ScottM

How about Finley and Dowzak? Yeah, I'm greedy ...

Actually, as I recall the Times' recent (2004?) article on UND hockey, and REA, the writer noted the controversy, but seemed to take a pretty even-handed approach to it, and spoke to reps of both sides. However, the writers are generally less biased than the editorial board.

Most Canadian players seem to switch back-and-forth between D and Forward during the early years of their careers. Something which most US systems don't teach. I think this is why you often find better two-way players coming out of the Canadian junior and MJ systems. If Chay plays D in the BCHL for a season, I think it can only help his progress as a forward in the future.

Damn sudo-journalists.

Doesn't matter. Dahl's had rosters of talent, and managed to pi** it away, either by driving players away early or by swooning in December. Anyway, Motzko is at least a season or two away from replacing the Dahl. Good luck to Ammerman, but I'd like to think he could have gone to a better college program.

Eeet's even more fuun to read eet in a verry snotty French accent ... especially after having a few beers.

Here's the Google link (translated). Toews

"North Dakota is a progressive, warm, wonderful, non-polluting place. We would never intentionally dump our filth into the water and harm our pig-dog neighbors to the north."

The state has a record debt load, illegal immigrants are clogging public services, its school systems are turning to crap, public libraries are closing and idiots are shooting people on LA's highways ... yep, I'd say school nicknames are the critical issue in the state. "Moron, thy name is Goldberg."

We only "repeat" the news as a public service to dimwits who can't understand the written or spoken word. You're welcome.

Hell, if they're really serious about CO2 reduction, why not buy some duct tape and use it on the whining, bed wetting "name change" proponents? You could probably get a good deal at Target, reduce emissions by about half and still have about $21,399,990 left over.

Nice to see Toews on a roster full of serious MJ talent. It makes me wonder how "serious" Hockey Canada was about banning him, and his brother, from representing their country if they went the college route.

The NHL and/or individual teams would probably be better off striking deals with regional cable systems, satellite carriers and local TV stations, than relying on ESPN and its proclivity to show spelling bees, poker movies and fat guys lugging cars around. That said, the league will be hellbent on capturing back fans, and I look forward to getting cheap ticket packages for Predators and Blues games.

I love comic relief this early in the morning.

Meh. If they had a Legal Ethics conference, they could hold it in a broom closet.

I've never been a big fan of Kupchella, and preferred another candidate when the search was going on. However, I think his tenure has benefitted the school, as others have more specifically noted. Anyway, I think by signaling that he is looking for another job, he has allowed the Board to start the machine in order for him to transition out over the next year, while also informally looking at other possibles. If he left today, UND probably would not have a new president until late next fall, at the earliest. I would rather the search and transition to occur in a way that is likely to cause the least distruption for students, faculty, alums, etc. I doubt we'll see another Tom Clifford in our lifetimes, but there are plenty of others who would be alot worse than the current boss.

Hmm ... 24 pilotless planes coming in to replace piloted and crewed tankers, and the head of BRAC wondering why GFAFB isn't being closed entirely, I would not mark this in the "W" column yet.

I *believe* that when the water rights to the Colorado River were divvied up in the 1920s or so, Nevada had the last priority as it had the least population, and smallest contact with the river. However, even as Vegas and the surrounding area "needs" more water for golf courses, lawns, Bellagio's fountains, etc., I doubt AZ, CO and UT are going to be very sympathetic. Moreover, as those other states continue to add to their own needs, I think "water rights" will be a very contentious issue, especially when the next drought hits.

I can't recall, but I do not believe the NC$$ has the power to force schools to change their names, so much as create "incentives", e.g., limit post-season play, etc. (Unless they want to end up in a big fight, which they would probably lose.) Even this last one is considered a stretch by even the most candy-assed losers pushing this crap.

From the "Some People Just Have No Life" department. NJ Devils

Says the boy who spews his bilge on a Sioux fan website.

Looks like the author was watching too many 50s westerns with his bourbon when he wrote this screed.

I agree with this. Anybody who runs a large organization has a variety of stakeholders to deal with. To limit a president's qualifications solely to the name issue, REA, hockey, connections to UND, etc. is myopic at best, and stupid at worst. Frankly, the quality of UND's products is tied to its faculty, academic rep, facilities, alumni support, etc. It is not really tied to its teams' nicknames, the size of its arenas or whether the president was born and bred in NoDak. I like the idea of bringing in new blood whenever possible. The last thing UND needs is a president so ingrained into the state and school that they fail to see how the world is changing and the school and its mission must address those changes.

It's the "price" of having a top-tier hockey program, unfortunately. Moreover, it reflects college sports in general. FB and BB at top schools see frequent turnover as their best talents go pro and live their dreams. While it's nice to see the "stars" for a year or two, every program depends on its grinders who work their tails off in relative obscurity for four years.

It's not over yet. It appears BRAC may be doing some reshuffling of the current list. NYTimes