wakeboarding_crazed

Captain - Fabian for sure Alternate - Porter Alternate - Oshie, Toews, Bina or Kaip

Count me in, I'm there. Tell me time and location, and I'll have myself in attendance.

I definitely don't know as much about Ottawa's situation as far as goaltending, and I'm nowhere near the expertise level about the AHL or ECHL stuff with Ottawa, but if they lose a goalie to injury and need a replacement; I believe Elliott may be their only option this late in the summer before training camp starts. They still have an opportunity to sign Elliott who had a huge season last year, his stock may not get any higher but may still. Who knows how things will pan out, we'll see what happens.

I definitely agree about Martens and Miller here, and I also agree about VandeVelde, Bishop, Zajac and Forney. Zajac and Forney are ahead of VandeVelde and Bishop in my honest opinion but not too far behind. The fourth line will probably feature numerous combinations with Martens, Miller, VandeVelde and Bishop until three of those guys emerge as the final three forwards on the team. I do like the fact that the players ahead of these above players will hopefully be looking over their shoulders because competition within the team will make everyone that much better, work that much harder and produce that much more. That can only do one thing to the team, it'll make them better!! The better they get, the better the season they'll all have, then the team has a real good season. Let's hope this is how it works out for Hakstol and co. Go Sioux baby!! I'm so pumped just for the first game against Manitoba, it's going to be an exciting season. On a side note, anybody have an inside idea of when "Meet The Sioux" will be? I am excited to see these guys who've changed since last season from the weight room and the new freshmen too. It's also going to be great to see how this Grieco kid pans out, let's hope for a goaltending dual with Grieco and Lamoureux. I wish the season started now.

Yes, that is all true about how many players could wear the C for the 2006-2007 edition of Fighting Sioux hockey. Fabian and Porter are frontrunners with Bina, Toews, & Oshie following close behind. I would love to see any of those players named captains, and you also could consider Radke who is a junior this year. He's going to be a leader on the blueline with Bina, so I say there's six quality guys who could captain this year's team. It's a good thing when you have a dilemma like this, the more players who could be captains the better the leadership is going to be on and off the ice. That's always a good thing about a team, so let's hope they pick the right guys for the job.

You all bring up very good points about Miller vs. Bishop or VandeVelde. Now after reading more into the players and hearing information about them that I previously didn't know, I would have to put VandeVelde over Bishop and Miller. Now, someone is going to be sitting and who that is will be the coach's decision. Luckily we as fans won't have to, and when they're battling for the final spots then it only means we have some quality depth and decent talent within our team to push the others to perform up to standards. Otherwise, those who don't perform will be in the stands watching from the pressbox. I like what could happen with this team a lot, there's going to be great action very soon.

Fabian received a scholarship to play for the University of North Dakota while he was playing in the USHL for Topeka ScareCrows and have really progressed more then anyone thought he would. He's a hard-nosed, 110% kind of player who bangs away, grinds and mucks, and forechecks hard. He is a player to resemble, for his attitude and toughness. I really hope to see him as either the captain this year or at the very least an assistant captain. My picks for captains would be: C Fabian, A Porter, A Radke. I'd love to see Oshie or Toews be a captain, but I think a sophomore is still a little too young. The older and experienced players deserve to be captains before such young talented guns come in and steal the attention. UND is going to kick butt this year, I'm so anxious. Only 60 days till the first game!! I can't wait, I'm pumped.

Siouxnami, that is very good point about Vandy being an NHL draft pick. Miller has some experience, as little as it is and easily could be overtaken by Vandy in the draft. I would have to say that I've been persuaded to change my mind and expect VandeVelde to play ahead of Miller on the fourth line and maybe even the third line depending on chemistry.

Right now I'm inserting Miller in that slot as VandeVelde is an unknown until season is underway. Talent-wise Vandy may be better than Miller, and may play ahead of him. I'm going with experience to start the season though.

PCM, very correct there. I didn't use the right word in my sentences, I should have used "speculation" as you said. I stand corrected.

Very true, you can't break up Fabian and Kaip; Kozek doesn't match very well with Watkins. Toews played dynamite with Duncan last season in the playoffs, and Oshie would be a very good match with Kozek. Kozek can finish like Travis Zajac, and Oshie is the playmaker who can get the puck to talented teammates and also finish himself. Toews will dish the puck to Duncan where no one else can get the puck to, and Porter with Toews and Duncan is a great combo in my mind. The third line will be our famous checking line that shuts down the opposition and once again, I say you can't break up Fabian and Kaip. They played great together last year, some good chemistry there. Fabian deserves a top two line spot, but he's more suited on the checking line with Kaip and Watkins; this way you've got a checking line that can contribute offensively night in and night out. The fourth line will be comprised of a freshman-laden line full of energy and spark, which is the duties of a fourth line. Miller will be a little experience to help the freshmen along. On defense, Chorney and Lee have to be kept together as they were solid last year on the blueline. Finley and Radke also should stay together as experience and chemistry was there too. Those two line pairings are quite a no-brainer unless Hakstol sees something we don't, but I wouldn't change what isn't broken. Now, we look for a third line pairing. Jones has to play night in and night out because he's an animal and a stud on the blueline. Bina is coming back, and he'll be full of motivation and inspiration, will provide a spark for the team, so I pair Jones with Bina. Goaltending is tough because rumor has it Grieco will come in and steal Lamoureux's spot as the starter, but both goalies will be given the chance to shine as #1. Can't expect Grieco to come in immediately and be the top goalie, but will be given the opportunity to play a lot. Lamoureux and Grieco will be split #1 and #2 until one emerges as the #1 go-to guy. Walski should once again be riding the bench and be the extra practice goalie this year again unless one guy were to get hurt. That's his only way of moving up the depth chart to #2 otherwise he'll be #3 all year. My new more-thought about line combinations is as follows: Line 1 Forwards: Toews Duncan Porter Line 2 Forwards: Oshie Kozek Zajac Line 3 Forwards: Fabian Kaip Watkins Line 4 Forards: Miller Forney Bishop Extra Forwards: VandeVelde Martens Foyt Line 1 Defense: Chorney Lee Line 2 Defense: Finley Radke Line 3 Defense: Jones Bina Extra Defense: Alexander Genoway Goalies: Grieco Lamoureux Walski

Siouxnami, I don't know who will be correct about Zajac or Bishop playing over the other. I do believe that Zajac may play ahead of Bishop, I had just initially forgotten Zajac's name. I like Zajac's fiesty yet offensive style, and Bishop is a complete unknown to me at this point. We'll see what Hakstol decides to do though.

I read the topic heading for this post, and it specifically talks about news about Toews. Now, why do we have so much Gopher crap on this thread? I also see that there's a specific thread about Kessel where Vanek can be discussed along with the other Gopher losers. I would much rather discuss about Toews declining an $875,000 offer to sign with the Chicago Blackhawks to return to UND for his sophomore year then to chat about Kessel. He's overrated and doesn't deserve this much attention. Let's focus on UND hockey here, shall we? We've got Toews and Oshie back, along with Kozek, Fabian, Porter, Lamoureux, Duncan, Lee, Chorney, Radke, Finley, Watkins, Kaip, Miller and a great incoming freshman class. UND is going to be solid this year, and it should be a very exciting season. Who cares about the Gopher rodents, they're only second glass to UND afterall.

Only mistake in the article about Chorney here, if you look at the bottom of the article.....it says "junior to be." Mis-typo, he's only a sophomore stud this fall.

My mistake, I forgot about Zajac being a choice for a forward spot. I didn't have the list of players next to me when I made this post and couldn't remember all names perfectly. I actually like Zajac ahead of Bishop, either on third or fourth line. But, there'll definitely be some major line experimentation this first half of exciting Sioux hockey 2006-2007 season.

I also like the Oshie-Fabian-Kozek line pairing as top line or second line, then counter with Porter-Toews-Duncan as the other top line. So much talent, and all of them are returning experienced players in WCHA play. Duncan and Toews were unstoppable last spring in the playoffs, and Oshie would work great with Fabian. How can you not like a grinder like Fabian crashing the net and Oshie finishing off plays? UND will have a little bit tougher time matching up their third and fourth lines with a variety of players with some experience and others no experience at all. Watkins is my seventh top forward choice, so he should be on third line with a playmaker and hard-working grinder. Maybe VandeVelde and Kaip with Watkins to form line #3. Miller and Forney with Bishop to form the fourth line. On defense, keep the pairings as close to what they were last year. Chorney with Lee, Radke with Finley and Jones with Bina.

Brad Berry is leaving the UND program, got a coaching job in Canada. My source is Berry's wife, so quite confident it's true. Should very well be announced tomorrow.

Could you possibly post any of the pictures here on this threat of the fights with MSU or maybe send them to me at markahansen@hotmail.com? Would be great to include those pictures with the video clip highlights.

My bad here, just saw on INCH that Stafford signed as of today. It just maybe hasn't been posted anywhere on UND's website. What a loss, but we all knew it would probably happen. Congratulations to Stafford and good luck in the pros!!

Where is the official link or article showing complete proof that Stafford has even signed? I'm not seing anywhere, and until it's announced then he's still a member of the Fighting Sioux hockey team for 2006-07. They announced and confirmed right away when Zajac and Smaby signed, but not with Stafford yet. So I hold out hope that he still is planning on returning for his senior year until I see official ink in the paper or on the website somewhere.

If you had been following this fan forum back when the Sioux were getting ready to play Minnesota State in the first round, there was talk about rumors of something like this happened. I'd heard plenty of details about which players were involved when it happened back in February. Those players were dismissed from the team at that time or suspended for the playoff series against the Sioux. It's becoming a bit more highly publicized now that details are more available, but rumblings of this sexual allegation did come out right before the playoff series.

Happy birthday Jonny boy, have fun partying tonight! Don't get too many ladies, share some of them around with the other studs on the team. Let Kozek, Lee and Oshie get their fair share too lol. Serious though, happy birthday bro. Have a fantastic day and thanks for the sweet ass season you gave us. Was a lot of fun watching this year!

Sweet videos man, I love all these clips. It's bringing back great memories of a fantastic season, so many great games and great plays we witnessed. Thanks for all these great memories here.

Stafford will be gone, he was a foresure this year after the season ended. I felt Smaby would be first to go with Stafford the second. I didn't think Zajac would sign, but he is ready to make the jump. Smaby, Stafford and Zajac will be three early departures to the pros which will tie Minnesota for most underclassmen departures. Minnesota lost Potulny, Irmen and Chucko.

According to Finley, he recently just said that the team has lost everyone who's going to leave early. From the impression I got from him was that Zajac and Smaby will be the only early departures and that Stafford, Parise and Spirko will all be back next year. Here's hoping that he is speaking truth from the heart. Also said the entire team is sticking around the entire summer to work out all summer long and continue working towards next season. Developing a bond between the current guys and the incoming boys, here's to a hopeful great year next season. The boys must have a sour taste in their mouths if they're all staying around for the summer to work out. A good sign of maturity, let's be thankful for the kind of team we have here at UND. Incredible class-act guys all the way down the roster, great with the fans and hard-working as they come.