SpudsSioux

This feels like a big get if it is indeed Williams. Rookie numbers (21-36-57 in 68 games) are in the same ballpark as the rookie numbers for some of the big names that have been thrown around this year: Rechny (21-38-59 in 61 games), Kindel (15-46-60 in 68 games), Bear (25-32-57 in 67 games).

Agreed. That would still be a good start.

I would love to see them add a big CHL name (McKenna, Rechny, Kindel, Bear are my favorites), but I also won't think the sky is falling if we don't this first year. After hearing how absent we've been on the recruiting trail and building relationships with agents/advisors, it's a tall task to expect BC to reel one in this soon. I have no doubt that as he builds relationships (and hopefully we start seeing a better product on the ice and being a contender) that he will routinely be getting 1-2 of those per year. Overall, I'm liking what I'm seeing from a roster construction standpoint. Balancing out the classes a bit and looks like there's more of a strategy around who they're getting and the type of game they want to play. Being able to make a coaching change and retain an all-american, a former USHL player of the year, a first round pick and 2 of the first-team USHL guys from this year is a good sign. If we hadn't made a coaching change and added BC to the mix, I would be much more doom and gloom if they don't get a big name this year. I really do think if it's not this year, it's just a matter of time now.

Interesting. I didn't realize it wasn't higher in 2016. Easy to forget when the end result worked out. Like I said, I don't know whether he was good or bad, but I know that getting rid of him certainly didn't solve the puzzle as it's been more of the same over the last 8 years.

I agree. I remember guys that played for the Force when Herter was there and they often talked about how good he was at skill development stuff (and that included forwards). I know it's a pipe dream and he's probably not in the mix/didn't apply anyway, but if Herter got it, I would have zero worries that he would be able to coach forwards.

Shaw was on the coaching staff that won a national championship, too. Who knows how good or bad he was, but you can only do so much with the skill you have to work with and there was a noticeable drop off the next couple years. If Shaw was the only problem, we wouldn't have seen more of the same over the course of the next 8 years, in my opinion.

NTDP doesn’t play playoffs right? Did their season end this week too? Signs point to Herter or Fohr timing-wise.

I hope it’s not Pilgrim. I hope they take a wait and see approach with him for now because he bleeds green. There were rumblings of a lower level OHL guy that was quietly committed under Berry. I’m hoping it’s him.

Yeah good point. It just seems like it’s been a long time since they didn’t have one on staff as a full-time or volunteer coach. 2010 maybe

That's the only thing giving me pause as well. I do think with how long and successful Herter has been, he is likely just a very good all-around hockey coach and can probably fit anywhere, but it still feels a little bit odd. Also, maybe it's been brought up before, but who works with the goalies under this model? It seems kind of crazy for a program like UND to not have a goalie coach, but maybe they had to sacrifice that to use that spot for a GM. Can they still have a goalie coach that just isn't on the bench or is it 4 coaches max?

and about half the distance to his lake place...Let's hope Martinson and BC were firing on all cylinders with their sales pitch last weekend!

I can't imagine they put this as an Associate position and the salary range at $185,000 - 222,000 to bring in St Clair. Love his upside as a young coach, but this looks like they're going after Herter. I have no inside knowledge or even know if he would take it, but it certainly looks like they're making it compelling enough to try to get him. Looks Like Herter was making $110,000 at Western.

To me, that reads like Jax pulled the offer. Would make sense. He doesn’t play the way Jax says he wants to play.

Obviously landing McKenna would be an absolute game changer, but the article in itself gives me a sense of optimism. 1) Referring to Michigan and UND as Blue Bloods. Knowing those further from the program still see UND that way and in the same category as Michigan is good to see. 2) Free press with the GM move and saying "North Dakota isn't messing around". It really gave me a "UND isn't going down without a fight" sense and I love that. It's been a bit doom and gloom here lately thinking our best years are behind us, so reading that was refreshing. 3) I actually think the less portal news right now the better. As some have said, there really aren't any studs in there. I'm inclined to think that Jax and Co aren't just settling and they're going hard after the CHL right now.

Who he chose to keep from a salary standpoint makes sense. As long as he trusts Simmer and thinks he's doing a good job, it's a no brainer. The two positions that are open (Dane's previous position and Karl's) were significantly higher. Hopefully he's hoping to lure a big time guy away with a good raise. Dane's salary in 2024: $214,493 Karls's: $191,407 Simpson's: $100,000

I wouldn't be so sure. Wife is a UND grad. I think both sets of grandparents are in Detroit Lakes area. Sometimes that's a big deal with young kids.

Looking at commitment dates, all of these committed to the U while Raboin was there: Oliver Moore, Rinzel, Snuggerud, Chesley, Knies, Broz...whether that was Motzko or Raboin, I don't know for sure, but they certainly had their share of blue chippers during that 2018-2022 run. I think if Hak is interested it's still who I would want, but I would be plenty excited with either of them.

He WAS a top assistant at a Big10 program. So you're saying if he hadn't taken on the Augustana job to prove he had what it took to be a head coach, you would be more comfortable with UND hiring him? I will tell you he came to speak at a camp in Moorhead last summer and everything I heard was that the players loved him. He also landed one of them (Bergeson) shortly after.

I'm confused by how many people think Raboin is inexperienced? Six years as an Assistant at St. Cloud,4 at Minnesota. Was widely known to be the recruiter that brought in a number of the studs that St. Cloud and Minnesota got. Only real thing he had to do to prove himself is take a Head Coaching job and he's nailed that so far. I remember when people questioned giving Carle the reins at DU having never been a HC and he was technically "less experienced" than Raboin is now. If it's not at UND, he'll be the next coach at Minnesota or St. Cloud; whichever opens first.

I don't think they can if it's external. Berry and Hak were Internal hires/promotions. The North Dakota University System makes them post for external candidates. It's supposed to be 10 days, but does allow for exceptions. Maybe they were able to get an exception to shorten it due to the portal opening the 30th, but I'm guessing they wouldn't approve of a direct hire to an external candidate.

I'm not sure this is a concern with Hak. I think he's more competitive than he is loyal. Remember he parted ways with Eades which I can't imagine was easy. By all accounts he thinks very highly of Jackson (I think tried to get him to go with to Philly and Seattle), so I'd imagine he would retain him but not so sure on the others. Also would make sense why Jackson was named the Interim.

I can’t imagine he isn’t at least being considered. Obviously has had success early as a head coach maybe more important, was the recruiter under Motzko at both SCSU and the U and brought him some incredible players.

He’s quite a bit bigger than Randklev. At least 2-3 inches taller. I think the lack of intensity/compete had a lot more to do with teams taking a wait and see approach.

Something clicked with him this year. He’s always had incredible vision and great puck skills but not the fastest and very little compete level. Fall USHL stint didn’t go well, but he’s been on a mission this season and working hard in all areas of the ice. He also looks like he’s lost a significant amount of weight, looks way stronger and more fit and much much faster.

Boisvert has been a first round pick in every mock draft I’ve seen these last couple months. The mocks are including NA and Europe.