Wilbur

Looks like the nickname is on its way to being retired. Very bittersweet, but the university needs to move on. PS: Nobody can say, "look how this county voted....look at how this county voted". People are voting yes because they don't want the university to be harmed by keeping the nickname. In a straight up vote of yes or no with no ramifications either way, people would vote to keep the nickname across the state.

So, I guess I don't understand hockey because I'm in favor of having the full cage.... I was a goalie though....so having something protecting my face with pucks flying at me was kind of important.... Either way it doesn't matter. Said it before....will say it again....Would love to hear Nick Fuher's opinion on it.

This is a great discussion topic. Its kind of like, "I can drive my vehicle better without this, even though it means I may get injured a bit more if I get into an accident". The NFL is having kind of a similar situation. They are requiring their players to wear more protection in an attempt to prevent injuries, and the players are all up in arms because the extra padding will hinder the way they play the game. I'll agree with the previous post. I have so much respect for players who get in front of 100 mph slapshots with nothing protecting their faces. The guys who lay out with the possibility that they'll get one somewhere in the noggin. There will still be players out there that play the game recklessly if the game goes to half shields. I just don't want to see blood on the ice at the Ralph and a college kid with 8 stitches above his right eye. I wonder what Nick Fuher would say about the topic? I know the incident in his situation was a fluke thing....but his life changed quite a bit.

If they did J.P. Parise might have landed a slash in 1972...

I've wondered this as well. If you have half shields obviously you'll have high sticks that cause a bloody nose or two. What will the penalty be for a high stick that cuts an opponent or draws blood? I'm all for the safety of the game and players not taking liberties with overaggressive play, but at the same time I think the one thing that kind of set college hockey apart was the full cages. Seems like Toews, Oshie, Stafford, and Parise didn't have any issues with vision or scoring with the full cage. It doesn't matter to me either way, but I guess I wouldn't mind it if things stayed status quo.

Only rule change I wasn't fond of was the hand pass rule. Any time a team needs a whistle in their own end after a broken stick, or long shift...boom, hand pass. I'm sure they won't let the guilty team have a line change, but still will lead to more stoppages in play.

I'm for him not being drafted by any team in the state of New York. Still amazed that Garth Snow still has a job with the Islanders with all of the playoff success they've had the past few years. Hmmm.....last appearance....2007. I give the guy credit for his first year on the job, but since that first year the Isles haven't been over five hundred, and he's pissed off his fair share of people around the hockey world. *EDIT* He can be drafted by Buffalo. Lot of good former college hockey guys on that squad.

I was kind of thinking this as well. How would BC do against a team like London or Windsor? I'm all for NCAA teams and CHL teams playing exhibition games against each other. Don't think that it will ever happen, but boy would it make those boring exhibitions into some quality hockey games. Last year's Sioux team with Frattin and company could beat any CHL team, this year's squad....meh.....

I was talking about the three or four games I watched bits and pieces of collectively. I can't say that I sat down and watched an entire game.

I watched some of the games....kind of a bit boring at times. One thing I couldn't stand was the cheap stuff after the whistle over and over and over again. I know these guys are playing for a national championship....but after you see someone get cross checked for the fifth time from behind it gets pretty old. Pretty sloppy defensive play at times, the youth definitely shows.

I think they are a top ten team, and extremely talented, but at the same time their goaltenders combined have exactly zero NCAA wins.....Patterson was huge for them last season....it will take some adjusting without him.

I like the lines setup that you've got here. You have to keep Kristo and Knight together, and it really doesn't matter who you put with them because that line would have success with me on a wing. What excites me is the third line. Rowney had a breakout year, and having him center the third unit with maybe Rodwell and Macmillan or even a guy like Parks makes for three scoring lines. My fourth line would be Gaarder, with Pattyn and St. Clair. But then again, you never know what you'll get with the incoming rookies. C-Knight A-MacWilliam A-Rowney A-Gleaason

As long as its the Sioux vs. the Bison the trophy should be used. After the name is gone the trophy should be sent to the state historical society or to the university that won the rivalry the most times...(cough....UND). Whatever the trophy is it won't have anything on the great Dakota marker trophy.....you just can't top the untoppable....

Normally the best defensemen are ones that you don't notice during games. I'd say that was Forbort quite a bit the second half of last season. Did not have his best game in the season finale....but who did? I don't think Forbort is a guy that is going to be a big bulky guy at any time in his hockey career. The same could be said for Brock Nelson. It just probably won't happen.

Very much agreed. I think Pattyn plays a pivotal role as the fourth line center next season. After he figured out how to keep his emotions in check he was a key player in last years late run. I don't see Jim getting much ice time. I know that he's a heart and soul guy, and improved a lot, but I think the incoming Freshman will earn spots over him.

I think this is the best case scenario. A coach with NHL experience who has been around the block and knows how the college process works. If someone is going to replace Eades, Berry would be the best call. Even better than....cough....Dean.....

Which is what makes the accomplishment of Brad Eidsness that much more special. Besides that, stepping back and just being a tremendous teammate while the starter's role was no longer his makes him a player to never forget.

Road wins + free throws = Duke Blue Devils...Kentucky...Syracuse...

Good post....brings up an interesting debate.... ~Eades would definitely have his hat in the ring... ~Sandelin's wife hates North Dakota, so I think he's staying in Duluth... ~Berry would be an excellent guy to run the program ~Litke....hmm....former captain turned head coach....where have we seen that before. ~Marks...former assistant turned head coach...where have we seen that before. I think you could include either of the Johnson brothers, Jason Herter, Dane Jackson....talk about an interview process.....

I think Cary will do an outstanding job in Sioux Falls and before you know it be a head coach in the college game. The really lucky ones are the players who will gain tutelage about what major universities are looking for in refining and making their game college ready. I really only follow Fargo when it comes to the USHL, but I'll be checking in on the Stampede now as their season progresses.

Don't tell that to the experts in social engineering known as the NCAA or certain gopher fans.

So in summarizing some excellent posts....Why play junior hockey? ~Money under the table, plus the money they get per week. ~Games, games, games ~Travel ~Not having to worry about scholastics ~Exposure I know there is also a system in place to compensate these kids as far as paying for college after playing in the CHL as well. Us diehard college hockey fans can spit and cuss at the CHL all we want too, but it isn't the worst option. NOW QUIT TAKING OUR FRICKEN COMMITTED RECRUITS!!!

Hahahaha....I always wondered if it was the real Hrkac too.....hahaha Okay....honestly....who fits the description other than Brad Berry....I mean come on....Did they write that job description for him? How about they add "and previously coached at the university". I'd say its gotta be him.

Agreed. Very good point.

Seems to be a trend that the USDT kids are heading north. Maybe doing the high school thing as well as the hockey thing gets to be a bit too much and these kids see it as a break to just play hockey and not worry about the academics when given the opportunity. I would love to hear the sales pitch of these major junior teams. Whatever it is its working.