brianvf

That's been my thinking as well. If they weren't going for two "big names" on D, then you'd think that the other one would have committed by now. Unless they're holding off until the guys all commit, and if they miss on one of them, then they have an experienced guy waiting (similar to what they did with Young last year). I could see Carels being a one and done. He's so polished already. It'll be fun to see how quickly he transitions to NCAA play if he commits to a school. I'm assuming Emery is gone after his JR season. I would almost guess that DuPont might stick two seasons in the NCAA if he commits for this fall. Verhoeff I guess would depend on how much he progresses on his skating and decision making this upcoming year. Whoever drafts him might just want him in their system too. Definite possibility of some holes to fill after this upcoming year!

We were getting Crosby though if he went NCAA.

You have to figure that they'd head to the NCAA...they've shown to be too good for the WHL level but not quite good enough to jump right to the NHL. Is there a blueblood NCAA school that has two top 6 forward spots still open/available at this point?

Everett and DuPont win the WHL finals tonight and advance to the Memorial Cup. Everett's first title in 23 years. Prince Albert and Rudolph's season is over now.

I think we have a better shot at DuPont than we did McKenna. From what I've heard, DuPont cares less about $ and more about who will better prepare him for the NHL. That still leaves quite a few blueblood schools and could certainly see UM being one of his final options like you said. Would be great if we're in the conversation at least.

I'd take both. And we do have room, for sure. Not ideal to have four FR dmen, but they'd all be very highly talented and would be really fun to watch. I figure this for replacements: Liv --> DuPont Wiebe --> Carels Strath --> MacKenzie Zmolek --> Boser Jubenvill --> Lindberg

If he knew that DuPont was coming to UND, I doubt he would "break" the news like that. Probably more that he just knows that DuPont is going NCAA-route for next year...and we can hope/dream that UND is the destination. But who knows. Ha!

Been rumored for quite some time, but great get for BU to replace Hutson's spot on the blueline. From what I've watched of him, he can be electrifying offensively and has terrific skating...but he also can put himself into poor positions and situations with that offensive mindset. Could be interesting to see how his play transitions into NCAA play, especially on BU, which really struggled with their defensive play last year.

If by "doing something outdoors", you mean leaving the house at 5am or 9pm, then for sure. Otherwise anywhere in the middle and you'll die out in that furnace if you want to do something active. That's me, for sure!

Haha, it's the annual summer tradition of opposing fanbases getting excited about the possibility of Carle finally moving on to the NHL ranks. Only to be disappointed when he's back behind the DU bench again come fall.

I saw pics posted from my friends back in ND of the dust storm. That happens in Phx too, they call them haboobs here. Any decent windy day and you'll see the wall of dust/sand coming your way...it's pretty crazy watching it pick up everything from the desert and blow it all thru town. In about a month, I'll desperately wish I could be living a GF summer rather than the Phx 110+ every day for like 120 days straight. With "lows" in the upper 90s. Brutal. One more summer! Then we're moving back to the midwest. Can't wait.

Everett (DuPont) off to a 3-1 lead in the WHL finals series over PA (Rudolph). Game 5 is tomorrow. If we're after either of those players and waiting out their seasons for announcements, the losing team should be available soon...the winning team probably not until after the Memorial Cup concludes at the end of May.

This. If we have four FR dmen next season, they'll all be highly skilled, but FR nonetheless. They'll make mistakes, so it'll be good to have experienced 200ft forwards to help out until they get up to speed.

Dang. He's one that a lot of us were hoping would end up in GF if he was going NCAA. MSU crazy stacked run continues. These stacked first rounder teams have yet to win anything in the postseason, but it'll happen sooner rather than later I'd guess. And this list doesn't include Belchetz:

WHL finals series tied at 1 game a piece between Everett and Prince Albert. Game 3 is tomorrow. Both DuPont and Rudolph with 0g/3a so far.

Insane. Super cool for him.

I've been seeing a lot of mentions of that as well. Would be a great pickup for them and a nice offensive dman to fill the Hutson spot in their lineup.

That's my thinking as well. They obviously knew that they had no shot at the 1st rounder CHL forwards (or knew that those players were sticking in the CHL), that's why the forward spots were filled up early. And if they were only in the running for one of those two big D, then I'm guessing we'd have seen a portal or other commit already on D. My guess is that they are holding both spots open to see how it lands. Plan A - land two of the big boys Plan B - land one of the big boys, then get a portal/commit Plan C - land zero of the big boys, panic, fire & brimstone, pitchforks, then get two portal/commits

Reid is heading to MSU. But I would take Carels and then one of DuPont/Rudolph in a heartbeat.

Great news. Not totally unexpected, but always nice to confirm. Now we just need a couple more D commits, and we're set. I'm hoping for one after the WHL playoffs (or Memorial Cup, depending on who advances) and then another after the NHL draft.

Tarin Smith from Everett goes to UMN. Not sure how bad his injury is or if he'll be ready by the start of the season. But good pickup for them. As DuPont's defensive partner, I'm not sure how many of Smith's points are just due to him being paired with Landon.

My thoughts as well when I saw that announcement.