farce poobah

All the future kids who are thinking about signing a LOI for UND.

One aspect of filling the roster with recruits (or keeping players) that hasn't been mentioned in a while here is the limit of 18 scholarships. Money talks, or so I heard from Barry Melrose. This applies - perhaps - and I have no inside info on either - to both the Scott Morrow situation and the Cole Spicer situation. For Morrow - the top three defensemen get full rides, I'm sure. Below that, I bet it gets split in some declining percentage (80-60-40% of a full ride as the defensive depth chart gets filled in. Very possible we offered an 80% ride (because hey Sanderson, Frisch and Kleven are getting full rides - or so I guess), and he / family went to a place that really needed him and offered better. Or it might be simpler and he wants to play somewhere so that his family (from Connecticut I think) can watch his games. For Spicer - similar thing. Splitting 10 scholarships (or so) among 15-17 forwards leaves some great talent on partial scholarships. Guessing the top six forwards are on full rides, and guessing those are already spoken for with Gaber, Schmaltz, etc, and probably including new recruits. (Also, given Hain and Senden were on the roster for Covid-shortened season, their schollies may not need to result in a cut somewhere else.) I do not envy the coaching staff trying to split up the $ among the impressive collection of talent on this roster. PS another benefit of NIL would be (1) getting more full ride-equivalent dollars into the roster, and (2) competing with Major Juniors.

The banners are already hanging.

Condolences on a tough loss. I may be more optimistic about Western Michigan's future ... Fersch and assistant Jason Herter both have good track records of managing and developing talent. Guessing 22-23 is a rebuilding year (but with the portal who knows), and 23-24 another year of contending for Western.

Omaha is interesting. They have a lot of institutional experience - Gabinet played there, Mike Kemp is still on staff (their first coach), Asst Coach Dave Noel-Bernier is an "original Maverick". Gabinet was groomed by Kemp and Blais to replace Blais. Since I have high regard for Blais ability to assess talent (he tapped Hakstol, after all, and hired Brad Berry 20+ years ago), I wonder about Omaha's assistant coaches, and whether they should get more non-UNO thinking. Bottom line - they should be better than they have been.

In 2017, they locked him down to a 10 year contract. Not sure if he has any out clause, that would enable him to leave early.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are some coaching changes. The most visible is at Michigan, where Mel Pearson is facing investigations, his contract has expired, and they haven't announced anything. I wonder when someone comes calling for Todd Knott from MSU Mankato; his recruiting eye and relationship skills have filled the roster with late bloomers. (Reminds me of UND in the late 1990's.) https://www.mankatofreepress.com/sports/local_sports/knotts-recruiting-chops-have-shaped-msu/article_263b5c6a-b570-11ec-be3d-df432729c2f4.html At Notre Dame, Jeff Jackson is 67 years old. Just sayin'. At BC, Jerry York is 77. Just sayin'. Wisconsin is due for another revamp (years of underperforming), but perhaps it's just an assistant or two.

Will the NCHC go on a run? Probably, because the league attracts quality. But, there's a lot of uncertainty in goal, which I know is the most important position in hockey because Barry Melrose told me last night. We may start 22-23 with new goalies at the top 6 teams from 21-22. Hrenak - gone. Driscoll - gone. Saville - gone. Brandon Bussi - gone. Fanti - gone. Chrona - probably gone (but who knows). I expect the East to be improved. They were hurt this year by their 20-21 (panic) season cancellations or vast cuts in games played.

Nah. They had plenty of chances to make it 2-0. But credit to DU, for tying it up.

Denver’s ace in the hole? getting NCHC refs to give them four straight power plays. Oh wait it’s eastern refs.

Why is Denver using our power play?

Three SOG for DU. A season low?

One MSU change I expect between periods is better placement of dump ins. Too easy for DU to counterattack.

I was responding to a comment about why St Cloud State was invited to NCHC instead of Mankato. Those invitations were 10 years ago. Since then, yeah they have grown the program a lot.

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/reports/teamHistory/Minnesota-State/35 Take a look at Mankato's record through 2012, when these deliberations went on, pre-Hastings, and tell me you would pick them.

Congrats to Dryden McKay on the Hobey Baker! Third time is a charm.

After New Years, when the roster started to play solid team defense, we were more like 2.2 (40 goals last 18 games); that's more like top-ten nationally. And that's with a tough NCHC schedule. But count me as a little nervous about goaltending. Its the unknown for 22-23.

That phenomenon goes back a long ways. I think it starts with John Mariucci, who wanted to play a team of only Minnesota guys. That fed the local ego (and still does). So, anytime they lose, rather than admit the other guys were better, they have a tantrum. That also started with Mariucci, who refused to play Denver for over a decade. I recall being startled at being called a Communist on my first visit to Williams Arena in 1979, after UND won the WCHA title, and so I asked "why"? "Because of all the Canadians you have." And its still there ... people saying "U-Minnesota has more guys in the NHL than any other school"/"well no they don't and its not even close".

I'm thinking of taking up a collection, to pay for Ben Holden and Dave Starman to do audiocast of the Frozen Four. Listen to them on the radio instead of the ESPN pxp guys.

I learned something new tonight .... two of the three youngest coaches to win a NCAA title coached the Sioux. Thorndycraft and May. Excellent trivia Q to stump your friends.

#MinnesotaBias

In the studio, Richlin and Raycroft have good insights.

Denver has really done their homework, on how to stuff Michigan's breakouts and their neutral zone plays. Tip of the hat to their coaching staff.

"Holy Schnikies". Drink up.