roper1313

Blais has said publicly and privately that he didn't enjoy coaching at the NHL level. He enjoys developing players and there's not much of that going on in the NHL. That being said it would be great to see him get a shot at the Wild job.

Fist off after living in Duluth for 4 years and knowing quite a few people who have played for Randolph and it sounds like he is a first rate d-bag. He was forced out in the mid 90's and somehow managed to get back into the coaching job. Forbort is going to see NHL scouts at just about every USHL game he plays in, there are not many scouts heading up to watch East play Two Harbors on a Tuesday night in January. I've been watching the U18 games in Fargo, how does Forbort's game compare to any current USA d-men? Fowler seems to be their best one.

Thanks stickboy. I just assumed since he was going to be a HS Senior that he'd be eligible for the U18 team.

Totally agree with your post. Mattson must be on the 3rd unit. He showed some slick moves in the third when he stickhandled through the Russian team, unfortunatly Bourque was whistled for a trip behind the plan. The US goalie was not good. Too bad the best high school goalie in the country was watching the game (fargo's Lee) and not playing in it. Maybe USA's goalie can slip on a Banana peal and they can more Lee in. Probably not even allowed, but I was thinking it during the third period. Go USA!!

Joe's got a lot to learn when it comes to fighting. Don't forget it's been at least four years since he's been it one. He's got to use that reach to protect himself. Even Lee has that figured out. He did get one thing right. He did take off his helmet (half shield) I'm sure Bissonette appreciated that. As a big rookie d-man Finley was going to get challenged and it appeared that Bissonette is a bonafide tough guy. I loved how Bissonette blew on his knuckles on the way into the box. Kinda like a old west gunsliner blowing the smoke of his gun.

after watching USA's two games IMO, Bourque is the most dynamic player on the US roster. Morin seems to have the hype, but Bourque seems to be the guy that you always notice. He's quick, can dangle, pass and really plays a physical game. For a "little" guy he's one of the more physical players out there. UNH lost a dandy when he decommitted. For those of you looking to take in a non USA game is sounds like the CAN-SWE game tomorrow afternoon is going to be a good one. Tomorrow's going to be a great day. CAN-SWE with my boys at 4pm and USA-RUS with my dad at 7:30. UND content- Kristo looked great last night against the Force. Although his team lost he and Albrecht (?), a harvard recruit were Omaha's best payers. Listening to the post game on the radio they mentioned that Kristo has been dominant in Fargo. Hopefully that means he likes playing in ND and will be a star for UND!

Man, one of the best Final 5 line ups in year and I'm going to be stuck in Mexico! I guess it could be worse. Quite the sports weekend for all of North Dakota! Hopefully I can find a sports bar so I can watch the games. With UND and NDSU down North Dakotans will be doing their best to revive the twin cities economy.

I was at the game and looked for white and I don't remember seeing him either. I do remember him looking real good in a game against the Force early in the year. Of course there was not a lot of Des Moines game that was memorable, so I may have just missed him.

Looking for 4 lower bowl seats. Friday, Saturday, or both. PM or e-mail roper1313@yahoo.com

Very true. Eidness has become a rock. Freshman goalies have faired well for us in the NCAA's.

I noticed that, at about 39 seconds he give him a pat on the side as they are being seperated. I'm sure they'll have some laughs over that for years to come.

Here's a link to Brad's blog: Duncan for MVP He makes some great points, and make a good case for Duncan. What does everyone else think? I'd like to hear some comments from our WCHA brethern.

I'd speculate that the big reason that Blais left is that he was virtually guarantees a year off (NHL Lockout) with the pay of a head coach. It allowed him to spend a lot of time with his ailing wife. Blais was hired by Columbus as an associate head coach and was initially given a lot of assurances that he was going to be the next head coach in Columbus and was also paid as a head coach. When the new GM came into Columbus he cleaned house and was stuck with a scout (blais) making upwards of $300,000. I know for a fact that the part of coaching that Blais enjoys is player development and he didn't get to do much of that at the NHL level. From what I've heard, he really likes working with young, kids who want to learn. He's very loves the fact that he is getting to build a team from scratch, and if you haven't been paying attention, he has a expansion team battling for home ice. He's also getting paid like a top end Div 1 coach so it's not going to be a money issue. He's also expressed his interest in developing Fargo into a hockey first town. Now I'll admit he's got a long way to go, but if anyone can do it is Blais. He's also really trying to have an impact on the development of youth hockey in Fargo. He's become the face of Fargo hockey in a short period of time. The kids really think it is cool if Blais, or any of his Force players are around the rink (indoor or out). It has a way to go, but having Blais and the Force is going to positively impact hockey in Fargo.

Not really new news on a former player, but while driving home last night I was listening to the Dean Blais Coaches Show and the USHL did a little focus on a former player. They talked about the 1993-1994 season the Blake had in the USHL. Pretty rediculous numbers: 48 games 50 goals 50 assists! He's the last USHL player to eclips 100 points and they play a lot more than 48 games now. Just thought I share.

Thanks Dave. Safe travels to anyone heading up to GF today. Sounds like travel is not advised west of Fargo and just looking out of my office in south Fargo it looks to be nasty. I was thinking of taking my two boys up to watch the night games, but if this continues I don't think I will. I'm interested to see the Bismarck-GPR matchup. Bismarck has to be the favorite, but GPR always seems to turn it on come state.

Bump. Have four for sunday if anyone want to trade.

I'd love to see it in Omaha. If four years my boys would be 11 and 7, perfect age for their first Frozen Four!! Plus Omaha's my old stomping gound (spent a couple of years at Creighton), and the weather can be very nice in april. It can also be crappy, but you should be able to get a couple of rounds of golf in April!! Go Omaha, Go!!

From what I understand the USHL doesn't do territorial rights anymore. What's going to keep the force afloat is the suite revenue at the UP Center. IMO, there are a lot of Suite holders at the ralph that are also suite holders at the UP Center. After watching hockey at The Ralph for the past 6+ years who's going to want to watch jr. hockey in the Alerus? Yuck!

I'll be in GF on Friday for State and could make the "exchange" directly, if your in town. "Cash money homeboy"

No details, but from EDC South beat Central 4-1 to lock up the #1 seed from the east, while both RR and GPR advanced in surprisingly close games. RR beat North by one (can't remember the score) and GPR beat West Fargo in double overtime. Was anyone at the games and can give us a summary. Sounded very exciting. I think Bismarck beat Minot out west for the #1 while Williston is the #3 and Bismarck Century #4. Thursday's matchups are Bismarck vs. GPR(?) Central vs. Williston South vs. Bismarck Century Red River vs. Minot(?) I might have RR and GPR flip flopped.

Planning on being in GF for state hockey so thought I'd try to get some tickets for Saturday's game. Looking for 4 tickets, lower bowl preferred. Thanks PM or call 701-361-4356

From what I understand the UP center will be hosting EDC next year, or 2011? I can't remember the year, but I know it is soon.

I never met him, but my mother worked in teh business office in the early 70s and when I was born he gave me my first stuffed animal. Sock monkey (george) My kids still have it. From what my mom has said, he was a great guy.

I decided to do the math. As of right now 2/3/09 here are the EDC Standings top 4 only: Team Pts. Games Red River 25 13 South 24 10 Central 18 10 GraftonPR 17 11 I made some assumpitons that these team will beat all the EDC teams below them in the standings and that the h2h games are won by the home team: Team Pts. South 32 Red River 27 Central 24 GraftonPR 23 It looks like South will have to stumble badly to stay in 2nd. With games against Devils Lake, West Fargo and North you can almost lock in 6 guaranteed points. The battle for 2nd and 3rd is really between the two grand forks teams. RR only has one conference game left and that is agains GPR. If they win that they are almost a lock for 2nd, although if GFC can run the table, with games at RR and at South then they can get to 2nd. Hopefully all these teams can stay healthy and we should see a great EDC tournament.

I don't know the senarios, but is it safe to assume that with their two wins vs. RR and GPR that South has wrapped up the East? Funny how quiet this board is when RR is having a relative down year.