Rick

You sure that isn't the MetroDome with all those rabid goofer fans?

We're not talking pheasants here Dagies. Get him up to the REA for the visit, I'm worried that if you do this recruiting out in some field around the Brookings area you'll pull a Dick Cheney on us.

Thought I would bring this thread back. It appears there is a goalie opening with the Sioux and I think we should pull out all the stops and go after Sodak Sioux Fan. This guy has "game". Dagies, I believe you have the "inside" on this one, so get on the phone and get him heading North on I-29. From what I understand, he's never signed any pro contracts or played Major Junior so he should have at least one or two semesters of eligibility left. I really think if we offered him Judy's gift certificates he'd lace them up again.

Typically, that's where the youth teams sit. It could have been the Fargo South Youth Hockey Team.

I see Derek Lee wasn't in the lineup for Salmon Arm last night. He wouldn't have been on a recruiting visit to Denver, CC, Michigan, Michigan State, Miami, UNH or Maine. Teams that played at home last night were Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Boston College and the Sioux. So, I wonder where he was? Edit: Derek Lee and Brett Hextall are playing for Team Canada West. So that's most likely where Lee was last night.

So, are you saying.......if a team doesn't have a "cartoon mascot" and is standing up for the Sioux tribes by developing the top Indians into Medicine programs in the country, has educated about 20% of the nations Native American medical doctors, enrolls more NA's than most universities in the country.....are you saying that, if a school has a long history of doing these things, then it's a great university?

I would think that the University of Minnesota's Advisory Committee on Athletics and the NCAA Executive Council would have a problem with this. If it

I heard you were watching your wife and kids paint the house and you blow out your knee when you got off the lawn chair to grab yourself another beer.

Yes, that's the point I was trying to make. You're being very generous when you include the AC in Fargo as a university.

HockeyMom, what kind of car you driving? You really think you could get all these guys in your backseat?

No, I was just trying to get a feel for what UND is missing out on, so I'll ask again with lower numbers. Is it <$10, $10 - $100, $100 - $1K, $1K to $10K? Again, I'm just trying to get a feel for the impact your withheld donations will have on UND. Also, please list the schools you're referring to when you say "no one" will play us?

You won't withhold donations, will you??

Well, that's not really true. I don't think Iowa will play us and Minnesota and Wisconsin won't play us in football, basketball and other sports. But they will play us in hockey. When you say "no one", who are you referring to beside those three? Also, can you tell us how much UND is missing out on when you say you won't donate as long as the name remains. You don't have to be precise, but would it be in the $10K - $50K range, $50K - $100K range, or >$1MM this year? And what do you estimate it would be in your lifetime? $10MM.......$100MM or more? I'd just like to know how badly I should feel that UND is losing you as a big donor.

Are we talking about physical appearance here? If I remember right, Sodak Sioux Fan even made dagies look good at Muddy Rivers one night too.

Yes....his keen eye, lightening quick reflexes and athletic prowess would have made him a fan favorite. There's no way he let's in those first two goals against the Bisons. It's too bad nobody was scouting South of the border back then. He was the total package. I wonder if Sodak Sioux Fan has any eligibility left. I realize it's been a few years since he's had any serious rubber coming at him but I suspect he could get it all back if Duncan, Oshie, Kozek and Finley rifled some pucks at him.

When I was in the Army and going through Basic Training, the Drill Sargent would make those who got their gun and rifle mixed up chant the following: This is my rifle This is my gun This is for shootin This is for fun Diggler....are you packing a rifle or a gun?

One thing you'll never see from the Sioux offense is the Trap. With guys like Duncan and Oshie it's pretty much a run and gun offense. Defensively, you have guys who can put up quite a few points also. Chorney, Bina and Genoway will put up quite a few points this year and then you have Finley who will keep everyone honest in front of the net. I'm not sure we've seen this West Coast offense and the 4-3 Tampa 2 defense that you say Manitoba uses, but I'm sure the coaches have probably called Matt Smaby down in Tampa Bay to see how it's working out for the Lightening.

I can't remember the last time we lost to the Bison, but we'll see how it goes this weekend during the exhibition game. They typically have players that are a little bit older but not as skilled as most of our players. I saw on a different thread that the Bison are also playing the Gophers. I didn't think the Gophers typically played Canadian teams. Are they playing them up in Manitoba or in Minneapolis?

Michigan State is also larger than Michigan, but I don't think there is any doubt which school is more prestigious.

"I am happy that this package recognizes our entire coaching staff," he said. "It provides stability for our coaching team and allows us the opportunity to continue to work together in what we consider the best place in hockey. We can continue to concentrate on what is important; developing young men and winning hockey games." I'm really please that Hak was able to get some extra cash ($190K) for the rest of the coaching staff also. I'll be heading up there first thing in the morning to pick my $180K. That way we'll be able to get the remaining $10K distributed to the other two guys.

I think you're right Dagies. I believe when Blaiser signed his first big contract it was not an ordinary deal either. They wrapped a 5 year annuity in with the deal plus his salary and other things. I could be wrong, but I suspect that wasn't only handled by RT.

It never hurts to put in a plug for your next door neighbor.

YOU'RE OFF BASE!!!!!!! What's your next cause? I understand Kupchella's total compensations is close to $100K less than Chapman's. Buning needs to get CK's compensation in line with other university presidents. GET IT DONE, BUNING!!!!

I have a niece who lives in the same neighborhood as the Mattson

Yes, I agree about Oshie. But just think about all the other players who've said similar things. Look at the quote you have by Porter at the bottom of your posts. It's been that way for years and it seems to be getting stronger with each team. I spent last Saturday golfing with Chorney, Duncan and others. Talk to Taylor Chorney and Ryan Duncan and see if they don't say many of the same things as you hear from Oshie. Then talk to Marc Chorney and Bob Duncan and they'll have the same loyalties as you hear from today's players. From Eddie Belfour to Mike Prpich to Lefty Curran to Joe Finley you hear the same dedication and commitment to the program. You don't hear that same level of dedication/commitment anyplace else. Talk to Jonathan Toews and see why he came to UND rather than giving into the pressure of MJ's. Then talk to David Toews and see why he wasn't even considering any other options. I've had the opportunity to listen to the coaches talk to potential recruits about the exceptionally strong loyalties players develop to the program and that playing for North Dakota is more than just developing as a hockey player, it's also becoming part of a Sioux Family that will bond you to your present teammates, and all other former Sioux, forever. Coach Blais used to talk about all the former players that attend Sioux Alumni gatherings each year. The number of former players that drive long distances and fly in to attend these events is staggering. Down in Mpls they can't get them to drive across town for a hockey reunion. So, I agree that TJ is showing a tremendous amount of loyalty to the program. But it's been in the program for years and not just unique to this year. He's a special kid and player. It seems like just about every kid that's pulled on the Sioux jersey develops commitment to the program.