USA Hockey

If anyone in the Twin Cities area wants to watch some live hockey this weekend, the Sioux Falls Stampede will be holding their showcase camp and Mariucci and Ridder Arenas. I couldn't get a roster but they'll have about 65 players there. Here is the schedule, http://www.sfstampede.com/index.php?option...95&Itemid=2

With their depth at foward, the Wings might be able to get away with Pavs being out. However, Lidstrom and Ericsson absolutely need to be in the lineup because they can't skate with five defenseman or Chelios and Meech. I say if the Wings are healthy, their depth will prevail and they'll win in 6 or 7, have to be optimistic about my team.

It's called puck possesion. A team doesn't need a star (just solid) goaltender to win a championship. I normally don't like to compare college to the NHL, but I never considered the Gopher goaltenders in 02 and 03 to be exceptional, but they had the talent up front and the goaltending held their own and they ended up winning two titles.

I really like the green ones. They're actually similar to the away jerseys in the early 50s, sorry I don't have a photo. The part that I don't like about the white one is the big green striping across the middle. Big a HG's version of the white jersey is much better.

If Detroit plays well they should win the series. Better power play, experience, and depth is in Detroit's favor. I think Osgood has been solid all playoffs, as he was last year, so I don't think goaltending is really a problem.

I like the green and black ones, but those white jerseys look hideous, which sucks because they are my current favorite.

The USHL entry draft is today, same website as yesterday.

The USHL Futures Draft is at 3 today, you can follow it here, http://www.ushldraft.com/

The NTDP named the first 12 players that will join the 17U team for next year, here is the list, http://www.usahockey.com/USANTDP/default.a...etailedNews=yes

Just as an FYI, Kristo was in high school this year. The reason he didn't come straight from the NTDP this year was because his graduation year was 2009.

I've said it all along that an extra year of college is better than a year in the AHL. Very few players that leave early step into the big club right away. The only ones that do are the blue chip prospects like you mentionaed.

The very prestigous Toronto Prospects tourney is this weekend for the 94 birthdates, I posted about the 93's in early April and the 90-92's will be next weekend. The local players are on the Waterloo Junior Blackhawks, here are the rosters, http://www.prospectstourney.com/Rosters%20...%20schedule.xls

Here is the list of the Minnesota Advanced 16's that will compete at the national select festival this summer, http://minnesotahockey.org/assorted/Boys%2...ayer%20List.pdf

As expected, Derek Forbort made the Minnesota Advanced 17 list that will compete at the national select festival this summer. Here is the list of players, http://minnesotahockey.org/assorted/Boys%2...ayer%20List.pdf

Seriously, you're thinking way to far ahead. The coaches don't even know what the line combinations are going to be until the Friday before the exhibition game and then they usually change them next week anyway. I don't think talking about line combinations in April is to big of a deal especially when we don't know even have a full roster yet.

Two words: Public Relations. He put on a great front. "I really like the Kitchener atmosphere" He was never going to college

The 91-92 USHL showcase was this weekend in Chicago. Forgot to post about it earlier but next weekend is the 93 USHL showcase. I don't follow the locals to much, but there are some in both tournaments, here are the rosters, http://www.ushl.com/centralscouting/Showca...9192rosters.pdf http://www.ushl.com/centralscouting/Showca...9-93rosters.pdf

For many of these players it is their goal to make the NHL, and if Forbort thinks that playing for the NTDP 18U team can be a stepping stone to get to that level, the coaches, players, and people in his community should respect that. Those players don't owe anything to their high schools and community but to themselves in trying to become the best player and person that they can be. Whether it is through the high school, juniors, or NTDP level the players are going to try and accomplish that and no one should be bitter about it.

Speaking of Forbort, if anyone in the Twin Cities area wants to watch him play this weekend he is in the Minnesota Hockey Final 54 Advanced Select 17's at the Plymouth Ice Center. The best players from this go to the national festival in the summer. Here are the rosters and schedule for both the 17 and 16, http://minnesotahockey.org/assorted/BoysAdv17Final54rev.pdf http://minnesotahockey.org/assorted/Final5...anced16Boys.pdf As for the coach being unhappy about him joining the NTDP, I think it is a little low on his part. Obviously it sucks losing your best player but he is at a level that is beyond high school and should be playing better competition to prepare for the next level and the coaches for Duluth East should understand this.

VV would obviously be a big loss, but even if he goes I still think we would be the favorite for the MacNaughton based off the fact that I don't think it will be as strong of a conference next year relative to past years. Based on the conferences earlier depatures already (and more to come), the Sioux still bring back the best team in my opinion.

For anyone in the Twin Cities area that is interested, you can watch Nick Mattson this weekend as the U.S. 18U team will play a series of exhibition games at Ridder Arena and the Schwan Super Rink. It's a pretty good deal, adult tickets are $7 each. Here is the schedule, http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahocke...4&id=258784

The very prestigious prospects tournament is in Toronto this weekend for the 93 birthdates. It is one of the best showcase tournaments in North America and I know our coaches were there last year and I would imagine since the season is done they will be this year. If anyone lives in the Toronto area I would strongly recommend going. Here is a list of the teams and schedule, http://www.prospectstourney.com/Rosters%20...les-rosters.xls Also, the USA Hockey Tier 1 18U National Championship starts on Wednesday and runs through this weekend in Pittsburgh. You can follow that here, http://www.usahockey.com/Tournament/Tourna...DivisionID=1478

I think next year will be a more skilled team, but they do lose a lot of leadership which is tough to replace overnight. If they can get some guys early on that can step up into those leadership roles that this years seniors provided, we should have a good chance at defending the Macnaughton. Another thing is, at least from the looks of it now, is that the conference will be weak again.

I understand that the transition from high school to college is big and I agree that he should come in when he's ready, all I was saying was that with the way he is playing I think he will be ready to come in 2010.