AJS

The only way Olson shouldn't be in a suit is if they don't have any healthy scratches, he's absolutely the 14th forward / 22nd player.

So we have scoring chances 11-10 UND, which as bad as UND has played seems right. With a score of 4-1, I'm putting this loss 100% on Cam. Start Thome tomorrow.

Effort is much better this period, good chances, nothing will go in though. I'd like to see them shake it up and start Thome tomorrow. Edit: I don't care if your 16 shots are all breakaways, 4 goals is pathetic. Definitely go with Thome, see if he can take over.

Omaha will finish last in the NCHC this year, you can't give up points at home to teams like Omaha.

No need to even play the 3rd period, this game was over once Omaha scored their third. I'll never understand it, they don't look like they care. Nightly frustration with the officials, but Poganski's hit wasn't a penalty, which lead to the PP that gave Omaha the 2-1 lead. I get it, UND wasn't winning this game with how bad their are playing, but that was a bad call that had a large outcome on the game.

What grade will the JUCO players be next year? Galvin Nelson Zimmerman Verde

Miller's early predictions for starters on defense: DL - Cieslak (Sr) DL - Harris (Sr) DL - Bennett (Jr) OLB - Palmborg (Sr) ILB - Hunt (So) ILB - Rodgers (Jr) OLB - Lawrence (Jr) CB - Harris (Sr) S - Shannon (So) S - Canady (So) CB - Holm (Jr)

Not a two deep, but yesterday during the signing show Tom Miller had his very early predictions on the starters for next year. Thoughts? Offense LT - Mortel (So) LG - Tobin (So) C - Rooney (Jr) RG - Nguon (So) RT - Helgren (So) TE - Fielder (Sr) QB - Ketteringham (Jr) RB - Santiago (Sr) FB - Pinke (So) WR - Toivonen (Jr) WR - Wanzek (Jr)

Explain

Looking back at 2017, I'm going to oversimplify it, but I truly believe the majority of the problems were directly linked to injuries in key positions where there was no depth. Nobody could have pictured after 2 games this team would have ended up where they did. Defensively, the team had no answers for every team who attacked the ILB position or threw at will at freshman Blubaugh. Keep every other injury that happened, but give that team a healthy Rodgers and Holm and the year is different. Not saying they'd make a deep run into the playoffs like everyone expected, but just with those two, the defense is considerably better, no doubt. Injuries happen, but I'm betting they don't take a toll like they did this past year again for a very long time. Positives going into 2018, the weaknesses of the defense, start with ILB (Rodgers, Larson, Hunt), take any two of those and you have a solid starting ILB. CB (Harris, Holm, Blubaugh), take any two of those and you have solid CB's. This isn't including any additions or other players on the team that will improve. Offensively, look at the O-Line, this team will have depth at QB, WR and RB. What does everyone think of the schedule? I know many hate it, but I like starting off against MVSU, good tune up game with an FCS opponent. Pretty ideal start to the "Big Sky" season with Idaho State at home, UNC on the road and then a bye heading into a home game against Montana, who's much better at home than away. Sac State is improved, but you'll take them as one of the away games on the schedule. Weber State is tough, but a home game. Finish with two tough road trips at Montana State and Northern Arizona, sandwiched between home game against Portland. I think the schedule lines up pretty nicely. Positives: MSVU at home start off season Getting Montana / Weber State at home (tough games) UNC / Sac State as "Big Sky" Road Games Negatives Sam Houston on the road - tough game with 1-1 record going into "conference" play Road trips to Montana State / Northern Arizona (latter being much better at home than on the road) Thu, Aug 30 Mississippi Valley (Home Opener) Alerus Center TBA Sat, Sep 08 Washington at Seattle, Wash. TBA Sat, Sep 15 Sam Houston State at Huntsville, Texas TBA Sat, Sep 22 Idaho State (53rd annual Potato Bowl | 102nd Annual Homecoming) Alerus Center TBA Sat, Sep 29 Northern Colorado at Greeley, Colo. TBA Sat, Oct 13 Montana (Family Weekend) Alerus Center TBA Sat, Oct 20 Sacramento State at Sacramento, Calif. TBA Sat, Oct 27 Weber State (Military Appreciation | Band Day) Alerus Center TBA Sat, Nov 03 Montana State at Bozeman, Mont. TBA Sat, Nov 10 Portland State (Senior Recognition Day) Alerus Center TBA Sat, Nov 17 Northern Arizona at Flagstaff, Ariz. TBA

Post moved to 2018 Season thread

I was thinking the same thing, same can be said with the other player who decided on a PWO to Wisconsin earlier this year. Only two examples, but it was mentioned before, that just because some (most) of the recruits didn't have a lot of offers, doesn't mean there wasn't interest after they committed, especially the earlier ones. Those two decided to go elsewhere, I'm sure there were some that signed today that obviously decided to keep their commitment.

Added

BCHL Stats: Blaisdell '01 (F): 4-10-14 26GP (Played World Junior A) Keane '97 (F): 6-7-13 24GP Weatherby '98 (F): 25-23-48 35GP (Tied 2nd in Goals and Points) Tychonick '00 (D): 5-18-23 25GP (Played World Junior A) Reid '01 (D): 1-10-11 29GP Scheel '99 (G): 14-8-0-2 2.03 GAA .934 SV% (1st SV% & GAA) USHL Stats: Senden '98 (F): 6-6-12 25GP Mancinelli '01 (F): 3-2-5 22GP Costello '00 (F): 5-1-6 22GP AJHL Stats: Bernard-Docker '00 (D): 10-12-22 27GP (Played World Junior A) NTDP -18: Hain '00 (F): 3-9-12 25GP NTDP -17: Caulfield '01 (F): 8-7-15 22GP High School Donovan '00 / JR (F) - Duluth East: 2-10-12 6GP Randklev '99 / SR (F) - Moorhead: 10-5-15 8GP Frisch '00 / JR (D) - Moorhead: 1-6-7 8GP Kunz '02 / FR (F) - Red River: 6-7-13 6GP Kleven '02 / SO (D) - Davies: 3-3-6 7PG Other Bowen '02 - Fraser Valley - 7-10-17 12GP (Major Midget League, will finish year in BCHL) Pinto '00 - Selects Academy -3-2-5 5GP

Mitch Mattson ends up at Michigan State, very happy he found a new school right away and wish him well during his collegiate career.

Everyone's definition differs (as with what's a blue chip recruit), but I'm interested about how many schools would you consider "powers". If you include SCSU, you must have like 30 on the list.

Kunz has really stepped into the HS game with no problem leading RR in scoring with 13 points (6 G, 7 A) through 4 games. ND HS stats are tough to really gauge, especially out West, but right now he's tied in the East in scoring with one less games. For comparisons sake, Caulfield had 64 last year as a Sophomore and is doing just fine in the NDTP program. Does anyone know if a freshman has ever lead the East in scoring?

Not a problem, just more of a personal preference. Would rather not see UND be a school where a majority of their freshman are 20 years old. It's necessary for sure sometimes and it works out well, I don't think there is as high of a ceiling. Also, in this specific example, the SJHL isn't great. For next year, I'm happy they landed Weatherby, who plays in a better league and can put the puck in the net. If they are looking for another person for next year, I hope it'd be Cruickshank.

I would hope not, the guy can score, but UND doesn't need anymore overagers recruited for next year.

Out of the three players I've highlighted in the past, this probably makes the most sense. I wish Mattson the best of luck and hope he finds another school that's a better fit. I agree with @UNDlaw80 you never like to see it, but this type of thing happens.

No doubt on the first one, I'd be interested in a player that didn't score a lot in juniors that put up points in college. Of course there's always going to be outliers in every case, but I'd think for the most part, you'd rather have players that actually perform in juniors. I can get on board with this. I also realize you need players that play different roles and it seems UND does recruit this better than almost anyone. I've mentioned this before, but it's not specifically Keane by himself that I question, it's bringing in 2 others that also can't get on the score sheet as overagers. Ultimately, I know this coaching staff will do what's best, so I'm out of the conversation. I

That's true and I'm looking strictly at stats, but have you seen anything prior to his injury in Penticton (few points) or his two years in Sioux City, that would point to him as a contributor at the D1 level?

Interesting, he did tweet out a picture of him signing his NLI not too long ago, so would be surprised if things changed that quickly. He is one of 3 that haven't seemed to pick up their play in juniors, so I don't think it would necessarily be a bad thing for UND if they agreed it didn't work out.

I'll include 29 into the conversation with 22 of players a lot of posters didn't think were any good. The people getting on 29 a month into his college career were ridiculous, let the guy settle in. I think 22 has been awesome for some time. He might not be the conventional #1 Center, but he's solid. It's nice to see 29 start to get more comfortable with the game. Still pretty snake bitten, but he'll be a scorer for this team sooner than later.