Hockey Brain

Several times through out the years clock watching while Eades did the work, especially early on since it was a total Eades system being used. I would say it was the Executive Vice President and CEO of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation way beyond anything else that landed him this gig. Life is full of "Who you know and who you .... and whose your wife's daddy that lands a person plum positions. Also, over the years I believe Hak is nowhere as successful without his Associate HEAD Coach. Someone mentioned Hak as a master recruiter wasn't Eades head of recruiting when he was there? Now that O'keefe has announced his retirement Hak won't have a "shield" anymore. "Dark Eyes" will be ready and probably willing when the call comes, if someone hasn't already snatched him up.

Just goes to show that being the son-in law of the Executive Vice President and CEO of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation gets you a job and keeps you a job...always figured they hired the wrong head. It was funny watching Hak with his arms folded looking up at the clock while Cary was doing the coaching. The systems used when Cary came from Warroad, offensive, defensive, PP and PK were ALL trademark Eades.

Boy, nothing like stating the obvious....lose 14 seniors, 1 which is playing in the WCHA and will play for Team USA , 1 who's committed to a D1 school and 5 total playing Junior A's. Warroad looks more like the 2003 team, what did they do. And for all the hype TRF has received as the runaway section favorite you better scratch that notion. This one was a toss-up and they still have to go back there and try to win in late Feb to reach the Xcel. TRF has 14 seniors and the my old man who is an old man and has seen his share said "they aren't REAL deep for 14 seniors".

Tell you what...had the privilege of watching TJ for the past three seasons and have been watching fairly closely this season. I saw some of the "sickest" moves put on goalies the Warriors faced. One stands out in particular..comes in all alone on a breakaway, gives the head and shoulder fake and lets the puck slide (trickle) into the net while the goalies stacking his pads on the far side of the net Another thing you will notice as the season progresses is when carrying the puck and he is attacked he will let the puck float by his feet steady himself for the check and deliver the punishment, pick up the puck and be on his merry way. Recently saw him has definitely bulked up some over the summer, he went to UND READY to play. This is one player you never have to worry about taking a shift off. As for Toews having better hands I find that hard to believe if you get a chance to see Osh with a ball and a stick your jaw will hit your chest. I had never seen anything like that; makes the Tiger commercial look like childs play

IF Osh makes it to his Senior season, I highly doubt it though, but IF he has as good a shot as anybody. Tim get those "Osh for the Hobey '09" hats printed and not white ones for God sake's.

Awesome and somewhat humorous as the last team I saw Kevin Hartzell coach was the White Bear Lake Squirt A's which was about five years ago. Definitely had a preference that the Special Teams and Offensive architect stayed as the staff seems to have some great chemistry. Three guys with the same hard-nosed hockey background, that have walked the walk. The "rumor" the Shyster said; had come right out of the mouth of one of the Sioux Falls players. Probably wishful thinking.

Heard from the Shyster up in the Land of Windows, Walleyes and Hockey Sticks on Saturday evening that Coach Eades is being courted for the GM - Head Coach position with the Sioux Falls Stampede after their dismal showing this season. PCM seems to have the pulse of the big time program in the Grand Cities. So...what's the scoop? Is he headed south six hours or is he staying or is it too early to spill the beans. Come on, I NEED more cowbell....

Definitely Hak, but I've seen some coaches wear choppers at practice before and never laughed. Would you laugh at former Sioux Mike Baumgartner or the scrappy Dickie Johnson on the North Rink at 20 below, I think I made the right choice by not laughing, probably saved me a thrashing and several side boards.... The PINK tie was a laugher, notice that it really didn't go with either the blazer and shirt? The Boss and I both chuckled; but the G-spot got the last laugh with the win.

Here's one for you. When Fabian was a senior in HS he was on the cut list for the Section 8A/AA team but Coach Eades insisted that he be added to the roster. Think maybe he saw something in the kid others missed? I liked Clements many comments on how hard-working and tenacious the Sioux play. Overall a thorough thrashing of the Gophs that was treat to watch. The statement by the announcers when the SOG graphic was put up, something like these numbers are close but don't really show the Sioux's domination of the game and the one about the Gophs not willing to do what it takes to get to the slot gave us plenty of ammo to rib our lone Gophs fan watching at the local Tavern. If they keep the Hard Hat and Lunchpail attitude they should hoist number 8.

You miss the point, Boys. Give the entire Coaching STAFF the credit. I hear Hak, Hak, Hak, Hak, Hak, Hak, Hak, Hak, Hak all day long on here. I have never been critical of Hak but I do want to point out there's more to the success than just Hak. What about Brad & Cary haven't they made a HUGE difference and that's NEVER discussed here. The so-called know-it-alls that have been around a "big-time" program and write for the "big-timers" haven't acknowledged that fact. You're the fellas that are naive. I'm pretty sure you could interchange all three: Head, Associate and Assistant mix them up anyway you want and you would be at the same point as right now. There were lots of moaners at the beginning of the season with the systems changes. No patience; early season calls for Haks head. Wasn't me, I sat back and watched them learn and look where they are now. I've looked back to the early season posts that whined about what was going on with the style of play. What you so-called "experts" couldn't see is that the players were struggling to learn. So, PCM & dagies take a bow for your expertise. To paraphrase one of my least favorite persons: It takes a Whole STAFF to lead a team.

Are you going with the delegation skills as the reason he's being successful now? I see the surround yourself with good people and you'll look great yourself. I look to the Associate and Assistant as his meal ticket. They sure aren't playing the Blais system in the O-zone and Hak was a D-man and Blais' hand-picked successor right? I've seen this system being played up-close and I know who's blueprints it's coming from. SO, is Hak really the guy or is he just a figure-head?

Coaching...But, I think your giving Hak more credit than he has due. Have seen way to much of him standing in the middle of the bench with arms crossed watching the clock while Cary and Brad work the troops. Frankly, if any of you've seen Warroad play from 1993 to 2004 you'll see many similairities between the offensive zone play between those teams and this years Sioux - put black and gold on them they would be hard to distinguished other than the size and speed; still tenacious and devastating. I'm not comparing a HS team to a College team don't get me wrong it is the type of system being played. In their first year under Eades the Warriors took some lumps early in the season until they learned what was trying to be accomplished and they went on to a State Title, I think you can make the same observation here there was some early season struggles to pick up the new systems and now everyones having a hard time stopping them; wouldn't a National Title be fitting.

The CFB called a Minor for Boarding is prevalant at all levels. Its taken the teeth out of the intent of the 2 and 10 and has given referees the "out" they need. My kid played at a Bantam level this season and was Checked From Behind on four occasions this season alone three of which were called boarding - we call it the "big boy call" cuz if your one of the bigger players on the ice they won't call a CFB. To say the least it is frustrating to see your kid get punished with illegal hits just for being bigger. Do you think if I started sending his chiropractor bills to the officials in question they'd get the hint? And yes, thirteen years as a level 3 Referee qualifies me to say all four were CFB. When I saw the highlight of the Bina hit I was stunned at Adam's call, how in the hell can he be WCHA material?

Here's the way it was told to me...Blais had an offer of a 95% scholarship on the table and after Hakstol took over he didn't feel that was the direction he wanted to take so Hak had the close family friend Coach Eades give the bad news and rescind the offer. There has been some UMD talk as well as Tech and a few others. IMHO - Frankly, I think the Sioux are letting a blue-chip local slam-dunk slip through their fingers. Stock fell with broken leg during practice midway through Sophomore hockey season and lackluster Junior year recovering from leg injury but has had a definite solid season this year. A real quarterback on the blueline that can bring a devastating body.