tnt

... and the countdown begins for him to be ridiculed again by the WCH blog.

I don't think Ladd's deflection is any luckier than any other deflection. In fact, he positioned himself perfectly and turned his stick to deflect it back to the short side, so he set himself up to succeed.

Does anybody know if Stanislav Galiev of the Indiana Ice is going to play Major Junior, or if he is being recruited by anybody? I see he is the only 1992 birthdate in the top 10 scoring in the USHL regular season at # 7, and he is # 8 in the playoffs. Other than Cichy, a 1990, the rest are either 1988's or 1989's, mostly 1988's. Unless he has a major attitude or learning problem, I would think teams would be hot on his trail. Pretty impressive for someone that young.

It looks like Matt Van Voorhis of Edina, formerly of Grand Forks, has accepted a spot with the USA Developmental Under 17 team in Ann Arbor. Hopefully he will develop into a great player there and the Sioux will have an inside track.

I think Minnesota will be better with the addition of Leddy, but I hardly think that Fairchild warrants the "exceptional" adjective up to this point. It's really not anything to get worked up about, as the powers that be aren't any smarter in prognostication as anybody else. In fact, they are probably worse, as they had the Sioux as a seventh place finisher in the league last year.

Nevermind the fact that some schools wouldn't be thrilled about competing with UBC for British Columbia talent when they are so close to home. Probably wouldn't change every kid's mind to stay close to home, but it would be an Ace in the hole for UBC.

Yes, he played on the 1st line at a traditional hockey school like Red River as an 8th grader. A lot of potential there!

How many fans will their hockey facility hold?

Why should the league AD's have to ask McLeod to be more aggressive in searching out a 12th member? I would have thought that would be a no-brainer for someone in that position. Perhaps they should ask him to do something else if he doesn't accomplish this!

Don't forget about Ruegsegger too. Denver must be pretty good if they can go the whole year without Bozak and still finish right behind the Sioux. Remember, we didn't have to play in Denver last year, which certainly was a bonus. Denver also is picking up some very high-end talent, as I believe we are as well. I believe Denver will be challenging for the WCHA title again.

I agree, but logically speaking, do you think we would have as many Native American programs as we have, if we didn't get permission to use the name long ago? Part of my problem with the PC crowd at other universities, is that they give the appearance that they care, but where are their Universities in regard to giving the "abused" Native Americans at UND an alternative place to attend? As a Norwegian, I am offended that there aren't more Norwegian study programs at UND, but then again, we aren't the Flying Norskies. I am not suggesting changing the Native American programs after the fact, but for those PC professors, they should think about the ramifications if there are shortfalls. The fact that we have so many more programs than NDSU is no coincidence. Maybe they would be able to pick up some more if we encounter shortfalls because of the nickname fallout.

Why is it that anti-nickname supporters feel the need to incense the people on the reservations? They say they need to counter the advertisements by the pro-supporters. Why? If people are truly offended by the nickname as they suggest, no amount of advertising is going to change their minds. They are either offended, or they are not. Makes you wonder to what lengths they will go the day of the vote, and beyond. These people will never quit, and as long as they have the media to keep it going, it will.

Wow, what is in the goaltender's water in Bemidji? I saw Matt Climie played a few games for Dallas a week or so back, and now another goalie signs. Good for them.

You didn't think much of last years team. I seem to remember a bag over the head, indicating shame.

Right, the odds of being as successful moneywise as Ralph are astronomical, but I have a feeling Duncan will be successful at whatever he wants to do outside of hockey. I hope he makes it in the NHL, but if he doesn't, I doubt he will kick himself for missing out on one short contract, especially with the memories he made after the Hobey year. I find it funny that Chris defends College Hockey when arguments come up with Major Juniors, as well he should, but then when someone decides to stay in college hockey he is looked at as foolish. If college hockey is good for an individual, it has to involve education, so to put someone down for staying seems absurd in that context. Like I said before, Duncan is smart enough to know that his skills are going to either be good enough to play on the big stage or not.

In response to his blog, I can only say that I think Duncan realizes that he is either good enough to make the NHL, or he is not. Sure it would be nice to latch on to one nice contract before, but with the new structure, it certainly is not going to set you up for life. If Duncan has the stuff to make the NHL, he will get his contract at some point. Remember, Ralph Engelstad decided not to continue to pursue the NHL and get started with his life, and it worked out well for him. I have no doubt Ryan Duncan will be successful at whatever he does, because he has something that our blogger doesn't--class!

Just listening to his dad talk up the OHL, makes me wonder. Sure 6400 fans is a nice little crowd, but it can't compare with the crowd at the Ralph. His dad seemed to intimate that the Rangers team cared about each other, so UND would be a perfect fit in that sense. However, if he is looking for a team atmosphere, then one guy isn't the be all end all, and his whole recruiting process screams out otherwise. Whatever he decides, just don't call a press conference to announce.

True, but it is still funny listening to the rubes at GPL calling out Crosby on a fight code when their guys constantly use the face rub then skate away. If they called out Tony Lucia after his little stunt at the Ralph, they would have a little credibility on the matter. They can't seem to understand why some people perceive Clutterbuck to be cheap. Yes, he has plenty of clean hits, but he is certainly no saint.

I think they are talking about Danny Mattson the forward, not Nick the defenseman who is only a Junior.

Yet he was defensive player of the year. Hmmm!

Can't think of one offhand for a favorite player, but screams for the use of Brian Shack and sucker punch.

I don't want to answer for anyone, but I seem to recall Erik Johnson saying he wasn't being used like he should be. I think he said that while he was there though. I do think that stuff like that goes on at every program and it is just more visible with star players and most time the comments are kept behind closed doors.

Don't know if someone addressed this somewhere, but VanDevelde said he is 50/50. I obviously would like VanDevelde to stay and work on the one thing that would make him dominant -- consistency. Should he start his senior year the way he has finished each and every year he has played, and remain as dominant as he has been the second half, he would no doubt have a great chance to become an All-American and have a chance to win the Hobey. What a bargaining chip that would be, especially since he would have the opportunity to become a free agent. Whatever he decides, I will say thank you because not every player will play hurt like he did.

I believe James Massen and Brandon Bochenski both were right up there in goal scoring in the USHL in their final year, and one was dominant at the next level while the other didn't translate quite as well. Didn't Brian Canady score 5 goals in a game in the USHL?

I think the one thing missing in this whole equation is what can/will the NCAA do about situations like this. If they cared at all, you would think they would be stepping in to offer suggestions or solutions. It certainly would help Bemidji and other teams plights if the NCAA would extend the # of games each teams can play if they help save a program, as per their allowance for traveling to Alaska. To allow WCHA teams to add games so they don't have to lose traditional rivals would help, but I think the silence speaks volumes of what the NCAA thinks about hockey. On the positive side, there should be an additional spot in the NCAA next year for an at-large team because that league will be gone.