Walsh Hall

If I had the choice I'd take a high draft pick over a late round or undrafted player any day. How many solid NHL players that played college hockey weren't exceptional college players? Not many compared to the number of solid college players that don't pan out in the NHL. If a kid has the talent and ability to be a potential NHL mainstay there is no reason to believe they won't excel at the college game. Just because a player isn't drafted doesn't mean they can't succeed in the college game, but highly drafted/rated players are on the average far superior to their undrafted counterparts. Obviously college teams aren't composed on all highly drafted players, so the others are extremely critical in rounding out the squad.

It's hard to say how his game will translate to the professional game. Someone like Panzer would have had to be a top 2 line guy in the NHL which is not easy. Porter, who I believe is the fastest skater on the team, could potentially be a 3-4 line guy with grit, enough speed, and defensive presence in the NHL. He wouldn't be asked to put up big numbers but to fill a roll. My guess would be a career AHL player, but time will tell.

If you just go and plead guity it is up to the judge what the sentance will be. If you plead not guilty, either in person or by waiver, you can work out a written plea agreement and not have to go back to Court. You also are certain that the judge won't pull something weird and sentence something unusual.

The Defendant always pleads not guilty when represented by an attorney. This allows the prosecutor and the attorney to work out a plea agreement to take any uncertainty out of the sentencing. It also allows the defense to get the police report and statements to see what evidence the State would use in the prosecution.

That DS bit doesn't make sense. A longer leash... last time I checked there weren't any ramifications when the typical non-athlete student gets a B misdemeanor. I wasn't at all optomistic about either Oshie or Toews coming back next year, but I think this seals the deal. Their own newspaper calling them out for something that 95% of the paper's target audience has done. Someone should dig into the editor's past and expose them for underaged drinking. Beyond reporting the facts of this "story" this is completely uncalled for.

Goligoski may be the top d-man, but I doubt hobey worthy. Chorney's WCHA numbers are about the same. Bina - no chance Duncan - solid numbers, but does anyone feel he is the most valuable player on this team? If I were to pick the player that we could least afford to lose I would put Duncan, at best, at fourth. All our legitimate hobey candidates in the past were the guy I would least want out with an injury.

Nice job by Kaip concerning he was giving up 3 inches and 40 pounds.

Canady and Mason were not top line guys. They were role players that played hard, but I wouldn't consider them overly skilled players at the college leave. The goal tending this is difficult to gauge. I didn't agree with the goalie change, but if the SIoux have a strong third period it may have given Lammy confidence as the #1 guy for the stretch run. Unfortunately that didn't happen. I can't see Walski getting a shot strictly because of the psychological effect that would have on the other two and the team. It would be having the coach confirm to the other two tenders that the staff has no confidence in them. Personally I hope that Greco gets a shot to be the #1 and get some good experience for the future. I think our talent level, and the talent level of the freshmen are not to the level of recent Sioux teams, and are very middle of the pack in the WCHA. I guess we are just spoiled.

The thing that scares me is that I haven't seen development of players under Hakstol. That said, we are not winning the offense, defense, or with goaltending battling each games. We're not scoring enough to give any margin for error. The D-men are not clearing the front of the net. In the last 4 games if the teams switch goaltenders I think the Sioux win all 4. I'm sick of hearing how talented the offense is. We have 2 above average forwards, Oshie and Toews, one who is on his way, Miller, and one who doesn't create much but can find the back of the net when set up, Duncan. Beyond that, who can you see beating a defenseman one-on-one with a sweet move. Say it's early all you want, but you either have moves and hockey sense or you don't. Players get stronger and more confident, but you don't learn how to shake and bake a defenseman. I don't know what the answer is, but I am seriously concerned about the status of the team, and even more concerned for next year when Toews and Oshie are gone.

I have to guess that he is practicing with the team and that usually given some indication of how he would fit in. I remember that many players said that Blake and Goren were the best players on the team while they were sitting out a year.

I didn't see it, but I heard that he was on between periods last weekend with Sweeney. Supposedly he appeared a bit frustrated with the Columbus situation and seemed to regret the decision to leave UND and the college scene. Anyone see this interview?

Goren was coming off a bout with mono with left him weak and without stamina, and it showed. Ulmer and Calder were more 3rd line guys that where excellent at doing the job that needed to be done. Jay Panzer was a good, not great college player that needed a supporting cast and maturity to develop. Teeder, one of my favorite ex-sioux, apparently got chewed out pretty good by Deano which got his act in rear. I'm baffled at why it's so awful to say that maybe the freshman class is a little short on top end talent. There is alot of time left to step up, but to this point they haven't shown any particular knick for putting the puck in the net. I see a bunch of players that look like they could develop into the Calder-Henderson-Armbrust type players, just no Oshie, Blake, Parise - type players. We need some of both to win

Man, nobody is saying that we should dismantle the program. I have to agree that I have not seen too many flashes to indicate that the freshman class will contain first and second team all WCHA calibur players. I hope for the best and will support the team as always, but I don't see the problem with questioning whether this class has the talent level recent classes had. Many may turn out to be solid 4 year players, but I haven't seen anyone that looks to be an elite player. Which Freshman do you see as being a top line guy? Forney would be my best hope and that's based solely on speculation, not on what I've seen. The other guys look to be solid 3-4 line guys. Genoway has impressed me the most but I'm not sure how to place him and how he will develop. It's early so it's not time to throw in the towel, but I am concerned with the squad for this year and next.

I don't think they are "much better" if they are better at all. When I think of great role players I think of the Adam Calder type players that just got the job done while the top 2 lines provide the majority of the scoring punch. It kills me to be negative, but we are not getting enough production throughout the line-up, and unless the freshman next year are unbelievable the scoring top line scoring punch is going to be limited. Our top end talent at forward this year should be fine, but it's the second flight and role guys that aren't consistent and haven't given me any optimism that they will be in the near future. To say our role players are "much better" than most WCHA teams flies in the face of what I've seen on the ice. It's tough when you lose players and the second tier guys have to become top tier, but we just haven't done so to this point. I hope that I am underestimating the squad, but I don't see the necessary parts to make a post season push.

I'm no scout, but I have never seen why Lee is so highly regarded. He does a good job on the PP, but even strength he doesn't generate much and his lack of physical play causes problems in his zone and with breakout passes. One of the goalies needs to step up and be a true number one guy. Too many soft goals and juicy rebounds. If the goalies switch nets last weekend the Sioux leave with 4 points. The only redeeming thing with year is watching Oshie and Toews. There are definitely worth the price of admission even if they aren't scoring. For the team to make any kind of a run those two have to starting putting the puck in the net and we need a couple 3rd and 4th liners to step up. My fear is losing Oshie and Toews for next year because none of the freshman have shown to me that they can fill the 1st line holes, and Duncan needs someone to get him the puck in a scoring position

In short, you can't interfer with the goalie in the crease. I thought the same thing, I thought he kinda interfered with the goalie, but the goalie was so lost I don't think the slight contact mattered. I couple years back with the old in the crease rules that goal would have been disallowed.

And many believed that JPar was not a credible D1 goalie much less a UND goalie when he came in.

Goaltending seems to be by far the most speculative position for recruiting. It's hit or miss. I don't think we have recruited poorly, but some just don't pan out like we'd like. Look at the gophers, it has been argued that they haven't had an elite tender since Stauber despite their recruiting of "can't miss" netminders.

Nice article about Zajac http://winnipegsun.com/Sports/Hockey/2006/12/02/2591641.html

Hak's message said x-mas tree, and under the tree (family tree, David younger than Jon?), and excited with first bike (jon) which could imply that this will be the second. I'm sure I'm reading to much into it, but I'm bored.

From the phrasing my guess is little Toews

The Toews goal should not have been allowed. Clearly a kick. Even if it deflects off the goalie it is still not a goal. Similar to a high stick or hand pass that deflects off a goalie or D-man and goes in. Also, I'm not agruing that penalty shot hould have been awarded, just that it was a crappy situation and probably the correct call was made. As to the Minnesota- UMD debacle, Adams should be immediately fired for his handling of the situation. I guess the coaches are now allowed to completely show up the ref and are actually encouraged to do so because apparently swearing at them can get them to change a call. What a joke. I couldn't tell what was the proper call, but Adams has to made a decision and stick to it.

My problem with the Porter call was that it was clearly an intention penalty to prevent a legitimate scoring opportuniy. Apparently that is the smart play. With under 30 seconds left in overtime I'd be sure to tell the players to hack/slash/tackle, do whatever necessary if there is the potential for a scoring chance. If someone is coming down the ice one on one with 20 seconds left in OT the smart play would be to take no chances and take the guy down. That play probably wouldn't have been a PS in the first period, but it was absolutley an intentional tackle to preserve a point. In essence there was no penalty because of the time situation. Both alternatives, 2 minute minor or PS are not equitable for the situation, but if anyone should suffer a negative consequence it should be the team which committed the penalty. They were given a benefit for committing an intentional penalty. I guess that's just a crappy turn of events for the Sioux.

I watch alot of NAHL hockey and there is no question that it is a step below USHL but much better than most high school hockey. (Especially ND HS hockey) Also, since the U17 team plays in the NAHL a large chunk of the college committs and future D-1/NHL players come from that team. I very much enjoy the play in the NAHL, the entertainment value is very good, but there is no question that as a whole the USHL is a superior league and will continue to be so for awhile.