I Ranger

No surprise but Vinnie Letteri committed to the Gophs. He was down to UND and Minn. Hopefully UND can land some of the bigger fish out there (Cammerata, Fasching, Guertler).

Can we get over the Air Force fetish already? They don't want any part of a league that they are going to be a bottom-feeder every year.

I would guess without any inside info that he chooses between UND and Minny. I would be willing to bet on Minny but him leaving for Ann Arbor this year may give UND an outside chance. Is it just me or is it that we are seeing quite a few recent recruits coming down to UND, Minny and UMD as before it was always Wisconsin instead of UMD? Think a new building and a national championship help out recruiting much?

Wil lthis be the first battle between the BIG 10 and NCHC? It will be interesting to see how these new conferences affect recruiting battles especially if Walters comment is true that siouxnami posted.

That is the point I was trying to make. Show that actions have consequences and those consequences could be losing native american programs and grants at the university. No more free education could get some people changing their ways.

I know it will never happen but I wish that when the University retires the logo that it retires faculty like Lucy Ganje as well. They can also get rid of the Native American centers and areas of study as well. Since the school isn't supposed to be associated with Native American imagery, why not get rid of all the areas of study as well. I know this certainly won't happen but it would make a point to all the non-native americans pushing for the elimination of "Fighting Sioux" to realize they have cost the natives something as well along with the free education they receive.

I'm with you Goon. I'm certainly happy to be wrong. I never heard it first hand just read it and heard it in more than one spot. Let's keep the good recruits coming in. Anyone hear anything on Gabe Guertler? Sounds like he was the most dynmaic forward at the U17's this past weekend. Apparently Michigan and Minnesota are in heavy persuit.

I guess I see it losing Lammy and Kristo next year with the possibility of Knight? Grimaldi? although both are Panthers draft picks and the Panthers have a pretty solid prospect pool ahead of these guys so I see both staying. Rowe is 2013 and I think Koules with wind up as one as well and we only have 14 forwards on the roster this year with at least one (Gaarder) being a walk-on. I think we will need to find two forwards to come in with Matteau next year. I know it's not a lot but we could certainly use two good ones.

More importantly does anyone have any idea on forwards the coaches are targeting for next year's class? With only Matteau and Koules committed for next year, we are going to need to line up some more forwards especially considering Koules may end up getting pushed back to play another year of juniors. Any names rumored out there?

I have said for a while now that we are either "The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux" or we are "The University of North Dakota". If the NCAA doesn't like it and tells us to choose a new nickname, just simply say we had one but you took it from us. Like others have mentioned earlier, there isn't a nickname out there that could ever replace "Fighting Sioux" and whatever may be chosen I won't like anyway. And if the school believes that a new nickname and logo will increase apparel revenue they're illusional. Just walk into the Siouxshop before a game or during an intermission and tell me that some new name and logo is going to outsell "the greatest logo of all-time".

I agree it would be selfish but the rumors (whether true or not) that I've heard have been that it's a longshot he goes to UND. Like I stated before, I hope they're inaccurate and he chooses the Sioux but I could see him going to UNO and playing for Blais.

From everything I've read and/or heard, Steve Johnson has applied for the Women's job and the assistant men's job and obviously hasn't gotten any of them and is quite bitter about it. Therefore everything I've seen points to his son Luke going elsewhere. Hopefully the info is incorrect and maybe his son wants to play for the Sioux but I don't know if dad will be the one pushing him towards UND. It sounds like it is going to be a tough sell.

Per Schlossman's twitter Keaton Thompson has committed to UND and Gage Ausmus to Denver. Nice pickup for the Sioux. Anyone hearing any other recruiting rumors? Its seems to be pretty slow but it usually picks up after the US 16 and 17 camps and the tourney that I can't think of at the moment (Ivan Hlinka?) but I'm not if they have already happened or not?

I don't think you will see much of Gleason at forward unless we have a bunch of injuries and he needs to step in. I see him as being a steady d-man in the line-up on a nightly basis.

This is certainly a set-back especially so late. I think this puts some pressure on Hak and the boys to find some blue-chip forwards for next year with this spot opening up and only two forwards committed for next year with both being young guys who could be pushed back to juniors. I'm not sure who is out there for forwards but they are sure going to have to find a few. Probably a d-men or two as well with only Schmaltz committed for next year. Hard to believe it wasn't that long ago where we were having discussions on this board about who would possibly be the forward held back to play another year of juniors and now we don't have enough forwards coming in.

I agree and from everything they have said they want nothing to do with leaving their current conference. I never understand why Air Force always gets brought up on this board as this great hockey team that should be invited into power conferences. I don't see any reason why they would ever want to join a conference where finishing anywhere but last would be a good season for them. They have had a few decent seasons recently but would be Michigan Tech like in a normal conference. I guess I've never really understood the love fest for them on this board. Maybe I'm missing something.

And Simpson is not 6' 5" unless he grew 4 inches this summer.

I'm thinking we may have some scholarship money opened up now with Bruno and Cichy transferring. We certainly need to bring in another forward to hit the magic number of 15.

I agree with you here that we need to bring in another forward (assuming/hoping Gregoire stays) and I don't think it will be Matteau or Koules early. I'm thinking it will be someone ala Davidson or Dickey. It sure would be nice to have Cichy around for depth but obviously he didn't want that role. Here is how I see things now: Gregoire-Knight-Kristo Miller-Nelson-Grimaldi O'Donnel-Rowney-Macmillian St. Clair-Lammy-Rodwell Parks or Dickey could be slot in on the third or fourth lines as well.

I believe yesterday was the beginning of the 2011-2012 season according to Hak per his last press conference with the start of off-seaon workouts. Sounds like Brock skated today and feels good which is huge since he needs to put in a full summer of lifting to put on some much needed strength and some beef. Hopefully Gregoire is there with them as well.

Article on Henrik Samuelsson and no mention of interest in UND. He mentions he is going the NCAA route but doesn't list UND in schools he is interested in. Not sure if the link will work as I have never posted a link on here before. http://dansallows.com/interview-henrik-samuelsson/

My bracket is crap. 0 for 4 on the frozen four and I couldn't be happier!

Having Mac on the ice with the Frattin line but not wanting Genoway is going to be tough since they are paired together and I don't see that changing this weekend. In my opinion since Genoway has come back from the knee injury he has been terrific and hasn't seemed to be trying to do too much and letting things come to him.

I'll roll with Gregoire today.