ScottM

Agreed. I think a nice parallel about the perils of choosing a departed head coach's assistant without a serious search can be found at Nebraska after Osborne retired. Moreover, when Gino left, UND conducted a search and did not pass the keys to his then-assistants. If Hakstol is hired fine, but don't just give him the job because he's in the f'ing room. This is one of the premiere jobs in college hockey, and I'm sure there's a pretty big pool of guys at other programs who would love to fill Blais' skates.

IMO, if UND does not do a national search, Hakstol's tenure as coach will start with a taint. This is a national program, not the lap dog of somebody's father-in-law, and the appointment of a head coach should be treated with that level of diligence, regardless of meely-mouthed comments about "summer recruiting". Do the job right, the first time.

If Karl was about 3 inches taller, he'd probably be at least backup on some NHL squad. He has very nice numbers, and has always been tough mentally. However, I think he'll linger in the AHL, especially in Columbus' system, for some time. Head coach? No, use some of the extra $$$ not going to Blais and hire him as "Goalie Coach".

Beaverson was also drafted in the later rounds this weekend ... can't remember the team. Maybe that will light a fire under him, if he really wants to play for the Sioux, or any college program.

One thing that may weigh against Haks in the "politics" of the process is that he's married to Tim O'Keefe's daughter. O'Keefe is the alumni honcho, and given Kupchella's often-stormy relationship with the alums, he may opt for somebody "less connected". I agree with Goon to an extent. Sandelin is an excellent recruiter, and I think he has a strong relationship with his guys and gets them to give 100% almost every game. *That* is what experience in running your own program can do.

Personally, I don't think Hakstol has the experience to run this program yet, and I'd rather not have it turn into OJT. However, I somehow expect him to get the job given the short timeframe before training.

I understand that there was a pretty strong "Badger Bob" contingent in Wisco that was upset that Eaves got the job over Mark, or even Dahl. Anyway, I think he would be an outside shot at the best, as he prays for Eaves to fall apart.

I'd like it better if the percentages were: Sandelin: 45% Johnson: 45% Hakstol: 5% Other: 5% Haks hasn't demonstrated a winning record on his own bench, and I think he needs a few more years before taking over a program like this.

"Little birdie". WTF? Are you "Shooter"? I doubt any team would offer any type of "equity" to an "associate" or even head coach. Most changes in ownership structure have to be approved by the NHL owners, and I don't believe any coach has a stake in their teams. Hakstol? Sh ...

I don't think UMD has much money to toss around. It's the "red headed step-child" of the UofMN system, especially when it comes to athletics funding. Moreover, I don't think they have the alumni $$$ to match/beat anything UND might offer. I would bet Roger Thomas, and the alumni powers have already figured out what it will take to bring in a top-flight coach, and I don't think they'll spend it on Berry or Haks.

Well this sucks for an early Friday. Best of luck to Coach Blais, and thanks for everything. Now, on to business, my favorites: Steve Johnson, solid history in coaching Scott Sandelin, excellent recruiter and coach *maybe* one of the assistants, with an edge to Brad Berry one of the Minnesota or other WCHA assistants(?)-dark horse and it never hurts to look outside for quality candidates Cary Eades(?) Big jump from HS to college, but Blais did it. Me, dammit.

No, no, no. According the the last minutes of the "Vast Fighting Sioux Conspiracy", I will become head coach at Notre Dame. Lucia will join me as "tape manager". Craig Dahl will anxiously await "the call" from Minneapolis. Meanwhile, Minnesota will offer the job to WPoS due to his long, storied success in Beer Darts. In the interim, Wooger will continue to brush up on the names of UND players such as Lamoureux, pronounced "linoluem", Zajac, pronounced "Kojak" and Bochenski, "Bucks".

"CD" refers to Craig Dahl. Dahl made some comment that he would take "the Call" from Madison when Wisco was looking to fill Sauer's slot. Instead, they sobered up and called Mike Eaves.

Agreed.

More propaganda. NHL Stafford and Zajac are still projected first rounders.

Why not use Yahoo for a chat room? The kids can play, compare notes on clearing up those nasty zits, cyber-flirt, talk about the latest hip-hop crap (even though they've never been to the 'hood) and otherwise pretend they're at the mall. Better yet, go to USCHO. Enough of that stuff happens in about 2/3 of the Cafe threads. Always interesting to see who posts at 2:00 am on a Saturday ... "LOSER!".

I think a nice, "cross country" tour west of the valley, where the land starts rolling would be good training. Say by Park River, etc.

To the earlier question, Winnipeg has at least one casino. I believe it's at the top of the Fort Garry Hotel. It's where well-heeled Asians and Euros go to lose their Rolex and Mercedes. I doubt a GF casino, like most Indian casinos, would appeal to the same demographics.

I'd suggest 'SU and SDSU form their own conference. Call it "The Little Two" or "Mini Me".

I'd recommend the same regime for Messrs. Oshie, Chorney and Miller. And plenty of hours on the bikes for everybody.

The BCHL is pretty physical. If you look at most of the best forwards, for example, many of them have in excess of 100 PIM. However, unlike most US leagues, two-way hockey is stressed all the way, so I think you get very good "role players" and grinders who fill the gaps on a team of "stars".

Hauser's a hack. That is all.

Casinos have the potential to bring serious economic development, but there are huge costs that never get factored in. Go to any off-reservation town that has a full-fledged casino in it, and count the number of payday lenders, pawn shops and subprime finance companies. It's a nice "halo effect" for those of us who work in consumer finance. We do a ton of business in and around casino towns in Nevada, California, Illinois and other states. Most of our bankruptcy filings in these areas indicate a gambling issue at some level, which often includes the deadbeat's home. It's not a pretty sight to see some 70 year old retiree evicted from their home of 40 years because they couldn't stay away from the slots or tables. It always amuses me that casinos trot out "gamblers anonymous" brochures on their premises, but sure as hell don't limit how much money you give them.

That's alright. Neither does Vanek ... at least according to THN.

A number of MJ players also attend, or have attended, college while they play. As well, most MJ players are probably better educated in the Canadian school system than most US players coming out of public schools. I think most NHL scouts are more familiar with MJ teams and their players, so these guys tend to get more exposure around the Draft. That said, I think MJ more closely follows the NHL model for speed, physicality and length of the season. All things being equal, I think the average MJ player has a better chance of going pro, either in the Draft or as a free agent, than the average college player.