Interesting article about coach Dean Blais and his UNO hockey program.
Tony Boone, Omaha.com -- NO, entering its 18th season, still needs to establish itself as a program relevant on the national level, Blais said. Becoming a perennial NCAA tourney team is an important part of that.
The coach recalled his days at North Dakota, where he was the head coach from 1994 to 2004, when he could drive to Winnipeg, then fly to British Columbia or Saskatchewan and have immediate credibility when he visited a recruit because his program had name recognition.
“Everyone knows about North Dakota. They have that tradition,” he said. “We have to build that tradition. We have to be known as a team that’s going to be there at the end of the year. We’ll get there.”
Omaha has a recruiting advantage, Blais said, by being located within driving distance of a number of teams from the United States Hockey League, the top junior league in America. But he expects the biggest boost to come when the new on-campus arena at UNO opens next October.
Players, for the first time in the program’s history, will be able to go to practices or games without driving across the city. And they’ll have their own space they don’t have to share with another team.
I've had a few people ask me if tonight's UND hockey game is on Fox College Sports. It will not be on FCS. Brad Schlossman had this on his blog this morning.
NOTE: Tonight’s game will be on Midco Sports Network. Before you ask, no, it will not be on FCS. Yes, UND, FCS and Midco are still working on an agreement so other games will be on FCS, but it is not done yet. I’m expecting something soon. Tonight’s game also will be on nchc.tv. Okay, so, let’s carry on….)
It does appear that UND games will make a return to Fox College Sports soon.
This is the commercial that got me thinking about the awfulness known as domestic violence. It made me start thinking. No, I'm not going to criticize the commercial or the people who appear in it. It's actually quite a good commercial. The problem is: the message isn't going to get through... at least to the finality that it states.
Why?
Because, though it doesn't say much directly, domestic violence is a problem that men subject women to...even though it isn't.
You see, this year is the year of domestic violence with Ray McDonald, Greg Hardy, Ray Rice, and Johnathon Dwyer (all NFL players) getting accused of domestic violence. All mentioned are suspended indefinitely by the NFL. They have been vilified by the media and by social media. Alright, I get it. But there's a problem:
But that's not why I'm not 100% behind this campaign and will not openly support it. Though the commercial is right on, the reality is that it isn't handled that way at all. It is handled specific to gender trending in statistics. In other words: it only matters when it is a man beating a woman. Yes, I know that a VAST majority of domestic violence is in this vein. However, not all of it is.
Case in point? Hope Solo. As we speak, Hope Solo has been accused of domestic violence. There was one article on ESPN.com about it. That's it. No outcry. No suspension. No condemnation of any entity. Heck, I'm not even sure that there's even been any condemnation of Hope Solo personally, despite the allegedness of the claims. Why is that? Is it because she's just a soccer player?
Well, she's not the beer league soccer player... she does have the honor of representing this country in soccer in world tournaments like the World Cup... but perhaps since the World Cup isn't going on right now, she's not relevant?
Or maybe it is gender stereotyping again. "Aw, comon, man! Put your big boy pants on. Can't take it from a girl? Shoot, she was probably just into rough foreplay!"
I cannot take vilifying men charged with domestic violence charges as long as women aren't treated equally whenever they are charged with the same crime.
It's a lot like sexual misconduct. Look at all those sickening sex scandals between a male teacher and a female student. Sickening, for sure, but they are found guilty and sentenced to around 20 years in prison. Now flip the genders and what happens?
It's all based upon statistical likelihood of occurrence. Men most often are the defendents in domestic violence and sexual misconduct cases, therefore, they're the culprits. It's sad. It's like saying "Black people were behind the riots in Ferguson. Therefore all black people are the cause of public disturbances and rioting." I don't have the stats in front of me, but I'm fairly certain that this "claim" is false.
So, rewatch the commercial. If domestic violence is bad, and we need to make a big public ordeal behind each occurance among our celebrities and pro athletes, then we need to make sure that ALL occurrences get such treatment, not just the "usual" suspects.
If/When Dwyer, Hardy, Rice, MacDonald see their court day (or plea session) and a judgment is reached, if it is guilty, I hope they rot. However, if they are innocent (no matter how unlikely it may seem), then play on fellas and good luck on the field.
#ISLES TRANSACTION: Team has acquired Nick Leddy from Chicago and Johnny Boychuk from Boston. Details to follow. pic.twitter.com/TnXRHYxG7r
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 4, 2014
Former UND forward Brock Nelson got two new teammates today. The New York Islander turned some heads trading for former Minnesota Golden Gopher and Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy and former Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk.
It's really a boost for the Islanders defense core. Picking up Boychuk and Leddy, the Islanders get two defensive players that have won Stanley Cups.
With the trade, the Bruins get a 2nd round draft choice in 2015, 2nd draft choice in 2016 and a conditional third round draft choice in 2015.
Boston has traded Johnny Boychuk to the Islanders in exchange for two 2nd round picks & a conditional 3rd round pick: http://t.co/e160KN74m0
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 4, 2014
I guess someone forgot to tell the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens that this was only a meaningless exhibition game. Both teams were engaged in an old-fashioned, knock-down, drag-out line brawl Friday night. I am surprised that P.K. Subban actually fought Mark Borowiecki.
The Hockey News has ranked the top 50 NCAA Hockey players and 14 (.28%) are from the NCHC. Three of them are from the University of North Dakota.
8. Riley Barber, Miami – Incredible offensive prowess has boosted the Washington pick’s stock since he came to RedHawks; look for more of the same from the junior.
9. Jordan Schmaltz, North Dakota – St. Louis first-rounder is a maturing, mobile defenseman who doubled his points as a sophomore last season.
12. Nick Schmaltz, North Dakota – Jordan’s younger bro joins him in Grand Forks. The Chicago first-rounder is blessed with a number of sick offensive moves.
17. Jonny Brodzinski, St. Cloud State – Gifted goal-scorer will once again light the lamp large for the Huskies; he’s a Los Angeles selection.
21. Evan Cowley, Denver – With Sam Brittain gone, Cowley can put his stamp on the crease with the Pios. The big netminder is a Florida pick.
27. Jake Guentzel, Nebraska-Omaha – Smaller Pittsburgh pick had an outstanding freshman season with the Mavs and they’ll need his playmaking prowess again.
28. Andy Welinski, Minnesota-Duluth – Mobile Anaheim pick with great size led the Bulldogs in points from the blueline as a sophomore.
33. Zane McIntyre, North Dakota – Boston prospect formerly named “Gothberg,” will hold down the fort in net for UND as the team eyes a national title.
34. Jaccob Slavin, Colorado College – The Carolina prospect is much bigger than he was when the Canes drafted him and he plays all situations on the back end.
35. Quentin Shore, Denver – The third of four hockey brothers, Shore is an Ottawa prospect who brings some nice scoring punch back to the lineup.
38. Paul LaDue, North Dakota – A late-blooming defenseman snagged by Los Angeles as a depth pick, LaDue was great as a freshman, grabbing all-conference rookie honors.
40. Teemu Kivihalme, Colorado College – Incoming freshman boasts a crazy set of wheels from the blueline; he’s a Nashville pick.
45. Aidan Muir, Western Michigan – Raw Edmonton project kicks off his college career in Kalamazoo;
50. Joey LaLeggia, Denver – The skilled offensive blueliner is an Edmonton pick primed to put up big numbers as a senior.
Apparently, Providence is the team to beat in Hockey East. (Link to the Poll)
1. MINNESOTA
2. PROVIDENCE
3. NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota returns all but five players that suffered a heart-breaking Frozen Four loss last season — count that as plenty of motivation for a team that went 15-2-1 down the stretch run. With Clarke Saunders gone, junior Zane McIntyre (formerly Gothberg) takes over the net full time and is set up for even more success with a deep veteran defense in front of him. Senior Nick Mattson and junior Jordan Schmaltz headline a crew of blueliners that do everything well and should see sophomore Paul LaDue have an increased role. Up front, Austin Poganski and Nick Schmaltz will fit right in with North Dakota's forwards who can win with goals, physicality, or speed. Expect Drake Caggiula to take a big leap in his third year of collegiate play.
4. BOSTON COLLEGE
5. COLGATE
6. MINNESOTA STATE
7. MIAMI
8. MICHIGAN
9. ST. CLOUD STATE
10. FERRIS STATE
This is an interesting article about NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman. Apparently, he's not going to apologize for the NHL's previous lockouts. Personally, I have always thought that Bettman is an unlikable figure that gets booed in almost every NHL city that he shows up
in. That being said, if the owners didn't want him, he would have been gone already.
"Some guy walks up to me and says, 'I really don't like you,"' the NHL commissioner recalled. "And I said, 'But you don't know me.' And he says, 'Yeah but I don't like work stoppages, and I go, 'Well neither do I, so we have that in common."'
Bettman will forever take a popularity hit for three lockouts during his tenure, but he won't apologize for them. Ten years after the league ground to a halt and the 2004-05 season was cancelled, he maintains it was necessary for the health of the sport.
NHL proactive about off-ice conduct, Gary Bettman says.
Pointing to the '04 Stanley Cup final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Calgary Flames in which the team to score the first goal won each game of the series and contrasting that with the 2013 playoffs and its unpredictability, Bettman believes the on-ice product is better than ever.
To get to this point, though, Bettman said implementing the salary cap -- which came out of the 2004-05 lockout -- was essential.
"We had teams with 80-, 90 million-dollar payrolls and we had teams with 20-million-dollar payrolls," Bettman said at a recent Canadian Club luncheon. "And I would talk to the managers and coaches of the 20-million-dollar teams and go, 'How are you doing this?' And they would say to me, to a man, 'We clutch, we grab, we hook, we hold and we do everything possible to neutralize skill for 50 minutes and then we try to steal the game.'
Boston University forward Jack Eichel is only 17, but some have compared him to former UND forward Jonathan Toews. Eichel like Toews, snubbed the CHL to play NCAA hockey. I am just disappointed that UND isn't playing BU this season. Terrier fans should enjoy him while he's there, he won't be at BU more than one or two seasons.
Jeff Z. Klein, New York Times -- Jack Eichel is 17 and recently began attending freshman classes at Boston University. But he will be the central figure in the N.H.L. season that begins Wednesday.
If you are not a hockey fan, you may not have heard of Eichel. Those who have seen him, though, already compare him to players like Mike Modano, Patrick Kane, Evgeni Malkin and even Mario Lemieux.
“His first two strides are as explosive as I’ve ever seen at this level,” said Jim Johannson, a USA Hockey executive since 2000.
Kevin Prendergast, an N.H.L. scout and front office executive for 30 years, said: “It’s not just his speed; it’s his skill, his hockey sense. It doesn’t even look like he’s trying, but the puck comes to him. He makes things happen.”
Jake Hildebrand, Michigan State junior, (9-15-7, 2.44 GAA .923 SV%)
Edit: I realize this is ten goalies to watch make an
impact in college hockey this season, but who better than Zane? Seriously?
Here’s my definition of Impact:
During the 2013-14 season, McIntyre led the NCHC and was ranked fifth nationally in goals against average (1.99) Historically, McIntyre’s 1.99 GAA was the fifth-best in UND single-season history
Still not convinced? McIntyre was ranked second in the NCHC in save percentage (.926), All-time at UND, that’s the fourth-best in UND single-season history.
McIntyre was named NCHC Player of the Month for March and April. Moreover, during that time, McIntyre led the nation in appearances with 11 starts. He also made 284 saves and lead with a pair of shutouts.
But there’s more.
During this impressive run, McIntyre had a 1.76 GAA and .934 SV% and finished second in the NCAA with six wins, that was the best for NCHC goalies.
Also during March and April, McIntyre allowed two goals or fewer in 10 of 11 starts. As I mentioned earlier, McIntyre had a 1.48 GAA and .948 SV% in three NCAA Tournament starts.
If your still not impressed, McIntyre stopped 43-of-44 shots in the NCAA Midwest Region championship game. That was a career high for McIntyre and the reason UND won the game 2-1 in overtime.
Breaking it down even further, Zane stopped 66-of-69 shots in his two regional victories. After starting the season 2-5-2, McIntyre went 18-5-1 with a NCAA-leading 1.72 GAA and a .933 SV% in his last 24 starts.
And Finally, McIntyre allowed two goals or fewer in 20 of those 24 starts. In the other four starts, McIntyre allowed only three goals in each game. s/t Jayson Hajdu @UNDSID.
CHN has ranked the 2014-15 freshman classes. Most of the rankings I have seen have had UND's freshman class ranked in fifth. I am surprised that CHN didn't rank Omaha's freshman class in the top 10.
5. North Dakota (NCHC)
Top of the Class: F Nick Schmaltz (2014 CHI 1st)
Incoming: F Austin Poganski (2014 STL 4th), D Tucker Poolman (2013 WPG 5th), F Johnny Simonson, F Trevor Olson, G Cam Johnson
While better at the top of the class, North Dakota falls slightly behind Notre Dame and Minnesota because of depth.
In most years, Schmaltz would be regarded as the top prospect entering college hockey. But, he happens to be enrolling the same year as two next-year draft eligibles who both project to be top-5 picks.
He was a player who was highly recruited but has also been scrutinized, despite producing at every level, including 63 points in 55 games last season in the USHL. In the opinion of most scouts, he projects as more of a playmaker and less of a goal-scorer, but his vision is superb and his ability to make quick, and correct, decisions lead to opportunities for his linemates.
Joining Schmaltz is Poganski, who projects as more of a straight-line power forward, and defenseman Tucker Poolman, who was named USA Hockey’s Jr. Player of the Year last season.
Honorable Mentions
Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC): Jake Randolph is the real deal, as UNO’s class comes close to unseating North Dakota as tops in the conference, and a spot in our top 5.
Here's a story that caught my eye this morning. US Women's Olympic hockey player Hilary Knight is going to practice with the Anaheim Ducks. If anyone can do it, it's Knight. This past winter Knight said in an interview that she would like to play men's hockey.
"I have aspirations of pushing the bar and showing people that a pony tail can't stop me from competing as a hockey player in a men's professional league, Knight said. "If you know of a skilled men's team looking for a forward, 5'11, 185lbs, let me know!"
NHL.COM -- U.S. Olympic women's ice hockey player Hilary Knight will practice with the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, the team announced.
Knight, a forward, is believed to be the first female non-goalie to practice with an NHL team, the Ducks said. Her participation is part of World Girls' Ice Hockey Weekend.
Knight, 25, won a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and 2014 Sochi Olympics. She had seven assists in 2010, and three goals and three assists in 2014.
According to her website, she was named MVP of the Canadian Women's Professional Hockey League in 2012, and participated in the NCAA final four four times at the University of Wisconsin, winning the national championship twice.
Today, was the UND Hockey media luncheon. It was nice to take a look at the new locker room. It's sweet and it should make the difference in landing a top recruit.
Also, the players seem to like the new locker room. UND forward Colten St. Clair had a smile from ear-to-ear when I saw him today.
This is one of those places that you don't normally get to see very often. I took some pictures, feel free to use them if you want. However, please remember, I took with my Samsung Mega and I am not a professional photographer, nor did I stay in a Holiday Inn last night.
Thompson got off to a slow start as a freshman, sitting out as a healthy scratch for all but one of North Dakota’s first 10 tilts. Once he got his chance, however, he made the most of it, racking up an impressive plus-14 rating and showing signs of developing into the shutdown defenseman that prompted Anaheim to make him a third-round pick in 2013.
His offensive production was modest (3-8–11) but respectable considering that he didn’t really see the ice until after Christmas.
Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder has said that he isn't going to change his team's nickname. In my humble opinion, I believe this is the beginning of a very ugly court battle between the US Government and the Redskins. Also, if the Government goes after the Redskins first, what next? Is the Federal Government going to demand that All colleges with Native American nicknames and logo change their names?
I think this is where this is going.
CNBC.COM -- The Federal Communications Commission is considering whether to punish broadcasters for using the moniker of the Washington NFL team, the Redskins, a word many consider a slur to Native Americans, the agency's chairman indicated on Tuesday.
The FCC, which enforces broadcast indecency violations, has received a petition from legal activist John Banzhaf III, asking that regulators strip local radio station WWXX-FM of its broadcasting license when it comes up for renewal for using the name "Redskins."
Banzhaf says the word is racist, derogatory, profane and hateful, making its use "akin to broadcasting obscenity."
In my opinion, I think the Feds are going to lose this case if they try to compel a team to change it's nickname. I think this is a violation of the first amendment. Also, this isn't the NCAA shaking down a small college. Stay tuned.
Jasper Kozak-Miller from the recruiting blog "Over the Boards" has Ranked UND's incoming class 5th. Just for the record, this is how the top-five classes were ranked: 1.) BU 2.) Boston College 3.) UNO 4.) Notre Dame. As we know, ranking in the preseason are meaningless, and hockey is played on the ice. That being said, UND's freshman class should be pretty good this season.
5. North Dakota (NCHC)
Key Recruit: 96 F Nick Schmaltz (Green Bay Gamblers)
Why: Jack Eichel may have “most scrutinized freshman” down pat, but Schmaltz, a super-skilled product of the Chicago Mission program, probably beats out even Noah Hanifin and Wisconsin’s Adam Rockwood as a player who will draw a ton of eyes to see how the adjustment goes. What was at one point shaping up to be a dominant class of 2018 saw some movement, but Schmaltz, for all his draft scrutiny, came out as a first rounder and a potential game-breaking addition to the group in Grand Forks. Tucker Poolman, USA Hockey’s Jr. Player of the Year, is my only honorable mention this year. Winnipeg’s 2013 5th-rounder should be a big addition to the NoDak d-corps.
Forwards: Nick Schmaltz (CHI, 1st rd, 2014), Austin Poganski (STL, 4th rd, 2014), Johnny Simonson, Trevor Olson
Defense: Tucker Poolman (WPG, 5th rd, 2013)
Goaltender: Cam Johnson
North Dakota adds what nearly every team looks to add with this compact, highly talented group: scoring. The sole defenseman Tucker Poolman led all USHL blue-liners in both goals (15) and power play goals (10), an all-USHL First Team selection who comes to campus a year out of the draft more than ready to step in. 5’8 freshman Johnny Simonson led the USHL’s Lincoln Stars in all scoring statistics, including shots on goal (229) while tallying 28 goals and 31 assists last year.
Nick Schmaltz is ridiculously gifted offensively, while Austin Poganski is a 6’2, fourth round NHL draft pick (St. Louis) this summer who ranked fourth in the USHL with 11 powerplay markers, while also leading Tri-City in short-handed goals (3) and shooting percentage (15.3%). Goaltender Cam Johnson adds to the depth chart in net after going 11-1-1 in the USHL with a .939 SV% following a mid-season trade to Waterloo. That followed a tougher first half statistically with a down-and-out Fargo Force outfit last year.
Today, the WCHA announced its video streaming package. What caught my eye was the price. It’s extremely expensive. Check out these prices below. Recently, the NCHC releases it's prices and the cost is about 90.00 for the season. Obviously, the NCHC has less games. The NCHC also has a decent national television package.
Season Pass ($160) – For less than $1 per game, fans receive live access to a minimum of 181 and a maximum of 185 WCHA games, including: Every WCHA league game, along with each team's non-conference home contests, the league's postseason tournament and the 2015 WCHA Final Five.
Monthly Pass ($50) – Fans can watch every available game live for 30 days from the date of purchase, up until the cutoff date of February 15, 2015.
Day Pass ($12 regular season / $15 playoffs) – Can't make it to the rink that night? Fans can watch the league's entire slate of games for any given day, with streaming beginning 10 minutes prior to face-off. Tournament Pass ($60) – Fans will be able to watch the best of the WCHA battle for the Broadmoor Trophy and an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. - See more at:
Just like the NCHC hockey fans, WCHA fans will be able to watch the games where ever they are.
With WCHA.tv, fans can follow their team wherever they are. Each game will be available on multiple platforms, including traditional web browsers on PCs, tablets and mobile phones using the iOS and Android platforms. WCHA.tv includes responsive web technology, delivering an optimal viewing experience on any device.
The Boston Bruins have a salary cap mess, this is well documented. As a result of their current salary cap debacle, it looks like defenseman Johnny Boychuk will end up being a causality and the odd man out. It's a shame, because Boychuk is a solid defenseman. Obviously, Bruins fans aren't going to be very happy about this. Boychuk is one of the Bruins more popular players.
Fluto Shinzawa, Boston Globe -- The Bruins have three preseason games to determine their roster for the Oct. 8 season opener against Philadelphia. Jobs are up for grabs on the third and fourth lines. But re-signing Krug and Smith gives the Bruins a clearer snapshot of how they’ll break camp, both in terms of dollars and roster strength.
They will still move a defenseman, most likely for futures. But once they account for the bonus overage and Marc Savard’s long-term injury exception, they will not have to move big bucks — namely Johnny Boychuk’s $3,366,667 — to get the league’s green light.
This is a good thing. After this season, Boychuk will command an annual salary north of $6 million. This is not money the Bruins are in good position to spend.
But trading Boychuk would not improve the team. He is an experienced and dependable second-pairing defenseman. Because of the pot that awaits, Boychuk will be motivated to play well. The Bruins will benefit from that.
Bruins fans should enjoy Boychuk's last season with the Bruins.
