dagies

I went with Jones because of "experience" but almost voted for Zajac. I don't think Zajac's biggest affect on the game will be offensive. Or maybe it will depending on how you define that term in this context.

It's hard to argue with the decision the coaches have made on goaltenders the last 2 years. From the outside it appears to have been nothing but fair. You can't argue with Parise's success last year, and while Lammy was very good he wasn't perfect either. This year he must be considered the #1 until Grieco forces the issue otherwise, and I don't think too many expect that to happen. If that's a reason that keeps a kid from coming to UND maybe that's better all around. Now, the above is just a comment on a hypothetical situation. For me I'll take the rumor as exactly what it is. A rumor that may have no basis in fact.

I don't know what his future aspirations are but I can see him behind the Sioux bench at some point.

It's not much different than what MN fans were saying about Kessel before he made his decision.

That is excellent news. Erik's leadership on and off the ice will be important this year. He's my choice as Captain.

You're right. There IS a connection.

It'll be more fun for a lot of other people, though.

You're right. I overreacted. Dirty/Diggler pulls that act off. You don't.

You've thrown around your misnomer widely, and used it in accusation of most Sioux fans who justify a Sioux fan perspective, as if it's different than how your own team would look at or justify something. You've created a stereotype, assigned it to Sioux fans, and through repetition others buy into it. Then you come in to our house and talk about us the same way. Do you see me going to GPL and talking about "arrogant" gopher fans? I'm sure that would go over well. For that matter you'd have to work hard to find me using that reference anywhere, and if I have it's been a long time. I don't have an issue with you making your basic point, but I find your use and timing of the label purturbing. I'm not going to say you shouldn't continue using it because you can do what you want. But I won't feel I've overreacted if I take issue with it here. Go over to GPL and 2 of the biggest stereotypes about Sioux fans are that we complain incessantly about the refs and now this "halo" thing. Interesting that one could find threads after Gopher losses with Gopher fans whining about the refs too. There's not much difference in the fan base. And on your own board you can basically do what you want. But when you come on to the rivals board, and bring the same junk with you, don't expect to get the red carpet.

We've not always gotten along at times on these boards, Slap Shot. But there have been times I've almost felt bad that whatever you had to say on this board, no matter how reasonable sounding, would get you crapped on by posters here. However, maybe I'm the one who misjudged you. Your problems started with a smack post after a Sioux loss, and you never recovered from that no matter how hard it seemed to me you tried. Of course, that didn't stop you from talking out the other side of your mouth on other boards. Now you come on our board and drop your little made-up label in a post like this. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You probably don't have the integrity to recognize or admit to your behavior.

I liked Goligoski on the PP better than Harrington last year. And if EJ is as good as advertised, I expect they'll be just fine from the point. What they lost were guys who would pot the puck, IMO. That's what I think is the biggest question mark. Okposo may help in that area, and Wheeler and Stoa could possibly step in, though I doubt anyone will cause me as much fear as Potulny.

I'm not a washed up high school player. That makes me....... QUALIFIED.

Younger Zajac is coming in and should help provide some of the grittiness that Prpich leaves with. Though Prpich has the experience and maturity to complement it. Here's a question for the experts. Now that there is more offensive skill with the defense, will opposing teams have to pay more attention up high in their own zone, thereby potentially opening up more room for the forwards down low?

Wow, I sure hope you guys are right. I think I'd be very happy if they hit 25 goals between them.

As fans we have been very blessed to have recent freshmen the caliber of Parise, Toews, Oshie, etc. This may be a year when our freshmen look more like the normal of a few years ago, much like Watkins or Kozek last year. This is not a criticism of those named, nor of our incoming class. Just a statement about the exceptional talent this program has brought in lately. I just hope to avoid unreasonable expectations for a freshman player to have to live up to. It's a tough enough adjustment on its own.

jk, you reinforce why your posts are "must reads" when I'm on a message board. I can't add anything, nor detract from any of your points, other than you missed on complaining about the officiating. Like you, one of my greatest memories of the 2004-05 team is the play down the stretch of the Massen/Canady/Fabian line. IMO both Canady and Massen earned a career's worth of appreciation in 2 months for how they ended their Fighting Sioux careers. That ended up being my favorite line to watch on the ice, at the end. There are certainly questions to be answered with this team, but the potential is there for a special team, and I'm looking forward to the puck dropping on another great season of FIGHTING SIOUX HOCKEY.

When I have a little time I will look into this. Thanks!

Bummer. The link for the choral versions is no longer accurate. Thanks, though, for posting the Pride of the North versions. I've got them in Itunes and I can listen to Stand Up and Cheer any time I want. What I really want is to have that be the ring tone on my phone.

Poor Scott Foyt must have been Paukoviched last year. How'd he lose 2 inches over the summer? Oh, I see. In the ultimate show of team commitment, he gave them to Jonesy. Looks to me like Martens is serious about getting on the ice. Either that or serious about eating. What the heck happened to Miller? He gave his weight to Lee? Wow, I think Toews wins the award as the biggest increase in height/weight.

You COULD say that about anyone. But without seeing Grieco play I don't know you can know for sure that things are dire.

You may be right but I don't recall if he was injured last year, but he was the latter part of his year in juniors, and that set back his ability to bulk up before the season last year. Hopefully he will have had the opportunity to get physically where he needs to be this season.

That's a great article. Thanks for posting. Kozek looks like a real prize. Let's hope he can have some similar success in his 2nd D1 season as he had in his second junior season.

I'll fourth it. I was one who questioned the hiring of Hakstol. More the process than the man, but I still had questions. Well, for my money Hakstol has proven himself the right guy for the job. He's handled himself well, he made an apparently great hire in Eades, he's done well recruiting, and the team has performed well at the end of the year, after he's overcome difficulties during the season. Until Jackson proves himself the WRONG choice, I'm down with it.

Schlossman has a worthwhile read on this controversy here.

I'm not exactly sure how they would make this leap in logic.