I Ranger

Do we know if Bowers has visited here even? From the sounds of it, he is an eastern kid and plans on heading east to play which is why the Bostons are the favorites.

I believe it was originally signed as a 5-year deal with an opt-out after 3 but don't quote me on that. We are now entering year 4 so obviously no opt-out and like I mentioned in an earlier post I believe I have heard that Fenton is in the process of negotiating a new deal with TC.

Yes it is getting much more difficult for me finding people to attend each year as well and I'm getting close to not going myself. There should be an email chain sent to the NCHC and Fenton stating the desire to move the tourney to the X.

I understand the NCHC wanted to differentiate itself from the WCHA and Big Ten by having the conference tourney at the Target Center and it sounds like Fenton is negotiating a new contract with the TC to continue to have the tourney there. I'm sorry but it worked for the time it needed to but if the X is available (which it is) the NCHC would be crazy not to jump all over it. As I've said before, St. Paul is a hockey town and Minneapolis is not. The Target Center can do all the renovations it wants but it will never be half the arena the X is. Not to mention the quality of the playing surface makes the games difficult to watch. The costs for tickets and hotels would most certainly go up but sign me up for that. I have to think that moving to the X would generate larger crowds as well. NCHC make it happen!

Anyone know if NBC's Ryder Cup coverage will get interrupted by the Bison football game tomorrow afternoon? As of now my guide says Ryder Cup but I know in the past I get Bison football and it really pisses me off! Saturday afternoon matches always seem to be the most pivotal and exciting.

When did Gaborik become Finish? Did he open enroll from Slovakia?

The Canadian and American teams weren't allowed to take any player 23 and under.

I wish I could say I'm surprised by the result but when I saw the roster decisions along with the head coaching decision I didn't have much hope. Thank goodness most of the American young guns on the North American team will (or at least should) be on the 2018 Olympic roster. Not sure who the coach should be though.

Anyone have any other names out there that we are currently hard after? Seems like it's been especially quiet on the recruiting front especially considering coming off a national title.

Ding Ding Ding! UNDBIZ is on the clock for the next answer.

Nope (College Achievement)

Nope not it. Another hint (Individual Achievement)

Since I haven't received the correct answer I will throw out another hint. (Player Related)

Nope that is not the answer I am looking for either.

Not the answer I'm looking for.

Ok let's stick with the number theme: Round 3: Answer is 12. (Conference Related)

18 national titles. UND 8, DU 7, CC 2, UMD 1

This is my biggest pet peeve and I see it all too often. Drives me crazy!

Anybody hearing any recruiting news out there? Seems to be pretty quiet in this area for quite a while. I know Berry was in Saskatchewan recruiting last week and Shaw was on the road as well.

100% agree. Minneapolis has more hotel options therefore you can usually find decent rates. I paid under $100 a night the past two years in Minneapolis. In St. Paul, you were almost certainly paying $200/night but I would make that trade any day for the tourney to be back at the X. Huge difference between Minneapolis and St. Paul. St. Paul is a hockey town and Minneapolis simply is not.

The first year at the Target Center I had a full suite of people that had attended the Final Five for years. After the first year, almost all didn't and haven't come back and it has been difficult to get people to come. I can pretty guarantee an attendance increase if it moved to the Xcel even though the ticket prices most certainly would increase as well.

Surprised and a little worried going into the year with only 14 forwards two of which are walk-ons in Gornall and Smith. Not a lot of depth.

I like the idea of going strong up the middle with the four centers being Schmaltz, Jost, Gardner and Simonson. No chance Olson plays center. He has no where near the skating ability to play center .

Especially considering he turned down an offer to join the National Development team.