UNDMOORHEAD

Tomek in net tonight.

Giving up 2 goals is unacceptable.

Pogo

And people were worried because he left the USHL to go back to OJHL.

My son loves going to hockey. I've been very happy with how they run the youth hockey here. They have a game on Sunday and practice on Wednesday. Most of the drills are setup in a way that's fun for the kids, you can see what skills they're working on, but it's setup in a fun way. In Moorhead you can even get the equipment for free until squirts, I think, so any kid can have the chance to play.

I've seen Frisch play a few times down here. Only a sophomore and he plays in all situations. In the few games I've seen he's been good. Jumps into the play on offense and I've yet to see him get caught up ice. He's not the fastest guy on the ice, but his skating is smooth and effortless. His youngest brother plays with my seven year old and is the best kid out there maybe a future recruit. Don't know how high his ceiling is, guess we'll find out.

I did say earlier in the thread that you're not going to get a Caggs or Stetch every year. Just trying to point out that first round draft picks aren't always necessary. I look at the make up of last years team is ideal. First round talent mixed in with four year guys like Caggs and Stetch. Also guys like Sanderson who stick it out for four years riding the bench for most of it to later contribute as a senior.

Ryan Suter would be the top one I would think. Matt Greene isn't really a household name. Greene, Forbort, Chorney, and Stetcher are the guys for us that are regulars this year. No all-stars or guys playing for the national teams. I'm just speculating anyway. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it or not. I would bet guys like Toews, Parise, Oshie, etc help when recruiting a player along with everything else.

I guess my thoughts on our current D group is that their ceiling remains to be seen. They may get a little better or they may get a lot better. For Shaw and Wolanin this is the first year at this level that they're playing meaningful minutes and then you got three freshmen. Hard to hide them like you could with freshmen last year. Another thing I thought about was we haven't sent a lot of defensemen to the NHL in the last decade. Maybe that's why some of the better guys don't come here, I don't know. You hear guys like Jost or Caggs talk about Toews and that probably being the thing that put us on the radar for them. We just don't have a defensemen equivalent of Toews, Parise, Oshie, etc for younger guys to look at and wonder about the path they took to the NHL.

I realize it's hard to always find a Stetcher or a Caggulia, but those are two recent examples of why you don't need first round draft picks to compete. The other plus is you get these guys for three or four years instead of one or two.

And who would you take if you had to pick one, Stetcher, Forbort, or Schmaltz?

You don't need high enders if you bring in the right guys. (Stetcher, Ladue, Poolman) Also remember a guy like Finley. It's not an exact science, but you can find gems that aren't first or second rounders.

You never know for sure what you're getting with most players. Guys like Sanderson, who don't play for pretty much three years, but stick it out and become a contributor are important. Just like guys who aren't drafted like Stetch and Caggs. Throw in some top end prospects like Schmaltz and Boeser and that's the formula as I see it. Having the mix of four year guys and high end players is what keeps you competitive while avoiding the drop offs that a Wisconsin has. We lost skill, leadership, and experience from last year's team, hard to replace all that. I have faith in our staff and their track record. I know this is a long post, but basically we'll see when he gets here.

I hope Atlanta wins, but it's hard to bet against Tom and Bill.

Does the entire staff have input or is the head coach the be all end all?

Better luck next year. I'm hoping the Vikings reclaim the north though.

I guess it doesn't really matter. You can only play the teams that are on your schedule. They'll be in the national tourney and have the chance to prove people right or wrong depending on where you stand.

That's kind of silly. How do you know a team is great if they're not playing against other top teams?

I work with a guy from Duluth and we were talking after the first series in Duluth. At that time I told him I thought UMD had everything they needed to win the title and I still believe that to be true.

Just a flesh wound for a hockey coach at UND.

Is that the Duluth bus they're going after?

I am a little concerned. The first 3 games after Christmas we were 3-0 and everything was looking normal for our second half run. Since then we are 1-3 while getting outscored 16-9 and looking pretty bad in the 3 losses. It's one thing to lose a game, but we didn't look like we even belonged on the ice against Duluth and for most of the Friday game against Miami.

No catches in traffic or jump balls. Looks excellent with the ball in his hands. Any idea what the level of competition is that he was playing against.

Aside from the first shift not a lot reasons for optimism. Hope they figure out a way to turn it around.

You usually are what your record says you are.