Walsh Hall

Some of the names mentioned signed knowing that they probably weren’t NHL players. They get a nice bonus and start their pro career earning pretty decent money for their age. They can only play for so many years. There is definitely a lot more to the discussion than is the player current ready for the NHL.

When the protest was happening it was all constructed but for the river crossing. Once the final permit was issued it was completely very quickly.

Adams had 1 points in his last 11 games. Prior to the last game, Hoff had 1 point in 11 games. If he played like he did in the last game he would have won the Hobey Baker. That wasn't indicative of his play for the year. Yon had 3 points all year. You can't call these guys skilled forwards at this point at the college level. If you're not scoring you better be doing other things to get on the ice. Smith, Olsen, and Simonson definitely weren't scoring either, but check the stats. They didn't allow goals. They aren't easy to play against. Simonson's +/- is amazing considering his lack of offensive production. I have a ton of hope in Hoff and Adams. Both have the ability to be productive offensively. I think they both get there, but they weren't there last year.

The top 3 didn’t score, but at least didn’t give up ES goals. Not so much for Bowen and Adams.

I suspect that Bowen was not, but the hope was Yon would be able to put the puck in the net when he was recruited while in HS. Nothing in his junior career gave the appearance of a scorer at the college level.

I watched the NCHA game recap on twitter with his call. That was the most uninspired announcing I've ever heard. Absolutely horrible.

I think he is good in his own end. The glaring mistakes seem to happen when pressing to make something happen offensively. On this squad he had to be pressing given the lack of playmakers.

You’re like Blais with goalies...

I completely agree with first statement. I think the team is much better with him than without him.

He could easily be the second highest returning scorer next year. He has his moments, but if your kicking him off the team you might as well start totally from scratch.

Hoff and Adams each had 1 point in their last 11 games played and not good in own zone. Yon 3 points all year. Not a lot of great options for the last spots. Wolanin and Poolman are the reason the team has been competitive. They stay together on the blue line.

I 100% agree. These are kids in college.

The 6 guys with 18+ points (and not God awful +\- numbers). JJ and Smith (tied for 4th in +\- and at least some point) and Olsen (more points and +\-) Not saying these guys are world beaters, but they deserve to play over the others. Its not the be all end all, but on the stats link arrange it by +\-.

For the Hoff, Adams, Yon argument... There is the eye test and the stats. Top 9 forwards were locked in. After them, Simonson plays, despite not scoring, as he was not a defensive liability and his +/- clearly shows it. The last two spots were really who won’t lose us the game more so than who will win us the game. None of the options produced offensively relative to their defensive responsibility. Johnson was decent in that regard, certainly as good as the other options. The last spot between Bowen and the above seems to be a coin flip. For positioning I suppose Bowen got the nod. https://www.collegehockeynews.com/stats/team/North-Dakota/40

SCSU had the same talent as last year. I don’t think they lost anyone early. If UND loses no underclassmen to pro contracts next year they will be a top level team. Unfortunately that isn’t gonna happen.

They had essentially the same talent last year. If we didn’t lose any players early this year we’d be sitting good. Unfortunately that isn’t gonna happen.

Rieger caught an edge and panicked.

FYI - ND Bantam Team Numbers - The number of kids on each team varies quite a bit. 6 - GF AA, A, A, B1, B1, B 6 - Fargo AA, A, B1, B1, B, B 5 - Bismarck A, A, B1, B, B 4 - WF A, A, B, B 3 - Minot A, B1, B 2 - Williston A, B 2 - Jamestown/VC B1, B 2 - Mandan B1, B 1 - Devils Lake A (bumped to B1 for state tournament) 1 - Grafton A 1 - Mayport A 1 - Dickinson B1 1 - Angels (Fargo B1) 1 - Park River B1 1 - Northwood B 1 - Rugby B 1 - Richland (MT) B 1 - Watford City B 1 - Hazen B 1 - Crosby B 1 - Bottineau B

What is the specific problem that is trying to be rectified? Trying to establish a more balanced and competitive HS league? Produce the most college players possible? I don't see the point in having a tier 1 team. It would destroy high school hockey. If a couple elite kids who are legitimate prospects need to bolt for better competition their junior and senior years that's great, but to take a bunch of good high school players, that will never be anything better than good high school players, out of the system seems wasteful. I know parents think their kid is the greatest and will be playing in the NHL in a few years, but giving up HS, and chance to win a state title is foolish for 98% of the kids. I do agree that a 2 class system for the HS league would be appropriate. Dividing them would be the interesting part. I'd say 6 teams are clearly at the top, and after that it gets difficult.

That would be a tough split. The bottom of the top 10 would be screwed. You throw a Jamestown, Mandan, Dickinson... in the top group and they may go literally years without winning a league game. Would it be based on attendance or historical quality of team?

There's different levels of traveling. For Bismarck to play a AA Bantam schedule just isn't a legitimate possibility. Playing Bantam A is a palatable option for them. This year Minot's Bantam A team was better than (beat them twice this weekend) Fargo's AA team. Bantam A isn't the end of the world. GF is up an entire level from either. I can't see having high schools leave the state league.

With a non-autobid from Hockey East or ECAC it's gonna be very tough. In a huge percentage of the scenarios with one win we end at 14. If either ECAC or HE don't go our way we'd most likely be out. Have to win (2) and make it not matter.

In looking at the ranking, if UND gets in the draw might not be that bad. They may have a potential match-up with DU in the second round, but without having to play SCSU in the first round UND would have a fighting change to advance. Nobody looks like a juggernaut this year. If DU and SCSU both get 1 seeds UND would avoid them until the frozen four. They are (2) of the teams I'd least like to play.

UND has allowed the 5th fewest shots on goal this year. Pretty impressive given their schedule. Cumulative save percentage not so much... I think the D has played very well considering they've needed to shoulder a decent chunk of the offense.

Before Curl was at Bismarck they were not dominate by any definition. Look through the past champions and records. Minus Curl they don’t win this year. I don’t understand why GF doesnt have a couple very high level girls each class. It really only takes 2-3 about averages girls to have a very competitive team.