burd

Since it's that time of year, I'll throw out a golf analogy, which may be full of sh**. This from a fan who really liked Eidsness. There are some guys who, if you golf with them often enough, you grow to expect some things. I golf with one guy who plays at about a 9. He knows what to do with his clubs and is fully capable of putting together a 73-75 at a fairly challenging course. But if he's hitting the ball real well and scoring at or near par, I can almost guarantee he will cough up a double or triple somewhere along the way to blow his low score. It's not pressure, because we don't play for money, and he might hit the tough hole on the front nine. Maybe it's concentration. Maybe he's just a good but not real good golfer. Eidsness seemed that way to me. He was real good for the Sioux, and I expecially liked his maturity. We were lucky to have him. But I was never surprised to see the softie--usually just one. I suppose statistics would disprove what that analogy suggests about his play, but hey, it's summer. It would be a treat, though, to get a goalie who, when he is on, is just plain shut-down. Might be what is needed for #8.

I agree. He really showed desire to win last year and, at the same time, he played the team game in the offensive end.

Spirko has to be up there near the top

I somehow think you are pretty familiar with the minimum.

Job well done, coach. Thank you for what you gave to our program.

Just another guy the Gophers didn't want anyway.

Nelson was really coming into his own, but I'd tend to agree. Kristo showed last year how badly he wants to win while, at the same time, being more disciplined on offense. UND will have some real hard-to-contain quickness next year, and Danny's energy will be contagious.

Danny and Rocco can both give opponents fits in a similar but very hard to defend way. This is a big deal. Danny proved how focused and determined he was last year. With the most skilled player on the team being that focused, it will only make everyone else more of the same.

Good for Dave. Now let's go get 'em.

Not only that--very few gopher fans know how to use twitter yet, so you could pretty much rule them out.

As a fan, it was an extremely fun year. Dave proved again just how good he is, and the boys have a lot to be proud of.

Interesting information, but I think it's also a different question with a high draft pick. It may be that it is for those players that the CHL gets its rep. For example, Seth Jones probably does not worry too much whether he will get to the NHL. For him, the question is which route can get him there the soonest and to stay.

Makes sense, but I hate to see Gaarder off the ice. Really like his play

I love Blood, and he was a horse this year. But man, he coughed up a lot of pucks.

That freshman bunch of ODonnell, Parks, Matson, Grimaldi, and MacMillan, with the quickness and work ethic they have, could give the Sioux a BC-like quaility next year. If Kristo stays, their quickness level will be as high as it's been in many years.

York has something historic going at BC. Amazing.

And Minot.

What a weekend. Opening round of FF. Opening round at Augusta. Opening day in MLB. Easter. Hopefully a 54-hole weekend for yours truly. Now if the Sioux were in Tampa, it would be perfect.

How has he done, BTW?

Nobody likes the one-and-done aspect of modern college sports, but we have to keep in mind that without early departures like Brock's, UND would not be seriously considered by players like Parise, Toews, Grimaldi, and Jones. Those players all see college hockey as a preparation for the NHL, and a player leaving after two years is proof to them that this program can prepare them. So as disappointing as Brock's departure is, it's not all bad news in the long run.

Whoever takes over at Mankato will insist that they dump the soccer song as a condition of acceptance. That's before they talk money and health insurance.

I shouldn't have used my uncle as my agent.

So true. I gave up my 7th year for the money teaching English to 9th graders. Shakes head.

That line up could cause some major headaches if it happens. The Gophers will be loaded with young talent too. Exciting year ahead.

Whether Kristo, Nelson or Forbort stay, I'm really looking forward to watching this year's freshmen play next year. I think that group has the potential to have more impact than any single class in a long time. (And yes, it's just potential)