[College Hockey Expansion]

7 hours ago, ArchyAlum11 said:

Some non-NCHC things to watch in the 2016-2017 season.

 

3. The great Alaskan crisis - Perhaps one of the saddest notes in college hockey is the situation with the Alaska schools hockey program. Having an uncertain future for your programs makes it hard to recruit especially for Fairbanks which is still dealing with NCAA sanctions from what amounted to a minor paperwork error. Hopefully, a final decision will be made soon, while there is a possibility that hockey will survive at both schools my guess is that one of the programs will be cut. I had to guess it would probably be the Seawolves of UAA, UAA has only recorded one winning season in the last seven seasons, compared to UAF which has had four winning seasons. Another factor is attendance in which UAF completely dominates UAA. The Carlson Center in Fairbanks averages about 70% capacity for games, UAA is closer to 20%. If Alaska can only have one college hockey program, let it be in Fairbanks, and Let them get to work on improving their program.

4. Wake-up call for the WCHA - If the parting comments made by former UAF and current UMD player Peter Kreiger weren't enough of a warning to the league that it needs to change, and its members need to adopt a more skilled style of play, then MNSU application to the NCHC was. While Michigan Tech and Bowling Green did not apply to join NCHC like Minnesota State, I am sure there were some in the coaching staff and athletic departments at all three schools that had thought about it. To the credit of the league they seem to have gotten the message, The three on three overtime and the NHL-sized nets are a good start. However they need to do more to increase competitiveness in the league, that starts with putting an emphasis on developing the weaker programs like Lake Superior State and UAF. The probable loss of UAA maybe a blessing in disguise as it would mean the WCHA would lose one of its consistently worst teams, however right now UAH is probably a bigger drag on the WCHA as a whole that UAA, being consistently ranked the bottom five teams in the NCAA. While adding UAH was a nice thing to do to even the league out to ten teams back during the conference realignment, it may have been a short-sighted move that is now hampering the league as a whole. However the WCHA's options for UAH are quite limited, I am not sure if the WCHA has any bylaws that allow member institutions to vote out a school, the only other option would be for another league to try and recruit UAH, the only conference that might do that would be Atlantic Hockey, which already includes American Internation, Niagra, and Canisius, which are ranked 60th, 58th, and 55th respectively. You could argue that Atlantic Hockey doesn't have a lot to lose by adding UAH or that they would be compounding an existing problem by adding UAH. Of course, this is all hypothetical.

I hate to be a thorn in your a$$, but you appear to be 100% certain that Anchorage is going to be getting the ax. There's talks about the consolidation of hockey programs in effect to not eliminate the sport completely, but we can't say, at least right now, that they're going to give one the cut and keep the other. Alaska's budget issues are very real and it's unfortunate to see what their universities are facing as a result, especially in respect to their athletic programs which have been a part of the national hockey landscape for decades. They need our support now more than ever, even if it isn't possibly enough to save. 

[University of North Dakota Hockey 2016 - 2017 Season]

22 minutes ago, Emerald joker said:

I think Boeser will stay Boeser and Jost might take the role of Schmaltz. The clips I've seen of Jost seems like he's setting guys up more then scoring but I haven't seen a lot of clips so maybe I'm wrong. And I think Poganski stays on the 2nd line with Gardner which isn't a knock against them at all, but I don't think you want to split that chemistry up. And like I've said before Gersich started of on the line with Boeser and Schmaltz and seemed to have good chemistry with them so I think you put Gerisch back with Boeser. I think Gersich can almost fill the Caggiula role.

That was something that I forgot to include was Gersich, it's a big split between him and Pogo on 1st. Great points though.

[University of North Dakota Hockey 2016 - 2017 Season]

3 hours ago, ClassB said:

really excited for this season - I like the Boeser taking a step forward talk, but is there any chance his numbers take a slight dip backwards? He had some pretty stellar linemates (2 as opposed to a guarantee 1 this year) playing with him too last season.

CBS line was among the best in the country. The way I see it is last year's Schmaltz on the new top line will be Boeser and last year's Boeser will be Tyson, coming in and killing it. I have a very strong feeling that Pogo is going to be on the top line too. He's made great improvements year over year and is a great staple; we're going to have another line that teams around the conference and country will need to constantly watch. Personally am really not concerned there.

[What the hell is the deal with ASU hockey]

On 8/1/2016 at 3:08 PM, cowboys5xsbs said:

So what are we looking at Minnesota state and ASU???

ASU is a good chance. Not sure it'd be safe to bet on the former though.

[What the hell is the deal with ASU hockey]

9 minutes ago, SIOUXFAN97 said:

and you believe this?  no mention of notre dame in here so its a little shady as to who the original "members" were...western was always in but got a little cold feet about how the nchc was requiring them to spend on hockey to be "serious" in the nchc...

It's a brand new HOCKEY conference SiouxFan, I'd hope there'd be a crystal clear expectation for member teams to have a strong commitment to hockey......

[College Hockey Expansion]

1 hour ago, NoDakFan said:

I'm fine with SCSU being in the NCHC due to how they have performed since been invited. However, this conference was founded with the idea of using schools that put hockey as their number one priority right? SCSU counts to that. However I don't think that applies to WMU ,who being FBS, is a much bigger school. So the question is, was this conference founded for hockey priority, or biggest FBS/FCS with hockey?  I'm not going to get into a debate over Mankato's skill level on the ice but by far hockey has to be their number 1 program am I correct? 

 

Personally, as a fan who doesn't have much connection with Mankato, I would rather see ASU and Bowling Green join, despite the fact that neither are hockey oriented schools. 

The only two sports that SCSU predominantly has going for them are men's hockey and wrestling. Grappling program is an absolute powerhouse, and as we know they've definitely made a case for being strong contenders in the NCHC since the conference opened and placed its teams on the ice. It was definitely bold to extend invitation to them, but since they've proved themselves, I, too, see nothing wrong with it. Bobby is doing big things there and will continue to if they recruit high caliber athletes.

For Mankato, their two big teams are hockey and football. The latter is usually at the top of the NSIC and has been for a great majority of the last decade. I remember being a student at Winona State for a year, and when they came in, they wiped the floor with us. Same thing happened on a visit to WSU's homecoming a year later. Educationally, things seem to be firming up there too. 

My initial reaction to seeing Mankato applying to the NCHC was "Why?". That's it. It can most definitely cut travel costs, especially when traveling to the Alaskans or UAH, but it simply gives me a funny feeling. It'd be fun to see Bowling Green get thrown into the mix but that too feels silly. As we know there are many things that go into membership.

[University of North Dakota Hockey 2016 - 2017 Season]

9 minutes ago, Emerald joker said:

Yes, that's a good way to make people like something by forcing it down their throats. That's gonna make me hate it even more than I do now!!! 

GO SIOUX!!!

I'm a die-hard Sioux fan. I've hated everything about the new nickname and logo process. What I hated even more, though, was being a fan in the seats at the Ralph and hearing the booing when Looker announced "..Fighting Hawks.." in any capacity. We got attention for it and while most see it as the resistance and slight rebellion against the adoption of the nickname, it makes us look terrible.

Some people are never going to be okay with the Fighting Hawks deal. I'll always have a bad taste in my mouth because of how poorly everything was handled. But what we need to keep in mind is that there's nobody forcing anything down anybody's throats. Our public image is important, and we are blessed to have the diamond in the rough that the Ralph is. By putting the new logo at center ice, along with Fighting Hawks around the faceoff circle, branding can take off. It's as simple as: if you don't like the nickname, don't support it. Many have preached this from the beginning, but it speaks to the volumes of crowds that have dropped their support completely from the University. Continue to support the traditions that our historied sports program have built for over a century. It'll never change. We're still going to recruit high-class athletes, especially so with the hockey program (because it is part of the mission of North Dakota hockey) and build off of what we've made thus far.

[University of North Dakota Hockey 2016 - 2017 Season]

 

7 hours ago, siouxforce19 said:

I didn't know that, so thanks. I just got the email for their Pick-your-packs this morning and those are on sale July 20th. Doubt at those prices our games will sell out until single game tickets go on sale. 

Just another way of UND losing tickets away from home. We'll still be roaring louder at Mariucci than they will.

[What the hell is the deal with ASU hockey]

16 minutes ago, InHeavenThereIsNoBeer said:

Sure can...does Tempe have an Olive Garden?

Haha, drive about 7 miles and you'll find one in Mesa. Just curious to know if Tempe has a specialty like we do Red Pep. 

[What the hell is the deal with ASU hockey]

Can we get back to the topic here?

[UND Sports TV Options]

On 7/6/2016 at 10:08 AM, KoolGuy2K said:

Anyone know if MidcoSN is on DirectTV? My father in law said he was switching to DirectTV because it's cheaper and the guy at AT&T told him he can still get und hockey games. I think the guy at AT&T is wrong, but maybe I am. Anyone know for sure?

The guy at AT&T is not wrong, but he isn't completely right. I work for the company. Midco has majority coverage for UND hockey games, and as said before, CBSSN (which DirecTV does offer) carries a few games here and there. NCHC.tv is a good side subscription for all UND games. That two year price lock with DTV is rad. Pretty much the best reason to jump ship from the expensive Midco cable.

[What the hell is the deal with ASU hockey]

13 minutes ago, southpaw said:

Who are these bigger fish?  You're asking a hypothetical question that can't be answered for close to a decade.

And my source for knowing WMU and Miami are happy?  Talking to administrators and coaches from both schools.  Being annoyed with increased travel compared to the CCHA does not mean you're upset with being in a conference, or looking to leave.

Needless to say, it's a part of conference membership. Big question that ASU needs to ask themselves is what's going to place their program in the best spot in the long run. It's clear they had the funds to jump into the NCAA ranks and maintain the program, regardless of what conference they join. When it comes to competition, the NCHC no doubt will be the better fit for them. As I've said before, the skill (no offense to the WCHA) that we have will help build their program. It might take time but ASU has the potential of being a very good program with the athletes that they have and will bring in the future. Also, the overall structure of our conference is sound, especially financially. It would make more fiscal sense for them to join us, considering Fenton and the other higher ups agree to it. 

I REALLY hope they join us. 

[University of North Dakota Hockey 2016 - 2017 Season]

10 hours ago, ArchyAlum11 said:

I'm going to disagree with that a little, I went to UND during the period when they didn't play each other in any sports, I got none the rivalry feeling toward NDSU when I went there, I think the only way you could get is to grow up in North Dakota in an area or family where it was a big deal. To me NDSU was the school to the south that had the three campus system, a big ag program, and no hockey.

Now by the same token I am from the Twin Cities, I grew up going to gopher games every year up until the ninth grade, two minutes on campus as a UND student and I was converted into a gopher hating, bleed green, Sioux fan.

Can relate to this 100%. I'm a third gen UND student from the Twin Cities that also paid attention to the Goophs during the Woog days. Family influence is the reason that Sioux pride runs so deep and I'm damn proud of that.

[University of North Dakota Hockey 2016 - 2017 Season]

1 minute ago, stoneySIOUX said:

I pegged Boeser as an A not because of him being the best player, but he's one of the hardest workers. I see a lot of Toews in his work ethic. He was lauded a lot during the season for being a leader. The only other one close to him in terms of leadership, IMO, is Pogo and I think Boeser and Pogo deserve it equally.

No doubt with his work ethic. Nobody can question that whatsoever. He has what it takes to be a leader, but at that point we shouldn't be tossing out patches for the sake of tossing out patches. Quality over quantity when it comes to a captain corps.

[University of North Dakota Hockey 2016 - 2017 Season]

2 hours ago, stoneySIOUX said:

I think this is close. I'd like to maybe try JJ with Gardner and Pogo. He's got that "Heavy Line" feel, IMO. I don't think they can pass on loading that top line.

I'll go:

Jost, Schmaltz (A), Boeser (A)
JJ, Gardner, Pogo
Gersich, Simo (A), Wilkie
Hoff, Olson, Gornall

20 Gage (C), Wolanin
T. Poolman (A), Shaw
C. Poolman, Evers/Chartand/Bowen

Johnson
Tomek
Rinks
Anderson

Two thoughts... that third paring of mine makes me nervous. I think I agree with you in that they will pair the Poolies and have a more "veteran" guy like Shaw with a freshman. I don't want a freshman D pairing.

The other.... Tomek is going to get his shot.

I'm a huge fan of these lines. One person I really want to see have a good training camp and remainder of the offseason is Danys. Kid really needs to break the line-up and I feel that he will develop enough.

The one thing I can't get past, though, is seeing an "A" next to Boeser's name. He's talented, respected, and all around a stand-out guy but we really shouldn't be holding the expectation of pinning assistant captainship on the young gun already. Don't care if he's probably only got one more year left; it just isn't logical.

[University of North Dakota Hockey 2016 - 2017 Season]

8 minutes ago, crb1 said:

I have heard from a very good source that Nick Schmatlz is indeed coming back next year. Apparently him and Gage will be roommates.  It won't be official for a while because he doesn't want to go public Yet. 

Direct confirmation most likely to come next month as training will be picking up with the squad. Awesome news though without a doubt.

[University of North Dakota Hockey 2016 - 2017 Season]

On 5/10/2016 at 10:35 PM, Goon said:

I don't think the league needs to expand. The NCHC is fine the way it is. If anything, I think the NCHC needs to work on its own branding first. They don't need to jump at the first team that wants to join. They hold all of the cards. All I keep hearing what a great hockey trip. They don't have an arena and Allegiant flights to Mesa, AZ, are relatively cheap. 

You bring up a good point. In three years of existence the NCHC has established itself as a powerhouse in NCAA hockey already, but even IF we were to add ASU into the mix I feel that our already-member teams would continue to go about their business as they have. Don't have an arena? Not right now. One's coming. 

The one thing I know is that if a team is being added into the NCAA ranks from the club system, they need development. We don't want to cast team out as a weak link (as if CC isn't experiencing that already), but by adding them to our conference they would most definitely get some development in gameplay, and on the ASU side of things, being attached to the conference might help with their recruiting. They have talent, but in order to keep bringing more to the program, this can help. Greg Powers and their AD have done incredible things in the last couple of years and I only wish the best for them going forward.