tnt

You don't think that saying that Dale Lennon has a major dislike of Buning is a betrayal of trust? Dale has to work for him unless something is done. And if Dale is o.k. with letting out that sentiment, he should want people to know his side of the story. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Lennon and Hakstol fan, and I would obviously want to see Buning leave before them, but being in a company in which people have problems with the slightest perception that they are being shortchanged, I can see how expressing those sentiments doesn't always measure accurately a persons happiness all the time. Like I said, someone has to make the tough decisions, and they are seldom popular.

Don't forget that Dale interviewed when there was another athletic director here too. If there is that much sentiment against Buning, then bring it to the forefront and start a mutiny, If it is for the betterment of the program, all the coaches that have a problem with him should get together and tell the powers that be that they would feel more comfortable staying at UND if Buning was gone. If nobody is willing to do that, then deal with Buning.

If you're going to go as far as saying there is a problem, give the proof. I want to know if these are specifically examples of whining you hear in every single company in America about management, or if there is some beef to them. So here is your chance to cite the numerous examples of why there is a problem. If they are just that he scheduled a football game without consultation, then I would consider that to be an oversight and correctable communication "problem", that again happens at every company. I have heard this same thing about every athletic director except Gino, and at that time, nobody would be caught dead taking issue with him. Based on Dale Lennon's interview with WDAZ, he thinks the Athletic Department is going in the right direction. Someone has to be the bad guy and make the tough decisions, but if there is more beyond that, get it out in the open.

Well, do we know if Coach Lennon is foolish or not? Was he offered the job at Montana State?

I don't know if I would say that Lennon would be foolish not to take it. I really don't look at Montana State as a program that is better than UND's. I think fan support at UND is comparable if not better than most DIAA programs, and we all know how well Sioux fans travel. The one thing I could see is that it would be a faster stepping stone for Dale if that is what he is aiming to do. Montana State doesn't have to go through the aches and pains of the transition period, but as far as their program being on a higher tier, I am not too sure of that, especially if the Sioux were led by Lennon through the transition period.

Wish they woud have saved about $30,000 on the hiring of the women's hockey coach and used it to sweeten the pot a bit for Dale, although I am sure that money isn't the main thing that's enticing Lennon, although it couldn't hurt.

If they lost Lennon it could hurt the Sioux in more than one way. I have no doubt that Lennon would recruit North Dakota's high-end talent more than Montana State does now, and I have no doubt he would convince more than his fair share of talent that Bozeman would be a nice place to play football.

To say that both Minnesota and North Dakota both recruited Marto is true. However, when it is said that Minnesota wanted him bad, I don't know if that is a fair statement when I don't believe he ever got an offer from them. That said, I hope he shows them what they missed out on.

Hopefully they don't go too high. You know the range I mean, where GM's feel the pressure to sign a player because of the expectation, even though they might not be fully developed. It didn't seem like either of these guys were in that range, but you never know. Oshie seemed to have gone a lot higher than expected.

Wouldn't want too many recruits to change their mind anyway, because the perception might become negative, even if it isn't warranted. Good to hear that Gregoire is in the same league as highly rated players.

If there was one player I wish would change their mind, it's Colin Wilson, son of former NHL player Cary Wilson. I know they used to live in Winnipeg, but I think he was out east, which gave Boston University an edge. At one point I thought I read that he was possibly a top 5 North American player in his age group. I was told by a salesman that played city hockey with Cary that he would go to UND. Turns out it didn't work out that way, which is why if it isn't coming straight from a family source, I am skeptical about second-hand information.

I'm sure if the coaches thought they were ready and could contribute to getting #8, they would bring one of them in. But, I sure wouldn't want to bring them in if they aren't going to add significantly more than players we already have in the fold. I know hockey is different, but could you imagine if the Sioux football team still had Weston Dressler for two more years. He had an impact his first year, but a lot of the year was just feeling out what he could do, and not until his second year did they fully use his talents. Maybe that isn't a good analogy because hockey doesn't focus on setting up plays for certain individuals, but the strength and adjustment to college is the same. Gregoire had a great year in the USHL, but it was injury-shortened and with another full year under his belt he will be ready to come in and make an immediate impact.

Genoway could very well play some forward and then play the point on one of the powerplay units, but I just like him as more of an impact player at defense. To see him carrying the puck out of our end in a flash is a luxury not all teams have, and between him and Chorney I think we have two who can move it so quickly while making it seem effortless. I would hate to be throwing him back and forth through his four years and have him not reach his full potential at either position. That said, the coaches will have to do what's best for the team next year and into the future. To me it wouldn't be an easy decision to throw him to forward next year, but it could very well give us a better chance to be successful next year. I am confident the coaches will figure out the best way to utilize his talents. Maybe Marto could possibly play a bit of forward, but either way they need a few to make the transition to defense the following year.

A lot of people, including myself thought that Robbie Bina wouldn't see much ice time during his career. He seemed to have surpassed expectations.

In the paper today it says Marto and Hextall are both '07, while Frattin is '07 or '08. Don't know if that is speculation, or if Schlossman knows what up.

You could be right. Bad Karma seemed to follow Nate Hagemo at Minnesota. Is Michael Dorr playing for Minnesota in '07 or '08? He is another one that could have a target on his back, although Duluth lost some talent that would have helped them move up in the WCHA this year. Gotta hurt Duluth even more than it will hurt Denver.

It is great news, but I worry what Donald will say about us. How will we ever get back our integrity? I guess the standard comeback is that Anchorage has ruined more careers in the past 5 years than college hockey as a whole.

Since Chris said it's true, I officially apologize to "Anonymous".

You know the funny part is that UND would have a bad reputation if what Donald says was true, yet top recruits don't seem to be shying away from the Sioux, but continue to avoid Anchorage like the plague.

Exactly! Apparently Fornier couldn't cut it at Anchorage either. Wonder if Donald will apologize if this rumor turns out to be false. Any fan from an opposing team can turn the slightest perceived problem into a sinister deed, without the inside knowledge of each situation. It's like a Sioux fan spouting off that they think Gwoz sent Paukovich out to hurt Bina and someone else to hurt Brady Murray. It's absurd, but who would be able to refute it but Gwoz and the player themselves, which makes it a he said, she said scenario. The same can be said of in-house problems with players. But of course Donald has all the facts. He must, because he is taking this circumstance as fact.

Why do I get the feeling that "anonymous" is lurking about both DU & UND's message boards and patting himself on the back for stirring the pot.

The fact that it is an anonymous post is a red flag for me. You would also think that someone "in the know" in the Sioux program would know something, unless they just aren't ready to share anything on this board yet because of the delicate nature of a recruit changing their mind on their verbal. I guess time will tell, but if it does turn out to be true, I don't like how this is becoming more common, because sooner or later it could come back to haunt the Sioux as well. Think of the position this would put Denver in, trying to find another recruit after many for 07 or 08 are already gone. I know as a Sioux fan how mad I would be if it happened to the Sioux, especially if they had missed out on another recruit because of a changed mind. I understand a recruit has to do what will ultimately make them happy, but that's why they should weigh their decision thoroughly to begin with. I seem to be ranting, even though it isn't from a reliable source as far as we know. Regardless, it isn't a path I like to see college hockey go down.

I see Hunter Bishop was taken in the USHL draft as well. Hopefully he'll latch on with another college team in the future, but one that won't allow him to haunt UND in the future.

As the paper says, it may be an issue if Winnipeg gets the World Juniors, they might not want to have it again so close. Also, it would be odd if they didn't allow GF to host because they were the last U.S. city to host. Seems to me if it is supported well, stick with a successful formula. That said, I don't think they will have nearly the number of ticket packages sold prior to the tournament. People will think they can get tickets out front very cheap like last time, but with not as many people buying the packages, they will be in for a rude surprise and have to pay the $30-$40 price at the ticket booth for a single game, which means the U.S. and Canada games will be the only games that have a decent attendance next time. That would be my guess anyway.

Why wouldn't Grand Forks have a good shot at the World Juniors? Didn't they set a U.S. attendance record? The U.S. hockey people said they liked how it was "THE" event in Grand Forks where it was overshadowed in bigger markets and not given the proper media attention. I don't think the clamor for Junior hockey has changed all that much in the major markets.