ScottM

I agree entirely. Hockey is a team sport that demands a full bore effort from everybody, especially coming off a bad season. Showing up to practice woefully out of shape demonstrates a lack of commitment to winning that serious offseason training demonstrates. If last season didn't leave a bad taste in certain players' mouths and create a desire to improve their performance and get into the playoffs this season, I'd rather they leave the team now and not infect others with their attitude.

Fournier would have been nice to have around, based on some of his play last season. However, showing up that badly out of shape is a big issue on a number of levels. I do wish him the best of luck wherever his path takes him. I'd guess, based on who's wearing the C and the As, a stronger commitment to hard work and smart play will be a key component of this year's team. I think this team will play with an edge and determination to win that was sorely lacking at critical times last year.

A lot of SU/Stream Yellow partisans are of the opinion that they'll automatically play tier 1 teams like Minnesota, Nebraska, etc. Hardly. As noted, they'll play, maybe, teams like Northern Iowa, Idaho State, etc. Big deal. Teams like Minnesota, Michigan etc. will never go to Fargo to play, not in this century at least, unless it's some exhibition deal. (They may however play at REA. ) There are alot of D1 teams in FB and BB, most of which linger in no-name conferences, playing no-name teams. At least in D2 the pool is smaller, and it's easier to be a big fish. I'd rather UND stay on tops academically, since we made Princeton Review's top-345 colleges book, again. And the poor cows, didn't again. We've always had a nice mix of strong academics and athletics, and I'd prefer it that way. It's too bad, but not surprising, the SU Boosters and administration's brains aren't as big as their egos. Given how few D1 programs make money, and the increased costs of funding a competitive athletic program, I'd hope the UND admins and boosters think long and hard about making a move to D1. I personally don't think SU's experience is going to be very pleasant since they have no local conference to join and they will find out just how expensive it is to travel halfway across the nation every other weekend. I'd guess SU was probably thinking/hoping UND and a few other NCC schools would move at the same time and they could form a D1 conference locally. Ooops. I agree in that I can't figure out why UNC, in a state with two other high-profile D1, programs is going to make the jump. Maybe they were smoking the same stuff SU's leadership was.

I'm pretty pleased with the selection of Captains. I think it will bode well for the overall leadership of the team this season. I'm not really amazed by the emphasis on running. I think most programs rely on it, perhaps too much. However, I'm of the opinion that hardcore bike riding is a better conditioner, and less damaging on the joints, than running for hockey. The primary muscles used for skating and biking are the same, and it does wonders for increasing one's cardio capacity and muscle endurance. Just my .02. I agree with swimming. If you can do laps for 15-20 minutes ... you're in better shape than me.

Too bad about him getting booted, especially as it was his responsibility to get in/stay in shape in the offseason. Then again, it is pretty consistent with what Blais expects of his players. If they work hard and contribute, he'll give them a chance on the roster. If not ...

The Christian Bros hockey stick company has been bought out to allow for the retirement of the founders. Dave Christian will start working with the firm. I remember using their sticks when I played. I hope nothing changes with regard to the quality of the sticks, or their "user friendly" qualities. I think they were among the first to field aluminum and/or composite sticks too. http://www.startribune.com/stories/535/3193311.html

I guess Gordon has some good talent, but at 5'10 and 155(?) he's pretty small, which hasn't stopped us from bringing on people in the past. Then again he could probably put on another 15-20 lbs by the time he's done in the USHL. I agree with Dagies, I think we're set at forward for now though, with Murray, Porter and Fabian coming in next year, and maybe somebody else before then, so I don't know how much of a look Blais gave him at this stage, e.g., 2 years out.

If the Sioux and Michigan meet in the tourney title game, it will be a good test for both teams. Niagara plays a pretty decent NC schedule, but they really haven't done much since they were in the NC$$ with Blaise MacDonald in 2000. I'd be more interested in seeing how Michigan responds to the loss of so much young firepower, especially coming off the FF, and how the Sioux do in what should be a tough game.

I tend to agree that Prpich might be a good candidate for an offensive-defenseman, and Blais did mention him as a "position player". As we've noted in other threads, it's more common for Canadian players to be two-way players during their careers, as opposed to most Americans who start to specialize when they're 12-13. Much has been made about Prpich's 239 PIM, which is pretty mind-boggling when you consider that's nearly four games in the sin-bin. However, getting an MVP in the BCHL is no easy feat and I think his 57 pts in 57 games shows that he tries to redeem himself in other ways, in addition to laying down the law. As for goalies, I think Siembida will probably end up with the job as starter, provided he's worked hard in the off-season, like the rest of the team.

Given his injury-influenced season in the USHL, I'd guess the coaches will be using this year to see if Sedevie is really ready for primetime. At the same time, if Lamoureux has a stellar season while Siembida and Brandt don't impress, I'd bet they bring him in 2003.

Goon, the WCHA schools put some of their hockey revenues in a pot and then divvy it up. I think the formula is an even split, without regard to the size or contributions. Tourney revenues are split among the schools too, so they tend to be at bigger venues. I doubt the regular contributions hit the bottom line very much, but they probably help subsidize smaller, less profitable program, as well as pay for the conference, tourneys, etc. Most athletic conferences seem to have some type of revenue sharing, so we're not alone.

Aside from the pasty NC schedule, what really irritates me is that we only play Minnesota twice next season. I could care less about this "natural rivals" crap Lucia came up with by lining us up with SCCC. The Minnesota, Wisconsin and UND rivalries are the most popular and profitable of the bunch, possibly in the top 5 or so in the nation too if you really want to slice numbers. We have the biggest barns in the league, and with profit sharing across the conference two-series a season between these three teams would generate more money and excitement than some series with the mutts. Hopefully, Blais drags Lucia into the corner sometime and "explains" it to him as he's a Minnesota alum, and Lucia went to the "other" ND.

The Hurled is a sad excuse of a paper, and its website is even worse with regard to covering the team, especially when they're idle or in the offseason. The archives are a joke, to put it diplomatically. Virg Foss covers the team, but does little reporting when they're not playing. I've found more Sioux recruiting stories on USCHO and POI than in the Hurled. Sometimes the Dakota Stupid, err Student, will cover the team on its website, in between its PC rants. During the season, the Fargo Forum will often cover the team, but you have to give away your life's information through a subscription to get access. The Strib and Pioneer Press can offer some stories, particularly if it's close to a UND-Minnesota game/series or there's a story of interest regarding a Minnesota-born player on the Sioux roster. (There was a really nice story this spring about Zach Parise in the Strib.) Then again, the best place to gain top of the line, unbiased coverage of the team is here. Insightful analyis by armchair coaches, scathing critiques of players' errors and a good place to post information, real or otherwise, about the team.

If those numbers are accurate, it seems like the boys have been hitting the weight room. A couple may have grown an inch or two, as well.

I've only seen Matt play in person 3-4 times, at Mariucci, so maybe one of the guys who has seasons to REA could provide a different perspective. He seemed to have a very strong skating style. Pretty quick in the first step too. (Personally, Red Line Report tends to miss the mark on a number of players IMO, but CSB tends to be more on the mark.) Jones isn't afraid to help in a rush down ice, but he seemed content to pass/clear the puck to a forward rather than make the play himself. As I noted, I'd like to see Matt develop a greater offensive dimension for his game. I think it would increase his usefulness to the 'Yotes in the long run, and the Sioux in the short run. Matt's defensive skills are sound, and he plays intelligently--few real dumb penalties. Not a thug, but he isn't afraid to get physical. He definitely has strong potential to develop into a tough, skilled NHL player. I'd expect him to be more polished on both ends of the ice this season. I'd guess Greene's decision to join the Sioux may have been somewhat influenced by Jones' playing there. I think Greene will be much more the enforcer type of player. I'd expect the Sioux to bring a more physical aspect to their game this season with a healthy David Hale, a more experienced Schneider, Fuhr and Jones, as well as the additions of Greene, Lee Marvin and Mike (57 pts, 239 PIM) Prpich.

Welcome aboard. IMO, Matt needs to improve his offensive capabilities to be a real asset in the NHL. He's a fine defenseman, but not an "enforcer" like Commodore, so he needs to work on moving the puck and taking the shots when he can. (Andy Schneider had more points than Matt last season, and more PIM too.) I see Matt with a great opportunity to QB the PP and perhaps develop into more of an offensive threat, sort of like Roche or Murphy from days back. I think Matt has great potential to do well at the college and the pro levels, and I'd bet this season will start to show it.

I think it's important to remember that Smaby is only going to be a senior this season. He's coming from an offensive-minded program that was studded with talent. Everybody I know, real people--not names on hockey boards, who's seen him play says he'll definitely be an asset. He's big, strong and isn't afraid to get physical. At 6'4" 200 lbs at 17 years, I think he'll only get bigger and better. As I noted on USCHO, he was recruited to provide a physical presence, ala Commodore, not try to replicate Roche or Murphy. Those types of guys don't come around too often in any recruiting cycle. If somebody else, Schneider, Jones, etc., can fill the "offensive defenseman" role fine, that's a bonus. However, the primary role of d-men on most Blais teams has been to provide "presence" to protect our own zone, and the goalie, as well as defend the shooters from cheap shots. If we had more "presence" last season, I'd bet our goalies would have had better outings and we may have actually broke .500.

As far as I know Fabian has committed, verbally and/or with an LOI, to UND for 2003. He's spending another year in Topeka to develop his skills. He seems to be a "lunch bucket" forward. Not big on scoring, but pretty aggressive on the physical side. I recall that Eric is 6'2" and about 210-215 or so. It's conceivable that if he's played defense in the past, he might convert to a blueliner at some point.

Careful Sprig about what you say about the "DL kid" lest you be chastised for doubting his divinity and ability to do cold fusion in a kitchen sink, let alone his numbers. I'm tickled we landed Smaby. The kid is a serious enforcer and can also QB the PP too. I actually think he's closer to 200 lbs now so he'll definitely bring some "oomph" to the blueline. He's also drawn some favorable comparisons to a late-model Commodore. Sheesh, with Greene, Schneider, Prpich, Marvin and now Smaby, not to mention Eric Fabian coming on board, will we be playing 2003-04 shorthanded all season long? But we have some scores to settle this season first ...

I tend to agree about Michigan. They've lost some of their key guns from FF and have some holes right now. Berenson was counting on these guys to make a run to Buffalo. I'm guessing that he'll fill the holes, but most of the good talent is all ready picked over for this season. The forwards should be fine given their past experience and how hard I've heard most are working this summer. A strong showing in the tourney would definitely be a good way to start the new season.

Yeah, princess, I know nothing about hockey, college or otherwise. But I am glad you could finally figure out how to post your witty retorts on the board, rather than sending a private message like some lovesick cheerleader. Good going.

Wow, it's nice that Dahlen's friends and neighbors have come out of the woodwork to support the hometown hero. Gretzky? That comparison isn't even worth addressing ... I thought the reference to Parise was more than a stretch. Roche and Murphy? Perhaps, but I wouldn't hold my breath. If the kid proves me wrong, wonderful. But if he was a stock, I'd be shorting him like crazy.

David Hale 6'2" 225 4/4/8 pts. 63 PIM Matt Jones 6'0" 214 2/5/7 pts. 20 PIM Andy Schneider 6'0" 200 3/11/14 65 PIM Nick Faul 6'0 180 2/2/4 8 PIM So, Dahlin boasts a massive 5'11" 180 3/7/10 with 8 PIM ... when he's not scoring, what's he doing on the ice? Hiding in the corner? We have a clutch of forwards who have more PIM. ####, Parise has more PIM than this guy. For comparison, Greene is 6'2 220 with 3/16/19 134 PIM. Not writing Dahlin off yet, but looking at who's already on the team and who's coming ... he pales in comparison. If he works hard he may earn a spot, or he may enjoy a press box view.

I doubt there are any scholarship $$$ involved at this point. I'd like to think that if he's serious about getting on the team he'll work hard with his "time off" so that he can be ready to contribute early. If he has a strong work ethic and shows promise, the odds are good he'll be offered a ride of some sort.

Hale-Spiewak-Bochenksi (Hale has a breakout year, and Bochenski takes skating lessons. Spiewak wears a C. ) McMahon-Parise-Canady (McMahon continues to develop and Parise gets into his groove by December. Canady is resident enforcer and set up guy.) Lundbohm-Notermann-Fylling (Lundbohm gets his chance, again. Notermann will probably see improvement in his game. Fylling puts his USHL experience to use.) Prpich-Fournier-Genoway-Massen-Connelly (Prpich, Massen and Genoway bring their "lunch buckets" and introduce other teams to the boards and turnovers. Fournier has a chance to shine. Connelly may sit in favor of Prpich.) Defense: Hale Jones Fuher Greene Schneider Marvin Bubble boys: Palminsco; Leinweber, maybe room for Fournier. Then again, I could be wrong.