Just Curious

This will most likely come off sounding cruel, but I have to wonder if Fink doesn't make some strides this year if they will ask him to defer or drop his scholarship all together. I know he joined the USHL rather young, but he is in his 3rd season there now and although its early, he doesn't look like he has progressed much from last year. He committed very early and just hasn't seemed to develop much. With the full house over the next year or two, does UND have to make some tough decisions about delaying or cutting recruits??

The locker room issue could also be used to cover an illness that is going around, like the flu with the woman's team. I mean I tend to think that is not the case, but it could be. I think even with the smaller number of veterans on this team, they will get things sorted out in a hurry. I don't see it affecting their on ice performance.

Any word on how Toews is doing after that hit by Mitchell? His ice tome tonight was a few minutes shorter than usual.

My point with Mattson is that unless he starts putting up some big numbers and becomes a reliable offensive defensemen, I think he loses his spot to one of the bigger, more physical guys. UND will have Marto, Gleason, and Forbort to move the puck and create offense, that leaves Blood and Fienhage and MacWilliams for size and strength. Lapoint will be in the mix, so I still don't see both those freshmen getting more playing time than lets say Fienhage who will be a junior. Also consider that we may lose a recruit or two long the way because of the logjam, and that's not limited to recruits as a current player may leave to get more icetime.

I am not so sure Mattson will be in right away or for that matter even Forbort. Its still early in the season, but Mattson is not having the impact at the USHL level that he had last year. It maybe a new style of play or team, but he is having a mediocre start. Foorbort is doing better than Mattson, playing against tougher competition. I think Forbort is a 1st rounder, while Mattson will slip to rounds 3 or 4. In that case, I think you have to try to keep your first rounder happy and give him a chance ahead of Mattson. Of course this could all change by the end of the year, but that is how I see it as of right now.

Any idea on if UND is going to have some guys held out of the lineup due to injury? If Genoway was already banged up and Hextall missed some time (presumably due to injury), UND might have to make some early lineup changes; but I guess its better to do it against a team like UAA than a more skilled team (i.e: bring in some bigger guys and give some or skilled guys a rest and chance to recover - Fienhage, Davidson, etc. could work out well this weekend).

Thanks for the update. I appreciate it. Seems like they have really struggled without him in the lineup, they didn't lose much from last year and are still win less this year.

Only a player for a brief time period, but.... Does anyone know what happened to Hunter Bishop? He is listed on the Ohio State roster, but has not played a game all year. Injuried? Quit? Academics?

Not an official recruit, I know, I know; but.... Does anyone know if anything happened to Nolan Zajac? After a great preseason, he hasn't played in the last two games for Cedar Rapids. Did he get hurt, traded, cut?? Thanks in advance for any info.

Anyone know the possibilities of UND landing the next Zajac brother? Nolan is playing in the USHL with Parks and seems to have started off well. Most reports I have heard from him are quite positive. I am not sure UND would have room for him next year, but maybe in 2 years..... Any thoughts.

Kozek had two goals and an assist, while Forney had a goal in Atlanta's 7-3 win over Carolina in Traverse City today!! Good showing for Kozek especially.

I am not its going to be so cut and dry with the Freshmen. I know he has lost some favor with people, but I think Bruneteau will be better than expected. His last year numbers were horrible, but you have to remember what team he was on. I think his maturity will give him an edge and he may see some playing time, especially on the 3rd and 4th lines where he may not be expected to put up a bunch of points, but rather play solid defense and positional hockey. I think Knight and Rowney have more offensive skill, but if they aren't on the top 2 or 3 lines, Hak and company may want positional players instead, grindings and/or bigger more physical guys.

Good to see it was not his fault (as UND has gotten enough bad press lately) and even better to see that he wasn't injured.

Toews should have no competition now for the Blackhawks favorite son..................... plus if Kane ends up with jail time, they might get him to sign a contract for cheap as some teams may be reluctant to sign him after his off ice problems.........this could ultimately work out nice for the hawks.

Nice little piece on Forbort from CHN http://fox21online.com/northernstar/forbor...TnBAkJtRChXC6jA

You would have to assume that Danny Mattson will end up pretty high on the list by the time the draft comes around. I still can't believe he wasn't taken this year.

Also if you look around the NCAA 26 isn't that big of a roster. I think DU is going with a roster of 28 and Cornell just announced theirs and it had 27 on it (Nash may still leave). I think it is common to have a roster of 26, ok maybe not common, but not unheard of. I don't see this affected the Forney situation either way, Forney wouldn't be competing with Hill for ice time, unless they move Marto and/or Genoway back up to wing. I am surprised that he (Hill) had other offers and chose UND, this assumes that he is either a walk on or a small scholarship player. Maybe he thinks development and long term play are better at UND than jumping right into the lineup of a lesser program.

I wasn't suggesting that UND pick him up, just that he would make a good addition to almost any team (maybe outside of the top WCHA teams) and it would be nice to see a local kid make good. Don't assume all praise = UND material.

I have seen Wurden play in the USHL several times, while he doesn't have that star quality, I liken him to a Marto with a little less speed and offensive up side. I am kinda surprised that he hasn't been offered a scholarship by someone yet. He is solid defensively and could be a pretty good middle D man for some team out there.

I think the Hawks are hoping that some of their young players (Toews and Kane namely) will stick around for a little less money than some other clubs can offer them and that they can unload some players in a year or two (hopefully after winning a cup). I know that Huet will be shopped heavily and maybe after this year they will unload some more big names. I guess its a toss up, its hard to pass on a two-way player like Hossa, but if you end up losing next year and not signing some of the younger talent, it wouldn't be worth it.

I know there was some speculation that Dayn could come in and be a 3rd goalie, but sounds like he didn't receive any interest from UND yet. Hope he makes the USHL cut and does well. http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/yb/131718246

Not put together by one of my favorite people, but he is actually somewhat decent in his review........for someone who hates UND. http://www.westerncollegehockeyblog.com/20...t-danny-mattson Write up on Draft Prospect Danny Mattson

Is it not possible for you guys to take this to another thread. I know its the off-season, but when I take the time to rummage through 30 stupid posts to get 1 that actually deals with a former player, its kinda of annoying.

Anyone know anything about this Scott Harrington kid?? He is supposedly going pretty high in the OHL draft but gave a statement saying he wants to go NCAA route. Of course this could all be some ploy, but I am curious. There are no specific colleges listed in the article, but I would hope UND would be able to draw some interest. http://www.westerncollegehockeyblog.com/

I agree, if you listened to some of the player interviews during the conference and NCAA playoffs, it sounded as if Duncan wasn't the vocal leadership in the locker room, players like Genoway, VV, and Hextall were. I am not saying Duncan wasn't a leader, but he often said he was one to lead by example, not by talking and/or motivation. While I am sad to see Duncan go, I think the players left have a good bond and there are plenty of guys that will step into the leadership roles needed to guide the underclassmen.