Malone and Hatcher

I caught the tail end of this game tonight and it was pretty exciting finish and the festivities at the end of the game will probably set the tone for game 5. I wonder if Upshaw will receive any additional punishment for his charge on Staal. WOW what an ending; Malone and Hatcher fight was pretty good as well as the Crosby and Richards stick fight just after the face off.

Former SCSU Husky Ryan Malone is quickly becoming one of my favorite hockey players. I like what Malone brings to the table he is a tough hockey players and has the ability to chip in offensively as well. I would love to see him in a Wild or Bruins jersey.

Prediction: I think that Philly is done next game in Pittsburgh. The Flyers do not have the horses to run and gun with the high flying Penguins.

Jason Blake wants to stay with Leafs.

It had been speculated last week that former Fighting Sioux Jason Blake might want out of Toronto and would welcome a trade to another club. Apparently that rumor isn't true.

The agent for Maple Leafs winger Jason Blake disputed a published report last week that his client is unhappy and wouldn't object to a trade.

"Jason called me after that story came out and assured he wants to win in Toronto," Minneapolis-based Neil Sheehy said. "He didn't say anything in the story that (general manager) Cliff Fletcher hasn't said before, that the Leafs could be looking to make changes and I've spoken to Cliff to (underline) that."

But Blake was a disappointment in the first of a five-year, $20-million US contract, scoring just 15 times. That deal makes it almost impossible to move him (the Leafs tried unsuccessfully last season) or buy him out.

Pavel Datsyuk's no goal.

This past season I thought the officials in the WCHA had a tough year, but it appears that even the best officials in the top hockey league make mistakes as well. This was definitely a horrible call, it was ruled that Tomas Holmstrom interfered with Dallas goalie Marty Turco on the play. If you look at the video you will see that Holmstrom wasn't even in the blue paint and made no contact with the Dallas goalie. While I am no fan of the Redwings, you could put me in the category of being a Redwing hater there is no excuse for making bad calls like this.

the blog that Yost Built was less than pleased with the call.

If anyone that is reading this article lives in southwest Madison and has young children, I apologize for teaching them some new words tonight. I had, shall we say, an unpleasant reaction to another example of stunning incompetance by the NHL and its officials tonight.

With the score 0-0 late in the second period of Game 4 between the Red Wings and Stars, Datsyuk put a shot past Turco to give Detroit the lead. Or so we thought. Kelly Sutherland immediately waived the goal off, saying that Tomas Holmstrom interfered with Turco's ability to make the save--that his butt was in the crease. How can I put this gently....Sutherland was completely and utterly WRONG. Holmstrom was clearly outside the crease and Turco, despite his comments to the contrary, had every chance to make the save. The only bit of "interfering" that Holmstrom did was blocking Turco's view, which is kind of his job (and completely legal provided he's not in the crease or going Sean Avery on the goalie).

To add to the hilarity, the Stars scored just a couple minutes later when Loui Eriksson showed everybody what it really means to be in the crease. Not surprisingly--especially with Dan O'Halloran down at that end of the ice--no one seemed to care that he was basically on top of Osgood, or that they had waived off a goal for a man in the crease just a few moments earlier.

Update on Nate Hagemo

Here is the latest on the Nate Hagemo story. Let's hope Hapemo can get his life together and beat this problem. This is a sad story.

Ex-U player Hagemo gets strict probation
To avoid the workhouse, the former hockey player must stick to a list of drug-related rules. He still faces other charges.
By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Nate Hagemo, the troubled former Gophers hockey prodigy whose numerous run-ins with the law followed an injury that derailed his NHL dreams, has been sentenced to probation and ordered to abide by a slew of conditions to avoid incarceration.

Meanwhile, the Minneapolis city attorney's office said Wednesday afternoon that it will investigate a traffic accident last fall involving Hagemo in which police say he ran a red light and struck and seriously injured a bicyclist. He has yet to be cited in that case.

Hagemo, 22, of Edina, pleaded guilty Tuesday and was sentenced in Hennepin County District Court to three years' probation for failing to submit to chemical testing after a traffic accident in September in Minneapolis. Careless driving and disorderly conduct charges were dismissed.

To avoid a year in the workhouse, Hagemo must attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings three times a week, abstain from illicit drugs and alcohol, submit to random drug testing, complete alcohol assessment and have no traffic-related violations. He also was ordered to pay a fine and court fees totaling $525.

Also Tuesday, Hagemo pleaded guilty to careless driving stemming from another crash in December in Minneapolis. Police say he drove his pickup through a red light at E. 38th Street and Portland Avenue S. He was given a year's probation in that case and has 30 days in the workhouse hanging over him should he violate any terms of that probation. A driving after revocation charge was dropped.

Statement on the T.J. Oshie signing.

Here is a statement from Tim Oshie (T.J.'s father) on T.J. Oshie's signing with the St Louis Blues of the NHL. For Sioux fans this is both a sad day but yet a happy day as well. One of my favorie Sioux players is going to be playing in the NHL very soon. Good luck in the NHL T.J. Oshie.





Dear Friends & Family:

May 13th, 2008, marked a great day for T.J. Oshie, the Oshie Family, Seattle Junior Hockey Association, Warroad HS Warriors Hockey and the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

T.J. signed his first professional contract with the St. Louis Blues organization. T.J., along with his agent Matt Oates and Blues President John Davidson, were part of the signing group assembled at the ScottTrade Center in St. Louis, MI.

A very special thanks goes out to Tina Oshie, Taylor Oshie and Tawni Oshie for all the years of running to the arena's throughout North America. The support and time you've given to T.J. as a mother, brother and sister is unparalleled. Hockey seems to bring our family closer together even when the 1,800 miles separates us. And to Aleah Oshie-Hangsleben, for always supporting her big brother at the Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Also, to the entire Oshie Family from Everett, WA; Stanwood, WA; Warroad, MN; Bemidji, MN, Minneapolis, MN, and abroad, thank you for your support over the years.

The Oshie Family would like to personally thank these incredible individuals who made this possible through their guidance, mentorship and leadership to T.J. Oshie:

Mike Murphy, SJHA; Rick Ellison, SJHA; Gord Whitaker, SJHA; The Beadle Family, SJHA; Cary Eades, Warroad HS / UND Fighting Sioux; Dennis Fermoyle, Warroad HS; Albert Hasbargen, Warroad HS; Craig Oftedahl, Warroad HS; Warren Keller, Warroad HS; Ramona Janzen, Warroad HS; Bill Kirkeby, Warroad HS; Scott Knutson, Warroad HS; Henry Boucha, Warroad; Dave Hakstol, UND Fighting Sioux; Dean Blais, UND Fighting Sioux; Brad Berry, UND Fighting Sioux; Dane Jackson, UND Fighting Sioux; Dino Grillo, MN Hockey Camps / O2K Worldwide Sports Mgmt; Chuck Grillo, MN Hockey Camps; Eustice King, O2K Worldwide Sports Mgmt.; Steve Reich, O2K Worldwide Sports Mgmt.; NW Admirals (SJHA) teammates and coaches; Warroad HS Warriors teammates and coaches; UND Fighting Sioux teammates.

I realize there are scores of other incredible individuals who've led the way for T.J. in his journey. To those people, a sincere thank you.

I've included a collection of URL links to simply click and enjoy. Thanks for helping make a dream come true!

T.J. Oshie Signs With St. Louis Blues (Fightingsioux.com / Dan Benson):

Blues Reach Deals With Oshie, Eller (St. Louis Blues Web Site):

Blues Agree To Terms With Oshie (Andy Strickland of Hockey Buzz / ESPN Radio):

Oshie Signs With St. Louis (GF Herald / Brad Schlossman):
Oshie, St. Louis Closing In On Deal (GF Herald / Brad Schlossman):
Oshie Press Conference May 14, 2008, @ 10:30 AM (CDT):

Oshie Dons A Blue Note (St. Louis Dispatch / Jeremy Rutherford):


Oshie Signs With Blues (College Hockey News Reports):

Kindest Regards,


Timothy Oshie
c/o Oshie Sports & Entertainment

Forney headed to USHL

Here has been an on going discussion on where all of these recruits are going to go and this kind of clears things up a bit as it has been announced that Michael Forney is head to the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. Coming out of Thief River Falls Minnesota High school Forney was a recruit that had a heck of a up side but that hasn't translated at all to the college game. Forney spent most of his freshman year hurt and didn't play that much this past season.

Forney headed to USHL
Brad Elliott Schlossman Grand Forks Herald

UND sophomore forward Michael Forney is headed to the United States Hockey League this fall with his future destination unknown.

Forney said he will play one year with the Green Bay Gamblers before returning to college. That college could be UND, but it's not a certainty.

I left on pretty good terms with coach (Dave) Hakstol and there's an option to come back," Forney said today. "I really enjoyed my time at UND but I was only playing a couple of games a year and I feel like I need to get a lot of games in."

Hakstol said the door is open for Forney's return.

"We talk about making decisions in terms of development, and I think developmentally, it's a good move," Hakstol said of Forney going to the USHL. "It will give Michael a chance to play a lot of games and a lot of minutes."

Forney came to UND from Thief River Falls, where he was a highly recruited player. The Atlanta Thrashers selected Forney in the third round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

But Forney has struggled with injuries throughout his time at UND. He suffered a separated shoulder and an ankle fracture the summer before enrolling at the college. Doctors put screws in his ankle to repair it.

Shortly into his UND career, he suffered another separation and had to have shoulder surgery last summer.

Forney was bothered by the screws in his ankle during his sophomore year and had an operation to fix them a couple of weeks ago.

In his two seasons with the program, Forney has played 19 games (16 as a freshman, three as a sophomore), recording two assists.

"It really has been frustrating," Forney said. "But what doesn't kill you just makes you stronger. You have to be mentally tough."

Forney said he will spend the summer working out in Thief River Falls before reporting to Green Bay.

It would not be the first time a player left UND to go to the USHL before returning. Quinn Fylling played one season with the Sioux, then went to Sioux Falls for the 2001-02 season before finishing out his college career with UND.

Finnland cheats to beat USA in World Championship

It would appear that the WCHA loaned the IIHF their officials for the World Championship. There is just no excuse for this type of incompetence. A three year old could see that this should not have been a goal. So in essence the Finns and the American played to a 2-2 tie on May 11th 2008.

Phil Kessel has this to say on the goal: We saw it. It didn’t even go in the net,” American forward Phil Kessel said. “It hit the outside of the net and went through the net. I have no idea what they were looking at but I guess that is how it goes.”

NOTE: The IIHF formally acknowledged after the game that Koistinen's shot had, indeed, entered the side of the net and should not have counted, and the video-goal judge will not be working for the rest of the tournament.

David Backus beats the snot out of Anssi Salmela.

This is the end of the game Finland Vs. USA in IIHF World Hockey championships 2008. Looks like an NHL regular season game between Philly and Pittsburgh.

While there usually isn't fights in international hockey this is fight is a result of the Jussi Jokinen getting hammer into the boards by USA's Dustin Brown after the game had ended. I guess you could call it an old fashion American ass whopping. Notice the Finnish player Salmela doesn't want to drop his stick. Here is a description of the Backus and Salmela fight in English. Backus was suspended a game for fighting.

Here is a description of the end of the game melee/brawl.

At the end of the game there was a melee with players getting into physical confrontations, including a fight between David Backes and Anssi Salmela, who was bloodied. Both received match penalties.

"It's a hockey game you can't expect not to get hit out there," said Gilbert.

Matt Greene and Antti-Jussi Niemi both received leaving the bench penalties and game misconducts. Teemu Selanne was assessed roughing minors; Dustin Brown was assessed a checking to the head and neck minor and a misconduct.

For Jokinen, Backes, and Salmela, their match penalties draw an automatic one-game suspension. All three will miss their team's next game, and their actions are subject to automatic review which will take place on Tuesday, the day before the quarter-finals.

Jokinen and Salmela will be lost for Finland's next game against Canada to decide the winner of Group F. Backes will be lost for Team USA's game against Norway.

It's official Oshie signs on the dotted line.

I don't' think any of use were shocked with this announcement. I think I would have been more shocked if he was coming back for a fourth season.

It is finally official Fighting Sioux star T.J. Osie is now a professional hockey player with St Louis Blues. I guess that will mean that I have to get the hockey package next season again. That now makes 9 players from the WCHA that have left early for the professional ranks.

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced today that the team has signed 2005 first round draft pick, T.J. Oshie.

“I am happy that the Blues have been patient with me over the past couple of years,” said Oshie. “I am now ready and proud to wear the Blue Note next season. I would like to thank my family, who have supported me all these years. I would also like to give a special thanks to all the programs, coaches, and all of my teammates who have made an impact on my life and hockey career.”

Oshie, 21, was the Blues first selection, 24th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. A native of Everett, Washington, Oshie has spent the last three seasons at the University of North Dakota, leading the Fighting Sioux to three consecutive NCAA Frozen Four appearances.

The 6-0, 192-pound center was a first team All-WCHA selection and Top 10 Hobey Baker Award finalist this past season, finishing with a team leading 45 points (18 goals, 27 assists) in 42 games played.

Oshie finished his three-year career at North Dakota, registering 142 points (59 goals, 83 assists) in 129 career games. His 142 career points ranks him 30th all-time in North Dakota history.

Early departures in the WCHA

North Dakota (1)
F T.J. Osie

Minnesota (2)
G Jeff Frazee, junior
F Blake Wheeler, junior

Wisconsin (1)
F Kyle Turris, freshman

MSU-Mankato (1)
F Jon Kalinski, junior

Michigan Tech (1)
G Michael-Lee Teslak, junior

Minnesota-Duluth (1)
D Jason Garrison, junior

St. Cloud State (1)
F Andreas Nodl, sophomore

Denver (1)
D Chris Butler, junior

Andy Strickland: Oshie signing with the Blues.

These are probably some of the moves we are going see from T.J. Oshie in the NHL. Honesty; I can't say that I am surprised that Oshie is going to sign with the Blues and it's probably time for Oshie to move on to the NHL. I will never fault these kids for wanting to play hockey for a living. Think about this: if you were told that you could make 800,000.00+ a year playing a sport or game you would take it in a minutes no regrets. I can only say that I am excited for T.J. and he will represent the University of North Dakota in a possitive light.

Personally T.J. Oshie was one of my all-time Fighting Sioux favorites. T.J. Oshie is the complete player that can hit and score while being hooked, held and slashed up and down the ice.

The Blues have finalized entry level deals with 2007 first round pick Lars Eller and 2005 first rounder TJ Oshie.

Oshie arrived in St. Louis on Monday and is expected to finalize his deal on Tuesday as well.

An official announcement will be made by the club on Tuesday and the players will be introduced to the local media on Wednesday.

Oshie has been working out with Blues prospect Chris Porter at Shattuck St. Mary's prep over the last few weeks.

Versus looking into Puck tracking

I saw this story over on the center ice blog. All I can say NOOOOOOOO. I am going to be very unhappy if they go to a versus version of the fox glow puck. The Fox glow puck was a joke and should not be replicated. I have seen the argument that some of the newer fans to the game can't track the puck and it makes it difficult for them to follow the game. I would rather not compromise the integrity of the game just to please a few novice fans or to attract a few more. Hockey is a regional/niche sport and I don't want it to become a side show just to get more viewers.

Versus might take shot at puck tracking for NHL telecasts
By Michael McCarthy, USA TODAY
The NHL and cable TV partner Versus are talking about introducing "puck-tracking" technology as early as the 2008-09 season, executives from the network and the league told USA TODAY.

Tracking would make it easier for TV viewers to follow the fast-moving puck. But the idea brought back memories of Fox's "glowing puck" experiment from 1996-98. It got mixed reviews, with some players and coaches complaining the internal electronics of the "FoxTrax" puck made it play differently. When ABC picked up the NHL's broadcast rights in 1998, the idea was junked.

Marty Ehrlich, executive producer at Versus, has been pushing for a new puck-tracking system with NHL executives. If Versus gets the OK, it would test puck tracking on its studio show before trying it during a game, he says. There would not be any computer chips embedded in pucks, at least at first.

"We're looking to track the evolution of a play," says Ehrlich. While puck tracking is on his "wish list," he admits it's still a "sore subject" with hockey purists. "There's people who looked at it as a great success at Fox. A lot looked at it as a dismal failure."

Marc Fein, Versus' senior vice president of programming, says puck tracking could be a great tool to trace the pinpoint passing of NHL stars. "You could see how they thread the needle," he says. NBC and other networks employ tracking technology to trace the flight of shots on golf telecasts. The Golf Channel, Versus' sister Comcast network, recently won its first Sports Emmy for its AimPoint technology, which predicts the break of a putt, Fein notes.

John Shannon, the NHL's senior vice president of programming, says the league's open to another attempt at puck tracking — as long as it doesn't compromise the integrity of the game. "The one thing you have to admire is Fox's ingenuity at the time. It was great promotion for the game," he says.

More Wheeler News.

Onyx from the Coyotes Hip Check blog game me a heads up to this bit of news. This was basically the same thing that Brad Schlossman said on the University of North Dakota Hockey blog.

While I am not ready to call Wheeler a bust just yet his numbers at the University of Minnesota have not been eye popping or numbers that you would expect from a players selected 5th over-all. I think it will be interesting to see if what professional teams will step up and offer him a contract if the Yotes do not sign him.

Wheeler set to become a dealer

Blake Wheeler, a 6-foot-5-inch defenseman chosen fifth overall by Phoenix in the 2004 draft, served the Coyotes with a 30-day notice Friday, formalizing his intention to become an unrestricted free agent, as allowed by the CBA.

According to Wheeler's Boston-based agent, Matt Keator, the Coyotes have the next four weeks to sign Wheeler, who has chosen not to return for his senior year at the University of Minnesota, or he'll be free to sign with any of the other 29 NHL teams.

The new CBA, signed out of the 2004-05 lockout, allows clubs to retain a player's draft rights for only four years. Under typical circumstances, unsigned US college players can become free agents as of Aug. 15 in their senior years. But in cases such as Wheeler's, in which a player was drafted four years earlier and has chosen not to return to college, the 30-day notice provides the out.

"Part of what makes this a bit different is the fact that Blake played in Green Bay [USHL] his first year after the draft," explained Keator. "He's been a bit of a late bloomer physically, too. But now he's 6-5, 210 pounds, a man ready to play in a man's game. He's a smart, two-way defenseman with some upside on offense.

"It's the right move for him. And, hey, he could still end up signing with Phoenix, or they could decide to trade his rights. This sort of speeds up the process, that's all."

Wheeler, 21, is eligible to sign a two-year entry-level deal, one that likely will pay him the maximum $875,000 per year. He played on the Gophers' 2005-06 squad with Phil Kessel, who turned pro after being drafted No. 5 overall by the Bruins in June 2006. In 127 games with Minnesota, Wheeler scored 42 goals and collected 96 points.

Wheeler's departure brings to 10 the number of Gophers to leave college early since the end of 2005-06. Just this past season, Kyle Okposo bolted in December to join the Islanders, and Jeff Frazee hooked on with New Jersey upon the completion of his college season. Kessel packed up after his freshman year.Co

What? There is no fighting in the playoffs...

This was a great fight! Did you notice you didn't hear anyone booing the fight between Scottie Upshall and Tyler Kennedy? I would call this fight pretty close maybe a draw.

Here is one of the problems with recruiting verbals

Hey all of us were young and know how kids change their minds, this is one of the down falls of excepting a verbal commitment from a kid that is 14, 15 or 16 a lot can happen between the verbal and his arrival to campus. This is also one of the pitfalls of being a top program and recruiting young blue chip talent; these recruits will and do change their mind. It also appears taht he is being badgered hard by the major junior teams from Canada. I don't blame them, a verbal to a college team means nothing. I would predict this kid will never play for the Irish and would be a one to two year player at best in college anyways.

Could Irish lose recruit?
STEVE WOZNIAK
Losing committed recruits is usually reserved for teams that have just had a woeful season or dismissed a coach, not teams that have just played for a national championship.

But that may be the case with Notre Dame hockey and the strange saga of Cam Fowler.

Fowler, a defenseman who was recently pegged by The Hockey News as the likely No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, committed to the Irish back in the fall of 2006, when he just 14 years old. At the time, Fowler spoke glowingly of Irish coach Jeff Jackson and his staff, and the potential for greatness that there was for the Windsor, Ontario, native on the South Bend campus.

Now 16 and playing with the U.S. National Team Development Program — Fowler has dual citizenship — the defensive wunderkind has been pulled in a number of directions, most recently by Canadian junior teams convinced they could steal his services for a year or two.

Last year, it was the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League that took aim at Fowler, picking him in the first round of that league’s draft. For a year, Fowler held steadfast, restating his commitments both to the USNTDP and Notre Dame.

Kitchener last week returned Fowler to the draft pool in exchange for a compensatory pick. Then Fowler’s hometown Windsor Spitfires took Fowler, confident that they could convince Fowler to abandon the NCAA for an NHL-bound trek through Canadian juniors.

So far, no go. Fowler is staying in Ann Arbor with the USNTDP for next season. Beyond that, though, his camp has refused to say what will happen.

Nope; this article isn't bulletin board material

Check out this article. I wouldn't think this article would fire up the Flyers one bit. I would think they Penguins beat writers wouldn't want to stir up the sleeping giants. If I was the Penguins coach I would make a quick call over to the Gazette and tell the guy to shut the heck up.

If Penguins keep this up, Flyers will be cast aside quickly
It isn't too early to talk sweep
Saturday, May 10, 2008

By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Is it too late to pick the Penguins in three games?

OK, enough with the wise-guy stuff, but, really, is there any reason to think the series with the Philadelphia Flyers will go more than four?

I don't see one.

Reality hit the Flyers hard at Mellon Arena last night when the Penguins swarmed them with their world-class talent and won Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, 4-2. It will rock 'em even harder this morning when they wake up and realize it won't be any easier in the three games ahead without their best player, defenseman Kimmo Timonen.

Talk about your one-two punches.

It's hard to imagine the Flyers getting back up

Game one: Evgeni Malkin short handed against the Flyers

This goal is unbelievable, I wounder how many times we are going to see it repeated by hockey players of all levels.

First off you will see Richards absolutely pound Malkin into the boards, that was a 10 ten bell hit. Malkin dusts himself off gets back in the play in time to take a well timed pass from Sergi Gonchar blasts the puck past Biron. That goal was a thing of beauty and be up for an ESPY in my opinion.

Mike Ribeiro's slash on Chris Osgood

Last night at the end of the game between the Stars and the Red wings you saw a brawl almost break out. At the end of the game you will Mike Ribeiro skate by Chris Osgood and then skate back and slash Chris Osgood in the middle of his chest protector, after the slash Osgood drops to the ice like he has been shot. If you look closely at the tape from TSN you will see that Osgood attempt to butt end Ribeiro with the his goalie stick. Frankly if there is going to be a suspension both men should have to sit in my opinion. Stick fouls can not be tolerated and both men acted like spoiled children in this incident and I would make them sit IF I were the league commissioner.

Jacques Lemaire to coach the Wild next season.

(Jim Mone, Associated Press)

I am not so sure this is great news for Wild Fans? Jacques Lemaire the only coach to ever coach the Minnesota Wild will return to coach the Minnesota Wild next season. After watching the Wild struggle through the playoffs I thought maybe it was a good time for the Wild to make a move and hire a new coach.

Jacques Lemaire has decided to come back for an eighth season as the coach of the Minnesota Wild. The Wild have become stale and boring to watch and have had trouble beating the elite teams in the NHL.

Lemaire, 62, announced his decision to return behind the Wild bench in a news release Saturday.

"When you are younger, it's a lot easier to make a decision. At the end of the year, I said I wanted to ask questions of [general manager] Doug Risebrough. I wanted to make sure my boss is happy with the work I am doing and with the way I manage the team. This is what we talked about in our meetings. I am reassured of my work and I want to coach again," said Lemaire.

"My satisfaction behind the bench is getting the team to play the best it can, individually and as a group. Success will come with that."

Lemaire, the only coach in the franchise's history, has been in charge of the Wild since 2000.

Under Lemaire, Minnesota posted a 44-28-10 record during the 2007-08 regular season en route to winning the Northwest Division and finishing third overall in the Western Conference.

But that success did not carry over into the playoffs, as the Wild were eliminated in the first round by the Colorado Avalanche.

Nate Hagemo trial date set.

In the on going sad saga of Nate Hagemo things only see to get worse for this young man, if he doesn't plead guilty he will be going to trial in September. While the Gophers are one of our hated rivals I would never wish these kind of problems on anyone. I only hope that Nate gets things right for himself and seeks help. I am pulling for him.

Trial set for troubled former U hockey standout
By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

One-time Minnesota hockey phenom Nate Hagemo, whose fast track to the NHL crumbled with a career-ending injury, goes on trial Monday for one of three criminal incidents in a four-month stretch in Minneapolis.

In the meantime, felony drug possession charges loom over Hagemo, 22, involving the discovery of suspected heroin in his car early this year, and police say he ran a red light in another incident last November that seriously injured a bicyclist.

Barring a last-minute plea, Hagemo, of Edina, will be tried from the incident in September, when he allegedly drove his pickup truck into a parked car on Lyndale Avenue in south Minneapolis, appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and fought paramedics as they tried to put him on a gurney.

He was charged with refusing a sobriety test (a gross misdemeanor), and careless driving and disorderly conduct (misdemeanors).

According to the criminal complaint:

Police at scene said Hagemo "had bloodshot and watery eyes, and appeared unsteady in walking." Paramedics also told police that he had track marks on his arms, possibly from using needles. Medical staff at the hospital where Hagemo was taken said he had taken heroin three days ago. On advice of counsel, he refused blood and urine tests.

A search of Hagemo's vehicle uncovered a drug kit that included a rubber hose, cotton swabs and an alcohol wipe.

(Read the rest of the story here)

Blake Wheeler is gone at Minnesota.

The silly season continues, Wheeler is going to forgo his senior season at the University of Minnesota to sign a professional contract with the Phoenix Coyotes. I am kind of sad because we will no longer be able to see the re-match between big Joe Finley and Blake Wheeler.

According to a UM press release

Minnesota junior forward Blake Wheeler has withdrawn from the university to pursue a career in professional hockey. Wheeler, who was a 2004 first-round draft pick by the Phoenix Coyotes, has 30 days to sign with the team. Following the 30 days, if the two parties do not reach an agreement, Wheeler will become a free agent. He is the 10th Minnesota player to leave college early for the professional ranks since the end of the 2005-06 season. Wheeler is also the third Gopher this season to leave the program after Kyle Okposo signed with the New York Islanders in December and Jeff Frazee signed

Early departures in the WCHA

Minnesota (2)
G Jeff Frazee, junior
F Blake Wheeler, junior

Wisconsin (1)
F Kyle Turris, freshman

MSU-Mankato (1)
F Jon Kalinski, junior

Michigan Tech (1)
G Michael-Lee Teslak, junior

Minnesota-Duluth (1)
D Jason Garrison, junior

St. Cloud State (1)
F Andreas Nodl, sophomore

Denver (1)
D Chris Butler, junior