Wilbur

North-South is currently how the regions are set up in the pee wee and the bantam "A" levels of youth hockey. I would like to think that it is helping, yet you still see the Eastern teams predominantly finishing in the top of both leagues. The first year that they switched from East-West to North South I was in Bantams, and the team I played for finished second in the North Region and eventually second at the state tournament. Had we not played such great competition in our league that year (Grafton, Grand Forks South, Grand Forks North, twice each) I really don't think we would have faired as well at the state tournament.

Off of the Elite team website: -Sean Diechert (Fargo) -Jacob DeLisle (Grand Forks) -Erik Galt (Fargo) -Kris Graalum (Fargo) -Andrew Peterson (Grafton-Park River) -Andy Dittus (Minot) -Nick Klenow (Fargo) -Grant Larson (Fargo) -Marc Milhulka (Grand Forks) -J. Ross Monson (Bismarck) -Paul Weisgarber (Fargo)

Ummm, does the Minot vs. Bismarck title game not count? Like Iceberg mentioned I don't want to get into a flame fest that will get this thread shut down. Eastern Hockey is better than Western hockey hands down. I don't need to read it every three posts though... Great post on the upcoming team out of Grafton ND Pride. I'll definately stay with my prediction of Grafton playing in the championship game at the end of this season. I try to make it to as many high school games in GF as I can, so hopefully I'll be able to see the Campbell's play together a lot next season before they head off to the junior hockey ranks.

Who are you trying to impress? What are you 6 years old kid? Does your mother know that you found that on the internet? Nap time....

Boy, thats the first time I've ever heard that. You get the originality award.....I just thought the West came upon bad luck all of those years. I'm glad that you consider the growth of high school hockey or any new town participating in hockey in North Dakota to be a bad thing.... I really don't care where they hold the East Region tournament, but I think that the atmosphere will be a whole lot better at Purpur. I mean anybody who has been to a Central-Red River game at the Ralph vs. Purpur would have to agree with me here correct? Not including the state championship games though of course.....

I talked to Jordan today at the ymca in Minot while he was working out and he will for sure be playing in the USHL this season. He told me that school starts down in Kearny on like the 17th of August so he was going to head down there this week some time. Big loss for Minot high school, but a good personal move for Willert to play in such a great league.

TJ Oshie in the second period against Miami. He'll wait a period to start his quest to the WCHA rookie of the year....

I'm going with Brian Lee in the first period against Miami.

I think one player that will definately have some pressure on him will be Zach Jones. I think people will expect him to come in and fill in immediately where his brother left off. I can't wait for the first time I hear: "Well Matt would have made that play.." I sure will miss Matt Jones....

I've talked to him a couple of times and all signs point toward him taking the juniors route for his senior year. Most notably, his dad resigned his position as assistant hockey coach for MHS, which may be the biggest hint that he will be heading down to Nebraska (Tri-City) in a month or so. Then again, it wouldn't surprise me in the least bit if he decided to stay for his senior season. They will have a good team this year, and if he stays he would definately be a strong candidate for Mr. Hockey.

I don't think anybody is ever surprised by what Red River does in high school hockey. They always have tremendous talent, and their goaltending come tournament time is always strong. They are another team that could very well make ANOTHER appearance in the championship game at the end of this season. I haven't made any East Region predictions, so here goes.... 1. Fargo South 2. Grafton 3. Red River 4. Central 5. Jamestown 6. Fargo North 7. West Fargo 8. Shanley 9. Wahpeton

Thank you iramurphy for starting a legitimate topic about North Dakota high school hockey. I don't want to get too excited about the prospects of a great season for Minot high school (coaching changes, kids leaving early for Jrs.) but its nice when fans from other towns throw out a compliment or two. I'm not going to make any bold predictions, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least bit if Fargo South was playing Grafton for the state championship. I haven't heard anything about whether Weisgerber or Gault will remain with the bruins (who knows with kids leaving early and so on) but if those two return for their senior seasons South has a great chance. Grafton has the Campbells, and a 3 year starter in the net so they'll undoubtedly have a great season as well. Ohh yeah...never EVER....count out the Grand Forks schools. I did last year, never again....

Great.......another eastern North Dakota hockey chest thumping thread. I'm from Minot, and every time I try to have a legitimate conversation with someone regarding high school hockey all I hear is......HAH....Minot??? Or when I try to talk about the up and coming young programs that are just starting to get kids interested in playing hockey (Mandan, Hazen, etc.) all I hear is...ohh well Western hockey is just atrocious. Let the "The state tournament should only be East Region teams" chest thumping thread of fame begin.....

Langston should be in the NFL some day. That play he made last year when UND had him all but circled and hog tied until he broke away from the pack and scored that long touchdown has to be the best football play I've ever seen in person. Every time he touched the ball against UND he made something happen. He is an incredible football player. WHY DIDN'T HE GO DI DARNIT!!!!!!!

My best football memory would have to be the game against North Alabama last year. I walked in to the Alerus just hoping that we would stay within 10 points of that team, and three minutes into the game Bowenkamp throws a touchdown pass to Travis Lueck (sp). I've never heard the Alerus center so loud. Runner up would be the Digger play against NDSU. He hits the hole, makes the tackle......everyone waits for the ball to be spotted.......PANDEMONIUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ummm........proof....speculation?

In other high school coaching news long time Minot high coach Gary Samson resigned today. He is expected to be replaced by Chad Burkhard who has had quite a successful run with the Bantam A teams in Minot (Much like Bill Chase in Grand Forks). Two years ago he coached the Minot Bantamn A team to its first state championship. A majority of those kids will be seniors on this years team. New blood for Minot high hockey.....thank god.

This is a good walk on/pick up for UND. Although his team didn't win the state championship the game could have easily been 8-1 if he hadn't played the way he did against Red River (I was sitting behind him most of that game, unbelievable goaltending). He probably won't get a lot of playing time, but if a UND goaltender gets bit by the injury bug I believe he'll be able to step up and play well for UND.

I don't like the Michigan rule. Not only will it get confusing on the ice at times, but I know that it will confuse the hell out of the fans. Leave the standard off sides/icing rules alone damnit!! I can see it now.... And Notre Dame clears the zone, WAIT, they didn't clear the zone, pass from the red line to the front of the net and a GOAL by Porter!!!!!!!!!! Well the Michigan rule helps out the Maize and Blue once again as a 50 foot pass turns into a goal for the Wolverines.

I think a couple of reasons that the Colorado schools get so many high quality recruites (besides location of course....I mean come on... ) is due to the coaching and facilities. You've got great coaching at both schools, and although their rinks aren't quite the Ralph, both schools have relatively new rinks. If you are a fast player who likes to play on a bigger rink then CC is the place for you (Hobey Baker winner-Sertich), if you are a player who likes the physicality of the game and likes to play the body (I'll use Paukovich for this example), then Denver would be a good place to play your college hockey. I think the coaches speak for themselves. Great hockey minds.

I couldn't agree more. When I read the article this morning Bina's name was the first person I thought of. Does anyone know if there is a teaching position that comes along with this job, because I'm sure that would play a huge roll in whether Bina takes/applies for the Central job.

The Spirko goal was probably my favorite goal of the year. It was at a point in time where UND was lagging in the third place game against the Gophs, and UND needed a spark to get something going. I was at the oposite end of the rink, and it seemed like the play was almost going in slow motion. I remember slowly standing up as he put Harrington's jock in the rafters, and almost crapping my pants when he put Briggs' right next to it. #2 would have to go to Fabian picking the corner against Bruckler in Grand Forks. I was thinking....."don't shoot from there.....don't shoot....no angle....what are you doing....WOO HOOO!!!!! GREAT GOAL!!!!"

Hey, Tyler Stahl from my home town posts a 35 save shutout over team New England. I hope he is able to make a junior team next season, because the kid has got a lot of talent. Hopefully they can keep up the good showing with a win over New Jersey!