tnt

If we were to keep western schools in the Western Conference, then we should take Fairbanks, Omaha and Bemidji and get rid of every school east of the Mississippi, which would include Wisconsin, Duluth and Michigan Tech. I know you aren't proposing that, but I don't think the league name should play a huge part of the equation on what school to select. Each school is no longer compensated for going to Alaska, except to be able to play a few more games, and I doubt the NCAA would allow two more games simply because you play two Alaska schools. That's my opinion and you've stated yours. As the words to the song "We just disagree" goes, "There aint no bad guys, there aint no good guys...

I'll be happy if Lee saves his best performances against the gophers and St. Cloud can turn that series around this year a bit.

I don't think Blais thought Lee would stay in Fargo, in fact he said in an interview he thought he could go straight to the pro ranks. I'm thinking he meant farm system, but I was shocked to hear him say that, but then again, Blais isn't shy about saying what's on his mind.

Why does it make more sense? Most WCHA fans aren't fans of Anchorage being in the league because of proximity and such, why would they want another school that isn't in their footprint. I realize college hockey is different, but if you look at the Summit League UND is trying to get into, "footprint" is a huge factor. We have already had more of a rivalry with Omaha in several sports than we ever will have with Anchorage, muchless Fairbanks. Maybe you actually need opposing fans at games to have a bigger rivalry, and it won't happen with the Alaska schools.

According to the Let's Play Hockey blog, it was part of the negotiations for them to accept the WCHA offer. Don't know if their sources are correct, but it sounds like something Blais would want to know if he were to accept the job.

Small in numbers, huge in passion!

I don't know if one WCHA coach other than Anchorage's would want UAF, as it would make it very difficult to schedule probably as much so as eleven teams. I also don't think the NCAA would want all of these schools losing a week of school every year. I would definitely opt for Omaha if they are interested.

I think guys can move up and down the lineup depending on the chemistry they have with linemates. I don't think you can label them as a fourth line player, because depending on the situation they may or may not be out there. If the Sioux are not at home and decide to put a checking line against the others top line, does that mean Zajac is on the 1st line. Literally, it does, but if you are looking for offense, you wouldn't necessarily put that line out first. Kozek went from one line to another all year, including out of the lineup, so to label each as a certain line player doesn't mean much from week to week, especially early in the year when they are trying to come up with combinations that have good chemistry.

Why would they play on Tuesday and Wednesday when they play the weekend before? Seems like a pretty short turnaround to have to travel to CC, nevermind trying to prepare for the series with videotape, etc.

If he isn't confident he can battle it out for ice time with the Sioux, why take it to the next level where some people are battling to make a living?

I don't know if you can put your checking line on them if Gregoire is on another line.

I think Cichy stated that they will be rooming together and that he hoped they could play together like they did on the National Development team, so I thought I would oblige him. Of course Hakstol might have something to say about it.

I definitely want to see if the magic that Frattin, VanDevelde and Malone had in the New Hampshire game was just a flash in the pan, or if it can be sustained. I'm sure they will have a chance to show that in the beginning of fall camp. Also would like to see Toews have a shot taking Duncan's place on the Gregoire and Hextall line. After that, Kristo, Cichy and Trupp might be one of the fastest lines in college hockey.

I do agree that Gleason probably might have a tougher time adjusting, but you never know, as I thought Marto adjusted better than LaPoint his first year, and USHL success would have dictated otherwise.

What do you think the power play units will look like. If Gleason isn't in the lineup, do they put a Blood with Genoway and have Marto and Lapoint together, or do they move a forward to the point, and if so, who would fit the Martens mold? When you look at all the possibilities, there is going to be someone who has powerplay potential that won't be on the first two units. VanDevelde, Gregoire and Hextall could be the forwards on one unit, and Kristo, Cichy, and Trupp, or Toews on another with some rotating depending on gaining experience or slumps. Even so, how do you leave someone like Frattin off, or would he, Toews or Trupp be a candidate for the point? I guess the coaching staff has the insight to know the answer to most of these questions. Once again, good problem to have huh!

Without seeing Knight and Rowney, I can only speculate on why Rowney is coming in ahead of Mattson and Knight. The fact that he was MVP of the AJHL playoffs may suggest that he is more experienced than others in the league and it shows up at the right time, which means he might have a shorter learning curve in college hockey than the others might have. Again, having only seen Mattson, it could be that we have enough high-end skill players already and need to fill other roles. We all know that the Sioux coaching staff, perhaps more than any other, has a defined formula on what works for them, and if Rowney is a grinder, perhaps he may fit a role that the staff thinks needs more attention. Of course, if the other two go fairly high in the draft and only end up playing here a couple of years, some people may second guess the decision much as with Forney coming directly from high school. It wouldn't necessarily mean that bringing in Rowney would be wrong, because who's to say what that extra year will do for both Knight and Mattson. I for one will enjoy going to Fargo to see Mattson like I got to see Cichy and Kristo in the USHL.

I just wish that Bennett Brien would continue to sell logo items as his artwork. I am sure he couldn't tie anything with UND, but some green clothing with the logo on it would sell nonetheless, and I would continue to buy updated clothing items if he did.

Guessing and for sure coming seems like a contradiction to me.

Do they generally have 4 captains? I thought they normally went with Tri-captains, have they changed that?

No, he's not coming back, or No, I don't know if he's coming back?

If Knight and Mattson both come in another forward would have to be out other than Davidson and Bruneteau. With Frattin, Malone, V, Gregoire, Toews, Hextall, Trupp, Kristo, Cichy Knight, Mattson, Zajac and Lamoureux you have 13 forwards, so another one would have to sit. There is a lot of skill and speed there, so I like keeping Lamoureux's grit in the lineup. I would bet a lot of splitting of time early in the year for a few players. Great problem to have.

I would have said the same thing about David Toews last year, so you never know. If you look at the players coming back and the ones that are coming in not including Knight or Mattson, and you still have good players who will have to watch from the pressbox. I have a feeling practices will be pretty intense.

Which makes the NCAA's argument that you need tribal support bogus, doesn't it? If just the symbols can be abusive, then Florida State should have to give up their name as well. All I ask for is a little consistency from the politically correct crowd.

I certainly don't want the Bison getting credit for UND's accomplishments by default. I think without a nickname, that would happen more and more. That said, I certainly don't want them to rush into a nickname and regret the outcome. Research and poll ideas and logo's and work up the best possible and then make an informed decision.

I think I heard the same thing about Michigan State and Michigan Tech in the Great Lakes Invitational last year. The Sioux didn't win a tourney game all year if I'm not mistaken.