Wilbur

I really don't see there being a ton of difference between UND's second and third line. Wherever he's at Rocco will get time on the number one or two unit of the powerplay, likely the top unit. Wherever he's at he'll likely contribute as well. It'd be nice to see them keep Rocco and Rowney separate so they can have that scoring possibility from lines 1-3. Whether you have Rowney or Rocco centering the third line you're still going to likely roll three lines 5X5 (maybe four if that unit comes together well). IMHO with the forward depth that UND will have this season I think any of the top three lines could match up with a top line of any team that they play, with the top defensive pairing on the ice at the same time of course. I think yzerman has it pretty close, but we differ just a tad bit.... Kristo-Knight-O'Donnell MacMillan-Grimaldi-Parks Rodwell-Rowney-Chyzyk Cagguila-Pattyn-St. Clair (Gaarder) Poor Jimmer....poor poor Jimmer....

Just read over the week #1 game notes and the media people claim that UND was 11-1 at the Alerus in the DII playoffs. I thought that the Sioux never lost a home playoff game at the Alerus..... Program historians.....you're on call here.....

Yeah....after I graduate and move out of the Forks this happens......

It still totally baffles me that the NCAA could make the Ralph change logos all over the facility. UND rents the facility....unless that has changed recently, but not to my knowledge. Obviously the logo on center ice will be gone, but who foots the bill if the rest of the logos (impossible by the way) will need to be removed?

Opener is always exciting...but this reminds me of when Crookston would come to town. No reason to run the score up, but UND should win this game by 40+. Everyone plays, get ready for the real opener.

Regardless of what the lines are, its at least a little bit refreshing to know that UND SHOULD have enough healthy bodies to fill out a full roster with healthy scratches on game nights. The wild card in the whole line setup is Grimaldi. Whether the coaching staff thinks he'll be better suited playing in the middle or on the wall. I personally think they'll start him on a wing and maybe let him grow into a center role as the season progresses. I think the only thing we know for certain is that Knight and Kristo will be with each other, and Parks and McMillan. After that.....any guess is as good as mine.

How dare you leave out Frattin-Malone-Trupp.....how dare you....

Funny story....I was sitting in the Wilkerson dining center with some friends when we see this puny little hockey player with a Salmon Arm fleece on sit down with what I would assume would be his dad and have a meal. Later that day we see him getting a tour of campus with I believe Cary Eades if I remember right. The whole conversation with my friends was "who the heck is this little guy?" No way is he going to make it at UND, way too small to be any good. Heck, when I walked past him when he was touring campus I had half a fricken foot on the kid, and I'm not the tallest guy in the world. We look the kid up.....Ryan Duncan.....no way he'll have that big of an impact though.....

For me it was a toss up between Gleason and Kristo. But I think Danny will really take his job as a team leader to heart and lead the team in scoring this season. Big Mac is a great captain for this group. Does his job, very consistent on the back end, and a great role model for the younger guys.

This is how BC wins national championships....having the depth to wear teams down. If UND has three consistent point producing units with a fourth line that can steal you three to four shifts a period, you can wear a team down while keeping fresh bodies attacking for three periods. If you've got Carter Rowney centering a third line, imagine the mismatch you could have. Heck, I'd match up a Rowney centered line against most top units in the WCHA.

Just think of the options that the Sioux have this year in goal line situations: ~6'5 200+ pound QB for a QB keeper. ~Jake Miller is never the wrong choice. Or you could give it to Sutton who is tough between the tackles. ~6'3 Blair Townsend/6'4 Seth Wisthoff in a tight end set. ~6'4 Jameer Jackson (possibly 6'4 Golladay)

Ahhh....makes me breathe a bit easier. I'm one hundred percent on the "Redshirt Joe" campaign.

Question: Today in the Herald, they referred to Joe Mollberg as "True Freshman". Does this mean that his shirt has been pulled? Anybody have the official status? *Edit* Just saw on the official roster that the R was taken away from the whole Freshman part. This makes me believe that he will be the second string QB week #1 against Mines with the possibility of getting his first snaps in next Thursday night at the Alerus.

The way the coaches are talking it sounds like the shirt is as good as pulled. Not to beat a dead horse, but if it does get pulled I'd like to see him on the field instead of the sideline holding his helmet.....

If Hendrickson ends up taking more than 30% of the snaps for UND's offense I don't see it being a very productive year. I think a successful season depends on the 800 pound gorilla staying healthy. Completely agree with using Hanson. Unless UND is in serious playoff contention. Then its Joe time.

Speaking of Sioux goalies, Brad just posted a neat fact about Brad Eidsness getting into law school at the University of British Columbia. Probably tough for him to retire from hockey, but a feel good story all the way around.

Predictions predictions..... Week #1. Sloppy football, but the Sioux win the game by at least three touchdowns. Week #2. Welcome to the big boys.....Sioux win but by no more than 10 points. Week #3. Sioux lose by two touchdowns. Kind of a measuring stick for them....be nice to get one of these games at some point in time.

The money part is the party thats kind of scary. I'm not sure how close he was to a college degree, but maybe he's thinking that he'll find a way to the NHL and "green"er pastures per say. Aaron had a remarkable career with UND, and I'm really hoping he doesn't call this a mistake in five years.

Seems like he had his mind set on taking off from the minute last season ended. Best of luck to him. I think Gothberg has what it takes to be league rookie of the year. If Grimaldi lets him have it.

I haven't heard a ton about him this spring, and I'm probably not the best one to ask. IMHO the coaches made a HUGE mistake not redshirting Jer last season. He was underutilized, and didn't see as much of the field as he should of for playing as a true Freshman. They have him listed as a running back, but with the stable of guys at running back UND has you would think he'd be used in the slot kind of like how they used Weston Dressler, or how NDSU uses Ryan Smith. I thought for sure he would see more time on specialty teams in the return game, but that really didn't happen either.

So wherever he goes, the kid from LSU probably plays through the end of the year, and then preps himself for the NFL draft by leaving the school at semester time. Doesn't go to class, becomes a celebrity on campus for all the wrong reasons, and gets followed by ESPN the entire year for his accomplishments because he should dominate a lower level. He's a great talent, would make any team better, but I'm more concerned with the integrity of UND football at this point in time than wins and losses. The honey badger is no Matt Frattin....guaranteed.

Talk about a HUGE surprise....no way.....just.....gasp...... I wonder how many other CHL franchises will have the rug pulled from under them after Windsor becomes the first domino to fall.... PS: Agreed that this changes nothing.....

Wish Dale would have stuck it out in Grand Forks. And I wish Bubba was our defensive coordinator. Now, both may be out of jobs if the trend continues in Saluki country.

I'm hopeful that Mr. Jutting finds a head coaching job again somewhere along the line. Tough place to recruit too with all the other programs that actually have decent facilities, etc in the state.

A very good point made about having to pull a redshirt. Today's announcement makes the former tar heal the starter. The coaches have a big decision to make, because I'm betting Joe is the second best QB on the team....is he #2 on the depth chart, or do they want to protect that year and make him off limits to this season.