dagies

I saw the Nat Geo article too. Maybe the DL water should get piped out west instead of to the Red.

According to this story Herald Article on NCAA Regional Site Awards the NCAA wants to use more neutral sites for regional tournaments. I can understand why that can make sense in trying to keep a team from playing on its home ice during this tournament. However, they had no trouble awarding bids to Mariucci, World Arena and Kohl Center I wonder if the nickname issue is playing into this decision in any way. If it is a matter if too few off-campus sites being available in the midwest and west region areas, then just don't place teams in their home arenas. I can understand why fans would get upset about that, but it's one way of keeping things neutral.

That might not be a bad idea. The Sioux would have a great chance of playing relatively close to home if they make the NCAA's. Better than going to WI or CO. On the other hand, if the gophers are placed in that regional to ensure attendance it will become a home gopher crowd. I like the idea in about every scenario but that last one.

I guess that was my point. What remains to be seen is whether the attempts by the MJ teams to lure these top guys will have a wide ranging affect or just spotty success. At the core of the question is really the value of each option to the recruit. Each recruit will have their goals and what they consider the best way of getting there. Will MJ be able to provide a better option on a consistent basis? I think that is yet the question. It appears they are making increased efforts to keep the best players.

I, too, agree. However, I think the MJ leagues have started taking notice how many great players are beginning to opt for the college route and am concerned they will find more $$ attractive ways to lure the best prospects in the future. Hopefully not, but we'll see.

Yeah, but come on. You HAVE to appreciate stuff like this:

I tripped over this Radio Canada story on Jonathan Toews. I thought others might find it as interesting as I did: Radio Canada on Jonathan Toews Not being able to read French, I popped the link to the story into Alta Vista's Babel Fish translator. Just copy the link into the "Translate a web page" window and select French to English translation. Babel Fish Enjoy!

Sorry, I didn't catch it either.

I LOVE that movie. I need to rent it again.

I don't think that means anything. Guys like Zajac, Chucko, etc were drafted last year. I would guess it's something to do with age and draft status more than where they think the better players are. But I could be wrong.

I kind of hope Zach Jones wears a number besides 3. He should have his own identity.

Great article. Thanks for the link, jk.

HAHA! If Blais ever ends up coaching the Gophers I will certainly be hoping all the terrible things some Gopher fans have accused him of are actually true!

There's a big gopher fan on USCHO having fun at the AA fan's "reversal in attitude" about Hill due to him leaving their program. If Blais became the head coach at MN in the future, it would be interesting watching that same gopher fan do his own reversal of epic proportions.

Well, obviously, he doesn't know what he's talking about. Someone better educate him.

I wonder if anyone can dig up Mark Ranfranz's comments about playing hockey for the Sioux. Thank you to PCM and the Sicatoka who argued my points before I had to.

Back in the mid 1980's one of my suite mates was a Native American. Phil Young was his name. Great guy. Not sure why a 45-50 year old was living in Walsh with the rest of us but he fit right in. Anyway, I recall clearly that he liked the nickname. And while one man doesn't speak for a whole community, that carries a lot of weight with me.

I agree, brianvf. When I read that quote it seemed like a clear choice to me. But I guess who knows what he really wants to do.

Documented history would dispute this claim.

OETKB I hope you are right. Overall I agree with your statement that this year's incoming class should be considered more offensively talented than 2001. But I think the trio of Bochenski, Fournier and Massen all should have been considered on par with most of the recruits coming in this year. However, we know the story on Fournier and after a promising start how things went with Massen. While there is more upside to this incoming group, I guess it remains to be seen how it will play out. Maybe I'm just more cautious than you, but I'm holding my breath that all these players will jump right in. Toews is very young. Duncan is small. Can he handle the physical play in the the WCHA? Some observers I read on the BCHL board felt he physical play could take him off his game. I was cautious about Zajac last year and he definitely outperformed my expectations. So hopefully we'll see some of the same from this bunch too.

Sertich and Sterling were very highly thought of coming in IIRC

Stafford, ?, Eades That looks like Fabian to me. ?,?,Genoway That looks like McMahon, Canady, Genoway to me (McMahon and Genoway in green) About half-way down the practice set of photo's there's a white jerseyed player. He's looking to his left. It's labeled as Schneider but looks to me like Marvin. Great pictures. Thanks!