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Yes, but it also shows that if you are an elite player, then playing in college is going to be better for your development if you are looking to make a step to the next level. So, it probably is a cautionary tale in that playing against mature players is a whole lot different than putting up circus numbers in the CHL, and that for most looking to make the jump, there might be a learning curve just like most freshmen entering college. The reason that some players are pushed by NHL teams is because they are truly elite and ready for that next step of development. Other than that, many should just stay in the CHL to develop until they are ready for the jump as you rightly pointed out, just like staying another year in the USHL would have been better for Cole Spicer.

Yeah, sometimes you are exchanging a year, maybe two with a bit of a learning curve, especially on the defensive side of things, for possibly Junior and senior experience. We have seen the difference those years can make with guys like Wiebe and Livanavage. I think Strathmann’s upside coming in was his offensive ability, and he hasn’t really been able to crack the power play units. Does he leave for a chance to show his draft team his abilities? It’s impossible to know the mindset of the guys now, and hopefully they are all in with the program, but when your future is on the line, you ultimately do what’s in your best interest.

Guess from your mouth to God’s ears doesn’t apply, so from your typing fingers to God’s consciousness! Seriously, our league needs to finish out the non conference games strong to help that scenario come true.

This is why college hockey is going to be so competitive going forward, as in the past you would have maybe a few teams with an elite high drafted player on the back end. Now, should many choose to take the route many NHL teams will no doubt favor, there could be 6-10 teams with a high end defenseman, providing you have guys like Verhoeff and Jackson Smith stay a second season. That many teams with a high end power play quarterback certainly evens the playing field. I think it also means that teams that can manage their rosters to have a good mix of high end talent and upperclassmen that have experienced everything in college hockey, are going to be the ones that can be consistent from year to year. Thank goodness for Bryn Chyzyk. I wonder if the NCAA may increase the tourney field to get more of these big names in the spotlight.

Why couldn’t he play in every situation with Verhoeff here?

It will be interesting to see how many guys that see limited action handle it. Can the coaches get some guys like a Coltyn Sanderson to stick around in today’s environment? A lot of players available now with the CHL, so you better have your spot lined up, if you plan bolting, and we saw how that works with guys like Perron and McLaughlin, although their leaving wasn’t due to playing time. I think coaches know they need to keep around a core group that stays longer, which may be why they split guys like Jubenvill and Laurila until injuries or performance make those decisions themselves. You don’t end up with guys like Matt Frattin or Brad Malone unless you give them a few years in the program.

If Cam York and Owen Power can coexist, then Owen Power and Luke Hughes, I think it could work out. Nick Blankenburg was on those teams as well. Are both right handed? Now if you are worried about ego on either end, that is something a team doesn’t need, but I would think the coaches and Bryn have a good instincts on character.

Carson Pilgrim starting to find the points a bit more consistently lately. Will be interesting to see who will come in next year with not many forwards leaving, but we know that can change in a heartbeat.

That is getting to be a big problem every game.

Yeah, we’re six games in, and people already have notions on how good or bad we’ll be from one night to the next. Obviously, Miami is going to win the National Championship because they are undefeated! Would rather build to something than start out as a house on fire, then watch other teams grow as a team and surpass us. Having said that, a win tonight was important, because you don’t want to have no room for error early on.

Looks like Omaha will help the league tonight. Wonder what the overall conference records look like now, and head to head between conferences.

Would have helped if St. Thomas didn’t have a meltdown against Providence.

Were you ever around in the old WCHA days? Besides, most of the seats are already paid for, so all they have to do is fill them.

Is Omaha going to crap the bed again against UMass?

Yeah, they have been living off of their power play, so we better be disciplined against them.

So if Spunar struggles, I expect you won’t be asking for someone to replace him?

Didn’t watch, but it sounds like a game a young team can build from, since it sounds like a bit of adversity from some non calls?

Yeah, with 2 timeouts left, if you were going to go for a field goal, why not run on 3rd and 2, then if you make it, throw a few to the end zone before settling for the field goal.

Hoping we look back on some early year frustration like we did with Hakstol and think “where was that team earlier”. That figured to be the scenario we would need going into the year, and can only hope they can get those critical wins when they need them like Hakstol’s teams seemed to do to get into the tournament.

I would say Jackson has a very short leash for using the “not starting on time” phrase because it is his job to make that mantra a thing of the past. Remember we are going to be the team that gets back to old Sioux hockey and always be outworking the other team. Let’s make this the last time we hear that phrase for a good long time. Consistent effort should be a non negotiable, save for college students not being on the same page physically or mentally occasionally. Never should be the whole team being inconsistent with effort.

If it’s a “must win” for us, then a ton of eastern teams are also in that situation, or worse, because their leagues aren’t ripping it up to this point. Not a must win, but need to show major urgency. Like I said before, we still had a lot of chances last year to get in the picture even after seemingly out of it, and our league struggling. So many contenders like Maine,BU, BC, Quinnipiac, Providence, etc. with 2 losses with their leagues behind the Big Ten and NCHC so far. Going to be a bigger logjam this year, because I really have no idea how the two top leagues will play out in conference play. Plenty of teams that have shown better in non conference play than expected.

Yes, can’t afford to lose another one out east. Thankfully not many teams haven’t been dinged by a few losses and if our league can finish out the non conference strong, we still have the ability to grow while still keeping our head above water. Critical for us to start doing our part, starting tomorrow.

Now we know why Bob only recruits Minnesotans, as they know how bad it is, yet continue to live there. If recruiting against them for out of state players, send the long list of assaults and shootings that have happened over the past half year to the parents of the prospective recruit.

If we swept Providence out east our fanbase would be expecting us to not lose again. Providence did beat Quinnipiac in exhibition and we’ll see how they do against common opponent St. Thomas this weekend.

You don’t think that would be a red flag for potential draft status?