by Redwing77
Ok, first I see my Red Wings bow out early. That's ok, I didn't expect them to make the playoffs (none of the pundits did either). Now... lots of change.
First, Hakstol bolts for the Flyers. Ugh. I don't like the Flyers. Better there than Buffalo or Toronto, perhaps, but still.... it stinks. I never saw it coming. That being said, I talked to Hakstol in Kearney, Nebraska while the Tri City Storm (with UND recruit Chris Wilkie) faced off in what would turn out to be the season ending game for the Omaha Lancers (with UND recruit Shane Gersich). He was a great guy and a splendid ambassador for North Dakota.
I still love to think about the Haters. I mean, Hakstol couldn't win it all in his 11 seasons with North Dakota even with stacked rosters and a bucket load of tradition (which, by the way, never makes saves nor scores goals but whatever). So, obviously, Hakstol shouldn't be considered worthy of anything, right? Or perhaps just worthy of a head coaching gig in the NHL. Not even the NoDak godcoach Dean Blais garnered that post... or perhaps he turned them all down to get an associate head coaching gig with the Blue Jackets? Whatever.
Nevertheless, I don't know how it will work out for Hakstol in the NHL. I hope he's successful. It's a different world in the pros. A TON of entitlement and "me first" attitudes prevail in that league. Maybe he'll be able to convince Ron Hextall (of all people to say what's next) that GOALTENDING might actually be a CONCERN for Philly? Hmm??? Seriously! 2 career backups and 1 30 something year old rookie isn't going to win you much.
Anyways....
And now Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock will head to Toronto to be the head conductor aboard the second biggest train derailment in the NHL (behind Buffalo). Ok, there were rumors abounding regarding this pre-season but still! This is a good deal for Toronto. I mean, stealing assistants from Detroit didn't necessarily work out (see San Jose) so why not steal the head coach himself?
In any regards, the front runner for the Detroit gig is former WMU head coach Blashill. Blashill knows the system Detroit runs and has lead the Wings in developing many of the younger stars currently on the Wings roster. I don't know if this will thrust the Wings back to the Finals but it's not exactly a dumpster hire either.
If he's hired, it may also be good for college hockey. In the past, I got the feeling that Detroit really didn't have much faith in the NCAA (despite Nyquist, Abdelkader, Howard, and a few others). They typically invested a lot more in the Scandenavian hockey markets and major juniors as well. Perhaps there is a shift in hockey town towards a find the best no matter where mentality that will include the NCAA now? Who knows.
In any case, I haven't the foggiest idea what will happen in Detroit and Philly next season or two.
Final Random Musing:
However, in Toronto, the scuttlebutt is that Babcock's hiring is BAD NEWS for one named Kessel. Babcock likes solid play at both ends and a complete buy in to the system. He might be able to do that (much like Trotz did with Ovechkin), but many amateur pundits (including myself) suggest that Kessel should pack his bags in time for Draft Day because he'll be moving out of Toronto.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Nickname Committee Cuts List of Names to 64
The UND Nickname committee has cut the list of names to 64. One of the names under consideration is "North Dakota". Below is the list of names that are moving forward. Unfortunately, Sundogs and Sundog is on the list. I am disappointed that Green Machine is not on the list.
- Aeronauts
- Aeros
- Arctic Blaze
- Arctic Force
- Aurora
- Aviators
- Badlanders
- Big Green
- Bison Slayers
- Blackhawks
- BLAZE
- BLAZING STARS
- BLIZZARD
- Blizzard Dogs
- Bombardiers
- Bombers
- Cavalry
- Charging Nokota
- Drillers
- ENERGY
- Explorers
- Fighting Green
- Fighting Greens
- Fighting Green Hawks
- Fighting Hawks
- Fighting Sundogs
- Fire
- Flame
- Flames
- Flickertails
- Fliers
- Force
- Force of North
- Global Hawks
- Green Bombers
- GREEN HAWKS
- GREEN PRIDE
- 'Grey Hawks'
- Night Hawks
- Night Riders
- Nighthawks
- Nodak
- Nodaks
- North Dakota
- North Force
- North Stars
- Northern Lights
- Prarie Hawks
- Pride
- Riders
- roughhriders
- SNOW DOGS
- Snow Leopards
- Spirit
- STORM
- Sundog
- Sundogs
- Thunder Hawks
- Warhawks
- Warriors
- Warriors of the North
- Wings
- Wooly Mammoth
For Those That were Wondering
I had a few people ask me this week what was going on with Zane McIntyre. Some wondered if the change at the head coaching position would make any difference. It will not make a difference.
One more to go.
Obviously, we're still waiting for Jordan Schmaltz as well. According to Andy Strickland, it sounds like there's a chance that Schmaltz could be back this fall. We will see how that develops and plays out. For those that wondered, and I saw a few of the comments from fans, Strickland is a credible hockey source and is up on what's going on with the St. Louis Blues.
One more to go.
Obviously, we're still waiting for Jordan Schmaltz as well. According to Andy Strickland, it sounds like there's a chance that Schmaltz could be back this fall. We will see how that develops and plays out. For those that wondered, and I saw a few of the comments from fans, Strickland is a credible hockey source and is up on what's going on with the St. Louis Blues.
Zane has decided to leave North Dakota and is committed to the Boston Bruins. We are excited about that. https://t.co/e0meju1ylp— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 20, 2015
Any word on signing Zane McIntyre ? #AskGMSweens
— Jesse Desrochers (@JesseDesrochers) May 20, 2015
Sounding like Brad Berry replacing Dave Hakstol as #UND head coach has #stlblues prospect Jordan Schmaltz leaning towards staying in school
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) May 18, 2015
Related articles
UND's McIntyre Is Leaving Impressive Legacy Behind(thehockeywriters.com)
The Hamburglar gets a Raise
Last season, former Bowling Green State University goalie Andrew Hammond made a big splash with the Ottawa Senators. In his first season with the senators, Hammond was (20-1-2, 1.73 GAA & .943 SV%) in 23 starts.
For his efforts, the Senators are showing Hammond the money. Last season, Hammond made 750,000 with the Senators and is getting a pretty nice raise to 1.35 million.
For his efforts, the Senators are showing Hammond the money. Last season, Hammond made 750,000 with the Senators and is getting a pretty nice raise to 1.35 million.
Hammond's new deal will have an annual cap hit of $1.35 million. #NHL
— NHLnumbers (@NHLnumbers) May 20, 2015
The Senators sign goaltender Andrew Hammond to a 3-year, $4.05M contract extension. He had a 1.73 GAA & .943 SV% in 23 starts this season.
— NHLnumbers (@NHLnumbers) May 20, 2015
Breaking: #Sens agree to terms with goaltender Andrew Hammond on a three-year contract extension 🍔🍔🍔
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) May 20, 2015
Andrew Shaw No Goal
According to the NHL rule 78.5, this is why Andrew Shaw was not awarded the game-winning goal. According to the NHL Rules, the puck has to be shot in with a stick.
NHL situation room confirms Andrew Shaw's goal disallowed because he directed it in with something (his head) other than stick. #Blackhawks
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) May 20, 2015
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford steps into the Ducks Rickard Rakel
The game is getting feisty. Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford steps into the Ducks forward Rickard Rakel and causes a bit of a dustup.
Got to love NHL playoffs. Mayhem all over including blatant interference by Crawford on Rickard Rakell and faceoff neutral zone.— Scott Burnside (@ESPN_Burnside) May 20, 2015
Corey Crawford steps out and intentionally bumps into Rickard Riakell on a dump-in. #curiousmove #ANAvsCHI— ESPN NHL coverage (@ESPN_NHL) May 20, 2015
Clayton Stoner Cross-Checks Andrew Shaw in the Face
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Clayton Stoner was very lucky that he's still in the game. Stoner cross-checks Marcus Kruger from behind, causing him to slide face first into the end boards. Kruger suffered a minor cut for his efforts.
But Stoner wasn't done. The Ducks defender goes on to perform oral surgery on Andrew Shaw.
To quote Brendan Shanahan, "this was a blatant attempt to injure an opponent." In other words, this was an egregious act that deserved a penalty. Also, I think that Shaw has an expectation to not be cross-checked in the face. The play is basically over.
If I was the commissioner of the NHL, these are the types of plays that would be highly punished. My question is, would this hit be worthy of a call from the Department of Player Safety. Is this suspension worthy?
2015-16 UND Hockey Schedule
Date Opponent Time (CT)
Oct. 3 Manitoba (exh.) 7:07 pm
Oct. 9 vs. Lake Superior State^ 3:30 pm
Oct. 10 vs. Maine^ 7:00 pm
Oct. 16 at Bemidji State 7:37 pm
Oct. 17 Bemidji State 7:07 pm
Oct. 23 at Vermont TBA
Oct. 24 at Vermont TBA
Oct. 30 at Colorado College* TBA
Oct. 31 at Colorado College* TBA
Nov. 6 Wisconsin 7:37 pm
Nov. 7 Wisconsin 7:07 pm
Nov. 13 Miami* 7:37 pm
Nov. 14 Miami* 7:07 pm
Nov. 20 at St. Cloud State* TBA
Nov. 21 at St. Cloud State* TBA
Nov. 27 at Michigan State TBA
Nov. 29 at Michigan State TBA
Dec. 4 Denver* 7:37 pm
Dec. 5 Denver* 7:07 pm
Dec. 11 at Minnesota Duluth* 7:07 pm
Dec. 12 at Minnesota Duluth* 7:07 pm
Jan. 1 Alabama-Huntsville 7:37 pm
Jan. 2 Alabama-Huntsville 7:07 pm
Jan. 9 US. Under-18 Team (exh.) TBA
Jan. 15 Omaha* 7:37 pm
Jan. 16 Omaha* 7:07 pm
Jan. 22 Colorado College* 7:37 pm
Jan. 23 Colorado College* 7:07 pm
Jan. 29 at Western Michigan* 6:00 pm
Jan. 30 at Western Michigan* 6:00 pm
Feb. 12 at Denver* TBA
Feb. 13 at Denver* TBA
Feb. 19 Minnesota Duluth* 7:37 pm
Feb. 20 Minnesota Duluth* 7:07 pm
Feb. 26 at Omaha* 7:07 pm
Feb. 27 at Omaha* 7:07 pm
Mar. 4 Western Michigan* 7:37 pm
Mar. 5 Western Michigan* 7:07 pm
Mar. 11-13 NCHC Quarterfinals (Best of 3)
Mar. 18-19 NCHC Frozen Faceoff (Minneapolis)
Mar. 25-27 NCAA Regionals
Apr. 7-9 NCAA Frozen Four (Tampa)
* NCHC game
^ Ice Breaker Tournament (Portland, Maine)
All times Central
Home games in bold
Schedule subject to change
Oct. 3 Manitoba (exh.) 7:07 pm
Oct. 9 vs. Lake Superior State^ 3:30 pm
Oct. 10 vs. Maine^ 7:00 pm
Oct. 16 at Bemidji State 7:37 pm
Oct. 17 Bemidji State 7:07 pm
Oct. 23 at Vermont TBA
Oct. 24 at Vermont TBA
Oct. 30 at Colorado College* TBA
Oct. 31 at Colorado College* TBA
Nov. 6 Wisconsin 7:37 pm
Nov. 7 Wisconsin 7:07 pm
Nov. 13 Miami* 7:37 pm
Nov. 14 Miami* 7:07 pm
Nov. 20 at St. Cloud State* TBA
Nov. 21 at St. Cloud State* TBA
Nov. 27 at Michigan State TBA
Nov. 29 at Michigan State TBA
Dec. 4 Denver* 7:37 pm
Dec. 5 Denver* 7:07 pm
Dec. 11 at Minnesota Duluth* 7:07 pm
Dec. 12 at Minnesota Duluth* 7:07 pm
Jan. 1 Alabama-Huntsville 7:37 pm
Jan. 2 Alabama-Huntsville 7:07 pm
Jan. 9 US. Under-18 Team (exh.) TBA
Jan. 15 Omaha* 7:37 pm
Jan. 16 Omaha* 7:07 pm
Jan. 22 Colorado College* 7:37 pm
Jan. 23 Colorado College* 7:07 pm
Jan. 29 at Western Michigan* 6:00 pm
Jan. 30 at Western Michigan* 6:00 pm
Feb. 12 at Denver* TBA
Feb. 13 at Denver* TBA
Feb. 19 Minnesota Duluth* 7:37 pm
Feb. 20 Minnesota Duluth* 7:07 pm
Feb. 26 at Omaha* 7:07 pm
Feb. 27 at Omaha* 7:07 pm
Mar. 4 Western Michigan* 7:37 pm
Mar. 5 Western Michigan* 7:07 pm
Mar. 11-13 NCHC Quarterfinals (Best of 3)
Mar. 18-19 NCHC Frozen Faceoff (Minneapolis)
Mar. 25-27 NCAA Regionals
Apr. 7-9 NCAA Frozen Four (Tampa)
* NCHC game
^ Ice Breaker Tournament (Portland, Maine)
All times Central
Home games in bold
Schedule subject to change
Monday, May 18, 2015
UND to Announce New Head Coach at 1:00 PM
The news is breaking fans right now. According to Brad Schlossman, UND is going to hire Brad Berry to be the next head coach of UND.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota Director of Athletics Brian Faison will introduce the 16th head coach of the UND men’s hockey program today at a news conference in the main lobby of Ralph Engelstad Arena. The news conference will begin at 1 p.m. Central. A live of stream of the news conference will be available at UNDsports.com.
The new head coach, Faison and current UND players will be available for interviews immediately following the news conference.
For additional information, contact UND Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations Jayson Hajdu at 701.740.7659 (cell) or at jayson.hajdu@athletics.und.edu.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota Director of Athletics Brian Faison will introduce the 16th head coach of the UND men’s hockey program today at a news conference in the main lobby of Ralph Engelstad Arena. The news conference will begin at 1 p.m. Central. A live of stream of the news conference will be available at UNDsports.com.
The new head coach, Faison and current UND players will be available for interviews immediately following the news conference.
For additional information, contact UND Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations Jayson Hajdu at 701.740.7659 (cell) or at jayson.hajdu@athletics.und.edu.
Dave Hakstol Named Head Coach of the Philadelphia Flyers
They say to be careful what you wish for. Coach Dave Hakstol is moving on. The news broke this morning that Hakstol is going to be the next head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. For the fans that wanted Hakstol fired because his teams didn't win an NCAA title, you won't have Hak to kick around anymore. I must say personally, I am shocked. I don't think many saw this coming.
Official Press Release -- Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall announced this morning that Dave Hakstol has been named the 19th head coach in Flyers history.
“Dave brings a wealth of head coaching experience and success to the Philadelphia Flyers organization,” said Hextall. “He’s a proven winner and we are pleased to have him become part of the Flyers family.”
“I am extremely excited to be named the Philadelphia Flyers new head coach,” said Hakstol. “Through the process here with Ron [Hextall] and everybody in the Flyers organization I have gained even more of an understanding of the history and tradition of this organization and I’m very proud to become part of the Philadelphia Flyers today.”
Hakstol, 46 (7/30/1968), comes to the Flyers from the University of North Dakota where he spent the last 11 seasons compiling an overall record of 289-143-43 with a .654 winning percentage in 475 games. In 2014-15, he led North Dakota to a 29-10-3 record with a .726 winning percentage and a berth in the NCAA Frozen Four.
North Dakota made the NCAA Tournament in every one of Hakstol’s 11 seasons and reached the Frozen Four seven times in that span, which is the most of any program in the country during that period. Hakstol led North Dakota to an overall postseason record of 54-24 for a .692 winning percentage, including a 17-11 record in the NCAA Tournament, during his tenure.
He joined the school’s coaching staff in 2000 as an assistant coach, and took over the head coaching job four years later. Under Hakstol’s watch, North Dakota won three regular season conference championships – two in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA, 2008-09, 2010-11) and one in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC, 2014-15). North Dakota also won WCHA playoff championships in 2005-06, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12. Hakstol received conference coach of the year honors twice, in the WCHA in 2008-09 and in the NCHC in 2014-15. He was also an eight-time finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award as national coach of the year.
Hakstol’s program has produced 20 NHL players and a total of 46 that have played professionally at some level. His former players include Jonathan Toews (CHI) and Matt Greene (LAK), each of whom have won two Stanley Cups since leaving the school, as well as T.J. Oshie (STL), Travis Zajac (NJD), Drew Stafford (BUF, WPG) and Chris VandeVelde (EDM, PHI). He has also had seven players named Hobey Baker Award finalists, including Ryan Duncan who won the award in 2007, and 11 players named All-Americans.
Official Press Release -- Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall announced this morning that Dave Hakstol has been named the 19th head coach in Flyers history.
“Dave brings a wealth of head coaching experience and success to the Philadelphia Flyers organization,” said Hextall. “He’s a proven winner and we are pleased to have him become part of the Flyers family.”
“I am extremely excited to be named the Philadelphia Flyers new head coach,” said Hakstol. “Through the process here with Ron [Hextall] and everybody in the Flyers organization I have gained even more of an understanding of the history and tradition of this organization and I’m very proud to become part of the Philadelphia Flyers today.”
Hakstol, 46 (7/30/1968), comes to the Flyers from the University of North Dakota where he spent the last 11 seasons compiling an overall record of 289-143-43 with a .654 winning percentage in 475 games. In 2014-15, he led North Dakota to a 29-10-3 record with a .726 winning percentage and a berth in the NCAA Frozen Four.
North Dakota made the NCAA Tournament in every one of Hakstol’s 11 seasons and reached the Frozen Four seven times in that span, which is the most of any program in the country during that period. Hakstol led North Dakota to an overall postseason record of 54-24 for a .692 winning percentage, including a 17-11 record in the NCAA Tournament, during his tenure.
He joined the school’s coaching staff in 2000 as an assistant coach, and took over the head coaching job four years later. Under Hakstol’s watch, North Dakota won three regular season conference championships – two in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA, 2008-09, 2010-11) and one in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC, 2014-15). North Dakota also won WCHA playoff championships in 2005-06, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12. Hakstol received conference coach of the year honors twice, in the WCHA in 2008-09 and in the NCHC in 2014-15. He was also an eight-time finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award as national coach of the year.
Hakstol’s program has produced 20 NHL players and a total of 46 that have played professionally at some level. His former players include Jonathan Toews (CHI) and Matt Greene (LAK), each of whom have won two Stanley Cups since leaving the school, as well as T.J. Oshie (STL), Travis Zajac (NJD), Drew Stafford (BUF, WPG) and Chris VandeVelde (EDM, PHI). He has also had seven players named Hobey Baker Award finalists, including Ryan Duncan who won the award in 2007, and 11 players named All-Americans.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Frank Black Cloud: Fighting Sioux will not be silenced
This was a letter to the editor that was posted in the Fargo Forum. Before you label this gentleman a racist, don't do it, he's a member of the Dakota Sioux. This is one of the assumptions that people make when they talk about the Fighting Sioux. There are a lot of natives American that like the Fighting Sioux nickname.
In response to the outlandish claim that we Sioux are “racist”:
You obviously have no clue as to what you are talking about, nor do you have a full and complete understanding as to the name Fighting Sioux or its origins.
I, for one, am a proud Dakota Sioux and a very proud Fighting Sioux supporter as are many, many other members of the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe. Our support and dedication to the name and logo are rooted deeply within our connection to our elders and the “gift” they bestowed upon the University of North Dakota in the 1930s and later solidified in the Sacred Pipe Ceremony in 1969.
I am a member of the group “The Sioux Were Silenced” because we were silenced and it’s a shame that you, as reporters, don’t explore that fact.
Nor do you even try to dig deeper into the facts that surround the removal of the gift that was given to UND by my ancestors and the elders of both Spirit Lake (Devils Lake Sioux Tribe back then) and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Why hasn’t the news media tried to explore the facts behind the sealing of the documents that could reveal the true reason and the real agenda behind the attack on the Sioux people and the name and logo at UND?
Were there any natives represented at that meeting with the NCAA and if so, who were they? What’s in the documents that they are trying to hide? What are you afraid of?
A good reporter would investigate these types of questions that the residents of North Dakota have the right to know. Then again, you may not be that good of a reporter.
We will never be quiet. We will not be silent any longer. We want answers and we will get them.
Frank Black Cloud from Fort Totten, N.D
In response to the outlandish claim that we Sioux are “racist”:
You obviously have no clue as to what you are talking about, nor do you have a full and complete understanding as to the name Fighting Sioux or its origins.
I, for one, am a proud Dakota Sioux and a very proud Fighting Sioux supporter as are many, many other members of the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe. Our support and dedication to the name and logo are rooted deeply within our connection to our elders and the “gift” they bestowed upon the University of North Dakota in the 1930s and later solidified in the Sacred Pipe Ceremony in 1969.
I am a member of the group “The Sioux Were Silenced” because we were silenced and it’s a shame that you, as reporters, don’t explore that fact.
Nor do you even try to dig deeper into the facts that surround the removal of the gift that was given to UND by my ancestors and the elders of both Spirit Lake (Devils Lake Sioux Tribe back then) and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Why hasn’t the news media tried to explore the facts behind the sealing of the documents that could reveal the true reason and the real agenda behind the attack on the Sioux people and the name and logo at UND?
Were there any natives represented at that meeting with the NCAA and if so, who were they? What’s in the documents that they are trying to hide? What are you afraid of?
A good reporter would investigate these types of questions that the residents of North Dakota have the right to know. Then again, you may not be that good of a reporter.
We will never be quiet. We will not be silent any longer. We want answers and we will get them.
Frank Black Cloud from Fort Totten, N.D
Friday, May 15, 2015
Men’s and Women’s Hockey Players to Graduate this May
Here’s a list of the UNDhockey players that gradate this Saturday. I would like to congratulate them all. If you look at the list, a majority of these players graduated in four years. That's no easy task playing division I hockey and going to school.
Men’s Hockey (6): Connor Gaarder
(Entrepreneurship), Mark MacMillan
(Entrepreneurship), Nick Mattson (Management), Brendan O'Donnell
(Communication), Michael Parks
(Communication), Stephane Pattyn (Entrepreneurship)
Women’s Hockey (3): Andrea Dalen (Business Economics), Michelle Karvinen (Graphic Design & Technology), Tori Williams (Psychology)
Women’s Hockey (3): Andrea Dalen (Business Economics), Michelle Karvinen (Graphic Design & Technology), Tori Williams (Psychology)
Thursday, May 14, 2015
On-Ice Officials for the Conference Finals
If you're not reading scouting the refs, I recommend you start perusing it. The site is run by Josh Smith, that's the same Smith that is a contributing editor of the Hockey Writers.
Here are the on-ice officials for the Stanley Cup Conference Finals.
Referees:
Eric Furlatt, Steve Kozari, Wes McCauley, Dan O’Halloran, Kevin Pollock, Chris Rooney, Kelly Sutherland, and Brad Watson. Standby referee is Gord Dwyer.
Linesmen:
Derek Amell, Scott Cherrey, Michel Cormier, Greg Devorski, Shane Heyer, Brad Kovachik, Brian Murphy, and Pierre Racicot. Standby linesman is Steve Miller. (Scouting the Refs)
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Video: New York Ranger: Derek Stepan's Series-Clinching Goal and Hand Shake
The New York Rangers are going back to the Eastern Conference Finals for a second year in a row. Former Wisconsin Badgers forward Derek Stepan scored the series-clinching goal at the 11:24 mark fo the overtime period.
Former #Badgers McDonagh and Stepan have OT goals to help Rangers advance past Washington in Stanley Cup playoffs.— Andy Baggot (@AndyBaggotWSJ) May 14, 2015
Video: Brooks Orpik levels Dan Boyle
This is the hit Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik put on Rangers defenseman Dan Boyle. Do you think that this is a dirty hit? Is there a suspension coming? Boyle left the game after the hit.
@Dave_Schwartz cheap shot elbow to the head not called.
— GPL (@GopherPuckLive) May 14, 2015
@DRdiabloTHW oh man. That's a lot of elbow to head :S
— Callum Fraser (@CallumFraser18) May 14, 2015
@DRdiabloTHW oh man. That's a lot of elbow to head :S
— Callum Fraser (@CallumFraser18) May 14, 2015
UND Hockey Waiting on Two
The UND hockey team received some good news in the last couple of days. Troy Stecher is coming back for his junior season.
The good news didn't stop there. Leading scorer Drake Caggiula is going to return for his senior season. With these developments, UND should again be one of the top teams in the NCHC based on who's staying and who's coming in.
Now, UND is waiting on two players to make their decision. Jordan Schmaltz and Paul LaDue have yet to make their intentions known. It was thought that Schmaltz was signing with the Blues, but he's not tipped his hand as of yet.
The good news didn't stop there. Leading scorer Drake Caggiula is going to return for his senior season. With these developments, UND should again be one of the top teams in the NCHC based on who's staying and who's coming in.
Now, UND is waiting on two players to make their decision. Jordan Schmaltz and Paul LaDue have yet to make their intentions known. It was thought that Schmaltz was signing with the Blues, but he's not tipped his hand as of yet.
Coveted NHL free agent Troy Stecher says he will return to North Dakota next season http://t.co/h8YOvA9IdS
— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) May 13, 2015
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) April 15, 2015
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Family Affair: UND lands Colton Poolman
The University of North Dakota is known for its brother teams. This past year, UND had the Schmaltz Bros (Nick and Jordan). As of today, there will be another Poolman attending UND. Tucker's brother Colton Poolman has committed to UND. I would imagine that he's a year or two out. Here's the link to his Elite Prospects Page.
Congrats to my brother @colt_pools6 for committing to UND! I think your really going to like it here. So happy and proud of you. #sioux
— Tucker Poolman (@PuckerToolman) May 12, 2015
Congratulations to defenseman Colton Poolman (@colt_pools6) on his commitment to UND!
— Fargo Force (@FargoForce) May 12, 2015
Congrats to Colton Poolman on committing to the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux!
— EGF Hockey (@EastSideHockey) May 12, 2015
Monday, May 11, 2015
NFL Suspends Tom Brady Four Games #DeflateGate
The NFL has ruled: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has been suspended for four games. The Patriots are going to lose a first-round draft choice and will fined a million dollars.
Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.COM -- The NFL announced Monday that Tom Brady has been suspended without pay for four games for violating the NFL policy on the integrity of the game. This news comes less than a week after independent investigator Ted Wells found that it was "more probable than not" that Brady was "at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities" regarding the deflation of Patriots game balls used in the AFC Championship Game against the Colts.
BREAKING NEWS: @NFL suspends Tom Brady four games, fines @Patriots $1M, strips 2016 1st-rd pick & 2017 4th-rd pick. pic.twitter.com/EIqvPKU3IN
— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) May 11, 2015
Report: Tom Brady to be suspended four games, Patriots fined $1 million http://t.co/puTq3wB4t3 pic.twitter.com/2PrGOnGEGJ
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) May 11, 2015
And now NFL has announced it. Tom Brady suspended four games, Patriots fined $1 million, lose two picks.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 11, 2015
Forum editorial: UND logo process too long
It looks like the Fargo Forum is trolling the UND fan base. Not a bad plan if you need impression and page views. The Forum's editorial board wrote an article that takes issue with the nickname replacement process at UND. Below is a part that stood out for me.
Now the committee will cull the accepted list. There were actually two lists, one of acceptable names, one of names deemed not acceptable. But who’s counting? After the cull, remaining names will be rated using a point system. The finalists will be put to a public vote, initially scheduled this month, but likely to be delayed.
The process has been so unnecessarily politically correct and convoluted that (horror of horrors!) the North Dakota Legislature might have done a better job. UND likely would have a new moniker by now had lawmakers taken up the task.
Here’s the reality: No matter how long it takes to replace the old name and symbol, and no matter what emerges as UND’s identifier, a noisy and unrepentant segment of alumni and “Sioux” fans will not be appeased. Meanwhile, advocates for the university’s logo methodology will fall back on the faux thoroughness and fairness of the process. It won’t matter. In that unhappy and well-understood context, a focused, pragmatic committee could have selected a new moniker in a helluva lot shorter time than it has taken. The university would have moved on, and most UND supporters would have, too. (Inforum.com)
Sunday, May 10, 2015
USA Phenom Auston Matthews to Spurn North American Hockey?
by Redwing77
I read Eric Burton's Sin Bin Article about how US NTDP phenom and future NHLer Auston Matthews may sign with a team in the Swiss Leagues.
This is baffling news to be sure.
Eric states in his article that he doesn't think that "anyone should be shocked by these revelations."
I beg to differ. I think there should be two entities and one eyebrow raised at a third that should be shocked.
First, USA Hockey. USA Hockey prides itself on developing solid American players for North American hockey, be it NCAA or Major Juniors with the aim at marketing that player towards a career in the NHL. Auston Matthews going to Europe in anything less than the typical (rookie contract expires and does not get re-signed or ages out of NCAA/CHL without a pro contract opportunity) is a slap in the face to USA Hockey. No way around that.
Second, and most stingingly, to the CHL. It's rarely news when a top flight prospect, be it Canadian or American, goes to the Major Junior leagues from the position Matthews sits in now. They parade around the interweb crowing that it is the dream of "every North American and most European" teenager to play for the CHL before they make their pro debut. But it IS news when they are spurned, not for the NCAA, but for EUROPE and by a NORTH AMERICAN player nonetheless. I think it stings them more than the NCAA because, in that regard, Eric is right. No way was Matthews going the NCAA route. No way.
The eyebrow being raised is by the NHL. Now, I doubt that this move would really hurt Auston's draft stock, but it isn't going to endear him to the NHL either. Here's why:
1. When the NHL drafts a European player (and sometimes even before that player is drafted), that player is pressed to come to the US or Canada to get into North American's style of hockey. It is very different over in Europe. It has been stated in the past that those skaters from Europe who refuse such pressure are deemed more of a risk than otherwise. How will this impact Matthews? I'm not sure it will because he comes from North American style hockey to begin with.
2. The Swiss Leagues is hardly a juggernaut in European hockey. I mean no disrespect to the Swiss Leagues. Many former UND players have gone there to play. Switzerland also is a beautiful country with extremely nice and polite people in it. However, it's not the "go to" avenue in Europe to get to the NHL. It's considered that the best path in that regard runs through the Elite leagues of Scandinavia: mainly Finland and Sweden. The Swiss Leagues are mentioned enough in North American to warrant the same notoriety with the DEL (German) and the Czech Leagues. To be fair, I'd put even the KHL as a better path than the Swiss Leagues if it weren't for the financial peril the KHL finds itself in.
So I want to know: Why Swiss Leagues? Is it financial? If it is displeasure over the WHL team who owns his rights, why not do the typical and use the NCAA as leverage? Heck, why not just stay in the USHL until his draft year and ask the team who drafts him their advice? There's every bit of likelihood that whomever drafts him will want him to get seasoned a bit back into the North American leagues and that would mean Major Juniors once he signed... assuming that he doesn't jump immediately into the NHL.
As for that, though, in my armchair scout opinion, I think this move DOES hurt Matthews.Getting used to the pro game AND reacclimated to North American hockey is a lot for a 17 or 18 year old to do.
It's not going to make him drop in the draft any, but I do think it will impact how long it takes him to get to the NHL... by a few months.
I read Eric Burton's Sin Bin Article about how US NTDP phenom and future NHLer Auston Matthews may sign with a team in the Swiss Leagues.
This is baffling news to be sure.
Eric states in his article that he doesn't think that "anyone should be shocked by these revelations."
I beg to differ. I think there should be two entities and one eyebrow raised at a third that should be shocked.
First, USA Hockey. USA Hockey prides itself on developing solid American players for North American hockey, be it NCAA or Major Juniors with the aim at marketing that player towards a career in the NHL. Auston Matthews going to Europe in anything less than the typical (rookie contract expires and does not get re-signed or ages out of NCAA/CHL without a pro contract opportunity) is a slap in the face to USA Hockey. No way around that.
Second, and most stingingly, to the CHL. It's rarely news when a top flight prospect, be it Canadian or American, goes to the Major Junior leagues from the position Matthews sits in now. They parade around the interweb crowing that it is the dream of "every North American and most European" teenager to play for the CHL before they make their pro debut. But it IS news when they are spurned, not for the NCAA, but for EUROPE and by a NORTH AMERICAN player nonetheless. I think it stings them more than the NCAA because, in that regard, Eric is right. No way was Matthews going the NCAA route. No way.
The eyebrow being raised is by the NHL. Now, I doubt that this move would really hurt Auston's draft stock, but it isn't going to endear him to the NHL either. Here's why:
1. When the NHL drafts a European player (and sometimes even before that player is drafted), that player is pressed to come to the US or Canada to get into North American's style of hockey. It is very different over in Europe. It has been stated in the past that those skaters from Europe who refuse such pressure are deemed more of a risk than otherwise. How will this impact Matthews? I'm not sure it will because he comes from North American style hockey to begin with.
2. The Swiss Leagues is hardly a juggernaut in European hockey. I mean no disrespect to the Swiss Leagues. Many former UND players have gone there to play. Switzerland also is a beautiful country with extremely nice and polite people in it. However, it's not the "go to" avenue in Europe to get to the NHL. It's considered that the best path in that regard runs through the Elite leagues of Scandinavia: mainly Finland and Sweden. The Swiss Leagues are mentioned enough in North American to warrant the same notoriety with the DEL (German) and the Czech Leagues. To be fair, I'd put even the KHL as a better path than the Swiss Leagues if it weren't for the financial peril the KHL finds itself in.
So I want to know: Why Swiss Leagues? Is it financial? If it is displeasure over the WHL team who owns his rights, why not do the typical and use the NCAA as leverage? Heck, why not just stay in the USHL until his draft year and ask the team who drafts him their advice? There's every bit of likelihood that whomever drafts him will want him to get seasoned a bit back into the North American leagues and that would mean Major Juniors once he signed... assuming that he doesn't jump immediately into the NHL.
As for that, though, in my armchair scout opinion, I think this move DOES hurt Matthews.Getting used to the pro game AND reacclimated to North American hockey is a lot for a 17 or 18 year old to do.
It's not going to make him drop in the draft any, but I do think it will impact how long it takes him to get to the NHL... by a few months.
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