crosby_87
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Posts posted by crosby_87
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Who are some juniors coming up that should be high up in stats or good defensemen or goalies next year that are juniors this year?
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I liked Kevin Spiewak a lot too. Great speed, incredible worker.
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This is a ND hockey thread and when a team from ND does well maybe we can just enjoy the success and not engage in meaningless speculation about how they would do against other teams. That is the kind of metaphysics that gets arguments going that really can't be settled. Let the kids enjoy their success instead of starting conflict within our own group here on Sioux Sports.
The Brooks quote presented by Specifics is about a philosophy of team building and that was the spirit of the comment not to compare a group of high school players to one of the greatest amateur hockey teams in history.
Well said, I agree. Once again, to any Team ND boys reading this, congratulations guys.
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It was also nice to read in the Bismarck Tribune that Air Force helped Jacques find Northern Michigan. After they rejected him at least they helped him out by talking to other teams.
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Jonathan Toews is my most liked because he's so damn good. He is honestly the best all around freshman I have ever seen play at UND(sorry Zach and TJ).
Andy Kollar is my most hated because, well, he just sucked. He looked like a Bantam B goaltender some games.
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Piper I got two words for you. Holy, Cross. Nice to see you're pretty worried about a game that happened over a year ago. Oh by the way, congratulations on the 4th place finish. That banner should look nice in Mariucci.
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Probably would have won? The game could have gone either way, and these guys proved they didn't need any of those other guys. I'm not sure but I think you are the same person who was taking shots at how poorly you thought this team would do and even after they proved everyone wrong, you can't flat out say you were wrong. This might have not been the most skilled team ND has sent to the showcase, but they proved they were the best TEAM ND has ever sent.
Nope I never took any shots at how poorly i thought the team would do. How would I know how they would do, I've never seen them play or any of the other teams they were going to play. I wasn't there for the tournament so I didn't know how the game went. I think this is great for ND hockey. They took 2nd and that is just great. The 2nd best team in the country at that tournament, that's just awesome. I wasn't trying to put down how good team North Dakota did. But I know for a fact I never put the team down before the tournament. I just think that they would have won if they had that extra bit of offense in the guys I listed earlier. I might be wrong though because I don't know how that would effect team chemistry and we all know you need to have some role players on any team who will give up their body for the team. Sorry you took my statement the wrong way.
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Well I guess that's nice to hear. Nice job guys. Looks like they set a new standard for North Dakota high school hockey. These guys probably would have won if weisgarber and galt and tom campbell and willert were on the team. But they did good with what they had.
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I'll try to paraphrase the interview:
HF: Was it tough to choose between college and major juniors
JT: Wasn't sure what he wanted to do until the last minute and looked at the pro's and cons. Talked with friends. Very tough decision. He liked being a student-athlete and wanted to continue.
HF: Why did you choose North Dakota
JT: It's two hours from home, easy for his parents to watch. Likes the coaches and great opportunities. Had 8 or 9 guys that he gelled with that went to Shattuck.
HF: What's it like playing with Lee, Stafford, Zajac, 1st round picks?
JT: Sort of Nervewracking in the summer last year and wanted to try his best to get ice time. Thinks he earned his ice time. Helps when you have older guys to teach you.
HF: What expectations did you have for the year?
JT: I view myself as an offensive player who can play both ends of the rink and be a reliable player. From the start of the season til christmas he wanted to score about a point per game. After the WJC's I had a great rest of the season. He exceeded his expectations.
HF: What type of role will you take next year since Zajac is gone?
JT: As a young guy this year all he had to do is go out and play. He wants to have a bit more of a leadership role and make big plays and get physically bigger and stronger.
HF: Coming out party was at the U-17's, and won Tournament MVP. How much did that tournament help?
JT: It was a great experience. First time wearing the Canada Jersey. Had a good team. One of those tournaments where all the best players your age are there. Tons of players that will be playing in the NHL were there. He met a lot of good friends there.
HF: Same with the world juniors? What did you think of your role there?
JT: It was such a good time. Nobody expected us to go that far. They believed in themselves. Everyone expected US and Russia in the gold medal but they stuck to what Coach Sutter told them to do. They stuck together and played their roles. It is his best hockey memory so far.
HF: Are you excited that you can have 1 or 2 more trips to the WJC's?
JT: Looking forward to it next year. May not be the same since it won't be in Canada, but I'm looking forward to it.
HF: How would you describe your style of play?
JT: He loves to score and set goals up. Work hard in the corners. I'm not a big hitter but I want to work on that. I want to take care of business in the defensive end.
HF: I saw you were a +20 this year.
JT: I had to be much more responsible the second half of the season.
HF: Do you view your draft status as training motivation?
JT: Anything can happen on draft day. It definetely motivates me to keep working. I'm looking forward to it.
HF: Do you look at where you will end up, seeing where you will spend the next 10 or 20 years?
JT: Always dream of playing in the NHL but don't know where you're going. I am very excited and we'll see what happens.
HF: You were born and raised in Winnipeg, was it tough to see the Jets leave when you were young.
JT: I was always a big fan of Wayne Gretzky and when the Kings would come to town I would love to watch. So it's too bad when they left.
HF: Who do you think will win the Stanley Cup.
JT: Maybe Calgary, Detroit, or Carolina.
HF: Thanks for doing this Jonathan.
JT: No problem, my pleasure.
Comment from the interviewer-"He already interviews better then most NHL'ers"
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Toews coming right up.
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Also they have had this "pick the prospect" game going on where they give hints, and after two hints i'm almost positive it's Drew Stafford. They said "He was taken in the first round, his team that drafted him is still alive, and he has played 3 years in the NCAA"
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They have talked about him a couple times though regarding the draft.
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C-Fabian
A's-Bina, Porter
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Jonathan Toews will be talked to on Hockey's Future Radio today at 2 PM central time to talk about a variety of subjects.
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I have no idea what Jack is doing, but Carolina can't be too happy with him. I think him being at Michigan AGAIN will hinder his development. That's very questionable.
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St. Louis, Please take Kessel. Thank you.
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Here's my question, St. Louis has Oshie, but were Oshie and Toews linemates in any games this year, would they put a good look at bringing Oshie and Toews into the program together. Or, with the Blackhawks, I know Porter and Toews were linemates, would they be looking to do the same thing here. The Blackhawks have been doing this with the Badgers it seems. There is another Shattuck's connection there. And also Bochenski is playing for the Hawks. Just something to ponder. Personally I might be favoring the Bhawks more cause I'm a diehard fan of hostile and abusive logos. LOL
Oshie and Toews were linemates for a bit. I don't remember how they did. But I'm guessing if Chicago picks Toews it has nothing to do with Porter. Porter will never make the NHL(IMO), but I hope I'm wrong about that.
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I expect this team to be awesome next year. So many talented freshman, now with experience
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I'm curious about something. I remember watching Oshie in the state tournament and thinking how great it would be to see him in a Gophers uniform, but then I kind of lost track of him until I had heard that he signed with UND. Not that it would have made any difference, but did Lucia and co. recruit him at all?
Really nobody knows I don't think. He wasn't suppose to be one of the big time recruits we brought in. Sure he was good, but THIS GOOD? I'm sure Lucia had an eye on him, but Warroad is only 2 hours from Grand Forks so I'm sure that factored in. Probably just a personal preference is all.
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I heard we took Jonathon Toews to get the in on his more talented brother.
Jonathan was better than his brother at the same age though.
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Hakstol did a great job of getting the right line pairings at the end of the year. We will have to see who clicks with who, etc. We also need to think about playmaker & goalscorer and corner digger forward combos. Of course we are very fortunate and have guys like Oshie and Toews who can do all three. I have posted before my thoughts. Let's just start with the players and facts we know. I will limit this post to forwards for now. The last 4 points in parenthesis will be my 1-10 rankings on: playmaking, scoring, physicality and intangibles. Obviously I haven't seen the new recruits, so they will be excluded:
1. Oshie. Dynamic forward who plays the whole rink, plays the body, can dance around guys, can shoot the puck and make unbelievable passes. Worked well with last year: Zajac
Toews, Porter, Spirko. Needs someone who can keep up with his energy level. (10,10,10,10)2. Toews. Most upside of any player in the WCHA. Great skill, playmaker and goal scorer of tier 1 ability. Physical when needed. Worked well with: Stafford
and Duncan. Did ok with Porter and Oshie. Needs someone who can finish and see the openings. (10,10, 7,9)3. Duncan. Terrific shooter with skill. Seems to be in the right place all the time. Works well with: Stafford
and Toews. Needs someone to get him the puck. Lacks size. (9, 10, 4, 7)4. Spirko. Shifty dangler with good skill. Makes some sick moves. Can play with almost anyone and make the line complete. Not physical, so needs to play on a line with more physical players. (9,8,4,8)
5. Porter. Aggressive, will play the body and make good offensive and defensive decisions. Can play any role. Works well with everyone, demonstrated with Oshie early. (7,6,10,9)
6. Kozek. We will see a lot more out of this 2nd round draft pick if given a scoring role. Can really shoot the puck. ok size, ok playmaking. I'd like to see him on an off wing on one of the top two lines. (6,6,6,6)
7. Watkins. Can play the body and play in the offensive zone. Similar to Kozek, but seems to like to hit a little more. (6,6,8,6)
8. Fabian. Grinder with good hockey sense and leadership. I expect to see him leading some youngsters on the cycle (as much as I despise it). (4,4,8,8)
9. Kaip. Grinder who learned to score in the playoff run. Packs a lunch for work and just does his job. (3,3,8,6)
10. Vandevelde. Good size. Tore up the MN tourney two years ago. Not a huge year in USHL. I'd like to see him show that Moorhead touch again. I'd try and put him on a line with some play makers.
11. Forney. A probable late first, early second round pick. Good size and playmaking. Got hurt too early in the MN tourney for me to see what he is all about. The NHL is hot on him though, which is good enough for me.
12. Zajac. Good numbers in Salmon Arm...what a pipeline we've developed. Travis's little bro, if he plays like travis he will be a great addition, and some second liners will need to be looking over their shoulders. Good size, playmaking and goal scoring.
I hate to say it to the boys who saw limited action, but they have their work cut out for them to dress. I wish them all luck and appreciate their efforts.
Here is how I would set the lines:
scoring 1: Porter, Oshie and Spirko.
Tj and Chris worked well together. Tj and Sparky worked well together. Porter's leadership, Porter and Oshies physicality, Sparky and Oshie's explosiveness offensively. This line's parts have had chemistry, will wake up the team by starting the game hitting, and will undoubtedly catch a few team's napping at the drop of the puck. All 3 guys will have 40+ points and TJ will hit 30 goals. Can skate with any first line and can knock around any first line.
scoring 2: Forney, Toews, Duncan.
Jonny and Ryan showed that they can play great together. Put the rookie with the reputation on this line and see if it gives Jonny another option out there.
checking: Fabian, Kaip, Vandevelde.
I like this lines ability to hit, move the puck and contribute with some goals. Goals will be bonuses.
line 4: Watkins, Zajac, Kozek. I think this line is the one that will kill teams. The BC connection. I think this fourth line has as much talent as most team's first lines. This role will let these guys show off their offensive skills against opponents weaker lines.
My two cents for what its worth. I really like the first line, and I believe that you have to keep Toews and Duncan together. I am not sure about the last two, as I haven't seen Zajac or Vandy or Forney recently. I don't like stacking a line, I prefer balancing them out. I like not putting two frosh's on the same line.
Great work, great read. I just want to point out what I think on some of the things. First, you ripped off Kozek by giving him a 6 on physicality. He was one of the hardest hitters all year, I would have given him a 9. Love your 4th line there. This line would be a high scoring, huge hitting, very very fast line. The only thing I have questions on is if the coaches will give Kozek a look on one of the scoring lines. I wouldn't mind switchting Porter and Kozek. I think Kozek has more offensive skills then Porter, but Porter is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen. I would give Porter about a 4 in the Playmaking department. Hakstol is going to have a tough job putting these lines together and get the proper mix of skill and hitting. I am very excited for the upcoming season. I would have the 3rd line as Fabian-Watkins-Kaip and a 4th line of Vande Velde-Zajac-Porter. I think those look about right.
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Where will Parise, Stafford, and Spirko play next year then if its not for UND?
Parise-Unknown
Stafford-Buffalo or their farm club
Spirko-Slovakian pro league
This is where they would play. I don't think Spirko will be leaving though. I do think the other two will.
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God I hope he recovers...he's got about 4 or 5 months to recover so I would think he'll be good to go.
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he's not going. i just wont even think it. he'll be smart and stay. i know it.
Haha I'm going to play the Devil's advocate and say HE IS GOING! I don't want him to either, but there's no way he stays.
Who is your favorite Sioux hockey player and why?
in Men's Hockey
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Agree with the Schneekloth thing. For whatever reason, I never really liked him.