skateshattrick

I'm voting Roughriders, but there is no way on this earth that I will ever vote for Nodaks. It is the worst of the choices by far. I don't care much for Fighting Hawks because it is generic, but at least it does not subject us to ridicule for having a name that makes us sound like a bunch of hicks. If it is between Nodaks and Fighting Hawks, I will vote for Fighting Hawks.

McFooly and Kolpack are friends. McFooly is almost as big of an NDSU tool as Kolpack. They are both insufferable.

Excellent post

I have 2 tickets in Section 105, row K, seats 5 and 6 for the UND/Manitoba game. Great seats--right behind where the Sioux shoot twice. Asking $25 each/50 total. Call or text me at (701) 371-0195.

I am also a GF Red River alum and born and raised in GF. I prefer Roughriders as well. Nodaks absolutely sucks as a name. It is even worse than Sundogs which ranks very high on the sucks scale.

Nodaks is the absolute worst nickname of the 5 remaining, and possibly the worst nickname that could possibly be chosen. It is a derogatory term used by people from other states (primarily Minnesota) to refer to North Dakota. It personifies the "hick" image. It sounds terrible, and there would be no logo. As much as I hate Sundogs, Nodaks is even worse. The other 3 are infinitely better, and in order, I prefer: (1) Roughriders (2) North Stars (3) Fighting Hawks.

1. Roughriders 2. North Stars 3. Fighting Hawks (a very distant 3rd) Emphatic last and "no": Nodaks and Sundogs. Nodaks is probably even worse than Sundogs. It makes us sound like a bunch of hicks and there is no logo that would possibly work. Sundogs is probably the 2nd worst nickname possible. These 2 are absolutely brutal.

Ralalski and Lidstrom. I also like the re-signing of Brendan Smith. He will be allowed to use his offensive skills more with Jeff Blashill. The Wings are also close to signing Brad Richards.

Red Wings sign Mike Green to 3 year contract. The Wings are going to be back this year. They finally have an offensive defenseman.

I am also a RR HS alum, and I have no problem with UND using the name. I like the name and it is the best option.

Great post. I remember visiting with Pat Morley, who represented REA, at the time of the lawsuit against the NCAA. He was of the opinion that if they wanted to be the Chippewas, the tribal government would have allowed it at that time. When I asked why they would not consider it, he told me that they wouldn't do that because it could change as quickly as the tribal government changed. That is precisely what has already happened.

I agree with most of your list, except I don't really like Explorers and Nodaks. I would have the following: 1. Roughriders or North Stars 3. Cavalry 4. Fighting Hawks 5. Green Hawks I'm pretty lukewarm on the Hawks' names, but the 1st 3 (Roughriders, North Stars and Cavalry) are pretty good. I really don't want just North Dakota because it is very lame to not have a nickname and no logo and the current merchandise is horrible (hence the reason I will not buy anything right now). The only way I would take North Dakota is if it was between that name and the following: Pride, Sundogs, Spirit, Flames and Force. Those options are absolutely terrible for the reasons expressed by virtually every other poster.

This is confirmed by MLive. He is signing with Detroit and will be joining Grand Rapids for the AHL playoffs.

I agree. I'm a huge Wings fan, but $6+ million per year is insane. Jeff Blashill will be the next coach of the Wings. If Babcock can do anything with the dysfunctional Leafs, maybe he's worth it, but I don't expect that he will turn around those sorry losers.

Jonathan Toews does a lot for the UND hockey program that is behind the scenes. He put up millions for some of the renovations at the Ralph. He just doesn't want the attention.

I agree. Keep in mind that UND typically hires from within and was probably well aware that if it did not hire Brad Berry, he may end up as an assistant coach in Philadelphia for Dave Hakstol. This makes sense to avoid early departures and risk losing incoming recruits. It would be interesting to see what would have happened if they opened it up nationally, but I think this was a wise move.

I would encourage those who question Dave Hakstol to consider the coaching career of Jerry York, considered to be arguably the best coach in college hockey. York coached first at Clarkson for 7 years and never won a title. He then coached at Bowling Green for 15 years, where he won 1 title in 1984. It took him 12 years to win his first title. He would have to wait another 17 years for his next one at BC. He was in his 9th year at BC when he won his 1st title. For the first 29 years, he won 1 title. Be patient. When Dave Hakstol wins his 1st title (and he will if given the opportunity) he will win many.

I was a season ticket holder during that horrible stretch, and from 1991 to 1994, you could throw a rock in any direction and not fear hitting anyone. The old Ralph was virtually empty. It was horrible. We had Greg Johnson and not much else. Remember also that although Dean Blais returned the program to prominence, Dave Hakstol was one of his assistant coaches and well known as a very good recruiter. I am a huge fan of Dave Hakstol and all that he does for UND's hockey program.

I don't think Zane comes back next year, but I hope the rumors are wrong. The rumors are that he withdrew from all classes before the Frozen Four. Zane proudly represented UND this year, and had an outstanding career. I don't believe that he had his best game last night, but he was a big reason that UND made it as far as it did. If he is leaving, I wish him the best of luck and give a big thank you for 3 great years.

I like them both, but I went with Jets and Fighting Soo (using a train for the logo)

SOLD

I have 2 ticket packages for the West Regional in Section 106, club seats (which were more expensive than reserve seats). I'm asking $200 per ticket package, or a total of $400. I live in Fargo, so you can pick them up in Fargo. Text or call me at (701) 371-0195.

You have no idea what you are talking about. I had 3 sons play for the Fargo Flyers, and 2 won state titles at Bantam A. It did not translate to State titles for Fargo South. Why? There are many reasons, but one reason is because several kids went to other schools. For example, a goalie and defenseman that played Flyers all the way through bantams went to Fargo North, where they won a state title. They also played 3 years of varsity at North, but would not have had that opportunity with Fargo South because Wade Storey has no clue what he is doing and plays favorites. Wade Storey could not win a title if you combined South, Davies and GF RR. Dean Wilson was a good coach, but the Flyers program was basically run by Wade Storey (who was the squirt coach and coordinator) and by his hand-picked coaches at Pee Wees and Bantams (like Andy Leapaldt). The Flyers had tons of talent, but were their own worst enemy. Don't blame the split--blame it on the fact that Grand Forks teams get better once they get to high school, and south Fargo teams lose good kids because of the politics and poor coaching/development. Give Rob Aasand at North the talent South had the past 2 years and he would win a few more titles.

Good point. It is understandable for those fans. I admit that my dislike of Gorg and other Gopher hockey announcers colors my perception of the Wild.

I totally agree. The Wild have the ugliest uniforms in hockey, especially the red with the green, followed closely by the green with the red. I frankly don't understand why so many people who are Sioux fans like the Wild. In addition to the ugliest uniforms, the announcers are Kevin Gorg and Anthony LaPanta, 2 Gopher homers. Every time I see Gorg I want to either barf or hit him in the face. Plus, they have the same fans as the Gophers, which is the biggest reason I want the Gophers to lose. I have nothing against the Gopher players, but the fans are beyond annoying. Finally, they are probably the most boring team in the NHL to any objective observer. With all due respect to Zach Parise (who I admire and love to watch), the Wild is a team of plumbers and play the most boring style in hockey.