JacksonW

When recruiting, coaches develop reputations for how much they emphasize acedemics and behavior. They will all say the correct things when recruiting, to Mom and Dad. But some coaches actions match thier words and some don't. This does matter to many parents, some schools that have trouble recruiting is primarily become the coach has a reputation for only caring about on-ice issues. Blais had a very positive reputation for caring about school and off-ice behavior. Hakstol is developing the same reputation, because of the players profile this will either add or detract from that reputation.

You can tell who is level headed and see can the larger picture, and get past the short term hero worship. They probably are good kids, some consequences will continue the development of the citizen part of their life. I occasionally work with ex-jocks, most are great, but some (many years after playing) still think rules are for other people. Nice post.

If you have time it is very good hockey, these teams have excellent coaching, the Wisconsin team that beat SSM is coached by one of the Suters. The Colorado team is coached by Brad Buetow. Ludwig is asst coach of Dallas. Most of these teams have large financial budgets and play 60-80 games every year. The goal is to get as many kids as possible ready to play college or Canadian juniors. The talent level of these 16-17 year olds in fun to watch.

Jutting is on the last year of a 4 year contract, his record over those 4 years is well under .500. Maybe the pressure to save his job is taking it's toll. This certainly cannot help. Would Blais be interested in taking on a challenge like this, or would this be too large a step back?

Minnesota was playing so passive you almost needed a mirror under the nose to check for breathing. MSUM played on the edge, hence more penalities. Can you have made an arguement for a missed call here or there, sure. But the penalties reflected the style of play of each team. in my opinion.

Good coaches know which referees they can influence and which ones can hold a grudge and how to treat each type. Bad coaches just do what emotions at the moment compell them to do. Confrontation after a game that requires 3rd party intervention generally won't have a positive lasting effect for your team

Do many kids leave the state to play at the Tier One level as bantams or midgets? And if so where do they traditionally go?

Coming from another part of the country that doesn't have high school hockey, but has midget minor and midget major. Which level of pee wee and bantam do the best North Dakota teams play at?

CBS 4 in Boston reported that it is in fact cancer and he is scheduled for surgery. Wish he and his family well.

If it is that important that you see the game, get up, drive, and watch in person. The game isn't in Florida.