skateshattrick

I'm not sure I agree. Jonathan Toews came in as a 17 year old freshman at UND, and did pretty well his freshman year. He had 22 goals and 17 assists for 39 points as a 17 year old (he also accelerated his education and was in reality a high school senior). He was an impact player in the regional at the REA against Michigan, scoring at least 2 more goals.

I wouldn't overanalyze it. Mankato had a very good team and proved it all year. If they played DU 10 times, I think Mankato wins 5 of them. Mankato also had a tough non-conference schedule and proved that it could play with the top teams all year. Chrona came up big several times when it was still 1-0 and that was probably the difference. Denver is a very good team, and was finding a way to win the close games in the tourney. Having said that, I do think that Mankato would be even more battle tested if they were in the NCHC. They might not win the league, but they would definitely be in the top half and competing for the NCHC title. Mankato has nothing to be ashamed of--they are very good. I have a ton of respect for their program and Hastings.

Like a blind squirrel finding a nut, Ciskie finally got made a comment that is humorous, but it does not diminish what a !@#!$! he is 99.9% of the time.

Denver just won 3-2 and 2-1, and they are the number 2 offense in the country. MSUM is No. 1 and beat Notre Dame 1-0. Goaltending and defense win this time of year. Look at Duluth. It is usually a race to 2 but they win more 2-1 games than any program.

Off the top of my head, Tyson Jost, Jacob Bernard-Docker, Shane Pinto and Jake Sanderson. Kleven was a 2nd rounder. That's not a bad group. You also have to keep in mind that in 2019, UND was #1 in the power rankings, and the NCAA tourney was cancelled. In 2020, they lost in 5 OTs even though they outplayed Duluth for much of that game, particularly the OTs. They also lost to BU in 2 OTs after dominating and having the winning goal waved off. This team has been very competitive except for 1 year, which was not unexpected after they won in 2016 and lost most of the team.

The premise of your argument is flawed: that UND does not get as many "Blue Chippers". If you define a "blue chipper" as a 1st round pick, please go back to the thread for "Prospective Recruits" from January 27, 2022 (page 510). In that post, I noted that since 2010, here are the 1st round picks: (1) Michigan--14; (2) BU--12; (3) BC and UND--9; (4) Wisconsin--6; (5) Minnesota--5; (6) Denver, SCSU, Providence and Miami-- 2; (7) UMD, UMass, UConn, Northeastern, CC and Harvard--1. UND gets more top recruits than all of its NCHC rivals, and has for years. Only "blue bloods" Michigan and BC have gotten more. Even BU, with all of its recent success getting top recruits, is tied with UND. Minnesota now got Cooley, so they are up to 6, which is still less than UND. Minnesota is also a blue blood and most Minnesota kids grow up with the dream of wearing the "M". Notice that DU has only gotten 2 since 2010, and Mankato has 0. There is a lot more to building a team that getting "blue chippers." Michigan has 7 1st round picks on its roster, and several 2nd round picks. Michigan may win it this year, but it is not guaranteed. The bottom line: RELAX. UND is a power in college hockey, is well-coached, gets good recruits and will continue to be one of the top programs in the country. Not every top recruit will come to UND because of many factors--geography, quality of education, playing time, top minutes, coaching, etc. All we can ask is that we are in the conversation, and the Cooley situation shows that UND is usually in the conversation.

It needs to be James coming in. He is likely going to be a 2nd round draft pick, and UND cannot risk pushing back another top recruit like it did with Morrow and Rizzo.

Western and Northeastern tied at 1-1 with about 2 minutes to go

I watched James Patrick many times, and with all due respect to him, Sanderson is the most talented D man I have ever seen at UND. We are very fortunate to have him.

Agreed, but Jake Sanderson didn't play enough games. It is too bad because he is the best player in college hockey.

I have 2 lower bowl tickets for sale for tonight vs. CC in Section 105, Row K, seats 5 and 6. This is the end where UND shoots twice and are behind the goal. $30 apiece/$60 for the pair. Text or call at (701) 371-0195.

This from a guy who can't look at a game while sober.

How about Minnesota losing to Holy Cross? How about Duluth and Providence both winning national championships as 4 seeds?

Motzko did that several times at SCSU and retained his job and eventually was recruited away to Minnesota. Sh!# happens in the NCAA tournament. Berry has nothing to worry about even if UND loses to a 4 seed.

Tickets are sold

I have 2 tickets for sale for tonight's game against Western Michigan. Seats are in Section 105, row K, right behind where UND shoots twice. $60 for the pair. Text me at (701) 371-0195.

I disagree if you are including Duluth. Duluth is a dirty, depressing city with even worse weather than Grand Forks. Minneapolis aka Gotham City used to be nice before it turned into the crime capital of the Midwest, but hockey is also not the top sport. Ann Arbor is nice, but hockey is way down on the list behind football, basketball and probably other sports. I get Denver and ASU, but not the other ones. On the other hand, we do out recruit Duluth and St. Cloud most years.

Saturday tickets are sold. I still have Friday night tickets.

I have 2 lower bowl tickets for sale for both Friday February 11 and Saturday February 12 vs. Colorado College. $30 apiece/$60 for the pair for both or either night. They are in section 105 (behind where the Sioux shoot twice) in row K, seats 5 and 6. Call or text me at (701) 371-0195.

Tickets are sold

I have 2 tickets for sale in section 105, Row K, seats 5 and 6 for $30 each/$60 for the pair. This is the end where UND shoots twice and are great seats. Call or text me at (701) 371-0195.

Are you looking for 1st round draft picks, or what is your definition of "blue chippas"? If you go to collegehockeyinc.com, there is a list of NHL First Round Draft Picks Who Played College Hockey. Since 2010, here is the breakdown: 1. Michigan 14; 2. BU 12; 3. BC and UND 9 (I included Pinto since he was the 1st pick of the 2nd round and meets any definition of "blue chipper); 4. Wisconsin 6; 5. Minnesota 5; 6. Denver, SCSU, Providence and Miami 2 each; 7. UMD, UMass, UConn, Northeastern, CC and Harvard 1 each. If you go back to 2003, UND does even better because they had 1 in 2003, 2 in 2004, 3 in 2005, and 1 in 2006. It seems that we outperform our NCHC rivals SCSU, Miami, Denver and UMD (your favorite school)

Ryder Donovan of Wisconsin, who decommitted from UND and went to Wisconsin. He has 3 points.

Edit: Kunz has only played 17 games

And what do you base this upon Nostradamus? Chris VandeVelde played 2 years of juniors, and only had 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points in 38 games his freshman year. He had a great career at UND and played in the NHL. Jackson Kunz is similarly framed, but only played 1 year of juniors, so he came in younger than VandeVelde. Kunz has 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points in 38 games. Lee Goren, another big guy, struggled scoring his first year (3 goals and 13 assists) and also had a great career. I really would like to know what you based this opinion upon, and what experience you have in hockey that gives you that insight? If you have no insight other than being a keyboard warrior, please refrain from posting about players because they and their family also view this site and it is embarassing having to defend these types of posts.