The Sicatoka

Jam and Schmaltz each need to put about 5% onto their faceoff win percentages of 2021-22.

If I have a concern this fall, it's in the net. Hellsten has talent but the net was not his last season; will he step up. DeRidder has resume but can he adjust from seeing almost 35 shots per game at MSU to seeing just 25? He won't be as "involved"; can he make the transition. *That's what UND goalies saw on average last season.

Forwards? Balance. UND's key at forward will be ... Roll Four. Depth through the group is the strength*. Don't be taking penalties. And if the other team does, make them pay. *Quite literally, last season's second half checking line (Ness, Albrecht, Portz) could be in the press box some nights. Maybe not Portz ...

Defense? It takes six on game day, and eight (injuries) over a year. UND's Eight are plug-and-play ready -- no freshmen: Three fifth-year guys, an alternate captain senior, a U20s junior plus another junior, and two sophomores, all with significant game experience (even, PP, PK). Can any other team say that.

Given the mix of sizes, speed, skating skills, puck skills, PK ability, PP ability, and experience, UND just might have the best defensive group in toto in college hockey this season. And that's without a guy named Jake Sanderson who would be a junior. That'll surely draw the Faber-lovin' Goophies out of the woodwork.

A NIL collective works completely outside the framework of a university. Read the link.

Not Chip.

"NIL Collective" tutorial: https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/ncaa-football/college-football-nil-rule-changes-what-you-need-to-know#:~:text=Literally%2C it means "name%2C,NCAA previously didn't allow. For example: Rydell Chevy can pay < player > to do promo ads now. Another example: Ethan Frisch ran a hockey camp using his name last summer. (I missed buying a hat. )

I'm not buying that Ethan Frisch is 5'10". I'm that, and last time I stood by him he had me by a couple inches. But I get your point. That said ... The game has and is changing. "Forest" defensemen are giving way to shorter, stouter, mobile defenders. See: 6'0", 192, Cale Makar when he was a UMass sophomore.

Dear UND FB team, For your bulletin board: https://huskercorner.com/2022/08/24/nebraska-football-national-prognosticators/

NIL are not university controlled.

Random takes perusing the new roster: Somebody get Owen McLaughlin a sandwich ... stat! Between grad students and fifth years, six roster slots; throw in traditional fourth year seniors, nine slots 16 of 27 are under six feet tall I track a stat that @PCMalways enjoyed: Linear Density (wt in lb divided by ht in inches). If you can skate better than average and your LD is ~2.7 or better it's really hard to knock you down. There are 7F, 4D, and a G at 2.68 or better. I suspect that's coming with an older squad this year (testosterone kicking in on age 20+ males). Jackson Kunz is mucho-grande hombra (LD is 228/75 or 3.04!)

Um ... < taps on microphone > ... is this thing on ... < feedback-squelch sound > ... sorry ... < clears throat > ... Is there a new Fargo radio affiliate to officially announce yet?

Bold prediction: Not a lot of sewing (re-sewing?) need be done for the "C" and "A" on jerseys going into this season.

It drools less.

Last year too many games were one play away. This team needs to learn from that and make that one play go their way this time.

Why not refocus this effort toward funding an NIL collective?

What do I think of the logo? I think I've heard the same bemoaning since Wednesday, June 22, 2016, when it was released. Tell 'em Don -> You drag it around like a ball and chain You wallow in the guilt; you wallow in the pain You wave it like a flag, you wear it like a crown Got your mind in the gutter, bringin' everybody down Complain about the present and blame it on the past I'd like to find your inner child and kick its little ass Get over it Get over it All this bitchin' and moanin' and pitchin' a fit Get over it, get over it Get over it Get over it It's gotta stop sometime, so why don't you quit Get over it, get over it

Looks like KG is dominating the goalie recruiting. Tallest goalie? KJ at 5'10".

ROSTERS! Got your fresh hot UND 2022-23 Men's Hockey roster, he-ah! Get ya rosters! https://fightinghawks.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster

Or WiFi.

Let's be careful about capturing and reprinting subscription articles here. Just small excerpts with credit, please. Attn: @jimdahl

I'll let @jdub27explain that. I believe he has about 40 million reasons or so.