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UNDSID clears up a few things

Here's a response that @UNDSID  to a post that was on Brad's blog. It's worth a read, it covers a few things that people are talking about.

Comment Posted on July 18, 2013 at 11:34 am said:

Those of us that commented on this in the beginning were told by UND Media Relations and others to be quiet and wait for “Big Announcements”. We knew that this would not be good for those outside of the MidCo area (ND,SD,MN), and we argued that fact. We were told that the streaming would be better, and it did not improve. HD will be great, but if it continuously buffers and dumps, what good is it. UND Media Relations said they would get the Flash Player issue worked out for those with Apple products, but that did not happen. Good luck using an App like Photon to play the feed. It looks like we are stuck with the garbage they are currently using and I am tired of people saying, “be quiet and wait, there will be big news”. Media Relations needs to push hard at a minimum for the FTA feed to be allowed for home games from MidCo for those who had invested in that years ago. That will not effect their dollars to any significance and actually help those outside of the area. That is just one step to appease the growing issues that they will be seeing. Six games is nothing and a huge, huge loss for UND Hockey. I would hope we would at least see some comment from UND, Media Relations or on up, on this problem for their alums outside of ND,SD, and MN.

• 
• Verified UND Official
• 109 posts

Posted Today, 01:38 PM

Hello everyone. It's been awhile -- I trust everyone's had a great summer. I posted this over on Schlossman's blog but figured I'd double up over here. FYI, the "big announcements" reference was in response to a specific comment over there:

No one affiliated with UND Athletics promised anyone “big announcements.” Simply not true.

What we *have* been saying is that we will continue to seek improvements to our viewing options across ALL platforms. That has not changed and that will not change. The broadcast situation we have today may not be the broadcast situation we have by the time the puck drops opening night. Or a year from now. These things evolve, take time and require a little patience.

Did we promise HD webcasts and enhanced webcast support? Yes, beginning with the upcoming season our home webcasts will be offered in high definition. In light of the shifting TV situation, we have allocated and committed the necessary resources to providing high quality web streams.

At the end of the day, fans will still have the ability to watch literally every single home game. Every one of them. Plus four road games. Some of these will be on your television screen and yes, some will have to be on your computer screen. You also have the ability to send the HD webcast feed to your flatscreen TV with one cord and one press of a button. In the coming weeks, our website will offer a video tutorial on how to make that conversion for those who are unfamiliar with the process.

In the meantime, we will continue to do everything within our power to bring more of our games back to national TV. Neither UND, nor the NCHC Commissioner, is ignoring our television situation. Quite the contrary, in fact.

But please understand that it is a work in progress.

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NHL returning to Olympics

Pictograms of Olympic sports - Ice hockey (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It would appear that the NHL is headed back to the Olympic games for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. This is good news for the fans that like to watch the Olympics with the NHL players.

Kevin McGran, thetorontostar.com --- If the NHL goes to Sochi, the league will take a 17-day break to accommodate the Winter Olympics, the Star has learned.

A source told the Star that a leaked copy of the Florida Panthers’ 2013-14 NHL schedule suggests the league is going to take time off in February to accommodate the Games.

The Panthers are not commenting on the schedule that is making its way through Twitter but a copy of it was obtained by the Miami Herald.

On it, the Panthers play Feb. 7 and then again Feb. 27.

The NHL is expected to announce its participation in the Olympics this week and release a full schedule.

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Hitting the links on Thursday NCHC Television focused

CBS Sports Network (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The newly released television schedule from the NCHC has gotten people talking.  

Here's the Western College Hockey Blog post and they broke down the number games each team has on the schedule. UND 6, Miami 5, Western Michigan, Colorado College and St. Cloud State all have 4 games on the TV schedule. Denver and Duluth have two games. 

Here’s something to chew on; the Mavericks will appear on CBS Sports Network just once when they host Michigan on Friday, Nov. 15. [OmahaMavericks]

The Hockey Writers, NCAA Hockey: Current NCHC Television Deal is Unacceptable

David Drew, MLive.com WMU hockey will have four NCHC games televised on CBSSports Network

Joe Paisley from the Gazette; CC picks up most-ever four national TV regular season games

Studay: Rules Changes Didn't Reduce Concussion Rates in the NHL.

Original NHL logo, used until 2005. A version of the logo features it in the shape of a hockey puck. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Oh boy, the Anti-Fighting Cabal is going to have a hay day with this study. Next thing we're going to see is a big push from the same Anti-Fighting Cabal to eliminate fighting from the NHL or the lower leagues, so we can have a study on that.

TSN.CA The data showed that there was no statistical significance in the incidence of concussions in the NHL in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons compared to the 2009-10 season. That latter was the year before the NHL rule change went into effect.

The researchers estimated there were about 5.23 concussions per 100 games in the NHL regular season. Despite its stiffer rule, the OHL didn't have markedly different concussion rates, clocking 5.05 per 100 games in the regular season.

The analysis also showed that the type of hits outlawed by the NHL rule weren't actually the major cause of concussions.
About 28 per cent of interactions produced a concussion also generated a penalty call, said Cusimano. In that 28 per cent, the bulk of the penalties were for fighting. "And blindsiding, which was what the rule was initially was written about, was only 4.1 per cent of all those.... But four per cent of 28 per cent is a very small number."

"I wasn't totally surprised, but I was disappointed that we weren't able to show a difference," Cusimano said.

"Part of it's the way the rule's written. Part of it's the way the rule is enforced. Part of it's the penalties associated with the rule. And part of it is that concussions are also coming from other causes like fighting, that is still allowed."

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NCHC ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL TELEVISION SCHEDULE

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The National Collegiate Hockey Conference drops the puck for its inaugural season of competition in 2013-14 with a slate of 18 games to be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network. The schedule features 15 regular season conference games, as well as the NCHC Conference Semifinals and Championship.

"We are excited about our partnership with CBS Sports Network. The NCHC is committed to showcasing our conference nationally and the relationship with CBS Sports Network helps us accomplish this goal," said NCHC Commissioner, Josh Fenton.

"We are proud to be the NCHC’s national television partner and are looking forward to an exciting inaugural season, showcasing some of the best college hockey in the country," said Dan Weinberg, Senior Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports Network.

The CBS Sports Network schedule kicks off with the first ever NCHC conference games with a double-header on Friday, Oct. 18 th when North Dakota visits Miami, followed by Minnesota Duluth at Colorado College – puck drop times are to be determined.

The NCHC includes member institutions Colorado College, Denver, Miami, Minnesota Duluth, Nebraska Omaha, North Dakota, St. Cloud State, and Western Michigan.

CBS Sports Network is the 24-hour home of CBS Sports and is available across the country through local cable, video and telco providers and via satellite on DirecTV Channel 613 and Dish Network Channel 158. For more information, and to access the CBS Sports Network channel finder, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.

Oct. 18 (Fri)	North Dakota at Miami Steve Cady Arena, Oxford, OH Minnesota-Duluth at Colorado College Colorado Springs World Arena, Colorado Springs, CO
Nov. 15 (Fri)	Wisconsin at Miami Steve Cady Arena, Oxford, OH Michigan at Nebraska-Omaha CenturyLink Center, Omaha, NE
Dec. 6 (Fri)	North Dakota at Western Michigan Lawson Ice Arena, Kalamazoo, MI
Dec. 13 (Fri)	Western Michigan at Minnesota-Duluth AMSOIL Arena, Duluth, MN
Jan. 10 (Fri)	Colorado College at North Dakota Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, ND
Jan. 17 (Fri)	Western Michigan at St. Cloud State The Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, St. Cloud, MN
Jan. 24 (Fri)	North Dakota at Denver Magness Arena, Denver, CO
Feb. 7 (Fri)	Western Michigan at Miami Steve Cady Arena, Oxford, OH
Feb. 14 (Fri)	Miami at North Dakota Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, ND
Feb. 21 (Fri)	St. Cloud State at Miami Steve Cady Arena, Oxford, OH Colorado College at Denver Magness Arena, Denver, CO
Feb. 28 (Fri)	North Dakota at St. Cloud State The Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, St. Cloud, MN
Mar. 7 (Fri)	St. Cloud State at Colorado College Colorado Springs World Arena, Colorado Springs, CO
Mar. 21 (Fri)	NCHC Semifinal #1 Target Center, Minneapolis, MN NCHC Semifinal #2 Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Mar. 22 (Sat)	NCHC Championship Game Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

NCHC to launch new web page on August 1, 2013

New site countdown http://t.co/27rSfWbFbb @CCTigers @DU_Hockey @MiamiRedHawks @UMDBulldogs @omavs @UNDMHockey @SCSUHUSKIES @WMUHockey
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) July 16, 2013

The NCHC is set to launch it's new web page on August 1, 2013 and I am sure there will be some that will have a great time with this one,  because we know that Webpages make a conference. Right? Here is what's posing as a webpage for the Big Ten Hockey Conference right now.

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Time to name the #MNCollegeHockey Tourney

Voting is underway for the #MNCollegeHockey Tournament. Help us choose one of eight finalists. Vote here: http://t.co/N2moZmlXWc
— BSU Athletics News (@BSUBeavers) July 16, 2013

The time has come to name the Minnesota College Hockey Tourney. You can log on to GOPHERSPORTS.COM and make your selection or you can tweet your selection to @GopherHockey . There are eight of them, and you can vote for one of them. Here's the choices: The Herb Brooks Classic, The Hot Dish, The Minnesota College Hockey Classic, The Northern Lights Cup, The Star of the North Classic, The 10,000 Lakes Classic, The North Star Classic/Cup, The Taconite Cup/Classic.

Don't forget to vote for your favorite #MNCollegeHockey Tournament name! http://t.co/0NwNPX9kkz
— Gopher Hockey (@GopherHockey) July 16, 2013

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List of 2013 Early Departures

Boston University

Matt Nieto Jr. F San Jose (NHL), April 1

Dartmouth

Matt Lindblad Jr. F Boston (NHL), April 5 (FA)

Denver

Scott Mayfield So. D NY Islanders (NHL), April 5
Juho Olkinoura So. G Winnipeg (NHL), April 7 (FA)
Nick Shore Jr. F Los Angeles (NHL), April 12

Lake Superior State

Kellan Lain Jr. F Vancouver (NHL), March 16 (FA)
Buddy Robinson So. F Ottawa (NHL), March 25 (FA)

Massachusetts

Conor Allen Jr. D NY Rangers (NHL), March 29 (FA)


UMass Lowell

Chad Ruhwedel Jr. D Buffalo (NHL), April 12 (FA)

Michigan

Jon Merrill Jr. D New Jersey (NHL), March 29
Jacob Trouba Fr. D. Winnipeg Jets (NHL), April 02

Minnesota

Mark Alt Jr. D Philadelphia (NHL), April 5
Nick Bjugstad Jr. F Florida (NHL), April 3
Zach Budish Jr. F Nashville (NHL), April 3
Erik Haula Jr. F Minnesota (NHL), April 7
Nate Schmidt Jr. D Washington (NHL), April 2 (FA)

Minnesota Duluth

Chris Casto So. D Boston (NHL), March 26 (FA)
Drew Olson Sr. D Peoria (AHL), April 10

Nebraska-Omaha

Tony Turgeon Jr. D San Antonio (AHL), July 15 (FA)
Andrej Sustr Jr. D Tampa Bay (NHL), March 21 (FA)

Niagara

Carsen Chubak Jr. G Adirondack (AHL), May 6

North Dakota

Derek Forbort Jr. D Los Angeles (NHL), April 5

Northern Michigan

Jared Coreau Jr. G Detroit (NHL), March 18 (FA)

Notre Dame

Anders Lee Jr. F NY Islanders (NHL), April 1

Ohio State Chris

Crane Jr. F San Jose (NHL), April 2

St. Cloud State

Nick Jensen Jr. D Detroit (NHL), May 2

Union

Troy Grosenick Jr. G San Jose (NHL), April 5 (FA)

Western Michigan

Danny DeKeyser Jr. D Detroit (NHL), March 29 (FA)

Wisconsin

Brendan Woods So. F Carolina (NHL), April 13

UNO's Tony Turgeon signs with Florida

Congrats to @turg04 on signing with Florida!! Gunna miss ya!
— Tanner Lane (@tlane17) July 16, 2013

The Florida Panthers are going to get some extra muscle with this signing of Nebraska-Omaha defenseman Tony Turgeon. The would be senior, played in 62 games for the Mavericks scoring (0g-6a—6pts).

UNO's Tanner Lane tweeted that teammate Tony Turgeon has signed with the Florida Panthers. Turgeon attended FLA's recent development camp.
— Matthew Semisch (@matthewsemisch) July 16, 2013

UND Women's SID to leave

Professionally, Derek helped elevate the profile of our @UNDWHockey program. Personally, he was my first hire and he'll be missed. #GreatRun
— Jayson Hajdu (@UNDSID) July 15, 2013

I am saddened by the news that UND Women's Hockey Sid Derek Koenen is leaving UND, to be closer to his family, who's from Southern Minnesota. Derek is a class act and was very good about getting the players that the media wanted to interview, made available. It was a pleasure getting to know him and work with him in the press box during women's games, over the last two years. I would like to wish him good luck.

Tough week for the ol' media relations office as we say farewell on Friday to @derekkoenen, who has been with us since 2008-09. (1/2)
— Jayson Hajdu (@UNDSID) July 15, 2013

Bittersweet week as I leave a great athletics department, university and community for different adventures. (1/1)
— Derek Koenen (@derekkoenen) July 15, 2013

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ESPN vs. the Sharks on Twitter

Hey @SanJoseSharks, thoughts on changing your name to the San Jose #Sharknados?
— ESPN (@espn) July 12, 2013

Check out this exchange on Twitter... I couldn't agree more, show more hockey highlights on ESPN. How about show some hockey. I rarely if ever watch ESPN, unless it's for the NCAA Hockey playoffs, NFL Football, or for an occasional FCS football game. That's it.

Hey @espn, thoughts on showing more hockey highlights?
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) July 12, 2013

Auburn SID has SEC Wedding Game Notes

You know you're an #SID if... You make game notes for your own wedding @wtodd1 @SIDProblems pic.twitter.com/9xtYZLiY7q
— Matt Crouch (@MattCrouchAU) July 13, 2013

I think this is funny, I was wondering if hockey bloggers have live blogs and tweet-ups at their weddings as well?  s/t to Deadspin. How about the birth of your first child? That might be taking it a bit far.