I Ranger

Its nice to see some other teams losing some key players as well. It seems to me that it looks like Minnesota is becoming the overwhelming favorite as the fall creeps closer.

Toews scores one more goal in Canada's second game a 4-0 win over the Swedes. From what I am reading, it sounds like his line has dominated competition so far.

Why is Jack Johnson not at the camp? Anyone know that was the first thing I noticed.

Robbie Bina

Kozek first period vs. Michigan St. Had to go with something different. Zajac Stafford and Spirko will come out flying in the first game so the freshman won't need to break the ice until the second game.

I am thinking that he will also have a big year especially if he plays with Zajac and Stafford. That could be a line that puts up huge numbers. Either way Spirko was a great late catch for us last year because he is a great player and one that most likely will be here four years.

I agree with you totally here. Obviously all the Defenseman will have alot of pressure on them because all four will more than likely be playing in all situations throughout every game for the entire season. I also completely agree with your point on Oshie and Kozek. They, along with Miller and Watkins, were basically forgot of coming into next season but after last weekends draft there is definitely alot more pressure on them to perform than there was a week ago. Here is to hoping all the freshman play up to their abilities and take the pressure off one another.

I think Hak and company realized that players such as the three you mentioned were good at the time but Hak saw that they were only going to get better. From what I've heard about Vandevelde is that is the reason we offered him so early. I can't remember if it was Blais or Hak that said they wanted to get him before anybody else realized his potential. All I've been hearing about these three is that we haven't seen nothing yet and they are only going to get better and better. These recruits have been picked up based on potential rather than pure talent at the time but by the sounds of it it looks pretty certain they were all great pickups.

I agree with these lines. I had the same thing about a month or two ago on another thread. I think that Kaip will center Prp and Fabian though. My D pairings were Greene?-Jones, Smaby-Radke, and Chorney-Lee but that may have to change with the supposed departure of Greene.

I would think UND might recruit a few kids that will be in the "arrival date TBD" category; they'll be 2006 recruits if the roster opens up, or 2007 if there is no room. <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would expect with the talent of this group of freshman that there will be some defections to the NHL after a few years which will lower the large number by a few, but there will still be one year where there is a large class. Looking at next year, you are looking at 2-3 seniors saying goodbye, and maybe Stafford and Zajac, Smaby. So that class will be small compared to this year, hopefully Hak can get the best talent in to fill those voids. I think it is stupid to expect to go through recruiting looking to fill 6- spots every year, its just not going to happen, it just something you have to deal with. But just imagine this group in a year or two, with Lamoreaux a more experienced junior or senior. Good things to come. <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

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I was thinking the same thing. If Greene does leave, I sure hope we can scoop up Finley.

why is that weird? Believe it or not, there are kids out there in Minnesota who actually like the Sioux <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hate the idea of allowing goals that are kicked in. Since the first day anyone started playing hockey they were taught to tie up sticks in front of the net because that is the only way anyone was going to score. I think it would be pretty stupid if they allowed goals of that nature.

Anybody have anything new or any rumors on Dowzak? I am hoping we can get him signed pretty soon.

-------------- Walski to join Sioux Aaron Walski will join UND this fall as a walk-on. He'll be the third goalie behind junior Jordan Parise and sophomore Philippe Lamoureux. Walski made a state tournament-record 73 saves for Fargo North in 2001 when the Spartans lost 2-1 in five overtimes to Grand Forks Red River in the state high school championship game. He's played in the United States Hockey League and the North American Hockey League since graduating from high school. <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My guess is that he wears #6 next year. Thats the number hes been wearing for the US team. I don't think he will change to carry on the Jones' tradition but you never know.

I can see Oshie going after #9 rather than #7. But I believe a few other freshman might have worn #9 on their previous teams. I think Duncan did but not sure and I'm too lazy to look.

I heard the same thing about Robbie, but also that if his mom has anything to say about it he will be waiting a year. Either way that is good news about Smaby. Now if only Greene will be around for another year, that would just make the season for me. <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Was this a reliable source? I heard from a source that Robbie Bina will not be playing this year. <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was in Grand Forks this weekend and heard some promising news on Smaby. From a reliable source, he said that Matt Smaby will be back next year and won't be going anywhere the following season as well. So in other words he will be in a Sioux uniform for four years. I hope this is true.

Sounds pretty promising. Hopefully he signs and can take over and be the punishing D we will need in a year with Greene and possibly Smaby being gone. With his addition, I love the mix of offensive and defensive defenseman. If Smaby is still around in a year that would be a pretty scary D corp (and I mean in a good way).