UND Hockey: Nick Mattson's former coach gives him kudos

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I wrote an article for the Hockey Writers and one of the subjects that I covered was UND defenseman Nick Mattson. (Click to View) ... Mattson is one of my favorite current UND players and he's a lot of fun to cover.

EB: North Dakota defenseman Nick Mattson trained and worked at Breakaway Hockey, how has Nick developed as a player?

AB: Well, I wish I could watch Nick play more games but I was really impressed how he ended the collegiate season this year.  He seemed to play a lot of minutes and play in every situation.  Confidence is everything for a hockey player and he seemed to play with a lot of belief in his game at the end of the year.

EB: What has impressed you the most about Nick’s game the last three seasons? What do you like about his game?

AB: His skills are fantastic: Skating, puck handling, vision.   As a youth player he was dominant in Minnesota hockey.  I know there is so much more structure at the collegiate and professional levels but the game still comes down to great players making plays.  Nick is capable of making special plays.  I would like to see him continue to jump into the play more and shoot more from the blue line.  You have to get the puck to the net to be a great offensive defenseman at the D1 level.

Patrice Bergeron credits Brad Marchand

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Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron won the Selke Award last night beating out former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews and Anze Kopitar. The humble Bergeron credited his linemate Brad Marchand for helping him achieve the things he's accomplished over the past few years. Bergeron played on Boston's second line with Marchand and former Miami RedHawk Reilly Smith last season.

Steve Conroy, Boston Herald -- “I think Marchy's proved over past years that he's a great player,” said Bergeron. “He's scored some big goals for us. I'm not too worried about him. I know next year he's going to have a great year and, like I've said before, I've got to give a lot of credit to him for helping me achieve the things I've been achieving over the past years. I really enjoy playing with him.”

More on Thomas Vanek

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Yesterday, Michael Russo wrote more on the possibility of the Wild signing Thomas Vanek after the July 1, free agent signing period.

Russo’s Rants – “I don’t think we have anything cast in stone come Wednesday or July 1.” Vanek scored five goals and 10 points in 17 games for Montreal in the playoffs. His ice time was limited at times and he was scrutinized, particularly in the conference finals against the Rangers.

But Vanek has 277 goals in 663 career games and the Wild finished 24th offensively last season (199 non-shootout goals). Vanek ranks eighth in the NHL in goals scored since the start of 2005-06 and his 0.42 goals per game is tied for 11th.

“I find it very hard to believe the body of work he brings to the table is going to get erased over one so-so series,” Bartlett said. “He still had a very solid season last year (27 goals, 68 points) despite all the baggage that goes with bouncing around like a yo-yo between three teams and living out of a hotel.”

I am beginning to think that Vanek needs the Wild more than they need him. The Wild aren’t going to break the bank on a 30+ year old player, they got burned with the slow footed Dany Heatley.

During the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the play of some of the younger players changed the landscape. I also think that Vanek’s play during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs might have caused his value to drop significantly. I still would like to see him as a member of the Wild.

Are the NDSU Bison on the Verge of Being a Dynasty?

North Dakota State's former athletic logo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here’s a good read on the NDSU Bison from the Argus Leader. You have to give the Ag School their due, they’re a good football team. I don’t think they’re a dynasty, but they’re a good football team. They will not stay at the top forever. Like I have said in the past, let them have their day in the sun. It's well deserved. What goes up must come down.

Some poster over on Bisonville suggested that the FCS champion play the FBS champion. Yeah Right! Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Alabama would murder NDSU, it wouldn't be close.

Terry Vandrovec, Argus Leader – As if being ranked No. 1, selling out every home game before the opener and winning the last two national championships hadn’t brought enough attention and credibility to the Bison.

What’s more, this NDSU crew might be better than the last two – it’s certainly more experienced – and is bidding to join Appalachian State (2005-07) as the only programs to three-peat. So while this kind of run is not unprecedented in the FCS, it’s the first of its kind in the Upper Midwest.

Still, for all the swagger the Bison (3-0) display on the field they don’t want to talk dynasty – not publicly, not in the first month of this season and not with a showdown at No. 6 South Dakota State (3-1) set for Saturday. NDSU has decided against overtly chasing history.

“Complacency is something we’ve always been guarded against here,” NDSU coach Craig Bohl said. “Not only just recently, but North Dakota State has enjoyed a proud tradition for a long, long time. So we’ve been able to just gravitate back to some of our roots, which is great.”

If there’s a team that can beat NDSU, I think that SDSU has a chance. The Jack Rabbits have the best running back in the FCS with Zach Zenner, who fan wild against UND (296 yards) and Nebraska (202 Yards). I am going to say that Nebraska’s defense is better than NDSU.

EDIT: Apparently Bison Fans have been trolling my blog from Belligerentville aka Bisonville.

Summer Links, Hockey Offseason

It's been kind of an uneventful summer so far. In my opinion, this has been one of the quietest summers that I can remember to date. Maybe that's good news. Maybe not. Of course there's a lot of summer left.

Will Junior Hockey Ban Fighting? http://t.co/vUjtnlZmgj http://t.co/p1LwXCUz84
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) June 24, 2014

Tonight is the NHL Awards and it's nice to see Patrice Bergeron get this award.

And the winner of the NHL Foundation Player Award is @NHLBruins Patrice Bergeron. #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/Y5hCNG9S1z
— NHL (@NHL) June 24, 2014

Make that two times for Bergeron who also won the Selke Award as well.

"This [Selke] Award goes to all my teammates." -Patrice Bergeron #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/IyHqIWlPVb
— NHL (@NHL) June 24, 2014

North Dakota Announces 2014-15 Freshman Class http://t.co/1Mjnq1UYae #THW
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) June 24, 2014

Matt Greene and the Kings are reportedly close to agreeing to a four-year contract extension http://t.co/hyasfj90ME
— Kevin (@iDoPorn4Netflix) June 23, 2014

UND Hockey LOI's

Cameron Johnson (Waterloo Black Hawks) has signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of North Dakota for 2014-2015
— Hockey Commitments (@hockeycommits) June 23, 2014

It's getting closer to the college hockey opener. In a 103 days, UND will be back on the ice again. For those keeping track at home, that's just under 3 1/2 months away. So, it's never very long until hockey season.

Trevor Olson (Sioux City Musketeers) has signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of North Dakota for 2014-2015
— Hockey Commitments (@hockeycommits) June 23, 2014

Austin Poganski (Tri City Storm) has signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of North Dakota for 2014-2015
— Hockey Commitments (@hockeycommits) June 23, 2014

Tucker Poolman (Omaha Lancers) has signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of North Dakota for 2014-2015
— Hockey Commitments (@hockeycommits) June 23, 2014

Nick Schmaltz (Green Bay Gamblers) has signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of North Dakota for 2014-2015
— Hockey Commitments (@hockeycommits) June 23, 2014

John Simonson (Lincoln Stars) has signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of North Dakota for 2014-2015
— Hockey Commitments (@hockeycommits) June 23, 2014

Related articles

• UND could end up losing recruit Ryan Mantha, depending on who drafts him
• Three UND Hockey Players Cited for Underage Drinking
• UND Hockey: UND Recruits in the 2014 NHL Entry Level Draft

UND Hockey: Semi-Committed recruits (Ryan Mantha)

Semi-committed recruits, I am going to give a s/t to my buddy Mafia Man for this one. If I was the coaching staff, obviously I am not, I would consider pulling this kids scholarship offer. Frankly I am bored reading his various quotes about how he's going to wait and see.

Does this kid not realize that 31 percent of the NHL is a former college hockey player, that's only going to increase in the future. If this doesn't think he's going to develop at UND, he's crazy. Dave Hakstol and his staff are highly regarded by the NHL coaches and General Managers.

Nate Sager, Buzzing the Net -- (Ryan) Mantha's next port of call could be contingent on which NHL organization takes a chance on him at the NHL draft this weekend in Philadelphia. The big defender is uncommitted to a NCAA school for this season. The Muskegon Lumberjacks have his USHL rights, while the Ontario Hockey League's Niagara IceDogs recently traded two priority selection picks for his rights."

"North Dakota has eight D returning," Mantha says. "I don't want to sit, I want to continue to develop. I'm keeping my options open right now. They haven't told me to go back. That's something I have to decide over the summer.

"I think they're going to decide," he says of a NHL franchise having influence on the decision of where to play as an 18-year-old. "Some teams say they won't but I think if someone has input on what is best for me, I'll really consider it."

If you don't believe me, all you have to do is watch some of the great UND hockey players currently playing in the NHL. The last three Stanley Cups have a former UND hockey players' name on it. After watching what happened with Adam Tambellini last season, I would walk away from anyone that isn't 100 percent all in. Playing time at the University of North Dakota is earned. I have watched enough practices to know that.

Related articles

• UND could end up losing recruit Ryan Mantha, depending on who drafts him
• UND recruit Ryan Mantha on the Pipeline show
• Ryan Mantha, traded from the Soo to Niagara
• UND Pounds Miami

Minnesota Wild: Is an outdoor game on the horizon in 2015-16?

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Here's another little nugget from Michael Russo's article. I wonder which college hockey teams would be involved in the outdoor hockey game?

Michael Russo, Startribune – Originally, the Wild was supposed to host a stadium-series outdoor game against Dallas at Target Field. However, only San Jose will host one this season.

According to an NHL source, the Wild is at the “top of the list” for a stadium-series game and was scheduled to have a game this year. What held it up was timing and logistics, the source said. According to another source, the Wild wants to make a stadium-series game a colossal event accompanied by outdoor high school and college games.

The league, however, wanted the game to be in February, and by the time that decision was made, the local colleges had already booked their schedules for next season. In addition, Target Field was worried the game would be played too close to the 2015 Twins season and would wreak havoc on its field.

Minnesota Wild: Russo, “Fletcher shopping Brodziak, Backstrom”

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This is the best news that I have heard all week. Trading goalie Niklas Backstrom would free up need roster and cap space for Darcy Kuemper who emerged as the goalie of the future. During the 2013-14 season, Kuemper had a (12-8-4, .915 SV% and a 2.37 GAA).

Michael Russo, Startribune -- Chuck Fletcher has a history of draft-day trades and spent last week working the phones.

“Everyone calls everybody,” the Wild GM said. “You don’t see a whole bunch of trades the week prior to the draft. It’s all about trying to figure out who your likely dance partners can be the week at the draft. It’ll take a move or two to get the ball rolling, and then there’s usually a domino-type effect. We’re not there yet.”

Fletcher has been shopping center Kyle Brodziak, sources say, and may be willing to retain salary and cap space to trade goalie Niklas Backstrom, who is recovering well from season-ending abdominal and hip surgeries.

UND Hockey: Six recruits join men’s hockey program for the 2014-15 Season

The University of North Dakota released it's 2014-15 freshman class today.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota head men’s hockey coach Dave Hakstol announced today that six incoming freshmen have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the program for the 2014-15 season.

Name: Cam Johnson             
Pos: Goalie     
Ht: 6-1   
Wt: 199     
Hometown: Troy, Mich.                          
Previous Team: Waterloo (USHL)   

Draft eligible in 2014 ... Split the 2013-14 season between the Fargo Force and the Waterloo Blackhawks of the United States Hockey League (USHL) … Was traded to Waterloo mid-season and went 11-1-1 with a 1.86 and .939 save percentage … Made a combined 35 starts with Fargo and Waterloo and went 13-15-4 with a 2.68 GAA and .920 save percentage … Spent the entire 2012-13 season with Fargo, going 14-8-6 in 28 appearances with a 3.07 GAA and a .909 save percentage … Appeared in eight playoff games that season and backstopped the Force to the USHL’s 2013 Clark Cup Finals … Went 4-3 in the playoffs with a 2.40 GAA and .931 save percentage.

Name: Trevor Olson                   
Pos: Forward
Ht: 6-2   
Wt: 188     
Hometown: Duluth, Minn.                      
Previous Team: Sioux City (USHL)  

Appeared in 21 games during an injury-shortened 2013-14 season with Sioux City and registered nine goals and 12 assists with a plus-10 rating … Split the 2012-13 season between Sioux City and Green Bay, collecting 17 goals and 33 assists for 50 points in 63 games … Was a plus-17 … Played for Duluth East High School from 2009-10 to 2011-12 and amassed 32 goals and 57 assists in 61 games … Joined Green Bay for the final seven games of the season and was a member of the Gamblers’ Clark Cup championship team.

Name: Austin Poganski              
Pos: Forward
Ht: 6-1   
Wt: 198       
Hometown: St. Cloud, Minn.                  
Previous Team: Tri-City (USHL)       

Draft eligible in 2014 and is ranked 100th among North American skaters by Central Scouting … Collected 19 goals and 12 assists in 55 games with Tri-City (USHL) in 2013-14, ranking second on the team in goals … Tied for fourth in the USHL with a team-leading 11 power-play goals … Also led the team in short-handed goals (3) and ranked second in shooting percentage (.153) … Named the 2012-13 St. Cloud Times All-Area Boys Hockey Player of the Year after racking up 35 goals and 31 assists in 23 games for St. Cloud Cathedral High School … Finished his prep career with 156 points in three years … Helped lead the U.S. to a silver medal at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he scored seven goals in 11 games … Played for the USA Hockey Under-18 Select team in the Ivan Hlinka Cup in August 2013 … In August 2012 was the leading goal-scorer on USA Hockey’s Select Under-17 team that went undefeated in winning the Under-17 Five Nations Tournament.

Name: Tucker Poolman               
Pos: Defense
Ht: 6-3   
Wt: 200     
Hometown: East Grand Forks, Minn.    
Previous Team: Omaha (USHL)       

Drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the fifth round (127th overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft … Named 2013-14 USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year … Served as team captain of the Omaha Lancers (USHL) in 2013-14 and tallied 15 goals and 26 assists with a plus-20 rating in 58 games … Led all USHL blueliners in goals (15) and power-play goals (10) and ranked third in points (41) … Also named to All-USHL First Team … Scored 29 career goals with the Lancers, the most in franchise history by a defenseman … Also played for Omaha in 2012-13, recording 14 goals and 14 assists in 64 games as a rookie … Spent the 2011-12 season with the Wichita Falls (TX) Wildcats of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) … Scored seven goals and 22 assists in 59 games … Father, Mark, lettered in football at UND from 1987-89 and currently serves as the athletic trainer and strength conditioning coach for the UND men’s hockey program.

Name: Nick Schmaltz                  
Pos: Forward
Ht: 6-0   
Wt: 172     
Hometown: Verona, Wis.                       
Previous Team: Green Bay (USHL)  

Draft eligible in 2014 and ranked 19th among North American skaters by Central Scouting … Younger brother of UND junior defenseman Jordan Schmaltz … Was named to the 2014 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp Roster last week … Helped lead the U.S. to a gold medal at the 2013-14 World Junior A Challenge … Collected 18 goals and 45 assists in 55 games with Green Bay (USHL) in 2013-14 and competed in the USHL All-Star Game … Led Green Bay in points and assists … Was named to the 2012-13 USHL All-Rookie Team after picking up 18 goals and 34 assists in 64 games … Led the U.S. in scoring at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Tournament … His nine points paced Team USA to a silver medal … Made his USHL debut in 2011-12, appearing in 11 games and scoring one goal and three assists for Green Bay’s USHL Clark Cup championship team … Father, Mike, lettered in football at UND from 1988 to 1990 … Uncles, Marc Schmaltz (1988-91) and Monte Schmaltz (1992-93), also lettered in football at UND.

Name: Johnny Simonson            
Pos: Forward
Ht: 5-10
Wt: 170    
Hometown: Grand Forks, N.D.              
Previous Team: Lincoln (USHL)       

Spent the 2013-14 season with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL, appearing in 58 games and leading the team in points (59), goals (28), assists (31), power-play goals (9), power-play points (18), shots on goal (229) and plus/minus (plus-7) … Tied for sixth in the USHL goal-scoring race and 12th in the league’s scoring race … Played with the Austin Bruins of the NAHL in each of the previous two seasons … Collected 27 goals and 30 assists in 59 games in 2012-13 and scored 18 goals and 20 assists in 59 games in 2011-12 … A 2011 graduate of Central High School in Grand Forks … Played for Central from 2008-09 to 2010-11 and was an all-state selection … Had 31 goals and 19 assists in 26 games as a senior … Older brother, Alex, played collegiate hockey at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

UND will open the 2013-14 season with an exhibition game against the University of Manitoba on Oct. 5 at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The regular season gets underway Oct. 10-11 with a non-conference, home-and-home series with Bemidji State University.

UND recruit Ryan Mantha on the Pipeline show

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UND recruit defensmen Ryan Mantha, at least for now, was on the Pipeline show with Guy Flamming. You can listen to the show by clicking on this link. Doesn't sound like he's all in, at least when it comes to going to UND. Where's Mantha going (UND or OHL), it will depend on what team drafts him. He'll decide where he's going after the 2014 NHL Entry Level Draft.

D-Man Ryan Mantha is up next - will he play in the @USHL next year on his way to @UNDMHockey or detour to @OHLHockey? I asked, he answered.
— Guy Flaming (@TPS_Guy) June 21, 2014

@fishfan51 he said. As of now still USHL/North Dakota but will talk to the team that drafts him.
— Guy Flaming (@TPS_Guy) June 22, 2014

Related articles

• Ryan Mantha, traded from the Soo to Niagara
• UND could end up losing recruit Ryan Mantha, depending on who drafts him
• UND Hockey: UND Recruits in the 2014 NHL Entry Level Draft

NHL Releases 2014-15 Schedule

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Today, the National Hockey League released it's 2014-15 schedule. As soon as the NHL releases their television schedule, I will post some games of interest.

Perusing the schedules, I found a few items of interest. My two favorite NHL teams, the Boston Bruins and the Minnesota Wild will meet on October 28, 2014, at the TD North Garden. They two teams meet at the Xcel Energy Center on December 17,2014.

The Boston Bruins play the Winnipeg Jets on Friday November 28, 2014 at the Boston Garden. On Friday December 19, 2014 the Bruins play the Winnipeg Jets in at the MTS Centre.

The @NHL has announced the #NHLBruins 2014-15 regular season schedule. View the 82-game slate here: http://t.co/gz0BwxZ41J ^BB
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) June 22, 2014

#490242283 / gettyimages.com

The Minnesota Wild and the Colorado Avalanche kick off the regular season with a home-and-home series. This should prove to be interesting, because the Wild eliminated the Av's in the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Also, this will be the first meeting between Matt Cooke and Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie. Cooke took out Barrie with a dirty leg check.

Hey #Avs, we'll see you Oct. 9 at @XcelEnergyCtr for the #mnwild opener: http://t.co/MKhIaqoR1V pic.twitter.com/2Bfw6QfKFn
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) June 21, 2014

Related articles

• Non Boston Bruins Fans: Why do you hate the Bruins?

Eunice Davidon weighs in on the Redskins name

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If you haven’t seen this article over on sayanythingblog, it’s worth a look. Eunice Davidon weighs in on the Redskins name and she has some very interesting points. Davidson is an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Nation.

A CNN reporter stated that 30% of Native Americans are offended by the names and logos, but what about the 70% of us who support and take pride in those names and images? Don’t we count for anything? Other independent surveys have found 80 to 90% support names and images. Sports Illustrated and Attenburg Election Survey among others have found this to be true. They don’t have a dog in the fight, so we put more stock in them.

But even 70 percent is a large number.

The US Patent Office for 80 years has recognized the Redskins as legitimate and not hostile, what has changed? They also found the UND Fighiting Sioux logo and nickname – also trademarked – to not to be not hostile. The Patent Office is supposed to follow the law, not political agendas. And this is political agenda.

Is it Senate Majority Leader Harry Reed with way too much power that has caused this? He has used that power to divide, not unite?

It is none of his business and we ask him to quit speaking over us Indians, as if he were a God. Harry Reid’s comments towards the Redskin name are nothing new from corrupt politicians. Politicians have always used a small handful of Native Americans to achieve their personal agenda and goals. If he really cared about us, he would talk to all Native Americans, not just those that fit his agenda.

Here’s a point that doesn’t get discussed very often. What about the Native American that take great pride in Native Americans logos and aren’t offended by the names and logos? There are quite a few out there. Do we just discount and ignore them?

I don’t know, I don’t think so.

If 70% of the Native Americans aren’t offended by the sports teams that use Native American names and logos that means a majority of Native Americans aren’t offended. What are we suppose to glean from that?

I predict that there’s going to be great pressure on teams that use Native American nicknames and imagery very soon. I see it coming. It’s just a matter of time before the pressure is on the Blackhawks, Seminoles, Chippewa’s and Utes to change their names and logos. It’s coming. Mark it down.

2015 NHL Entry Level Draft Order

#137554484 / gettyimages.com

Round 1

1. Florida
2. Buffalo
3. Edmonton
4. Calgary
5. NY Islanders
6. Vancouver
7. Carolina
8. Toronto
9. Winnipeg
10. Anaheim (from Ottawa)
11. Nashville
12. Phoenix
13. Washington
14. Dallas
15. Detroit
16. Columbus
17. Philadelphia
18. Minnesota
19. Tampa Bay
20. San Jose
21. St. Louis (conditional to Buffalo)
22. Pittsburgh
23. Colorado
24. Anaheim
25. Boston
26. Montreal
27. Chicago
28. Tampa Bay (from NY Rangers)
29. Los Angeles
30. New Jersey

The 2015 Draft is next weekend on July 27 and 28. The Minnesota Wild will draft 18th and the Boston Bruins will draft 25th. UND recruit Nick Schmaltz based on the mock drafts and other information that I have read, is probably going to be drafted somewhere between 23rd and 30th. He could drop down to the second round as well.

WASHINGTON POST: Capitals hosting Blackhawks in 2015 Winter Classic

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Today we find out that the Winter Classic is going to be the Washington captials and the Chicago Blackhawks. Yep, I am underwhelmed as well. Now I get the Blackhawks, I do. But outside of Alex Ovechkin, who really stands out on the Captials for you? This doesn't smack as much a much see game.

Alex Prewitt, Washington Post -- The Washington Capitals will host the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015 Winter Classic on New Year’s Day at a yet-to-be-announced location, an individual with knowledge of the situation confirmed Friday morning.

The Capitals will be playing in their second Winter Classic after visiting Pittsburgh in 2011, but will be hosting for the first time. The site has not yet been named, though sources indicated that Nationals Park remains the odds-on favorite, with only paperwork left to be finalized before the news is released.

Washington and Chicago met twice in 2013-14, in the regular-season opener and the penultimate game for both sides. The Blackhawks won at home, 6-4, on Oct. 1; the Capitals posted a 4-0 shutout at Verizon Center on April 11. The sides have split eight regular-season meetings over the past four seasons. Last season, the Blackhawks reached the Western Conference finals before losing to eventual Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles in seven games. The Capitals, meanwhile, missed the postseason for the first time since 2006-07 and parted ways with their head coach (Adam Oates) and general manager (George McPhee).

2015 NHL Winter Classic: Minnesota Wild Snubbed Again

#495205607 / gettyimages.com

Looks like the Minnesota Wild will be getting snubbed again for the 2015 NHL's Winter Classic. I guess by now, none of us are going to be shocked anymore, since California is getting a second outdoor game before the State of Hockey is awarded one. I wrote a similar story about this over on the Hockey Wilderness this week. I guess the Wild are high profile enough to be selected by the NHL.

Greg Wyshynski, Puck Daddy – The news was first reported by Bob McKenzie with TSN, and confirmed to Yahoo Sports by multiple sources.

It’s the second Classic for both teams – the Blackhawks faced the Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field in 2009 while the Capitals played the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2011. But it’ll be the third outdoor game for the Blackhawks overall, having faced the Penguins at Solider Field in the Stadium Series last season.

Seattle Times, “Redskins” nickname offensive and outdated

#450825988 / gettyimages.com

I am going to ask UND fans, do you see anything similar here? Is so, what? Feel free to give your feed back.

Don Shelton, Seattle Times – It’s time to ban the use of “Redskins,” the absurd, offensive and outdated name of the NFL team in Washington, D.C.

Past time, actually.

We’ll probably receive scathing emails, letters, phone calls and reader comments telling me we’re too PC, that the name actually honors Native Americans or that we have no right to change a team’s official name.

Everyone’s entitled to an opinion – even if I don’t buy it.

We’re banning the name for one reason: It’s offensive. Far from honoring Native Americans, the term colors an entire race. Many Native Americans consider it an outdated label placed on their people.

Randy Lewis, a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes who is a board member for United Indians, didn’t pull any punches when asked what he thought.

“I find it as offensive as black people find the N-word,” he said. “They say they’re trying to dignify or honor something with it. It doesn’t dignify us. It doesn’t honor us. It doesn’t make us feel good about ourselves.”

More reasons to not like the Pittsburgh Penguins

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Former Pittsburgh Penguin defenseman Ulf Samuelsson was one of the dirtiest players to play the game of hockey, now he's in the running for the the Penguins head coaching job. More reasons to not like the Penguins.

TSN.CA -- New York Rangers assistant coach and former NHL defenceman Ulf Samuelsson is on the list of candidates who's interviewed for the head coaching job with the Pittsburgh Penguins, according to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger.

Dreger reported on Tuesday that the Hurricanes sought permission from the Rangers to interview Samuelsson for their coaching vacancy.

Samuelsson played 16 seasons in the NHL with lenghty stints in both Pittsburgh and with the former Hartford Whalers.

United States Patent and Trademark Office Cancels the Redskins Trademark

#461811717 / gettyimages.com

So, The United States Patent and Trademark Office has cancelled the Redskins trademark registration. Another overreach by the Federal Government. This ruling doesn't mean that the Redskins need to change their name, yet. But this does mean that others could make money of the Redskins logo now.

Washington Post – The United States Patent and Trademark Office has canceled the Washington Redskins trademark registration, calling the football team’s name “disparaging to Native Americans.”

The landmark case, which appeared before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, was filed on behalf of five Native Americans. It was the second time such a case was filed. “This victory was a long time coming and reflects the hard work of many attorneys at our firm,” said lead attorney Jesse Witten, of Drinker Biddle & Reath.

Federal trademark law does not permit registration of trademarks that “may disparage” individuals or groups or “bring them into contempt or disrepute.” The ruling pertains to six different trademarks associated with the team, each containing the word “Redskin.”

In the past, Redskins Team Owner Team owner Daniel Snyder, has described the team’s name in a letter to fans as a “badge of honor,”and he has said he will never change it. Of course Democrats in the U.S. Senate have applauded the move.

Moving forward, I expect the Redskins to win in an appeal.

NHL Compliance buyouts

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Buffalo:   Ville Leino $4.5M
Chicago:   Steve Montador $2.75M, Rostislav Olesz $3.125M
Dallas:   Aaron Rome $1.5M
Detroit:   Carlo Colaiacovo $2.5M
Edmonton:   Eric Belanger $1.75M
Minnesota:  Tom Gilbert $4M
Montreal:   Scott Gomez $7.357M,  Tomas Kaberle $4.25M
Nashville:  Hal Gill $2M
New Jersey: Johan Hedberg $1.4M
NY Islanders: Rick DiPietro $4.5M
NY Rangers:  Wade Redden $6.5M
Philadelphia:  Danny Briere $6.5M,  Ilya Bryzgalov $5.667M
Tampa Bay:  Vincent Lecavalier $7.727M
Toronto:   Mike Komisarek $4.5M,   Mikhail Grabovski $5.5M
Vancouver:   Keith Ballard $4.2M,  David Booth $4.25M
Washington:  Jeff Schultz $2.75M

Here's a list of the Compliance Buyouts. Under the new CBA each team is allowed two of them.