Friday, October 07, 2016

Cam Johnson Named to Mike Richter Award Watch List for 2016-17


The webpage Let’s Play Hockey and the Herb Brooks Foundation announced the 20 goalies named to the watch list for the 2017 Mike Richter Award. UND goalie junior goalie Cam Johnson was named to the list.

Name
School
Year
Paul Berrafato #
Holy Cross
Junior
Michael Bitzer
Bemidji State
Junior
Gordon Defiel
Lake Superior State
Junior
Parker Gahagen
Army West Point
Senior
Mitch Gillam #
Cornell
Senior
Kyle Hayton #
St. Lawrence
Junior
Cole Huggins
Minnesota State
Senior
Tanner Jaillet
Denver
Junior
Cam Johnson *
North Dakota
Junior
Merrick Madsen #
Harvard
Junior
Chris Nell #
Bowling Green
Junior
Cal Petersen #
Notre Dame
Junior
Colton Phinney
Princeton
Senior
Ryan Ruck #
Northeastern
Sophomore
Eric Schierhorn #
Minnesota
Sophomore
Alex Sakellaropoulos
Union
Senior
Shane Starrett
Air Force
Sophomore
Atte Tolvanen
Northern Michigan
Sophomore
Drew Vogler
Merrimack
Sophomore
Evan Weninger #
Omaha
Sophomore

 

Thursday, October 06, 2016

Schlossman hits the kill zone



By now you've probably seen it. This week, Grand Forks Herald beat writer Brad Schlossman launched a much need cruise-missile at the UND President Mark Kennedy and his Intercollegiate Athletics Committee. Brad put in print what a lot of UND sports fans were thinking.

Thanks Brad.

By now, most of us can see that President Kennedy's IAC is nothing more than a farce or a facade. President Kennedy is the one that wields the power and last time I checked he is the President of the University of North Dakota. Correct? So, why isn't he exercising his power? He doesn't need to form a committee to make changes at UND. This why I think the IAC was doomed to fail from the start. It's nothing more than a show trial. Like Schlossman, I don't fault the people on the board.

 That being said, we don't need someone from the school of Arts and Sciences or the School of Mines making recommendations for UND sports programs. If I had to make a guess, most of these people have probably never played an actual sport in their lives. So, I doubt that they have clue one how to run an athletic department.

IAC members that asking questions about UND dropping back to DII or NAIA is a waste of everyone's time. It was never going to happen and just makes the point that the IAC is a waste of everyone's time. Honestly, in some instances, they should worry about their own departments because I imagine another round of cuts is coming in the future.

If President Kennedy is unhappy with the UND's current Athletic Director, Brian Faison, it's in his power to review his job performance and decide if they want to look for another AD. Personally, I think Faison has done an excellent job moving UND into a new hockey conference and transitioning UND to division I status. But that's why they hire university presidents. Right? From my chair, it looks like President Kennedy is putting some extra scrutiny on Faison's job. Again, that's his decision and it's in his power. 

This IAC is turning into a clown show on steroids, with the new president driving said clown car. The president was hired to run UND and make big decisions. Again, time to earn your paycheck. Also remember some very good people are going to get hurt by your decisions.
Brad Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald -- At Monday's meeting, committee members were given a sheet by chair Kimberly Kenville that identified 12 sports that UND is "committed to sponsoring," which shows Kennedy is already making decisions for the committee.

One of the sports on the list is women's hockey. For the past several months, people in the community have been speculating that it could get cut.

Not only has that caused anguish for people who work with the program and its athletes, it has undoubtedly been used against UND in recruiting. If it's not even under consideration for being cut, why let it hang for two months?
Finally, leaving the UND women's hockey team swinging in the wind for almost two months was shameful. These good folks didn't need the unnecessary agony. Whether President Kennedy intended to this or not, for two months it seemed possible that the UND women's hockey team could fall to the knife. Shameful!

Is The NFL Losing Money?

According to this market watch article, the NFL is losing money. On a side note, I do wonder if the anti-anthem theme has anything to do with this?
The NFL has been sacked for a loss.

Once considered immune to the audience erosion plaguing the television industry, ratings for the National Football League have tumbled through the first four weeks of the season.

TV networks have bet heavily on sports in general, and the NFL in particular, because of the must-see value of their content. While more viewers are watching commercial-free streaming services like Netflix or recording shows on DVRs and skipping the ads, sports is still primarily watched live, making it valuable to advertisers.

Combined, ESPN DIS, +0.41% , Fox FOXA, -0.53% , NBC CMCSA, -0.59% and CBS CBS, -0.35% are spending an average of $5 billion a year for football rights through 2021. The games not only score big ratings and ad sales, but are crucial platforms to promote other programming.

Tuesday, October 04, 2016

Granato, North Dakota-Wisconsin Is a Must-Have on the Schedule

I agree with Badgers head coach Tony Granato. I think that the Wisconsin Badgers and the Fighting Hawks need to play ever single season, no matter what. He's couldn't be more right, this matchup is a must see series between two college hockey powerhouses. The fans want it and the coaches want it, too. The Badgers and Hawks will resume their series next season when UND travels to the Kohl Center.  
But if Badgers coach Tony Granato had it his way, this season would be the last where old rival North Dakota doesn’t appear on the schedule.

“I would like to play them every year,” he said. “For me, North Dakota-Wisconsin is a must-have on the schedule. There’s too much history. And they want the same, talking to their coaches.

“It’d be nice if they were in our league but they’re not, so let’s find a way to play them every year and keep that going.”

UW and North Dakota, longtime opponents when both were part of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, played non-conference series in Madison in November 2014 and in Grand Forks in November 2015 after the teams left for separate leagues in 2013. (Credit: Todd Milewski, Madison.com )
I think it's refreshing to have a new perspective and a new voice in Madison. Frankly, I do like the way Granato is thinking and he seems to be making all of the right moves and saying all the right things. Obviously, the Badgers have been bad for the past two seasons and he's got a lot of work to do moving forward. That being said, I don't think they're going to finish fifth in the Big Ten.

No, Women's Hockey Is Not on the Chopping Block

I've been following UND budget issues for sports, and by now you've probably read by now that there's was a $1.4 million shortfall for the 2015-16 fiscal year. There will be cuts to address that shortfall. According to the Grand Forks Herald, there would be up to eight sports falling to the budget knife. I've had a few people ask me if Women's hockey is going to be on the block. The answer is no.
Twelve sports — men's and women's hockey, men's and women's basketball, football, volleyball and men's and women's track and field and cross country — were identified at as programs UND is committed to sponsoring and appear to be safe from being cut.

That list of sports was given to Kenville in a previous meeting with Kennedy and Athletics Director Brian Faison, Kenville said. There was no discussion at Monday's IAC meeting about the eight sports listed as potentially being cut. (Grand Forks Herald)
I've been following this issue over on Sioux Sports. In one thread there were some openly begging the administration to cut women's hockey. Personally, I am very happy women's hockey isn't going to be cut, not going to happen as I predicted.

First, cutting women's hockey would be a horrible idea, the optics would be horrible and the university would take a beating on the national stage. Some that would see this as cutting a women's sport for the sole purpose of improving a men's sport. We've heard for years, that if UND spent more money on men's basketball and football they'd be better? That would only strengthen that argument. Second, women's hockey is one of the few sports where UND has an actual chance to win a division I national title. Lastly, women's hockey is an Olympic sport. UND has had quite a few players compete in international play and their efforts bring prestige to our university. Also, don't we want the area's daughters to have a place to play women's division on college hockey? I think we would.


Hockey 101: Women’s Hockey



Monday, October 03, 2016

UND Men’s HOCKEY 2016-17 National Television Schedule


The University of North Dakota hockey team has a massive, loyal fan base that lives in many states across the nation. While most of UND Hockey game are on NCHC.TV, not everyone wants to mess around with web based programs. This season, UND will have about 13-15 games on national television. This is good news for the fans that have either Dish Network or DirecTV (with the sports pack).  Also, ASN picked up a two away games that UND is playing in. There's a possibility that the list could grow by two. Last season, ASN televised a few UND hockey games.

Oct. 28 — at Minn. Duluth 7:07 p.m. TV: FSN North, Fox College Sports, nchc.tv. Tickets.

Nov. 4 — at Minnesota 7 p.m. TV: FS North, Fox College Sports. Tickets.

Nov. 5 — at Minnesota 8 p.m. TV: FS North, Fox College Sports. Tickets.

Nov. 18 — at St. Cloud St. 7:37 p.m. TV: FS North, nchc.tv. Tickets.

Dec. 3 — vs. Boston College in NYC 6:30 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network. Tickets.

Dec. 10 — WESTERN MICH. 7:07 p.m. TV: Midco SN, Fox College Sports, nchc.tv. Tickets.

Jan. 14 — MIAMI 7:07 p.m. TV: Midco SN, Fox College Sports, nchc.tv. Tickets.

Jan. 20 — MINN. DULUTH 7:37 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network. Tickets.

Jan. 21 — MINN. DULUTH 7:07 p.m. TV: Midco SN, Fox College Sports, nchc.tv. Tickets.

Feb. 3 — ST. CLOUD ST. 7:37 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network. Tickets.

Feb. 4 — ST. CLOUD ST. 7:07 p.m. TV: Midco SN, Fox College Sports, nchc.tv. Tickets.

Feb. 17 — at Western Mich. 6 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network. Tickets.

Feb. 25 — OMAHA 7:07 p.m. TV: Midco SN, Fox College Sports, nchc.tv. Tickets.

March 17-18 — NCHC Frozen Faceoff (Minneapolis) TV: CBS Sports Network. Tickets.

March 24-26 — NCAA West Regional (Fargo). TV: ESPNU, ESPN2 or ESPN3. Tickets TBA.

April 6-8 — NCAA Frozen Four (Chicago). TV: ESPN, ESPN2. Ticket info.

Saturday, October 01, 2016

Let's Hang a Banner - Line UND vs. MB



The big question everyone probably wants to know; who's Boeser going to play with. This will be the first NCAA Banner hanging in the new Ralph Engelstad Arena (okay, I know it's 15 years old now). The line to watch will be Brock Boeser, Tyson Jost and Shane Gersich.

The new Heavy Line second version; Joel Janatuinen, Rhett Gardner and Austin Poganski.

No Ryder Cup for Red River Valley Residents

PGA golf fans living in the Red River Valley, will not be able to watch the second round of the Ryder Cup today. Instead, you have to watch the Thundering Herd play against Illinois State. Checking out social media, a few of the people I follow are less than thrilled.
KVLY announced on its Facebook page Friday afternoon that it will not air Saturday's coverage of the Ryder Cup.

Instead, KVLY will broadcast the Bison football game against Illinois State.

KVLY said it offered to carry the Ryder Cup on one of its alternate channels, but NBC refused. (Grand Forks Herald)
This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Recently, KVLY usurped a Blackhawks Stanley Cup Playoff game with the NDSU Spring Football game.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Drake Caggiula Two Times

Last night, former UND and rookie Edmonton Oilers forward Drake Caggiula scored two goals against the Vancouver Canucks. Caggiula's first goal was a result of being in the right place at the right time and picking up the change in front of the net. (Caggiula First goal) Caggiula's second goal was a thing of beauty. (Caggiula one-timer).



On the other end of the ice, former UND defensemen and current Vancouver Canucks rookie Troy Stecher had a remarkable three-point night. Here's the video of his goal. (Stecher Goal)

Monday, September 26, 2016

Minnesota vs. North Dakota Series on FSN

Good afternoon, there's some very good news for college hockey fans,  The Gophers, and the F'N Hawks will resume their historic series on November 4-5, 2016. Both games will be on Fox Sports North. For example, if you live in Texas and you have DirecTV (sports pack required) or Dish Network, you will be able to watch the series.
FOX Sports North will broadcast 17 regular-season Gopher Hockey games including the regular-season home opener vs. St. Cloud State on Oct. 21, both games in the North Dakota series on Nov. 4-5 and the regular-season finale vs. Michigan State on March 11.

The Oilers New Mascot - Hunter

Speaking of mascots, that the heck is this thing? It looks like a Bobcat.

UND Starts out at Number 1

Preseason USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

September 26, 2016

Team(First Place Votes)RecordPointsLast Poll
1North Dakota(43)34- 6-49931
2Quinnipiac( 1)32- 4-78562
3Denver25-10-68484
4Boston University( 5)21-13-577414
5Boston College( 1)28- 8-56413
6Minnesota-Duluth19-16-56219
7St. Cloud State31- 9-15695
8Massachusetts-Lowell26-10-55357
9Notre Dame19-11-750213
10Providence27- 7-44767
11Michigan25- 8-54706
12Harvard19-11-442210
13Minnesota20-17-0404NR
14Bowling Green22-14-6370NR
15Northeastern22-15-536112
16St. Lawrence19-14-433618
17Michigan Tech23- 9-528516
18Yale19- 9-428311
19Minnesota State21-13-715317
20Ferris State20-15-612615
Others receiving votes: Cornell 92, Nebraska-Omaha 85, Penn State 63, Clarkson 62, Rochester Institute of Technology 62, Ohio State 33, Air Force 17, Vermont 16, Miami 11, Wisconsin 10, Dartmouth 6, Robert Morris 6, Michigan State 5.

UND starts out the 2016-17 season ranked first in the USCHO Preseason Poll. UND is also picked to finish first in the NCHC preseason media poll. Four NCHC teams make up the USCHO poll. 

Last week, the NCHC released the preseason Media Poll. 

2016-17 NCHC Preseason Poll
North Dakota – 235 points (25 first-place votes)
Denver – 200 (3)
Minnesota Duluth – 173 (2)
St. Cloud State – 155
Omaha – 119
Miami – 96
Western Michigan – 65
Colorado College – 37



Wednesday, September 21, 2016

David Backes not Impressed with Phil Kessel's Tweet

Last night, after Team Canada beat Team USA 4-2, Phil Kessel tweeted this. Apparently, some didn't like Kessel's tweet.
 





From Puck Daddy:

“It’s disappointing. It’s almost to say that we were coasting or don’t care, weren’t representing our countries as well as we could have and for other guys that have worn the jersey, it’s disappointing,” Team USA forward David Backes said. “I understand there’s hard feelings if you weren’t picked for the team or if whatever, but the comments are, I think – as a team guy and as a guy that stands by my teammates, win lose or draw, it’s a little distasteful and aggravating but everyone’s got a Twitter account and you can have freedom of speech to say whatever you want and so be it. But those comments don’t get lost in the fray and those comments are there and have been read and I think will be remembered when whatever happens going forward happens going forward.”
First, I thought Kessel's tweet was spot on. During the first two games, I thought Team USA looked slow, uninspired and old. They lost all of the 50/50 battles. Team USA didn't look like they even wanted there. Finally, I am more than disappointed with the team that built to beat Canada.

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Herald Letter: New logo conspicuous by its absence at UND

Yesterday, while reading the Grand Forks Herald letters to the editor, I came across this interesting letter. Mr. Johnson isn't the first one to ask this question. When Brad Schlossman tweeted the picture of the ice going in, missing was the new logo. There were a few tweets back asking where and when the new logo was going to be at center ice.
UND's new nickname is the Fighting Hawks. So, why is UND not getting behind it and painting in on the ice at Ralph Engelstad Arena—or on the basketball or volleyball floor at Betty Engelstad Arena—or on the football field at the Alerus Center?

Instead, those facilities are using the interlocking ND logo, which is being phased out. Why? Does UND not even like the Fighting Hawks logo?

The university wants all the fans to get on board with the new logo, but the school itself has not even fully embraced it.

J.R. Johnson

Grand Forks
From what I have heard and read, the new logo isn't going to be on any playing surface this season. However, we're to expect to see it there during the 2017-18 season.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

ASN to Broadcast 10 NCHC GAMES in 2016-17

Today, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference announced that American Sports Network will carry 10 of the league's games. This is very good news, it gives the NCHC more exposure on the national level.

For UND fans that don't live in the area or like to watch hockey games through an Internet hookup will be able to see two more of their games on TV via cable or a satellite dish (DirecTV or DISH).

Per the NCHC:

Games selected to air on ASN are centered on member institutions that have limited local/regional television exposure from their home venues. With that in mind, CC and WMU each host a trio of ASN games, while Omaha will host two ASN broadcasts and Denver and Miami will each have one ASN telecast originate from their arena. Eight of the 10 games ASN will air are conference games with only two non-conference contests on the slate. 


“The announcement of 10 additional NCHC distributed games through American Sports Network speaks to our commitment toward national exposure,” NCHC Commissioner Josh Fenton said in an official press release. “We appreciate ASN’s partnership with our conference and their overall coverage given to college hockey. We look forward to another great year on their network.”

2016-17 NCHC ASN Television Schedule
Date
Game
Time (ET)
Fri., Oct. 21, 2016
Vermont at Omaha
8:00 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 4, 2016
Miami at Western Michigan
7:00 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 11, 2016
St. Cloud State at Colorado College
9:30 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 18, 2016
Air Force at Western Michigan
7:00 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 9, 2016
Minnesota Duluth at Denver
9:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 7, 2017
North Dakota at Omaha
8:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 13, 2017
Denver at Western Michigan
6:30 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 13, 2017
Omaha at Colorado College
9:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 28, 2017
North Dakota at Colorado College
8:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 18, 2017
Denver at Miami
8:00 p.m.

Jake Brandt Returns to Midco Sports Network for UND Hockey Games

Another hockey season is almost upon us. Like last season, former University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux goalie Jake Brandt will do color for hockey games broadcast on Midco Sports Network.

Not so Fast

It appears the Holy Cross to Hockey East rumor might be a bit premature.


Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Holy Cross to Hockey East?

Looks like college hockey realignment might not be done after all. According to Bill Ballou of the Worcester Telegram, the Holy Cross Crusaders could be headed to Hockey East.
According to multiple sources, Holy Cross has been approached about replacing Notre Dame in Hockey East when the Fighting Irish leave after this winter. That move would require the Crusaders to play their home games at the DCU Center.

And in the event the change in leagues occurs, Holy Cross would be sharing the building with the new Worcester Railers of the ECHL.

The Railers are scheduled to begin play in October, 2017.

“We became aware of it (Monday),” said ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna, “and we’re very concerned about it. Beyond that, we don’t care to comment further.”

Neither Holy Cross athletic director Nathan Pine nor Railers owner Cliff Rucker would comment about the Crusaders’ possible move to Hockey East and the DCU Center.
Got to love the duck by the DCU Center staff. Where there's smoke, there's fire. For those that haven't heard, former Michigan Tec head coach Jamie Russel is going to be the head coach of the new ECHL team.
Sandy Dunn, general manager of the DCU Center, referred all questions to Holy Cross. However, in an interview during the NCAA hockey tournament in the building in March, Dunn was asked if the DCU was ready to play host to the Crusaders should they need a bigger home.

Monday, September 12, 2016

Ryan Anderson's New Goalie Mask

Thoughts on Ryan Anderson's new goalie mask? Courtesy of headstronggrafx. I live in Grand Forks, and I have started to see the community embrace the new Fighting Hawks logo.

Now before you bite my head off.

I see the new logo around town, more and more. While a big percentage of hockey fans' aren't on board or with the new logo, the other sports programs that aren't hockey (players and fans) seem to be embracing the new logo. I have to say, I thought that the new logo looked okay on the football helmets. I also love the new uniforms. I see kids wearing the new logo on the way to school. I talked to a manager at Scheels and he said that the new clothing with the Fighting Hawks logo is moving off of the shelves.

A photo posted by Jason Livery's (@headstronggrafx) on

Wednesday, September 07, 2016

Torts, "I'm not backing off."

At first, when I read this, I didn't think it would be an issue. That being said, Torts reiterated again today that he's not backing off. Don't stand for the national anthem and you won't play for team USA.

“There is no chance an anthem and a flag should come into any type of situation where you are trying to make a point,” Tortorella told Aaron Portzline Wednesday. “It’s probably the most disrespectful thing you can do as a U.S. citizen is to bring that in because that’s our symbol. (I’m) all for express yourself. That’s what is so great. Everybody does. But no chance when it comes to the flag an anthem. No chance.”

“I have no problem (with it),'" Seth Jones told the Columbus Dispatch. "You’re not going to see anything from any of us with Torts, so I have no problem with that.”

While many fans and media aren't a fan of the firey coach from the Columbus Blue Jackets, no one can accuse him of being wishy washy. He's sticking to his guns.

“Understand: I’m not criticizing anybody for stepping up and putting their thoughts out there about things. I’m the furthest thing away from being anything political,” Tortorella told SportsNet.

“This is your anthem. This is your flag. That shouldn’t come into play for a second. Not what these people do.”

Check out what former UMD Bulldog forward J.T. Brown tweeted on the matter.