ScottM

It's too bad for Welch. The kid has a lot of hockey talent and potential. However, Lucia gave him some good chances to get his grades up to par and he didn't hit the mark. I have to applaud Lucia for standing by his own rules, regardless of the possible negative effects it may have on his team's performance.

What's really impressive IMO is that Zach seems to be holding his own in a number of offensive categories against some very strong talent. Greene's slacking. He's behind some Euro now for PIM. Lazy ... I hope they come back and Blais is somewhat easy on them, given how much practice and playing they're doing now. Then again, if we get swamped badly by CC, the entire team will probably pay for it.

Here's a clipping from the New York Times about Blais, and his views about missing players for the WJC. He's generally supportive of the players, but he does recognize the potential for damage in the WCHA race, especially this series with CC. New York Times January 1, 2003 North Dakota Takes One for U.S. Team By MARK SCHEERER On one hand, DEAN BLAIS, head coach at North Dakota, wishes the United States team success in the world junior championships. On the other hand, he sure would like three of his best players back from that team in time for a key series against Colorado College this weekend. ``We could lose these two games this weekend,'' Blais said, ``and it could cost us the league championship.'' Top-ranked North Dakota (18-1-1) has lost the most players to the national junior team, which is competing in the 10-nation world championships in Nova Scotia. Four other Division I teams have two players each on the national roster. But the Fighting Sioux are without their leading scorer, the freshman ZACH PARISE, and two defensemen, MATT JONES and MATT GREENE, for as long as the United States squad remains in tournament play. ``It's one thing to miss Zach Parise, but the two defensemen have been rock solid for us,'' Blais said. ``We've been averaging only 18 shots against us a game, and those guys hold the red line like it's the blue line.'' But Blais, who coached the United States junior team in 1993 and was an assistant coach two other years, holds international competition in high regard. ``I know how demoralizing it is when college coaches won't let their players go for selfish reasons, you know, they might have a Christmas tournament,'' he said. North Dakota is 8-1-1 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, in second place behind third-ranked Colorado College (16-2-2, 9-1-2). The Sioux won the inaugural Subway Holiday Tournament on its home ice in Grand Forks last weekend. They edged Bemidji State (5-6-6), 4-3, in the final, after a 5-2 victory over Brown (5-6-1) in the first round. The sophomore BRANDON BOCHENSKI scored six goals in the two tournament games and was named most valuable player. His 25 goals are tops in Division I; he is third in scoring with 36 points, behind Parise (38) and Colorado College's PETER SEJNA (41). ``We would have loved to have Parise in the holiday tournament,'' Blais said. ``His absence probably hurts your attendance and chances of winning. But then, to have him display his talents to all the N.H.L. scouts and represent the country is as patriotic as can be.'' Another coach concerned about the effect of the world juniors on his team is TIM WHITEHEAD of second-ranked Maine (15-1-2). The Black Bears are without forward GREG MOORE and goaltender JAMES HOWARD. ``The only potential negative is those guys could get burned out,'' Whitehead said. ``I've seen it before. When I was coaching at UMass-Lowell, we had a player named RON HAINSEY who made the United States team and played over Christmastime. It was tough on him. It's draining, all the travel and the schedule. You just don't get a break, mentally or physically.'' Blais, though, sees another positive. ``For me, losing those players to the world junior team, its a compliment to our program,'' he said. ``You look at the roster and see three players from U.N.D. on it - it says something about our development and recruitment.''

I think a goaltending coach would not only help with the skills unique to the position, but perhaps get guys to mentally focus on their jobs. It's easier to teach somebody if you can relate your own experiences/techniques to the pupil. Or so I've been told. With regard to Minnesota's goaltending, I think Weber is developing into a fine goalie. Strong on his skates and generally good with the positioning. He also seems to understand the mental aspects of the position, and doesn't appear to get rattled too easily. Not a Stauber-like player, but definitely a keeper IMO.

I think both of the starters, Siembida and Brandt, could be great goaltenders. However, I think they don't work on the finer points of their position. I'd like to see a goalie coach brought in to work with netminders and help them achieve their potential. The position is just too damn important to leave it to guys who have never played the position. No offense to Blais or his current coaching staff, but we really need somebody to show these guys how to excel in their jobs.

Not sure what to make of this one. However, from the USCHO updates it seems like our guys effectively "screwed the pooch" much of the game, and damn near lost it. It seems like the "Number 1" ranking is starting to inflate their heads/egos, but they had better play better next weekend against CC, regardless of who's in the lineup. Hopefully, Blais makes practice a bit more "interesting" to show that rankings mean nothing once the puck is dropped. BTW: WTF are we going to get some consistent goaltending from anybody?

Nice to see Matt Greene is honing his "enforcer" skills. PIM

Yeah, I saw that too Pat. There are also some other ... "typos" in the article, maybe that's one of them.

I generally don't worry too much about the crap my Minnesota friends give me, as they generally pay attention to the game in general and we have a good time with each other. But at least they've stopped the "Canadian farm team" stuff, since Kennedy showed up. I agree that programs that land top talent run the risk of only having them around for a season or two. However, it speaks well to the program and the coaching to land these guys in the first place. Anyway, I think that Vanek is probably not ready for NHL primetime yet. He's very impressive on the puck and can move very well. My only knock on him so far, is that he seems a bit slower going after the puck. Nothing major, but he's probably used to having guys dump the puck to him. If he was a bit better in his own zone, I'd guess his tenure at the U would probably be a year. I think he'll probably be drafted in the top-15 or so, but I think he needs another year at the college level, or maybe MJ time. Either way, I can't wait to see him leave. Edit: Here's a link to what "Hockey's Future" has to say about Parise, and his draft standing this spring. Parise

NDSU in general when it comes to UND: "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!" SDSUFAN: Your insipid ad hominum attacks on various board members, UND, Ralph Engelstad, coupled with your marked lack of integrity couched in, "I changed my mind" suggest you are probably in elected office at some level, or wish to be. Rant and whine to your heart's content, and follow your vaunted athletic teams to Oklahoma and/or Kansas (states, respectively, not the D1A schools), when you go to D1AA.

SDSUFAN, when are you going to fulfill your promise to PCM to leave? However, I guess your continued presence on this board merely indicates the depth of your purported "integrity".

I've been saying that Parise will probably stay 2 years for awhile now. He's too fresh for the NHL at 18-19, and will need *at least* another year to fine tune his game. In addition, I'd guess if he's really rolling he may bail to an MJ team after his soph year. If UND gets into the FF, I'd bet he's gone after next season. I'd love to see him stay, especially with many of his SSM teamates coming, but he's perfectly entitled to reach for the "brass ring". As such, I'd still be cheering him on since he has contributed to the team's success and will probably continue to do so as long as he wears the Sioux sweater. He's projected as probably a top-15 pick. However, the 2003 draft class is also very deep in talent, especially with Euros and NA players. So his position may drop towards spring. That said, I snicker when my Minnesota friends give me crap about "Blais' Hockey Factory in NoDak", e.g., bring in players for a couple of years only to have them sign. Whereupon I cough, "**Crowley, Rasmusson, Taffe ... **" Anyway, I suspect that as Lucia expands his recruiting net to bring in more higher caliber players, without ties to the U and/or the state, Minnesota fans will see more of their guys staying for less than 4 years too. Vanek's a start in that direction, and I'd guess Guyer might be too if he keeps progressing, even though he's a born and bred Minnesotan. Maybe the same for Ryan Potulny and others in the future. It's really the nature of the game now. If you want to compete for/win Titles, etc. you bring in NHL caliber players and hope they stay around long enough to register for Sophomore classes. College FB and BB at top programs are pretty much the same way, unfortunately. Anyway, I intend to enjoy the level of talent we are able to recruit and I hope we get another Title or three in the process.

SWEET!!! It's great when our recruits come to us. When do tickets go on sale?

I was actually going to guess Colorado, given how the CS area has been developing a pretty decent hockey following over the years. Moreoever, I have it on good authority that Lucia doesn't really like those strip searches at the Canadian border anymore.

Whoa, Hammy, you're holding out bud. They play hockey out past Minot? BC or Alberta?

I'm just glad that we can show our Minnesota "brothers" the light in that it never hurts to go outside your borders for quality players. Now, I just can't wait until they land their first "cheesehead".

You'll have to excuse SDSUFAN, Sicatoka. He promised to leave this board a while ago and has yet to do so. Accordingly, his credibility on any issue is dubious at best.

I hope they did recruit another NoDak. It's another step in the "grand plan".

again, this time courtesy of AP, and Prof. Scott Lowe, naturally. Donor Article

Actually, Jim, the most obvious reason there's no hockey at 'SU is that it requires fans to **focus** in order to follow the action as the puck and players move about. If you want to take the D1 hockey gate analogy a bit further, SCCC, Minnesota-Duluth and probably Mankato, to a lesser extent, generally fill their hockey arenas more consistently than their BB and FB venues. Most probably due to higher fan support, a longer season and the D1 teams coming usually have a high degree of name recognition, locally and nationally, e.g. BU, Maine, Minnesota, Yale, Notre Dame, etc.

Clayton, ever since I lived in Fargo and graduated HS there, 'SU and its barely literate alums have always had an infatuation for UND. You can see it in the media and Chappie's comments about dragging UND into D1, so it has a natural rival at that level. Ooops. Serious miscalculation. Whether it's D1 sports, research dollars, or the name change issue, 'SU spends more time worrying about what its older, more prominent foe does than its own affairs. It must be one of the inherent flaws of being a land grant, ag college that seldom makes a footnote on the national stage. It kind of reminds me of that other sibling rivalry on the "Brady Bunch" where Jan ('SU in this instance) is always worried and whining about "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!". Sad, but true. So, Clayton, let Jethro and the rest of the Stream Yellow crowd have their fun. Soon, they'll disappear into the D1AA abyss playing Middle of Nowhere State in front of 5 'SU boosters who happen to live in the area.

St. Cloud's "settlement" still hasn't changed much. Strib1 And it's not just the school. Strib2

Blais "throw" a game to head east? Are you nuts, Goon? Great teams play to win every night. Taking an "easy" path through the NC$$ is nice to talk about, but it probably never shows up on the white board.

The most recent "players to watch list" (12/17) from NHL Central Scouting has Brady listed, again. Nikiforuk is not on it.

I actually like Rachel Blount's coverage of college hockey in this area, and it's gotten better over the past couple of years. She's one of the few media-types here who actually pays attention to the sport, and she doesn't just focus on Minnesota when they're winning.